Unique Restaurant With Ecuadorian, Peruvian Menu To Open In Worcester

WORCESTER, MA — A unique Ecuadorian and Peruvian restaurant is officially opening its doors in the city this week.

Mercado Restaurant will open on Friday at 278 Shrewsbury St. The eatery, which is "inspired by the markets of Latin America," according to its website, took over the space formerly home to the Flying Rhino, which was sold last year.

Mercado Restaurant will be open daily: on Tuesday through Thursday from 5 to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. to 12 a.m., and Sunday from 5 to 10 p.m.

The eatery's menu offers a fusion of Ecuadorian and Peruvian flavors, highlighting dishes like fried yuca croquetas, churrasco, and jalea. You can find a complete menu here.

Restaurant owner Juan Maldonado, along with a representative from Kuntur Group, initially went before the city's Licensing Commission on Nov. 11 to discuss the business.

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Maldonado said he and his sister, Melanie Maldonado, will operate the business, along with a partner, Jose L. Morillo.

The three were born and raised in Worcester and had been involved in the food industry with their parents for close to 20 years.

While the owners are Ecuadorian, they decided to include Peruvian food. Juan Maldonado said Ecuadorian food hasn't yet evolved in the U.S., so they want to give customers the opportunity to try it out in small plates.

"We created this concept we had in our minds, for quite a few years now," Juan Maldonado said at the License Commission meeting in November. "Worcester was just the right space. All three of us are from here, grew up here, and share a lot of ties and connections with the community."

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