BETHEL – The Mexican food scene is expanding here in the form of Casa Tequila, located at 85 Stony Hill Road. Mike Guerra, a 22-year restaurant veteran and one of the owners, describes it as “not your average Mexican restaurant.”
“Casa Tequila is an upscale Mexican restaurant offering authentic flavors, high-quality ingredients, craft cocktails, and one of the largest Tequila and mezcal selections in the area,” said Guerra, who owns the eatery with Andrea Guerra, Julissa Guerra, and Tomas Sandoval. “We focus on providing great food, great drinks, and a memorable dining experience.
This is the group’s second location. In 2019, it opened a Casa Tequila in Armonk, New York.
According to First Selectman Dan Carter, the town needed a place like this.
“There is a strong demand for diverse, high-end dining options within our community, especially in Stony Hill with access from I-84,” the first selectman said. “High-quality ‘anchor’ businesses attract visitors from surrounding towns, which ultimately benefits all our local merchants and keeps Stony Hill active and vibrant,” he said. “New additions help grow our Grand List and create local jobs, which is essential for a healthy economy.
Casa Tequila will offer another space for residents to connect, whether it’s for a family meal or a special evening out, he added.
The restaurant is located in the 6,061-square-foot space previously occupied by Empire Szechuan.
“We chose Bethel because of its strong sense of community, growing dining scene, and great location,” Guerra said. “Bethel offers a great balance of local residents and visitors, which creates steady business year-round. We also saw an opportunity to bring something unique and elevated to the area while still staying approachable and welcoming to families and locals.”
The space was changed to reflect the Casa Tequila brand.
“This included new décor, updated seating, bar re-design, lighting improvements, and creating a more modern, upscale atmosphere,” he added. “We wanted guests to feel like they’re walking into a completely new dining experience. I’ve worked in multiple roles including kitchen, bartender, management, operations, ownership. These experiences helped me understand every part of running a restaurant – from customer service to operations to team leadership.”
According to Janice Chrzescijanek, Bethel director of economic development, the restaurant is a good addition to town.
“The community benefits from having a restaurant like this,” she said. “It offers an upscale dining experience and it adds variety to the local restaurant scene. It fills a gap by providing a different atmosphere and style of dining, which helps meet the interests of a wider range of people in town.”
The restaurant offers a full menu of traditional Mexican cuisine, along with specialty dishes, fresh seafood options, house-made sauces, and chef specialties. Its culinary philosophy is simple – authentic flavors, fresh ingredients, and consistent quality,” according to Guerra.
Its biggest draw is its beverage menu featuring one of the largest Tequila and mezcal selections available, including more than 185 different tequilas and 75 different mezcals.
Looking forward, Guerra hopes Casa Tequila becomes a staple in the community.
“We want to be a place where people come to celebrate, gather, and enjoy great food and drinks,” he said. “Long term, we want to continue growing the brand, support the community, and maintain a reputation for quality and consistency. We love the community atmosphere.”
