The sublime notes of Chef Cristian de Leon’s Mayan-inspired menu sing brightly at his newest venture. Xelas, located in Stillwater, brings all the flavor of de Leon’s hometown of Quetzaltenanto, Guatemala, into the East Metro. Xelas is a nod to the nickname of his hometown, and it doesn’t hurt that it sounds like a Mexican slang word for beers, chelas.
Cristian, along with his wife Karen, are known for their inspiring culinary journey. The first started out serving tacos out of a gas station in Eagan. Then, in 2022 (and with a little help from LEDC) the dynamic duo opened El Sazon in south Minneapolis, which has become a neighborhood staple.
Now, Xelas is the latest feather in their culinary cap. My favorite was the salbute, which is a crispy tortilla topped with duck breast, picked onions, avocado and a wonderfully smokey chirmol sauce. Entrees include a fall-off-the-bone cochinita pibil (slow-cooked pork shank), a rich caldo de res (beef soup with bone marrow) and filling hilachas (braised short ribs), among other delectable dishes.
The space is in the old Thai Basil space on Highway 36 in Stillwater, and the new incarnation showcases artwork by Jimmy Longoria and a mural by Pablo Kalaka. The beverage prograpm is run by Zoilo Ruacho and Daniel Torres, and their creative concoctions will please tipplers and teetotalers alike – and the bar space is a gorgeously crafted backdrop of artistic waves and earth tones.
Congratulations to Cristian, Karina and their team. We wish you much success in this venture, and we are proud to partner with you in your entrepreneurial adventure.
If you go…
Web: elsazonmn.com/xelas
Address: 1180 West Frontage Road (off of Highway 36), Stillwater, MN
Hours: Tuesday through Sunday, 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Prices: Starters $10-16; Mains $15-32
