A go-to in Downtown Montclair for Mexican fare for almost a decade, Villalobos, has announced via Instagram that it has permanently closed its doors after what was meant to be a temporary closure just weeks ago. The chef and owner of the restaurant, Adam Rose, made the announcement on May 27th.
Villalobos specialized in modern Mexican cuisine including traditional tacos, quesadillas, burritos, and bowls, as well as fresh guacamole, the signature cheeseburger, churros, and more. It wasn’t just the delicious food that drew locals in – the decor and vibe of the eatery was just as exciting. Mexican art decorated the walls, ofrenda candles were sitting pretty on shelves, folk art masks hung throughout the space, and colorful papel picado draped over every table. The restaurant was a popular spot for birthdays and even hosted events of their own for Mexican holidays like Dia De Los Muertos.
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After operating for seven years, Villalobos will be no more but fret not: Rose isn’t going anywhere, in fact, he already has plans to breathe new life into the space.
He said in the Instagram post, “I want to thank all our guests for making our seven years here so incredibly gratifying. Fortunately, I will be able to bring a new project to life in this room, on this block, with new partners at Montclair Hospitality Group, good friends, and creators of Ani Ramen House. I can’t say anything more about it now — but I can’t wait to open the doors again.”
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What will be taking Villalobos place is still a mystery. Rose teased, “I can’t say anything more about it now—but I can’t wait to open the doors again. To stay informed as our new opening date approaches, I encourage you to check local press and follow the Villalobos Instagram for an invitation to follow the new project feed.”
We may not know what’s to come for the space, but we’re excited to find out! To stay in the know with Villalobos transition, follow the restaurant on Instagram at @villalobos_nj.
