Cevicheladas El Diablito & La Catrina now open in Copperas Cove

By PAMELA GRANT

Cove Leader-Press

Copperas Cove’s newest restaurant, Cevicheladas El Diablito & La Catrina, opened its doors this weekend.

Cevicheladas El Diablito & La Catrina held a special grand opening event Saturday, starting at 10 a.m. until they sold out of food. 

The new restaurant, located at 2210 E. Business 190, features Mexican recipes specializing in seafood options including ceviches, aguachiles, micheladas, and more. 

All their dishes are fresh and only made after you order it. For their grand opening, they gave away a free lunch for two, to one lucky winner.

Cevicheladas El Diablito & La Catrina is co-owned by Frances Lefferman and her son, Julio C. Sanchez.

“He loves cooking. That’s his passion,” said Lefferman. “I feel so proud of him. It’s like a dream still.”

For Sanchez, cooking food, and even just shopping for food is a passion.

Sanchez originally started his business at their home. Lefferman said that Sanchez got his permit to sell at home and they started with three pounds of shrimp. 

They did receive a lot of support from people who enjoyed his cooking, but he also received criticism and concern because his business was not an official restaurant. 

Lefferman said that she was more than happy to help out her son get their current location and get everything set up.

“It’s thanks to all the people that didn’t want to buy because we were not a restaurant, and thanks to all the people that helped and supported him and pushed him to get his own restaurant,” said Lefferman. “So, by helping, and believing in him, and even those that pushed him…we’re grateful for both because that pushed us to get a restaurant.”

Lefferman said that COVID-19 hit them hard and caused a lot of delays for their opening. 

For example, they were waiting for the delivery of a freezer which kept getting delayed.

“It’s not impossible. You just have to persevere and don’t give up,” said Lefferman.

Now the restaurant is up and running successfully. 

Maria Gurubel made sure to show up for the grand opening and said that she’s had several of Sanchez’s seafood dishes before, and she loves each and every one of them.

“I’ve been to other places and there’s just this special taste to it. You can tell the difference in the food right away. It’s fresh. That’s one of the main things,” said Gurubel.  “Everything is freshly made and it’s just awesome. The best that I’ve tried. I can honestly say that.”

Picking a favorite dish was hard for Gurubel. 

She said she loves the coquito palma, which is a mixture of seafood inside a coconut, and the aguachile dish.

“Actually, all of his food is good!” said Gurubel.

Tuesday, the restaurant will be having a Tostada Tuesday event where they will be offering either two tostadas, or fish ceviche, or imitation crab and a soda for $8.50.

They hope to offer other menu items in the future including shaved ice options.

Cevicheladas El Diablito & La Catrina is open Tuesday-Sunday from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m., or until they sell out. They offer dine-in and take-out options.

For more information, check out their Instagram or Facebook page at cevicheladaseldiablito.