Downtown Columbus is lining up another spot for tacos and margaritas, with Ochoa Mexican Grill set to take over the former Pecan Penny’s storefront on East Main Street. The new Tex-Mex concept is promising a roomy, indoor-outdoor feel with large patios, multiple fire pits and a menu built around shareable Mexican-inspired favorites. The team behind the project is currently aiming for a Summer 2026 opening.
As reported by WhatNow, the concept comes from Olde Towne Partners and is planned for 113 E. Main St, the former home of Pecan Penny’s. Company-provided plans reviewed by the outlet describe two large patios, multiple fire pits and an open-air-inspired layout geared toward group dining and cocktails. Ochoa has also launched a coming-soon webpage where guests can sign up for updates.
What to expect
According to WhatNow, the announcement bills Ochoa as “a laid-back gathering place with indoor-outdoor appeal and shareable fare.” The kitchen is expected to lean Tex-Mex, with familiar dishes given a modern presentation and plenty of shareable plates meant to pair nicely with margaritas and other cocktails. If the patio and fire-pit layout lands the way it is drawn up, Ochoa could end up as one of downtown’s few year-round al fresco options.
Where it's going
The project is slated for 113 E. Main St in the heart of downtown, a storefront long tied to Pecan Penny’s. Pecan Penny’s lists that downtown address on its site, backing up the location. The space sits on a busy stretch of East Main that pulls in office workers and visitors during the day, then shifts to nightlife traffic in the evenings.
Opening timeline
Owners are targeting a Summer 2026 debut and plan to share a firm opening timeline in July. Permits and construction could still nudge the schedule, but the group appears to be moving quickly on design and layout. Diners who want to track progress can sign up for alerts on the restaurant’s coming-soon page.
Local context
Olde Towne Tavern is described as a longtime neighborhood fixture near the downtown core, according to TripAdvisor. If Ochoa follows a similar playbook, its menu and outdoor setup could be designed to catch the office crowd by day and a more cocktail-focused scene after dark, a balance that has helped several recent downtown spots settle into steady business.
Ochoa’s arrival would add another patio-friendly option to downtown’s dining mix and could help turn this section of East Main into a livelier strip for after-work drinks. We will update this story when Olde Towne Partners confirms an opening date or publishes full menus.
