I believe a US southwest style restaurant chain, Chili's just opened up a franchise in Santiago and they mostly cater to a more upscale, but local clientele that although not yet doing a booming business, they have performed sufficiently well to stay afloat, cover expenses and make a decent short term profit, thus far.

Is it sustainable long term? Well your guess is as good as mind. No one knows for sure, only time will tell, at least not for for the next five years, which is the general life span for the average restaurant in the US. I don't know specifics for the DR but I expect it should be about same.

I would listen to Dread for advice. The man lives in the DR is knowledgeable and has wisdom, what ever he says carries a lot of weight. Nevertheless, the final decision is yours, you will be the one to carry the load, reap the rewards or the losses.

I wish you the best of luck, it is a very tough and competitive business. Just make sure that you deep down really love the field and that you have a well thought out plan, because the work is hard, the hours are long and the risks are great.

Best wishes and much success.

and, the advantage of a local bar is that, hopefully, you will not be there.

thanks for your kind words, Guillermone. although the praise is a little over the top, i will take it, anyway. i really hope i can give this guy some good advice.

I was going to invite you to my bar/restaurant but now have second thoughts.
S.

Hola TexMex

I am from Texas. The Blue Agave in Santo Domingo is pretty good food, not real Tex Mex, but worth the drive once every two weeks.

Dreads is right. Check out Santiago. Lots of $$ and lots of affluent people. I forget the name, but there is a restaurant on square with guys wearing six guns. Seems always full of local and ex pats. Maybe come down and check out all the places.

Like Dread says, try not to depend on the Tourists. Most are Kanucks and Euros anyways and will not appreciate real Tex Mex. Good luck

ABC,

I can be in Las Terrenas in two hours. Where is your new bar? Blut and I will be there for the opening. I am sure our support will make the grand opening veerrrrrrryy profitable!

Gringo, thank you very much for your kind remarks regarding my assessments of a location for this restaurant. i believe the restaurant you speak about is right at the foot of the monument, and it is always jumping.

ABC, now i might just show up, just to piss you off

People are very lucky. To start a restaurant in Miamii or NY might cost upwards of 200,000 dollars. In DR 50,000 is a good budget. If you take somewhere over that is already trading 100,000 is very possible.
Also interest rates in US/Europe are very low at the moment.
S.

Let's take the bus and pick Blut up on the way!