The city issued permits March 19 for tenant build-out for Mambos Cuban Kitchen at the former Denny’s at 13874 Beach Blvd. at a combined cost of almost $1.38 million.
Owner Raul Arias Jr. expects an opening event in August, the 17th anniversary of Mambos Cuban Cafe’s opening in Mayport on Aug. 7, 2007.
He said it would be a soft opening, grand opening or friends-and-family event, so long as it is in August.
Mambos Holdings LLC paid $2.1 million in October 2022 for the 4,000-square-foot former Denny’s built in 2007 on almost 1.1 acres.
Arias said previously he estimated it will be at least a $3.8 million project.
He said that to date, workers have removed the old mechanical systems from the rooftop and mitigated “all the ugly stuff,” such as mold.
A new roof and AC systems were next as well as outside concrete work, tree mitigation and the interior.
“Now it is time to start building it out,” he said.
Arias leases the current location nearby, where Mambos had relocated and expanded from Mayport.
“As business owners, we always had the vision of owning our own property, and we worked hard for that,” said Arias, who represents District 11 on the Jacksonville City Council.
“It’s a big milestone for our family and having the support of the community. That is why we were able to grow.”
Arias said it’s one thing to lease and quite another to own.
“We are there,” he said.
“That’s just something that will resonate with our family and be our family legacy. We can’t wait for August to come.”
Summit Construction Management Group LLC of Orlando is the contractor.
The permitted projects comprise a 4,227-square-foot renovation at a job cost of $1,101,320 and the addition of a dining-room at a cost of $276,000.
Arias said the entire project is growing from about 4,000 square feet to almost 6,000 square feet, not including the patio.
He said he is adding about 1,800 square feet of air-conditioned space.
Seating in the building would increase from 146 to 194.
Arias said previously that broker Matt Demir, owner of XERA Realty Inc., brought him the Denny’s deal.
Denny’s lease was up in December 2022 but it closed in November, Arias said.
Mambos Holdings LLC, led by Arias and his mother, Gisela Quesada, is the owner.
A family business
Arias is moving Mambos Cuban Cafe into the former Denny’s, renaming it Mambos Cuban Kitchen, adding a private room for 80 to 100 people, an outdoor patio, a full bar and a bakery in front.
The existing Mambos Cuban Cafe in leased space at 13770 Beach Blvd., No. 9, will become Bellini Modern Italian, a new Italian concept the family is launching.
The two restaurants are near Beach and Hodges boulevards.
Arias, 40, said the businesses are family-run by him, his mother and father, Gisela and Noel Quesada, and his sister, Stephanie Quesada.
Mambos Cuban Cafe offers brunch, lunch and dinner entrees and specials, caters and offers private parties.
Mambos also offers custom cakes and food platters for events such as birthday parties, corporate events and family reunions.
The restaurant features appetizers, salads, soups, pastas, sandwiches, wraps, chicken, beef, pork, seafood, rices, desserts and more.
Examples include tostones, yuca cheese bites, black bean soup, Cuban sandwiches, cuatro queso ravioli, pan con bistec, steak quesadilla, yellow rice, sweet plantains, black beans, pollo mango, ropa vieja, camarones (shrimp) enchilados, paella and flan.
“We want to take the menu up a notch,” Arias said, such as the quality of presentation and an emphasis on paella options.
He said Mambos Cuban Kitchen will offer a lot of seafood options that include Mayport shrimp and fish.
The bar will include local manufacturers of vodka and rum, such as Grey Matter Distillery along Mayport Road and St. Augustine Distillery.
“You will see a lot of local recognized brands on our menu to help our local economy and bring that Jacksonville touch to the menu,” Arias said.
The restaurant hours will be extended.
Mambos Cuban Cafe now opens at 10:30 a.m. daily, closing at 8:30 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 9 p.m. Friday-Saturday.
Mambos Cuban Kitchen will open at 9 a.m. daily and close at 9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 10 p.m. or 11 p.m. Friday-Saturday.
Arias said the kitchen will serve Cuban breakfasts and baked goods in the morning.
The later hours will accommodate business at the bar.
For breakfast, he foresees empanadas, Cuban breakfast sandwiches, Spanish sausage and eggs and more.
Arias said previously that Mambos generates $2.2 million in annual revenue and the new one should do $2.5 million to $2.6 million with the full bar and more seating.
He also said Mambos also is launching a Mambos Cuban Express franchise.
Bellini Modern Italian
Arias said the existing Mambos will become a new Italian concept, Bellini Modern Italian, “with a modern upscale twist to it.”
He said the estimated $400,000 upgrade will be cosmetic changes and the addition of a full bar.
Arias expects Bellini could open in fall 2024 because work can’t start until Mambos Cuban Kitchen opens. He said he has bought the furniture and dinnerware.
“That will be a fairly quick turnaround,” he said.
The location has a liquor license although Arias said Mambos Cuban Cafe has been selling just beer, wine and sangria.
Bellini will be Italian, but not the traditional form.
Arias said it will feature wine, cocktails, homemade meatballs, flatbread, charcuterie and smaller plates, for example.
“We want to bring more of a day-night atmosphere,” he said.
Remaining at 160 seats but with a full bar, Arias expects Bellini to generate annual revenue of at least $2.2 million.
Hours are anticipated to be 11 a.m. daily to 9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 10 p.m. Friday-Saturday.
Mambos history
The MambosCubanCafe.com website says Mambos Cuban Café was established in 2007 in Mayport “with the concept of giving customers delicious Cuban cuisine with high quality standards in mind.”
Arias was 23 when they started Mambos with five tables and five menu items.
He says on the website site that after joining the U.S. Navy and spending time in Japan, he was assigned to serve in Jacksonville for another 2½ years.
“My family and I loved the Jacksonville area so much that we knew that it was the place we wanted to call home for our family, and for Mambos Cuban Café,” it says.
Since then, Arias closed the Mayport location and relocated to the current site.
“Our café is family owned and operated, and we take great pride in the culinary delights that our chefs prepare on a daily basis. We want our customers to feel as if they are right in the heart of Cuba every time they walk through the doors.”
Arias said his family spent a great deal of time in the Miami area, “but we have infused ourselves with Jacksonville and are pleased to call it home.”