Captain Poncho’s 2 opened in June as a second location for owners Carolina and Hector Escobar, who also operate Captain Poncho’s in Chapel Hill.
 
When operating two locations became too much for the couple after just a few months, they began searching for new owners. The search led them to family friend Carlos Vasquez. Vasquez, along with his wife, Adriana, and mom, Carolina, have taken over the business and reworked the menu.
 
Carlos Vasquez said the Wilmington restaurant, 417 S. College Road, now serves more traditional, authentic Mexican cuisine, as well as some Central American specialties. All of the sauces, soups and marinades are made fresh from family recipes, and meats are all grilled to order.
 
There are staples such as tacos, quesadillas, tostadas and burritos as well as enchiladas, flautas, sopes, huaraches and soups such as posole, marisco and menudo. Carlos Vasquez has stocked a variety of Mexican sodas, and of course there’s plenty of chips and salsa.
 
There are several daily specials offered, and chicken tacos are $1 every day. Vasquez said that on the weekend the restaurant will feature several specialty seafood dishes. He also plans to add Mexican-style hot dogs and burgers to the menu in the coming weeks. And, due to a loyal following, Captain Poncho’s 2 also still serves the Peruvian chicken served by the previous tenant, The Golden Chicken.
 
A self-described foodie who recently relocated to the area from Chicago, Carlos Vasquez said he looks forward to experimenting with new specials and seeing how customers respond. One of his favorite recent creations is Mexican steak fries: French fries smothered with carne asada, salsa, pico de gallo, shredded cheese and sour cream.

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