Mi Cancun replaces Ay Wey Mexican restaurant
Photo: Jose Patino, manager of the Mi Cancun Mexican restaurant that replaced Ay Wey Mexican Kitchen + Tequila in Lexington, stands next to a sign announcing the restaurant’s new name. (Vikki Broughton Hodges/Davidson Local)
Mi Cancun, a regional chain of Mexican restaurants in the Triangle area, has purchased the Ay Wey Mexican Kitchen + Tequila restaurant located at 295 N. Talbert Blvd. in Lexington in the former Silver Diner building.
Ay Wey was only in business for six months when it was sold in mid-October of this past year. The restaurant was owned by five partners —Stephannie Cervantes and her husband, Jorge Lopez, her sister, Sandra Cervantes and her husband, Moises Onate, and Eduardo Hernandez. Cervantes and her husband still own and operate the original Ay Wey Mexican Kitchen + Tequila in Dunn.
The partners sold the restaurant business to Jose Torres and Mana Suarez, who own other Mi Cancun restaurants in Apex, Morrisville (two), Dunn, Holly Springs, Pittsboro, Raleigh, Angier and Cary.
Jose Patino, the manager of the Lexington restaurant, said some customers have been puzzled by the fact that the large, elevated Ay Wey sign is still in place out front. But that will soon be replaced with a new Mi Cancun sign, he noted. Smaller Mi Cancun signs have been placed inside and outside the restaurant and banners are in the front windows.
“It’s been a little confusing,” Patino acknowledged. “But we’re just waiting on the new sign.”
Patino, who has worked for the regional chain for two years, said much of the interior décor remains the same but metal bar stools and chairs may eventually be replaced with more comfortable seating. Most of the seating is already in upholstered booths. New wall signs that say “Beach” and “Relax” as well as carved wooden fishes reflect the fact that Cancun, Mexico, is a popular seaside resort area.
The large and varied menu for Mi Cancun is “similar” to Ay Wey’s, Patino said. Appetizers include nachos, guacamole (including a version made tableside) and various dips with chips. Entrees include tacos, burritos, enchiladas, chimichangas and fajitas, primarily with beef or chicken, as well as a number of shrimp and fish dishes.
Some entrees Mi Cancun has added since taking over include fried mojarra (like tilapia) with shrimp and salsa, grilled salmon with mango habanero sauce, a T-bone steak with baked potato and quesabirrias, a Mexican dish comprising beef stewed with chiles and spices folded into a tortilla with melted cheese and served with a side of broth for dipping.
“Quesabirrias are probably our most popular new item,” Patino noted. “So far, everybody likes our food.”
Mi Cancun’s business hours are also similar to Ay Wey’s. The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday. A smaller lunch menu is available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The restaurant has full ABC permits and offers beer, wine and mixed drinks with a wide-ranging menu of margaritas and other tequila-based cocktails.
Customers can place takeout order by phone at (336) 590-9980. Delivery is available through DoorDash.
