Ixtapa Mexican Grill Says Hola to Watertown

It took longer than the Brambila family originally intended, but the sixth branch of their Ixtapa Mexican Grill & Cantina opened yesterday in Watertown.

The restaurant is situated at 18 Mt. Auburn St., in the space vacated by Verona Restaurant, a classic Italian eatery that shuttered in April 2013 after 40-plus years.

Ixtapa announced its Watertown location last September. Initially eyeing a late fall 2014 debut, it got pushed to February, then June, and finally August, when Eater reached owner Ramon Brambila by phone earlier this summer.

The Watertown Ixtapa follows locations in Acton, Lexington, Woburn, Groton, and the original restaurant in Lunenburg, which launched in 2005. The Brambila family includes chef Eric, and the fare at all the restaurants is rooted in Guadalajara, Mexico's cuisine.

The Watertown-specific menu isn't posted on Ixtapa's website yet, and its listed phone number didn't work this afternoon, but based on offerings at the other restaurants, expect tacos, burritos, enchiladas, chimichangas, and seafood dishes, plus tequilas, imported cervezas, domestic beers, and specialty margaritas.

Ixtapa is open daily in Watertown from 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. (11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays).