Orlando Sentinel – Lime Fresh Mexican Grill

By Heather McPherson

December 16, 2010

The Tex-Mex category is a crowded field. Tijuana Flats, Amigo’s Original Tex-Mex, Chevys Fresh Mex, Tex-Mex Express, Chipotle Mexican Grill, PR’s Mexican Restaurant, Qdoba Mexican Grill and others serve up fine border cuisine to loyal local fans.

Now Lime Fresh Mexican Grill is in the local corral with its first Central Florida location at Orlando’s Phillips Crossing Shopping Center.

In 2004, John Kunkel had a vision for a Mexican restaurant concept in Miami’s South Beach. He wanted a fresher, healthful philosophy in the kitchen with an emphasis on community and the distinction of being a Certified Humane restaurant. With Lime Fresh Mexican Grill he is succeeding one location at a time. Within six years, Kunkel has opened nine locations with a Plantation eatery coming in the spring. In addition, Lime Fresh has signed an expansion agreement with Ruby Tuesday to develop and open Lime Fresh Mexican Grill locations throughout the Eastern United States. Ruby Tuesday plans to initially open about 12 locations, with the first few expected to open in 2011, and a goal of up to 200 restaurants.

So what is up with the Certified Humane rating? That means suppliers must ensure:

•Animals have ample space, shelter and gentle handling to limit stress.

•Animals have ample fresh water and a healthy diet of quality feed, without added antibiotics or hormones.

•Cages, crates and tie stalls are forbidden, and animals must be free to do what comes naturally.

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