Alongside the promise and possibilities of a new year, January is bringing Washington Township foodies tacos far too delicious to be limited to Tuesdays. Julio’s Casa de la Birria, a new concept from the husband and wife team behind Vineland favorite Julio’s on Main, will begin serving the neighborhood its signature cuisine in 2025, reports local media outlet 42 Freeway.
The restaurant will be opening at 309 Fries Mill Road in the Echo Plaza shopping center. Owner and chef Cesar Hernandez explains to What Now Philadelphia that the location will allow Julio’s to offer great Mexican dishes to an area sorely missing them. Speaking of selecting the eatery’s home, he states “ There were many variables, the most important being that there is no Mexican food past Taco Bell within a ten mile radius… there’s nothing really like what I offer.”
The continued success and renown of Julio’s on Main made Hernandez and his wife Christine feel ready and able to take on their next adventure. He says of the new location: “It’s something that we’ve always had in mind. We’ve always looked to expand and now that the main brick and mortar is self running and still offering the same quality that we strive for, I was looking for another challenge. I want to focus my energy into another one.”
While Julio’s Casa de la Birria will share considerable DNA with Julio’s on Main, the two eateries will not be identical. Hernandez details the differences as: “This one is is smaller-about 1,000 square feet smaller. We will have tables, but we won’t offer full service. The menu is going to be more along the lines of the food truck. It’s mainly birria.”
The new restaurant may lack some of Julio’s on Main’s formality, however the food and flavors will be as delicious as ever, prepared fresh and quickly. “It’s fast casual where everything is still fresh and made to order” Hernandez explains, adding “but it’s stuff we know we can make in 5-10 minutes in a food truck. The equipment in the restaurant will be a bit more efficient.”
Future regulars can anticipate enjoying truly decadent and authentic meals. Hernandez offers this guidance for those looking to navigate the menu: “The birria. Get a birria platter, you can try one of each flavor- the beef is unreal, it’s super tender. The rice, the beans, the corn-the rice is a memory engager; it reminds me of when I was little. It’s still the same flavors.”
Washington Township locals won’t have to wait too much longer to dig in to Julio’s Casa de la Birria’s fare; Hernandez is shooting for an early 2025 opening. Between his recipes and Christine’s decoration, the restaurant is certain to become an absolute staple of the Sewell dining scene. Hernandez sums up his hopes for the eatery, saying: “I want it to be another go-to destination. My wife’s vision of design-we’re going to keep it simple but elegant. Our sit-down restaurant is simple, neutral colors with warm ambiance, and we’re going to transport that to the new place. People who walk into our dining room are blown away by it, and we expect the same at this place.”
