© 2024 WEMU
Serving Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County, MI
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Art & Soul - The Culinary Arts: Meet The Owners Of The New Mexican Restaurant In Ypsilanti 'Dolores'

Lisa Barry

It took years to turn the old Elbow Room in Ypsilanti into a new Mexican food restaurant called Dolores.  It was created and is run by a married couple Marcela Rubio and Andrew Epstein.

They join 89.1 WEMU's Lisa Barry and Jessica Webster to talk about their vision for the restaurant, their attachment to the community, and the kinds of food they are offering.

Credit Lisa Barry
Chips and guacamole from Dolores.

Dolores was just recently opened at 6 South Washington Street in Ypsilantiin the location that used to house the Elbow Room.  The owners describes the menu as offering authentic Mexican specialties including tacos, tostadas, flautas, and a variety of mezcal and tequila.

Credit Lisa Barry
Inside the Dolores restaurant.

Rubio and Epstein lived in Los Angeles for around 10 years before moving to Ypsilanti and say their time in California definitely influenced their new restaurant.  Epstein is from the Ann Arbor area and went to Community High School and studied music in college.  Rubio is originally from Mexico City and incorporated some of her family recipes into the menu at Dolores.

Credit Lisa Barry
The founders of Dolores, Andrew Epstein (left) and Marcela Rubio (right), with their 18-month old son, Eugene.

The couple are parents to 3 young sons and take turns overseeing the restaurant and caring for their family.  They will be participating in their first First Fridays Ypsilanti event on April 6th.

Credit Lisa Barry
The outside entrance to Dolores.

Non-commercial, fact based reporting is made possible by your financial support.  Make your donation to WEMU todayto keep your community NPR station thriving.

Like 89.1 WEMU on Facebook and follow us on Twitter

— Lisa Barry is the host of All Things Considered on WEMU. You can contact Lisa at 734.487.3363, on Twitter @LisaWEMU, or email her at lbarryma@emich.edu

Lisa Barry was a reporter, and host of All Things Considered on 89.1 WEMU.
Related Content