SYRACUSE – Social media  is abuzz with the news that El Portal Mexican Restaurant is building a new restaurant in Syracuse.

Since the restaurant made its announcement Oct. 6 on Facebook, there has been 38,000 people reached and over 140 comments of approval.

The restaurant is expected to open in late spring of 2021 east of the Dollar General store along Kennedy Street.

El Portal previously located in existing buildings in Nebraska City and Auburn, but this will be the first time they have hired their own architect and will build from the ground up.

The building will seat 85 to 100 people with an overflow / banquet room to seat 50, they will also offer an informal catering option.

The menu offerings will be the same as the Nebraska City and Auburn locations, with one addition planned, a sit down bar for drinking, dining, and watching televised sports.  

El Portal is excited that Runza is also coming to the area as "this will bring new choices for dining options in Syracuse and the surrounding communities."

The addition of a new hospital, new businesses in the Syracuse Business Center, and new truck stops, was all a catalyst in the decision to expand to Syracuse as well as requests from the many area residents that frequent Nebraska City's El Portal Restaurant.