Puralima Cantina to open 6 more Twin Cities locations
Puralima Cantina, a fast-casual Latin restaurant owned by Steele Brands, is planning to expand across the Twin Cities.
Minnesota's first location opened in the North Loop neighborhood of Minneapolis in July 2023. Steele Brands said two more locations — Wayzata on Lake Street and Edina in the 50th & France district — are expected to open by late spring 2024.
Additionally, Puralima Cantina will open sometime later in the year in Blaine, Eden Prairie, Maple Grove and Woodbury. The company said it's looking to focus on opening additional restaurants in several areas of the Upper Midwest.
Puralima Cantina's menu features "scratch-made and culinary driven" recipes with foods such as tacos, burritos, salads, bowls, margaritas and more. A build-your-own feature is also available.
The Wayzata-based Steele Brands also owns salad bar chain Crisp & Green and did own the plant-based fast food eatery Stalk & Spade, but closed all three locations suddenly this past fall.
Steele Smiley, Steel Brands' executive chairman, said the North Loop Puralima location has been "well-received" since it opened. He also noted the fastest growing items on United States menus are Latin-inspired dishes and flavors.
“Americans have a growing and dominant desire for Latin-inspired cuisine, but most do not want to attempt to replicate it at home. People are excited to find convenient options that are also delicious, whole, and healthy," Smiley said in a statement.
"With our Puralima concept, we offer a fresh take on fast-casual dining, with scratch-made food and an experience that’s different than what diners have experienced with other large chains.”
Steele Brands' Lily Smith told Bring Me The News last summer that it's expected that Puralima will expand faster than Crisp & Green.
