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Another day, another non-food business converted to a restaurant — this time it's a stationery shop transitioning to a taqueria as Portland's Papier is replaced by El Rayo. The Mexican restaurant, which left its original York Street home at the end of the September to make way for development, announced via Facebook shortly thereafter that it "will be opening a new Portland location at 26 Free Street Spring 2016!" There are even plans to build a deck off the back of the building, which abuts a parking lot.
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A side view of El Rayo's new Portland home. [Photo: Adam H. Callaghan]
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The restaurant is applying to the city for permission to build a deck off the back. [Photo: Adam H. Callaghan/Eater]
Co-owner Tod Dana told the Press Herald the new space, which is larger than the old one and should offer more comfortable seating for a similar number of guests, will have a full bar, "breakfast burritos and more quick-serve options, such as soups and salads" to "cater to the needs of the business district." In the meantime, the company's Scarborough restaurant at 245 U.S. Route 1 has "witnessed a bump in business" as both some of the Portland staff and regulars have moved out there.