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.

‹

TOPO Distillery Owner Discusses Accomplishments and Legacy Before Closing

After operating for just more than ten years on West Franklin Street, TOPO Distillery will close its doors for good on Wednesday. The business — which is a sister company to the popular Top of the Hill restaurant and brewery — has been winding down operations for months in the building that formerly housed the […]

Blue Spoon Microcreamery in Chapel Hill Permanently Closes

With students away and the coronavirus pandemic continuing to cause limitations to restaurants’ service, another Franklin Street business has announced it’s closing its doors. The Blue Spoon Microcreamery announced on Twitter Thursday night it will be permanently closing due to complications presented by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The ice cream shop also posted a sign […]

Crumbl Cookies Closes Chapel Hill Location After 3 Years In Business

The store, located in Suite 150 at 133 West Franklin St., first opened its doors in February of 2023. It was open for just over three years.

Shake Shack Sets Post-Flood Reopening Date For Chapel Hill Location

Shake Shack, one of the Eastgate Crossing businesses closed due to flood damage from Tropical Depression Chantal, said it is set to reopen.

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.

'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.

Chapel Hill Barbeque Restaurant Closing Franklin Street Location, Transitioning to Catering Only

Blue's On Franklin, owned and operated by Andrew Young, will have its final day of dine-in operations on Saturday, Mar. 15 before closing its space at 110 West Franklin Street.

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.

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 […]

›