SARANAC LAKE - Dreams do come true, at least according to Bryan Morgan now that he has become the new owner of Mexican restaurant Casa Del Sol.
For the past 16 years, Morgan lived in Park City, Utah, first working in the ski industry and eventually owning and operating a restaurant, Prime Steakhouse and Piano Bar, that just last year was voted the best steakhouse in the state by Salt Lake Magazine. But he has always wanted to come home to live near his family, he said.
"This was really just a perfect fit for me to be able to hang out with my family and be able to have a good business," he said.
Morgan grew up in the restaurant business. His father, Forrest "Dew Drop" Morgan, owned the Dew Drop Inn when he was growing up, and his younger brother Dermott owns and runs Morgan's 11. He attributes his passion for high-quality service to having been around the business for so much of his life.
When he found out that Casa Del Sol was going to be put on the market, Morgan said it took him all of 20 seconds to decide to make an offer.
From its founding shortly before the 1980 Winter Olympics throughout the 1980s and '90s, Casa Del Sol was known for the crowds who mobbed its patio, sipping margaritas and Mexican beer while they waited 45 minutes or so to be seated for dinner.
"I'm just working on trying to make this the old Casa times 10," Morgan said, adding that the menu will stay the same in honor of the former owners, Harry and Diane Tucker, family friends of the Morgans.
"Harry and Di created this ambiance, and before this, there were no authentic Mexican restaurants in the Adirondacks," Morgan said. "They did a lot of research for this menu - took trips to Mexico and everything. I'm not going to change that."
One thing that will change, Morgan said, is that come opening day - Nov. 28 - Casa Del Sol will accept credit cards.
Morgan admits he knows little about the preparation of Mexican food.
"I come from a steak and potatoes background," he said. "I also come from a high-quality service background, though, and when people walk through those doors they'll be able to feel the vibe of this restaurant."
Morgan said he also plans to start serving lunch toward the end of December.
"I've given up a lot to come back here, but to be able to take over a great restaurant, it was a no-brainer, " Morgan said. "For so long it's been one of dreams to come back here in this capacity, and now it's come true."
Starting next Friday, Casa Del Sol will be open for dinner Wednesday through Sunday.
Contact Emily Hunkler at 891-2600 ext. 24 or ehunkler@adirondackdailyenterprise.com.
