El Sombrero

El Sombrero was established in 2000 by owner Mike Kittner, and by the restaurant's own telling it started as a two-man show — Mike and one other cook. It bills itself as home of the original white cheese, and points customers toward its famous Papa Nachos. Tito Cruz serves as chef, kitchen manager and catering manager. The original McCann Road location expanded its dining room in 2003 and again in 2011, before a lease issue forced a move across town to Toler Road at the end of 2022. The restaurant closes Sundays, which it frames as appreciation for its staff so they can spend the day with family, and runs margarita specials on Mondays and Thursdays. On the community side, El Sombrero says it is an avid contributor to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and gives back locally by feeding doctor offices and teachers and staff at surrounding schools. It keeps a community request form on its site for local events.