Owner lists 5 Sergio's Italian and Guadalajara Mexican restaurants for sale

Shrimp ravioli from Sergio's Italian restaurant in Charleston

Lugo-Mata may sell all locations, just some or even buy another spot

The owner of five regional Mexican and Italian restaurants has confirmed he has listed those businesses for sale, but added that what happens next depends on several factors.

Sergio Lugo-Mata (with scissors) at grand opening

Sergio Lugo-Mata – who owns Guadalajara Modern Mexican locations in Charleston, Nitro and Barboursville, plus Sergio’s Italian restaurants in Charleston and Hurricane – told me he may sell all or just some of them, plus he’s considering possibly buying yet another one.

In a message on the “Restaurants for Sale by Owner” Facebook group posted on July 22, Lugo-Mata shared several photos of his restaurants with the comment: “5 popular restaurants in West Virginia for sell. Tons of equipment and low overhead! Current peak monthly revenue 400K! Message me if interested!”

After I shared that news late last week, he replied to offer a little more context.

“My family and I have decided to move to another area and I don’t think that I could effectively manage the business being away, as I am very used to a hands-on approach with all of these restaurants,” he said. “My goal is to find someone who shares the same passion as mine, who will also have as much heart as I do for these locations.”

Carne guisada from Guadalajara restaurant

He went on to explain that he’s received a lot of interest from out-of-state individuals with successful brands who would take over the restaurants and rebrand them as their own, but that he owns the Guadalajara name and would like to keep these places locally owned if possible.

When I connected with Lugo-Mata a few days later, he said his next step is still up in the air.

“It honestly all depends,” he said. “I’ve been made tons of offers all over the place, including some to purchase all five restaurants, but I’m still awaiting contracts to see if we can reach a deal.

Pepperoni and sausage pizza from Sergio's

And in the middle of all of this, Lugo-Mata said he also was approached to buy a Mexican restaurant in Quincy, so there’s a chance he may keep the Guadalajara restaurants and just sell the Sergio’s Italian locations.

“If a big deal doesn’t go through, my mom doesn’t want me to sell Guadalajara because of the sentimental value,” he said, explaining that he and his mother got into opening Guadalajara together and that she truly enjoys working there.

“I will always respect my mother’s wishes.”

Stay tuned to The Food Guy for updates on Lugo-Mata’s restaurants in the coming weeks.

The Lookout at Eagle View closes

A fourth local restaurant owned by Todd Moore and David Andrews has recently closed.

The Lookout Bar & Grill at Eagle View has been dark for the past week, joining downtown Charleston’s DT Prime, Bar 101 and Ichiban, which have all closed over the past few weeks.

A TV news report two weeks ago said the three Capitol Street restaurants were all expected to reopen – with DT Prime under new ownership – but that story has not been confirmed by any sources.

Taste of Asia under new ownership

The longtime owners of popular Taste of Asia in Teays Valley announced they would be stepping away from the restaurant effective this past Monday, but clarified that new owners would be keeping the business open.

“This restaurant has always been more than just a business – it’s been a labor of love, built with family, supported by friends,” the restaurant said in sharing the news.

“We are deeply grateful to everyone who walked through our doors. Your support has meant everything. There will be new management taking over the business. We want to iterate to our family that the restaurant itself will still be open.”

• IF YOU GO: Taste of Asia at 1 Liberty Square in Hurricane is open from  For more information, call 304-760-6010, visit www.tasteofasiateaysvalley.com or check out the restaurant’s Facebook page.

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Steven Keith is a food writer and restaurant critic known as “The Food Guy” who writes a weekly column for the Charleston Gazette-Mail and has appeared in several state, regional and national culinary publications. Follow him online at www.wvfoodguy.com or on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest. He can be reached at wvfoodguy@aol.com.