News Summary
La Presa Taqueria, a new Mexican dining establishment by entrepreneur Alex Eaton, is set to open in Highland Village, Jackson. With an innovative menu and a unique dining concept that avoids reservations, the restaurant aims to enhance the local culinary scene. Positioned directly across from Eaton’s Mediterranean venture, Aplós, La Presa is scheduled for a July to August opening, targeting families and diners seeking an energetic atmosphere. The restaurant will incorporate a waitlist system, allowing customers to shop while they wait for their tables.
Jackson is set to welcome a new dining establishment, La Presa Taqueria, created by restaurant entrepreneur Alex Eaton. The new restaurant is currently under construction in Highland Village, with an anticipated opening window of 6-8 weeks, aiming for a July to August 2023 debut. Situated directly across the courtyard from Eaton’s existing venture, Aplós Simple Mediterranean, La Presa will offer a unique Mexican flair aimed at elevating the local dining scene.
La Presa Taqueria’s name, translating to “the prey” in Spanish, is inspired by Eaton’s outdoor experiences with his children and resonates with the playful spirit intended for the restaurant. With a focus on delivering an energetic and authentic dining experience, La Presa aims to blend culture and creativity through its menu offerings.
Unlike many traditional restaurants, La Presa will not accept reservations. Instead, a waitlist system will be implemented, allowing diners the convenience to shop within the Highland Village while they await their table. The restaurant is also designed with a secluded patio area for relaxed happy hour gatherings and game-day encounters, in addition to a second bar located in the kitchen for efficient drink service.
The full menu is expected to feature a variety of innovative options that will enhance the representation of Mexican cuisine within Jackson. Eaton’s vision for the restaurant aligns with a broader strategy to strengthen and diversify the dining choices available in Highland Village, an established retail area of over 220,000 square feet that has been under the ownership of WS Development since 2012.
Moreover, Eaton is already familiar with the local dining landscape, owning two popular Aplós Simple Mediterranean locations in Jackson and Ridgeland. Looking ahead, he plans to expand his Mediterranean culinary footprint with a third Aplós location in Oxford, anticipated to open around June 2026 in the rapidly developing Oxford Commons area, northeast of The Square. This expansion aims to capitalize on the area’s growing customer base, evidenced by the presence of out-of-state car tags from Tennessee, Arkansas, Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi.
The decision to open an Aplós in Oxford is rooted in Eaton’s recognition of the area’s business potential, which is bolstered by established traffic patterns, including proximity to a Chick-Fil-A and the new Oxford High School. Eaton acknowledged that he was taken aback by Oxford’s recent growth, having only previously experienced the city during game days. To support this expansion, Eaton has been engaged in discussions with local business leaders and economic development officials regarding potential opportunities in Oxford.
Aiming for aggressive growth, Eaton has set an unofficial target of opening ten restaurants within ten years. He intends to leverage the word-of-mouth promotion from the student population to fuel this expansion across markets such as Birmingham and Nashville.
In terms of business stability, Eaton expressed confidence in his lease agreement for La Presa Taqueria, which includes provisions protecting him from future rent increases if the property were to change hands. This strategic approach towards expansion highlights Eaton’s commitment not only to his culinary ventures but also to the broader community of Jackson and its surrounding areas.
As La Presa prepares to open its doors in Highland Village, excitement is building among locals for this new culinary addition, which aims to provide an authentic taste of Mexico along with a vibrant dining atmosphere, enhancing Jackson’s culinary landscape.
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Additional Resources
- Clarion Ledger: New Aplós Simple Mediterranean Restaurant Opening in Jackson, Mississippi
- Online Madison: Aplós Owner to Open Mexican Restaurant at Highland Village
- Clarion Ledger: Restaurant Coming to Jackson’s Highland Village Has a Familiar Face
- WJTV: La Presa Taqueria to Open in Highland Village this Fall
- Wikipedia: Jackson, Mississippi
- Google Search: Mexican Restaurants in Jackson Mississippi
Author: STAFF HERE OXFORD WRITER
The OXFORD STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOxford.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Oxford, Lafayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Oxford Film Festival, Double Decker Arts Festival, and University of Mississippi football games. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce and the University of Mississippi, plus leading businesses in education and retail that power the local economy such as Ole Miss Athletics and Square Books. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Mississippi's dynamic landscape.
