Sergio sells all regional restaurants, Danny’s barbecue joint reopening

Guadalajara (formerly Albuquerque) in Charleston is one of six restaurants sold

In other news, Jam Off returns to Capitol Market this Saturday

Local businessman Sergio Lugo-Mata has confirmed that he sold all six of his Italian and Mexican restaurants – including the five he previously owned, plus one he bought and immediately sold as part of one of those transactions.

Acquired by different owners in a multi-faceted deal, some of those restaurants will remain open mostly as-is, while others will change over to something new.

Sergio Lugo-Mata

“All locations have been sold,” Lugo-Mata told me over the weekend. “And in the midst of the sales, I made a deal with the former Las Cazuelas (now Los Habaneros) in Belle.”

He essentially purchased that additional restaurant for his mother, who gave him cash and land in Mexico, so she will now own it along with his original Guadalajara Modern Mexican location in Nitro.

“The Guadalajara in Barboursville and Sergio’s in Hurricane were sold together as a package deal and will remain open under similar concepts. The Sergio’s in Charleston and Guadalajara in Charleston (formerly Albuquerque Southwest Bar & Grill) were sold independently, with plans to keep both staffs but open under new concepts of their own.”

Terms of each deal were not disclosed and Lugo-Mata said the remaining new owners wish to remain private for now.

In the meantime, he’s just taking a moment to let it all soak in.

“I’m definitely experiencing a lot of emotions right now, from building the staffs up to open each location and then seeing them grow, but this is a good time to sell,” he said. “Now I can continue to develop my skills, travel and work with chefs around the world, so I can hopefully come back here and develop something even better and different.”

Most of the restaurants sold are expected to remain open during their ownership or concept transitions, but customers should contact them in advance to confirm current hours of operation.

Danny’s BBQ Stand reopening downtown

The owner of a popular restaurant near Beckley is reopening an old favorite spot in downtown Charleston.

Danny's Rib Stand on Quarrier Street

Benjamin “BJ” Noel, who owns Merchants Deli Grill in Beaver, will run former Charleston Mayor Danny Jones’ rib joint, which was the most recent iteration Jones had operated in his storied career as a longtime restaurateur and local political figure.

Danny’s BBQ Stand is expected to reopen on Sept. 4 in the same 1019 Quarrier St. storefront it was operating in before closing on Dec. 30, 2022.

Although specific details have not been confirmed, word on the street is that Danny’s will once again be offering the same fall-off-the-bone BBQ ribs, tender pork and more paired with hearty sides.

I’m also waiting to hear back if Jones himself will be back in the kitchen, if the restaurant was purchased by Noel and if the same original recipes will be used.

Stay tuned to The Food Guy for more details!

Jam Off this Saturday at Capitol Market

The second-annual Jam Off returns to downtown Charleston’s Capitol Market (800 Smith St.) this Saturday.

Jam Off at Capitol Market

A fundraiser for Make-A-Wish West Virginia, the food-tasting competition offers the public a chance to taste a variety of delicious fruit or pepper jams and jellies – either on a spoon, biscuit or cracker – in a festive outdoor atmosphere.

It also offers judges a chance to taste them all to pick the best of the crop – and I’m stoked to be one of them!

First-place winners in both Commercial and Amateur divisions will each receive $500, while Peoples Choice and Kids Choice winners will be recognized with a plaque, trophy or certificate as well. 

This free public event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

In addition to jam and jelly sampling and purchasing, live music will be provided by West Virginia country/rock artist Brandon Laxton and all of Capitol Market’s indoor and outdoor vendors will be open for business as well.

The market’s new “Sip & Shop” experience also means guests can purchase a drink at either Soho’s, Bogey’s or The Wine Shop in a special cup to be enjoyed anywhere throughout the market’s indoor or outdoor spaces.

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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.