Authentic Mexican entrees, baked goods, highlight new Plover business

By Craig Marx

As the Plover area offers a number of Mexican restaurants to the public, soon-to-open Mama Elda’s is set to offer authentic Mexican entrees, buffet options, and fresh-made daily bakery items and desserts in time for the holiday season.

“Mama Elda” Benitez is bringing her passion for Mexican cuisine and baking to the new business, where her daughters Brigitte, Lali, and Julisa have worked hard to create a great atmosphere and menu under the guidance of their mother.

“We’re so excited to be able to be a part of the community and offer authentic Mexican food that is a part of our family,” Brigitte Benitez-Vargas said about both the local ties and traditional Mexican influence upon her and her family’s new restaurant.

With traditional recipes for both lunch and dinner entrees as well as the bakery originating from Benitez’s home community of Guerrero, the family will offer tacos, full- or half-Mexican-style rotisserie chickens, and à la carte options in addition to Monday through Friday buffets.

Mama Elda’s will also serve homemade fruit waters depending on the availability of seasonal fresh produce to complement the made-to-order Mexican cuisine. Beer and alcohol sales are planned for the future.

The bakery will offer a variety of sweets and baked goods, made fresh daily. Specialty breads, a staple of the Guerrero community, along with cakes, cupcakes, macaroons, and concha (a traditional sweet bread from Mexico), will highlight the bakery portion of the family’s restaurant.

“There isn’t something like this around here,” Mama Elda said. “Every [chain] restaurant serves the same food. We want to do something different.”

Mama Elda’s is located at 1828 Plover Rd. in Plover and will hold a soft opening for friends and family on Dec. 13, with a grand opening planned within a few weeks. Hours of operation are 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday. The business will be closed on Sundays.