Openings & Closings

El Carnicero to Close After 11 Years in Lakewood

The restaurant from owner and chef Eric Williams is remaining open through Cinco de Mayo. 

by Annie Nickoloff | Apr. 19, 2024 | 6:19 PM

Courtesy Edsel Little, via Flickr

Courtesy Edsel Little, via Flickr

After 11 years, El Carnicero is permanently closing.

The Mexican restaurant at 16918 Detroit Ave. in Lakewood is owned by chef Eric Williams. Williams also owns acclaimed restaurant Momocho in Ohio City, which shares similar menu offerings with El Carnicero, like the restaurants' margarita, guacamole and salsa flights.

RELATED: 9 Food Flights to Sample at Greater Cleveland Restaurants

El Carnicero's last day of business is May 5 — Cinco de Mayo.

Williams and his team shared the news on Friday in a social media post:

"thanks to all of our wonderful guests, amazing coworkers + skillful purveyors, for the great memories, experiences + support of El Carnicero! we are extremely humbled that so many embraced ELC + that we were able to celebrate with you + succeed as long as we have. its been an honor being a small part of the Lakewood community + for a restaurant to survive + thrive for 11 years is an accomplishment for which we can all be proud; but its time for a change."

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Annie Nickoloff

Annie Nickoloff is the senior editor of Cleveland Magazine. She has written for a variety of publications, including The Plain Dealer, Alternative Press Magazine, Belt Magazine, USA Today and Paste Magazine. She hosts a weekly indie radio show called Sunny Day on WRUW FM 91.1 Cleveland and enjoys frequenting Cleveland's music venues, hiking trails and pinball arcades.

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