Food+Drink

Cancun Mexican Grill Wants to Build a New Restaurant in Eau Claire

Tom Giffey |

(Source: River Valley Architects via Eau Claire Plan Commission)
(Source: River Valley Architects via Eau Claire Plan Commission)

 A new location for a familiar Mexican restaurant could be popping up soon on Eau Claire’s east side.

The city’s Plan Commission will soon consider a site plan for a new 6,500-square-foot building to house Cancun Mexican Grill at 805 S. Hastings Way. The 1-acre lot on the east side of South Hastings Way was previously home to Heckel’s Family Restaurant and later Blue Moon Family Restaurant. The original restaurant building was demolished in December 2013.

The proposed building, outlined in documents filed with the city, would have a Spanish-inspired design, an outdoor patio, and seating for 188 customers inside. The parking lot would be accessible from Altoona Avenue to the north and Sherwin Avenue to the south.

Advanced Engineering Concepts of Eau Claire has applied for site plan approval on behalf of the property owner, NunezLRA LLC.

There are currently four Cancun Mexican Restaurants in the Chippewa Valley including one at 2120 Highland Ave., just a few blocks from the proposed site. The others are at 2713 N. Clairemont Ave., Eau Claire; 475 Chippewa Mall Drive, Chippewa Falls; and 1919 Stout Road, Menomonie.

The Eau Claire Plan Commission will consider the site plan at its meeting at 7pm Monday, May 4. Because of the coronavirus, that meeting will be held virtually. For information on how members of the public can access the meeting online or by telephone, visit the city’s website.

The proposed restaurant site is at 805 S. Hastings Way, between Altoona and Sherwin avenues. (Source: Eau Claire Plan Commission)
The proposed site is at 805 S. Hastings Way, between Altoona and Sherwin avenues. (Source: Eau Claire Plan Commission)