Pelons, 508, and Zorro An iconic Spanish village reborn

Honoring the memory of a local legend while respectfully ignoring its uglier side can be tricky, especially when it's only covered by half a tutu. Respectfully revitalizing an iconic Tex-Mex locale -- whose food admittedly tasted less than legendary -- is the three-pronged compound of Pelons, 508, and Zorro.

Conceived by the guy behind The Parish and Bikini's and designed by Uchi's architect, the complex links the former Jaime's Spanish Village to the 508 House, which served as Stubb's green room and a raging SXSW party spot. Pelons is taking over Jaime's, incorporating previous decor elements (the bizarre exterior statues, stonework engraved with Jaime's name) into a made-over, dark, cantina-like entrance room contrasted by naturally lit, cyan-accented dining areas where you'll choose from a massive Mexican menu marked by specialties like Smothered Chicken, also what happens to chicken when you love it so much you can't let it do its own thing.

508's been totally gutted, making way for a bar flanked by two windows for efficient patio service, a rustic interior with high-design touches like arm sculptures holding roped light fixtures, and an intimate, mirror-ceiling'd back room with plush couch seating for enjoying 10 house margs and cocktails like the peach vodka/reposado/Grand Marnier/Tabasco/agave Revolucion, likely to lead to behavior you won't want televised.

And since these days even a bar that's connected to a restaurant needs a food trailer, Zorro will be slinging quick eats like a gordita that's been over-stuffed with pork carnitas, and crispy sesame fried avocado strips... no, wait, don't take off that tutu!