After 46 years, Arturo's is no more. And without so much as a going away party.
I only visited Arturo's once, and it happened to be just a few weeks ago. I was not impressed. For example, the article quotes Denise Roesler as saying that "[Arturo's] had the best chips and salsa in town". I found the staple to be average at best, and they weren't free like they are at most Mexican restaurants these days. In addition our service was humorously bad. It was our server's first night on the job and it was obvious that his training had consisted of "the kitchen's in the back. Now go wait some tables."
Not that I'm cheering the loss of one of Lincoln's oldest restaurants, of course. If Arturo's was really as bad as my first impression implied, it would have closed long ago. Based on what I have heard from family and friends, Arturo's was usually a fine place to get a meal. Problem was, it wasn't on the tip of anybody's tongue when somebody asked "Where should we eat tonight?"
The comments on the article over at the LJS site devolved into a debate over the effect of the smoking ban on Arturo's business. I'm no fan of Lincoln's smoking ban, as I have made clear in this space many times, but I think it's long past time for blaming restaurant and bar closings on the ban. Any place that was going to close is already gone. No, I have to suspect that Arturo's closed due to other factors.
In any event, 46 years is a hell of a run. So long, Arturo's.
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It is an amazing run - not just in years, but also in the number of locales. Think how often you see a restaurant or business move, and the clientele don’t follow it. They were in at least 3 or 4 locations during that time, were they not? Of course, then think how many new authentic Mexican restaurants have popped up everywhere in Lincoln over the past few years. Wow.
eaten there twice in that past year or so. Very unimpressed. I am really glad there are many authentic places popping up.
Arturo’s death knell was set in motion the day the larger local Mexican restaurant in a much better location a mere half-block away opened two year ago. As the LJS comments show, Arturo’s had its share of loyal customers; however, the casual undecided/walk-up crowd was, for the most part, lost to El Potrero almost immediately after it opened.
It also didn’t help that, for your money, you get more food at El Potrero as well.
I’m not a long-timer here in Lincoln, but I’ve heard Arturo’s location is somewhat cursed. I find that a little hard to believe.
Former City Councilman Jerry Shoecraft had a bar there once that was called “Shoe’s.”
I thought Arturo’s was fine but I liked the food at El Portrero a lot more.
I always liked Arturo’s but they lost my business to El Portero because of the better food, better service, and more value for my money. Also I felt the atmosphere at El Portero was much better and easier to sit and talk in.
We always referred to Arturo’s as “Arturo’s Sports Bar & Cafeteria” because it always sounded like a noisy cafeteria and you couldn’t sit anywhere and not see a tv. I enjoyed the food (most times) but I don’t think anyone went there because they had good food, people went there because they had “Arturo’s food” you have to admit you couldn’t get that amount of grease anywhere else in Lincoln.
Yeah, I thought their food was pretty greasy too, although the last time I was there it wasn’t greasy at all.
Regardless, I hate to see a locally-owned family restaurant close.
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