Rubio's Fresh Mexican Grill(R) To Open New Restaurant In Anaheim Hills, May 13th

CARLSBAD, Calif., May 3, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rubio's Fresh Mexican Grill will open its third location in the city of Anaheim on Thursday, May 13th, at 5781 East Santa Ana Canyon Road. The San Diego-based chain is introducing a new, more upscale design at its Anaheim Hills restaurant, featuring a rich sensory experience of aromas, exhibition cooking, music and decorative patterns that complement the complex flavors of Rubio's food.

To celebrate the grand opening, Rubio's will host a fundraising event on Wednesday, May 12 ^th from 5:30-7:30 p.m., to benefit Kristie's Foundation. The Anaheim based non-profit provides assistance, support, and cherished moments to critically ill children and their families. For a donation of $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under, the public can enjoy delicious Beach Mex ^® cuisine, and Rubio's will donate 100 percent of the proceeds to the local charity.

At 10 a.m. Thursday, May 13 ^th, the restaurant's doors will open to Rubio's fans who crave the flavor of Baja-inspired food in the relaxed yet festive atmosphere of coastal Mexico. Headlining the menu will be Rubio's World Famous Fish Tacos ^®, Grilled Gourmet Tacos ^SM, the Big Burrito Especial ^SM with chargrilled chicken or steak, freshly-made salads and Rubio's proprietary HealthMex ^® line of tacos and burritos, which are under 700 calories, less than 30% of which come from fat.    "When I opened my first restaurant in San Diego 27 years ago, people traveled from miles away to savor one of our World Famous Fish Tacos," said chairman and co-founder Ralph Rubio. "Since then, our reputation for distinct flavors and unique products has quickly spread, and our following of loyal fans continues to grow." Guests can easily find the new Rubio's in Anaheim Hills near the crossing of East Santa Ana Canyon Road near South Imperial Highway. The popular San Diego chain is introducing a new restaurant design in Anaheim Hills that includes eco-friendly features such as tabletops made from the sustainable material sorgum grass, an open kitchen, and LED lighting that uses less energy. Rubio's is also introducing digital menu boards to better showcase the food and provide more flexibility to accommodate seasonal offerings. A new floor design allows guests to intuitively move from the front door to the ordering area, to the salsa bar, and eventually into the dining room where a relaxed, beach and water-centric atmosphere of the Baja coast awaits. "We're excited to introduce this new restaurant design to the City of Anaheim," said Rubio. "We're anxious to see how the community responds to our latest effort to bring together the unforgettable flavors, sights and sounds of the Baja coast for a quick but relaxed dining experience."

The Anaheim Hills Rubio's will employ 30 team members from the local community.