Trenton residents will no longer have to travel to Hamilton, Fairfield or Middletown to find authentic Mexican food.

That’s because El Barzon opened a Mexican restaurant bar and grill in Trenton Crossings at 948 W. State St.

Javier Melendez, co-owner of the restaurant, said the family restaurant opened its doors on Nov. 1 in a 2,800-square-foot location next to the new Little Caesars restaurant with nine employees of which at least six of those are from Trenton.

The restaurant also houses 24 tables with a maximum seating capacity of 140 people, flat screen televisions and a full bar.

Melendez said the decision was made to locate in Trenton because of the residents.

“We see the city growing with new houses and everything too,” he said.

Daniel Ramirez, manager and co-owner of the restaurant, said through restaurant hostess and acting interpreter Liliana Padilla, that he expects to attract customers from Madison Twp., Middletown and Trenton.

“People waited anxiously for it to open,” he said.

Ramirez said some of the restaurant’s favorite dishes are the Burrito El Barzon for $9.99, Fajitas Texanas and del Mar for $11.99 and $14.99 and a chicken special called Pollo Toluca for $10.99.

The restaurant also features a special each day and provides discount coupons to customers in a variety of places such as on the back of Kroger receipts and The Hometown Bee publication, he said.

Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Sundays. No alcohol is sold on Sundays.

To contact the restaurant call (513) 428-0384.

Contact this reporter at (513) 483-5219 or dewilson@coxohio.com.