A new Indian-Mexican fusion restaurant plans to move into the 600 block of Main Avenue in downtown Durango.
An application for a business license has been filed under the name “CDXX LLC, DBA Roxy's” or “Roxy’s Tacos” for that location, according to Durango Deputy City Clerk Ben Florine.
The restaurant’s owners, Fletcher Starkey and Roshani Patel, describe it as an “Indian Taqueria and electronic dance music (EDM) bar” combining their passions into one business.
They expect the restaurant to be open by early June with the potential for soft openings in May while the building undergoes renovations and the owners await a liquor license.
The restaurant will offer tacos, grilled burritos, nachos, and rice bowls loaded with a choice of handcrafted curries and chutneys, topped with citrus-herb kale slaw.
“Our flagship items for this new location are going to be tacos but instead of a tortilla, we’ll use naan bread,” Starkey said.
Starkey compares the style of naan bread to that of Navajo fry bread that can be garnished with toppings of a customer’s choice.
The owners will also have more traditional Mexican food options like ground beef for those who may not be interested in dabbling in the exotic combination.
Starkey and Patel used to operate a Roxy’s that opened in 2017 in Boulder. It had a successful run until 2021 when they were forced to leave their University Hill Plaza location because it was going to be demolished to make way for a new hotel.
“At that point in time, we started looking for a new home,” Starkey said. “We thought about downtown Longmont and we actually were offered a spot in the new hotel but the price was just astronomical.”
After searching around the state, the two decided on Durango after seeing the city’s scenery.
Roxy’s isn’t just a new fusion restaurant: It could also add to Durango’s nightlife scene. Starkey said once they receive a liquor license they plan to host EDM events on the weekend featuring local artists.
Starkey is a DJ himself and will likely provide the entertainment while they scout out local talent for events. He said its likely that on weekends the establishment will be open until the early hours of the morning.
The location was previously occupied by Francisco’s Restaurante Y Cantina before being divided into three store fronts. The site at 639 Main Ave. was occupied for a while by Cerda 7 Cantina Y Comida before Francisco’s reopened in that smaller location in 2018. Frances and Claudine Garcia sold the building in 2020.
“We want to be a part of the community and give back,” Patel said. “Francisco’s was there for 30 years and we’d like to be there for that long.”
tbrown@durangoherald.com
