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Molcajete Grill gets mixed-beverage license for El Paso restaurant

Molcajete Grill gets mixed-beverage license for El Paso restaurant

New Capabilities El Paso, TX local

East El Paso spot clears a licensing hurdle before opening

August 31st, 2026: TABC issues mixed-beverage license to Molcajete Grill

Overview

Updated Yesterday

A new El Paso restaurant cleared a required legal step: Molcajete Grill, at 3143 Lee Trevino Dr, received a mixed-beverage license from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission on August 31, 2026. The permit lets the business sell wine, beer, and liquor by the drink.

The license is one approval, not the whole process. The restaurant still needs food-safety, occupancy, and other local permits, and the record does not confirm it has opened. But without this permit, the spot could not legally pour a margarita or a beer with a meal.

Why it matters

The license is the difference between Molcajete Grill opening with margaritas and beer or serving food without alcohol.

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Key Indicators

1
TABC mixed-beverage license issued
One MB permit granted to Molcajete Grill on Aug 31, 2026.
MB
License class
Mixed-beverage permit allows on-premises liquor, wine, and beer sales.

Voices

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Organizations Involved

Timeline

1 event Latest: August 31st, 2026 · 1 week ago
  1. TABC issues mixed-beverage license to Molcajete Grill

    Latest Licensing

    The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission granted an MB permit at 3143 Lee Trevino Dr, allowing the restaurant to serve liquor, wine, and beer by the drink.

Scenarios

1

Molcajete Grill opens with full bar service

Likely Resolves by Aug 31, 2027

Discussed by: The TABC record itself; local restaurant watchers expect a quick opening once remaining permits clear, a common pattern for El Paso eateries.

The restaurant finishes its remaining local inspections and opens at 3143 Lee Trevino Dr with the MB license active, serving mixed drinks alongside Mexican food. Many Texas restaurants license weeks or months before opening day.

2

Restaurant opens, waits on the bar

Possible Resolves by Aug 31, 2027

Discussed by: Restaurant-industry practice: some operators secure the license first, then open food service before pouring drinks.

Molcajete Grill opens for food while delaying alcohol service, or opens without a bar until it clears additional inspections or lines up staffing.

3

License lapses, restaurant never opens

Unlikely Resolves by Aug 31, 2027

Discussed by: A minority outcome for small restaurants that clear licensing but stall on funding, leases, or other permits.

Molcajete Grill does not finish its remaining steps. The MB license expires or stays inactive, and no restaurant operates at the address within a year.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

1933-1935

End of Prohibition, Birth of Texas Liquor Control Board (1933-1935)

Prohibition ended in 1933 with the 21st Amendment, and states built alcohol regulatory systems. Texas created the Liquor Control Board in 1935, later renamed the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, to license and inspect every alcohol seller.

Then

Licensed retailers became the only legal channel for liquor, wine, and beer in the state.

Now

That licensing system still runs today; every bar and restaurant that serves alcohol holds a TABC permit.

Why this matters now

The mixed-beverage license Molcajete Grill received is an output of the 1935 framework.

1970

Texas Allows Liquor by the Drink (1970)

Texas voters approved a constitutional amendment in 1970 letting cities choose to permit liquor by the drink. Before that, much of the state relied on private clubs and mix-your-own setups.

Then

Bars and restaurants could finally sell full-strength cocktails by the glass.

Now

The measure created the modern mixed-beverage license category that restaurants use today.

Why this matters now

Molcajete Grill's MB permit is the direct descendant of the 1970 vote.

Sources

(2)