Angel Retana, owner of Gainesville Seafood Market and El Carreton, is now converting a former Denny’s at 1701 Browns Bridge Road in Gainesville into Soco Southern Coast Grill. This fresh, seafood concept will be a welcome addition to the Browns Bridge area!
Retana said, at Soco, to expect fresh, simple food, consistency, great service and a fun atmosphere. Currently, the building is being remodeled with new indoor seating, roll up doors for nice days and outdoor seating.
“I brought a chef in from South Mexico, who is actually working right now as we speak on the menu. We’re playing with food…I’ve learned so much after being in the restaurant business for 27 years, I’ve tested the waters and I know what works,” he said.
Angel, a first-generation Mexican-American, moved to New York City from Mexico City when he was 13 years old, and when he moved a few years later to Atlanta he began working in restaurants. He washed dishes at L & M Seafood in high school, where he began learning the restaurant industry.
Soco will be the seventh restaurant in the 1701 Browns Bridge location but that didn’t deter Retana, he says a lot has changed in Gainesville over the years, especially the loosening of alcohol ordinances, which helps his plan with Soco.
“People said nothing works here. I don’t go by what people think, rather I go by what I happen to understand is true,” he said.
Soco will be open seven days a week and plans to have entertainment and music. Retana didn’t want to speculate on an opening date but hopes to be open in 2022.
