Fresh Start
After years of managing multiple restaurants for a well-known chain, Israel Vázquez took a leap of faith in opening his own restaurant, Toro Z. Originally an El Toro Bravo, Vázquez managed around 11 El Toro restaurants for about 15 years and decided to take his experience and focus on making one location the best it can be, emphasizing fresh ingredients and hospitality.
The newly named Toro Z officially opened in January, and with it came a few exciting changes for guests to look forward to on their next visit.
First, a revamped drink menu celebrating fresh ingredients.
“Everybody sells a margarita with a bunch of sugars, so I’m focusing on fresh-squeezed margaritas with lime and guava nectar,” Vázquez says. “I’m doing fresh and natural.”
A couple of new favorites are the triple-berry margarita and the vibrant jalapeño pineapple margarita, both made with fresh ingredients. The best night to try new drinks is Ladies Night on Thursdays, when drinks are served in fun, colorful glass purses.
If you loved the food before, Vázquez stressed that you’ll still see your menu favorites. With a focus on fresh ingredients, you can expect better quality across the board. Check out the special deals on authentic Mexican tacos on Tuesday, or grab the popular chilaquiles for lunch during the week.
Vázquez and his wife have lived in Zionsville for almost 12 years, and he managed the Zionsville restaurant for six years. Choosing to stay and live there was an easy decision for Israel and his wife. They immediately fell in love with the community and the schools, and they love the idea of continuing to serve Zionsville with their own business.
“I decided to give away all my other restaurants to focus on this one, and it was because of the Zionsville community,” Vázquez says.
When they announced on Facebook and Instagram that they were reopening the restaurant under a new name, the community response was significant.
“We got almost 45,000 views. That was really cool,” he says. “I saw a lot of comments saying, ‘I’m glad you’re back.’”
When choosing the name of their new restaurant, they wanted to keep it simple.
“I decided to name the restaurant Toro Z because I think it’s important to keep the name close to the original restaurant,” he says. “I decided on the green ‘Z’ for Zionsville.”
Paying homage to the community he lives in was important to him and his wife.
With a long history in the restaurant industry, Vázquez feels confident about this next challenge. He’s worked hard to revamp the decor, expand the menu and hire a top-notch team to carry out his vision. You can expect to see him working wherever needed to keep the restaurant running.
Vázquez started as a dishwasher when he first moved to Indiana from Guadalajara in 2005. He then moved through many different roles at various restaurants, bussing tables, serving and eventually becoming a manager for El Toro Bravo.
“When I was living in Mexico, I was working in the food industry, too,” he says. “I really love what I do.”
In the future, Vázquez plans to host brunch and special events, such as mezcal pairing dinners. It’s a lot of planning, but Vázquez is confident in his vision for the restaurant and his team, and he is hopeful for the future.
“I know it’s going to work,” he says.
Toro Z is located at 1576 W. Oak St. in Zionsville and is open seven days a week. A new website is launching soon. Check out their social media pages for the latest specials and upcoming events.
