Long time employee and partner, Neal Crawford is the new owner of Jose's on Dickson. Jose's opened for business on March 5, 1980 as an 82-seat Mexican restaurant employing 11 people. Beer was sixty cents on tap and seventy-five cents in a bottle. Live entertainment, including Jed Clampit, the Ozark Plantation Band and Cookbook played every night to draw business owners and locals alike into the Dickson Street location.Competition was tough, which forced owner Joe Fennel to get creative to keep customers coming back to his restaurant. Fennel began holding toga parties and established "Legs Night", inviting the crowd to judge the best legs by applause. Word-of-mouth quickly circulated about the restaurant's festive atmosphere, and newcomers joined the loyal following by participating in taco and jalapeno eating contests and "five minutes of nickel beer" drink specials to name a few. Fennel even initiated the "Most Pitchers of Beer in a Month" tournament to encourage repeat business.
In 1983, Fennel introduced the killer margarita, which Jose's is still famous for and now offers in 15 flavors. Jose's was always on the verge of closing until the first big remodeling job. At that time, a full liquor license was obtained and the restaurant added more seats. Essentially, two restaurants were created by this remodeling one private and one public.
As his clientele grew, Fennel realized he was attracting two different crowds—customers who came for the live music and customers who just came for the great Mexican food. In 1985, Fennel remodeled again, bringing a much needed lobby to the restaurant while closing off the private club dining room. A few years later, however, Jose's realized that it could no longer keep up by trying to be everything for everybody. In 1988, the last year for live music, Jose's became strictly a Mexican restaurant and bar.
In 1992, Fennel toyed with available space behind the Mexican eatery and added an outdoor patio with a limited menu. Weather conditions hindered the success during spring and fall months so El Patio was enclosed and remodeled giving birth to Fennel's brainchild, "IL Patio", serving Italian cuisine. "At the time, there was only one other Italian restaurant in Fayetteville. I've always loved Italian food," Fennel said, "so why not go for it?" One year after its opening, IL Patio was renamed Bordinos, which translates into "Dining on the Edge."
"It was evident that IL Patio was too confusing," Fennel said, " people didn't know really what IL Patio was, and they sure couldn't find it in the phone book." Bordinos gained a separate entrance and was established as a separate entity from Jose's. It is considered a relaxed, yet upscale, fine dining experience.
In 1997 Fennel's outdoor patio area was reborn. Now customers enjoy the killer margaritas and free live music every Tuesday night at Jose's Streetside. The open air view of Dickson Street quickly attracted college students and business leaders alike, rocketing StreetSide into the black quicker than any of Fennel's previous ventures.
Thirteen Readers' Choice Awards and 25 years later, Jose's is still serving its customers the same great Mexican food. Despite its many facelifts and attractions, Jose's offers great Mexican cuisine at great prices.
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