Abuelo's Mexican Food Embassy(R) Opens New Location in Lexington.

LUBBOCK, Texas -- Abuelo's Mexican Food Embassy(R) Restaurants has opened its first restaurant in Lexington, Ky., located at 3395 Nicholasville Road. This is Abuelo's second location in Kentucky and the company's 34th site nationwide. Abuelo's also has a restaurant in Crestview Hills, Ky., located outside of Cincinnati, which opened last year.

The design of the 7,700-square-foot Abuelo's restaurant is based on classical Mexican architecture and artistic influences. The restaurant's interior features hand-painted murals depicting Mexico's rich and colorful history, as well as imported stonework and statues that are hand-carved by artists in the villages around Guadalajara, Mexico. The restaurant's main dining area features an open-air courtyard atmosphere and the exterior finishes include cantera stone trim.

Abuelo's, which blends the best of Mexico through art and fine dining, is famous for its creative, made-from-scratch Mexican cuisine and superior service. Abuelo's House Specialties, which combine beef tenderloin, jumbo shrimp, mahi mahi, salmon and other top-quality ingredients with unique, homemade sauces and side dishes, have earned a reputation for "raising the bar" of Mexican food restaurants. The menu also features a number of traditional items including 12 different enchilada choices, chile rellenos, quesadillas, chimichangas and carne asada. Desserts include Abuelo's award-winning traditional Mexican flan and margarita pie with tequila cream sauce, among others.

"Our theme is 'beyond Tex-Mex,'" added Lin. "At Abuelo's, our goal is to offer our guests an opportunity to experience the diverse and distinct flavors of Mexico in a beautiful setting with superior service at a great value. In interior and coastal Mexico, the cuisine is really Continental with Spanish, French and Italian influences. We want our customers to be able to experience that aspect of Mexican cuisine in addition to more traditional fare."

As part of its grand opening, Abuelo's donated $3,000 to the Healthy Kids Centers initiative of Central Baptist Hospital of Lexington which serves low-income children by providing free access to medical, mental health, disease prevention and oral health services.

About Abuelo's Mexican Food Embassy Restaurants

Since its first opening in 1989, Abuelo's has continually been on the leading edge of menu creativity, combining consistency in food quality, colorful plate presentations, superior service and an impressive Mexican courtyard-themed atmosphere. Abuelo's restaurants, which were recently listed in Restaurants & Institutions' "Top 400 Sales Growth Leaders" annual ranking, are owned and operated by Food Concepts International of Lubbock, Texas. Abuelo's also recently ranked number 18 in Restaurant Business' "Top 50 Growth Chains" listing.

Abuelo's currently has locations in Texas in Abilene, Amarillo, Arlington, Austin, Hurst, Lewisville, Lubbock, Midland, East Plano and West Plano; in Bricktown Oklahoma City, North Oklahoma City and Tulsa, Okla.; in Chandler, Peoria and Scottsdale, Ariz.; in Rogers, Ark.; in Wichita, Kan.; in Columbus, Cincinnati, Toledo, Beavercreek and Warrensville Heights, Ohio; in Bartlett, Tenn.; in Kansas City, Mo.; in Traders Point/Indianapolis, Carmel, Evansville and Merrillville, Ind.; in Myrtle Beach, S.C.; in Crestview Hills and Lexington, Ky.; in Sterling Heights, Mich. and in Madison, Wisc. Two additional restaurants are currently under construction in Knoxville, Tenn. and College Station, Texas. More information is available at www.abuelos.com.