El Caporal is coming soon to Sisters

A second Mexican restaurant is coming to Sisters this summer.

On Thursday evening, June 15, Sisters Urban Area Planning Commissioners held a public hearing to review El Caporal’s application to make a “major modification” to convert retail space on Hood Avenue into a restaurant. Commissioners voted unanimously to allow the modifications to turn the former video store into a new 70-seat restaurant.

Restaurant owners Roberto Anaya and Jim Fernandez have a long-term lease on the building so they do not plan any major changes to the exterior.

They said their new restaurant would be similar to their other restaurants by the same name. They own two El Caporals in Bend and one in Tumalo. El Caporal is known for its traditional Mexican food, seafood choices, fresh tortillas and wide selection of tequila.

Some conditions of the approval were that the restaurant owners replace old sidewalks, re-stripe parking spaces and screen large garbage carts. Also, commissioners wanted to make sure exterior lighting was sufficient for the new use. Nobody spoke at the public hearing.

Anaya said he hoped to move through the permit process “ASAP” and to open in “a few months.”

The owners are related to the owners of Sisters’ existing Mexican restaurant, El Rancho Grande, but the businesses are separate.