After Long Wait, ‘Ay Por Dios!’ Set to Open on Franklin Street

A new restaurant is preparing to open its doors to customers after extensive renovation caught the Chapel Hill public’s attention.

‘Ay Por Dios!’, which is a Mexican Bistro focused on authentic Mexican recipes, announced on its Instagram page that it plans to hold a grand opening for the business on Thursday, September 28.

The restaurant is the latest to operate in 431 West Franklin Street, which is home to several locally-owned businesses as part of The Courtyard development. ‘Ay Por Dios!’ has spent more than a year preparing and overhauling its unit, which is on the corner of West Franklin and South Roberson streets. Previously, the space was home to Kipos Greek Taverna for seven years until it moved to Eastgate Crossing in Chapel Hill at the end of 2020.

‘Ay Por Dios!’ is set to become the latest restaurant offering along West Franklin Street in Chapel Hill.

‘Ay Por Dios!’ is owned and operated by Edy Barahona, who is no stranger to the Chapel Hill restaurant scene. He also owns Kahlovera Mexican Bar & Grill in Meadowmont Village. But as Barahona told the Daily Tar Heel in January, his staff at ‘Ay Por Dios!’ are trained by chefs from Mexico and will offer dishes made-from-scratch that he ate in the city of Oaxaca, Mexico — as well as a variety of other styles of food. Miguel Rebolledo will serve as the executive chef for the restaurant.

While ‘Ay Por Dios!’ is expected to be a sit-down restaurant for all ages, the style of the interior is expected to be popular for social media users, with bright colors, vibrant artwork, neon light fixtures, and funky styling being incorporated throughout. The bistro also will boast extensive patio seating — which was part of the long renovation process.

More details on the September 28 grand opening are expected to be shared ahead of the opening date, but the website for ‘Ay Por Dios!’ lists its initial hours as being from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our biweekly newsletter.

‹

Grand Openings Announced for 2 National Businesses Adding Chapel Hill Locations

A pair of national businesses are set to open their doors to Chapel Hill customers in just a few weeks' time: sweetgreen and J. Crew Factory.

Stoney River Sets Reopening Date as Latest University Place Business to Open After Flood Recovery

Stoney River Steakhouse & Grill at University Place will be reopening on August 11, joining other businesses in the Chapel Hill mall.

'There's No Reassurance': Eastgate Merchants Navigate Rebuilds in Chapel Hill Shopping Center

Tenants of Chapel Hill's Eastgate Crossing joined 97.9 The Hill to discuss short-term and long-term recovery efforts after Chantal's floods.

Community Members Donate To Support Baxter Bar & Arcade Following Water Main Break

After suffering a water main failure, The Baxter Arcade and Bar turned to the community for support in the form of a GoFundMe campaign.

As Tonya's Café Prepares to Open, Its Namesake Looks to Add Her Own Twists While Paying 'Homage' to Family

Tonya Council is preparing to open Tonya's Café, a lunch spot featuring classic southern recipes, at 400 South Elliott Road in Chapel Hill.

Jeni's Ice Creams Set For Soft Opening at Chapel Hill Mall on Thursday

As the weather in Chapel Hill is warming up, a new ice cream option is about to be available for those looking to cool off.

Eight Months After Fire, Moshi Moshi Announces Chapel Hill Reopening

The hairstyling salon Moshi Moshi is preparing to reopen its doors on West Franklin Street in Chapel Hill after undergoing extensive repairs and redesigns

A Fatal Car Wreck Led to 10 Alcohol Arrests. But Has Anything Changed for Underage Drinkers at UNC?

A Carolina Connection report dives into how students procure fake IDs to underage drink and Chapel Hill spots where they know they can go.

WCHL and Chapelboro Headquarters Moving to New East Franklin Street Home

It's been 26 years since WCHL moved its headquarters from East Franklin Street. But the Chapel Hill radio station is moving back.

After Long Wait, 'Ay Por Dios!' Set to Open on Franklin Street

A new restaurant is preparing to open its doors to customers after extensive renovation caught the Chapel Hill public’s attention. ‘Ay Por Dios!’, which is a Mexican Bistro focused on authentic Mexican recipes, announced on its Instagram page that it plans to hold a grand opening for the business on Thursday, September 28. The restaurant […]

›