El Popo opens in New Haven at former Greek Olive site

NEW HAVEN – Miguel Xicohtencatl, who owns the Fair Haven neighborhood fixture Cositas Deliciosas, would drive by the long shuttered Greek Olive on Sargent Drive and dream of opening a new restaurant there.

On Thursday his dream came true.

Miguel and his wife Cecilia Xicohtencatl beamed at their June 11 grand opening of El Popo restaurant, a full service “Mexican-fusion” eatery, which also houses the second location of Cositas Deliciosas’ — known for its tropical fruit smoothies, fruit salads and fresh fruit waters. 

“We’ve been waiting for so long for this to be, for this day,” Miguel Xicohtencatl said just before the celebration. 

Some 80 onlookers cheered while New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker and other city officials congratulated the family, as staff hurriedly laid out platters of food.

Xicohtencatl had gutted the building and completely redesigned the interior with the help of architect Fernando Pastor who filled the space with splashes of the colors of Mexico: green, red and blue for the sea. 

Pale wood wall accents add a modern look and bright Mexican ceramic tiles fill the walls and encircle the large bar as well as the counter area of Cositas Deliciosas, located near the front door of the full-service restaurant.

Pastor said the materials for the interior design were simple and humble, using inexpensive materials to create a sculptural feeling in the ceiling.

The ceramic tiles and plates are Televara pottery, whose tradition is from Spain and come from the areas in Mexico where the couple are from: Puebla and Tlaxcala.

The full-service restaurant is named El Popo for short — it’s full name is El Popocatépetl after the iconic and most active volcano in Mexico.

The cuisine is a mix of authentic Mexican fare, Caribbean-inspired dishes and Argentinean steaks and Italian pasta dishes. 

“This place is a fusion,” Miguel Xicohtencatl said. “We want to do something different, something that makes you feel good, which is like sunny — different than any other places out there.” 

Cositas Deliciosa, which means “delicious little things,” has occupied a storefront at 271 Grand Ave. since 2015. Miguel and Cecilia Xicohtencatl received funding from the City of New Haven’s Leasehold Improvement Program in 2018 for improvements to that original location. The program helps entrepreneurs fund interior renovations and equipment purchases for brick-and-mortar businesses. Popular food items there are the Mangonadas and Cholados, he said. Mangonada is a mango slushy that is sweet and spicy. Cholados are a traditional Columbian street food made with shaved ice and tropical fruits.

In 2024, Miguel Xicohtencatl also opened Justin’s Deli Market up the street at 304 Grand Ave.

At Thursday’s grand opening of El Popo, Elicker said the former Greek Olive was where local politicians, civic leaders and community members would meet.

“Greek Olive used to be the spot. It used to be the spot where, for whatever reason, every politician, every person in the city wanted to have breakfast here,” he said.

“And it’s been a real challenge for the city to find a new spot for the last five years,” Elicker said. “We got a new spot today.”

The story of Miguel and Cecelia Xicohtencatl is also a New Haven story, the mayor said.

“It is a personal story. It is a New Haven story. It is what we continue to be really proud about in New Haven. People that came to our city with a dream, with a passion, with a work ethic,” Elicker said.

“And we, as a community, will make sure that you’re successful,” Elicker said. “El Popo draws its name from the Popocatepel, a legendary Mexican volcano. Long Wharf is about to erupt in New Haven.” 

After 15 months of work on the project, Miguel Xicohtencatl said he is glad to see the project complete.

“We finally opened and I’m so excited. So excited and so happy,” he said.