Sergio Lugo-Mata (center, with scissors) is shown at the grand opening of Sergio's Italian restaurant on ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä's West Side on May 29, 2025.
Courtesy photo
The owner of five regional Mexican and Italian restaurants has listed those businesses for sale, but added that what happens next depends on several factors.
Sergio LugoMata — who owns Guadalajara Modern Mexican locations in ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä, Nitro and Barboursville, plus Sergio’s Italian restaurants in ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä and Hurricane — told me he may sell all or just some of them, plus he’s considering possibly buying yet another restaurant.
In a July 22 post on the “Restaurants for Sale by Owner†Facebook group, LugoMata shared several photos of his restaurants with the comment: “5 popular restaurants in West Virginia for sell. Tons of equipment and low overhead! Current peak monthly revenue 400K! Message me if interested!â€
After I shared that news late last week, he replied to offer a little more context.
Sausage and pepperoni pizza from Sergio's Italian restaurant in ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä is shown on July 16, 2024.
STEVEN KEITH | For the Gazette-Mail
“My family and I have decided to move to another area and I don’t think that I could effectively manage the business being away, as I am very used to a hands-on approach with all of these restaurants,†he said. “My goal is to find someone who shares the same passion as mine, who will also have as much heart as I do for these locations.â€
He said he’s received a lot of interest from potential out-of-state buyers with successful brands who would take over the restaurants and rebrand them as their own, but that he owns the Guadalajara name and would like to keep these places locally owned if possible.
When I connected with LugoMata a few days later, he said his next step is still up in the air.
Chipotle fish tacos from Guadalajara Modern Mexican in Nitro, shown here on Nov. 23, 2022.
STEVEN KEITH | For the Gazette-Mail
“It honestly all depends,†he said. “I’ve been made tons of offers all over the place, including some to purchase all five restaurants, but I’m still awaiting contracts to see if we can reach a deal."
And in the middle of all of this, LugoMata said he also was approached by the owner of a Mexican restaurant in Quincy to buy that business, so there’s a chance he may keep the Guadalajara restaurants and just sell the Sergio’s Italian locations.
“If a big deal doesn’t go through, my mom doesn’t want me to sell Guadalajara because of the sentimental value,†he said, explaining that he and his mother got into opening Guadalajara together and that she truly enjoys working there. “I will always respect my mother’s wishes.â€
The Lookout at Eagle View closes
A fourth local restaurant owned by Todd Moore and David Andrews has recently closed.
The Lookout Bar & Grill at Eagle View has been dark for the past week, joining downtown ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä’s DT Prime, Bar 101 and Ichiban, which have all closed over the past few weeks.
The longtime owners of popular Taste of Asia in Teays Valley announced they would be stepping away from the restaurant effective this past Monday, but clarified that new owners are expected to keep the business open.
“This restaurant has always been more than just a business — it’s been a labor of love, built with family, supported by friends,†the restaurant said in sharing the news.
“We are deeply grateful to everyone who walked through our doors. Your support has meant everything. There will be new management taking over the business. We want to iterate to our family that the restaurant itself will still be open.â€
Steven Keith is a food writer and restaurant critic known as “The Food Guy.†Reach him at 304-380-6096 or at wvfoodguy@aol.com.
