Downtown Columbus has a new spot for tacos, enchiladas, and margaritas. Ochoa Mexican Grill is now open at 113 E. Main St., bringing a mix of traditional Mexican dishes and Tex-Mex favorites to the former home of Pecan Penny’s.
The restaurant officially opened in early October, adding another dining option to the East Main Street corridor. It comes from the team behind several familiar Columbus restaurants, including The Olde Towne Tavern, Osteria Pizzeria, and The Walrus Kitchen & Public House.
Ochoa’s menu covers plenty of familiar territory, with tacos, burritos, quesadillas, tortas, fajitas, and birria. There are also dishes like chile rellenos, chimichangas, fish tacos, and enchiladas, along with a lineup of margaritas and other cocktails.
I stopped in for lunch and started with the complimentary chips and salsa, plus an added order of queso to the table. Then we moved onto two street tacos, which come with your choice of protein on a flour or corn tortilla, topped with cilantro and diced onion. You can also upgrade them with shrimp or barbacoa, or order them supremo-style with sour cream, queso fresco, and pico de gallo.
We also tried the beef enchiladas, made with warm corn tortillas stuffed with seasoned beef and topped with salsa ranchera and queso fresco. They come with sour cream, lettuce, and pico de gallo on the side. Both dishes offer a chance to stick with the classics while exploring a menu that has plenty more to choose from.
The drinks menu deserves a look, too.
Alongside margaritas like the Spicy Passionfruit and Watermelon Basil, Ochoa serves cocktails including a tequila espresso martini, an Ochoa Olde Fashioned, and a Paloma.
I tried the Paloma, made with Corazón blanco tequila, lime, Squirt, and salt. Squirt is a grapefruit-flavored soda that has been around since 1938, and it gives the classic tequila cocktail its citrusy character. It’s a fun choice for anyone looking beyond the usual margarita order.
Ochoa also has a weekday happy hour for anyone looking to turn an after-work drink into a little more of an occasion. Monday through Friday from 4-6 p.m., guests can get half off margaritas, $1 off draft beers, and half off select appetizers.
The discounted bites include smoked chicken nachos, house-made salsas, guacamole, queso, bean dip, esquites, and loaded fries. That’s a pretty good lineup for sharing a few snacks over drinks, especially if you’re in the mood to try one of Ochoa’s margaritas without paying full price.
The restaurant has a sizable (and cool) outdoor area. There are two patios, both with firepits, including a full-service front patio and a back patio designed more for hanging out over drinks and appetizers. The front patio has also been updated with greenery and fencing to give diners a little more privacy.
Ochoa takes over the space where Pecan Penny’s operated until its closure in October 2025. The new restaurant is led by co-owner Brad Hobbs, whose other Columbus concepts include The Olde Towne Tavern, Osteria Pizzeria, and The Walrus Kitchen & Public House.
Ochoa Mexican Grill is located at 113 E. Main St. in downtown Columbus. They are open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. You can check out the food menu and drink menu before visiting at ochoamexicangrill.com.
