The Whole Enchilada rolls into Winter Garden

If you’re feeling fajitas and are in a mood for margaritas, The Whole Enchilada has it all. 

The Whole Enchilada opened its first Central Florida location in downtown Winter Garden at 129 W Plant St. on Tuesday, April 17. The family owned and operated Tex-Mex restaurant offers classic Mexican dishes with an emphasis on freshness.

“We don’t have a freezer here,” said co-owner Vanessa Cardaci, adding the restaurant frequently gets shipments of fresh ingredients multiple times a week. 

In addition to freshness, Cardaci said the food at The Whole Enchilada also is healthier compared to other Mexican restaurants.

“We don’t use MSG. We don’t use fillers,” she said. “We don’t use xanthan gum to thicken anything. We don’t use a lot of sodium. Our beans don’t have animal fat in them and neither does our rice. … You could go to gym after you leave here (or) you could go for a run. You’re not going to feel sick, which is amazing.”

For those with a mean appetite, The Whole Enchilada offers a six-pound burrito challenge dubbed “The Ex-Wife Challenge.” The burrito in the challenge is a six-pound Bob Burrito served “enchilada style.” Individuals who complete the challenge in 45 minutes get a T-Shirt and the burrito forfree. Everyone who attempts the challenge gets their picture taken to be displayed at the restaurant.

The Whole Enchilada was founded by Cardaci’s husband, David, and his brother, Drew. Although the two brothers are originally from Winter Garden, they opened their first location in Fort Lauderdale.

“We’re everything wrapped up into one: we’re a restaurant, we’re fast-casual, we’re a bar and we’re a really good time,” Cardaci said. “But, we also take food really seriously.”