DANVILLE, CALIFORNIA — The new Rancho Cantina in downtown Danville just moved one big step closer to opening.
The restaurant, which is taking over the former Cocina Hermanas space at 501 Hartz Avenue, has received an active California liquor license for the Danville location, according to state Alcoholic Beverage Control records.
That does not mean the doors are opening today. A restaurant still needs to finish the usual final steps, from staffing to inspections to the last pieces of construction and setup. But for a Mexican restaurant with “Cantina” right in the name — and a Lafayette location known in part for margaritas and a lively bar program — this is a major hurdle to clear.
A Big Step For the New Danville Restaurant
The newly issued license is a Type 47 license, the kind used by restaurants that sell beer, wine and distilled spirits for on-site consumption while operating as a bona fide eating place.
That differentiates it from places that just serve beer and wine. Type 47 licenses are generally considered harder to get and are essential for restaurants that plan for a full cocktail program.
Rancho Cantina is already telling diners that the Danville location is “coming soon.” On its website, the restaurant says people can join the Danville email list to be first to know about official grand opening dates. It is also promoting opening giveaways, including a chance to win $500 in tacos.
The restaurant is also hiring. Rancho Cantina says it is holding open interviews for all positions on Monday, June 1, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 501 Hartz Avenue.
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The Former Cocina Hermanas Space Is Getting a New Look
The Danville location has been moving through the local approval process as well.
In April, the Danville Design Review Board was scheduled to review a development plan request for Rancho Cantina to change the exterior paint colors at 501 Hartz Avenue. Town staff described the project as modified exterior paint colors for the new restaurant, with a medium tan body color, a darker burnt-orange secondary body color and off-white trim.
The renderings show a warmer, rustic look for the building, with Rancho Cantina signage, outdoor tables, umbrellas and landscaping giving the Hartz Avenue space a more ranch-to-table feel.
That is a meaningful change for a very prominent corner of downtown Danville. Cocina Hermanas had been a familiar presence there for years, and the building sits right in the middle of one of Danville’s most active restaurant corridors.
What Rancho Cantina Serves
Rancho Cantina’s original location is in Lafayette, where the restaurant describes its food as “rancho cuisine” inspired by the Spanish, Mexican and early Californio traditions of California.
The Lafayette menu leans heavily into wood-fired cooking. The restaurant says it has one of the few wood-fired grills in the Bay Area, with a menu that includes tacos, burritos, enchiladas, fajita skillets, grilled proteins, seafood, margaritas, cocktails, beer and wine.
The owners originally said they wanted to be open by July 1. With the ABC license in place, that’s look more realistic.
We’ll keep you posted–join our free 925 News newsletter so we can keep you in the loop.
We previously covered the closure of Cocina Hermanas in “Danville’s Beloved Mexican Restaurant is Closing Forever”, and we dug into Rancho Cantina’s planned expansion in “An Often-Overlooked Lafayette Restaurant is Expanding With New Location”.
