El Bolillo issue statement following restaurant closure

The Staff Canteen

Greg Clarke and Matty Salvetti have now confirmed the permanent closure of El Bolillo.

The restaurant in Hove offered Mexican delicacies such as tacos, tostadas, churros and tres leches.

El Bolillo opened in late 2024 and closed in March 2025, operating for just under six months.​

Read more: 'El Bolillo closes its doors after less than six months'

Greg is a renowned chef with a Michelin Star background working in restaurants like The LedburyRestaurant Tom Aikens and Midsummer House.

The duo also hinted at a new ‘concept’ replacing the Mexican restaurant, opening this summer.

In a statement on the website, it reads: “We regret to inform you that the difficult decision to close El Bolillo permanently has been taken.

“Apologies for the short notice and for any convenience this may cause.

“This closure is part of a strategic decision to introduce an exciting new dining concept on the same site, maintaining the same high levels of creativity and execution.

"Our goal is to launch the new concept in time for summer and we look forward to sharing more details with you soon.

“We sincerely apologise for any convenience and delays in communication. Your support and trust mean mean a great deal to us.

“Thank you for your understanding – we will be

in touch again soon.

“Best regards from the El Bolillo team.”

Speaking to The Staff Canteen in a previous interview last year, Greg said: “I can’t tell you how much time I’ve spent delving into the nuances of recipes in different regions and stuff like that.

“We’re trying to be as respectful as possible, keeping the integrity of how vibrant Mexico’s food is, but then just putting our own nod to it.

“People’s perception of Mexican food is Tex-Mex. It’s not Mexico. It’s South American, Texas, burritos. Mexico is such a vast country. Every area you go to is so different.

"Most of the fine dining restaurants over there have got chefs that have been inspired or worked in North America and Europe and then come back are they’re doing refined European food with Mexican ingredients.

“We’re doing the opposite, Mexican inspired food with European ingredients, so it’s quite funny.

“The last thing I wanted this to be was some pan-Mexican restaurant.

“That’s our only failure at the minute, some people coming in thinking it’s going to be something like Wahaca. Then they come through the door and see it’s a little bit more refined than that and playful and creative.”

Written by ABi Kinsella

 

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The Staff Canteen

The Staff Canteen

Editor 17th April 2025

El Bolillo issue statement following restaurant closure