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The former Lone Star Steakhouse building on Highway 19-E will soon be home to a new Mexican restaurant.

Puerto Nuevo Mexican and Seafood Restaurant will open its 14th location at the site as soon as permitting and training is completed.

“We were trying to get a place, and since the Lone Star location closed recently … I thought it would be a good spot for us,” said Nicolas Leon. “Now we have the opportunity and we are ready to go.”

Leon and his eight brothers own and manage restaurants in South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina and Virginia. “We always focus on the local people because they are always local.”

The Elizabethton location will be able to seat at least 200 people. “I cannot tell you how long it will be until we open because we are working on permits and everything is taking forever so I have no idea.”

While alcoholic beverages are not sold in the Roan Mountain location, Leon said he will seek a permit to sell alcohol at the Highway 19-E restaurant.

Leon said his restaurants are known for their quality offering because they focus on fresh ingredients. “We do everything fresh and nothing is frozen. We use good quality products on everything — even beans and rice,” he said, adding that in many locations seafood is as popular as the Mexican dishes on the menu. “We have different dishes with seafood. We have perch, shrimp, scallops, catfish, octopus, tilapia, and lots of other seafood.”

Leon said he plans a grand opening event later. “I just want to open and take care of the people because we are looking forward to serving them,” Leon said.