Emmy-award winner, entertainer, actor, and host of NBC’s Access Hollywood, Mario Lopez launched his very-own virtual restaurant, Mario’s Tortas Lopez.
Joining the Virtual Dining Concepts portfolio, Mario’s Tortas Lopez is a delivery-only offering, now available for online and mobile app orders through Grubhub, and prepared by local, independent restaurateurs.
Influenced by his upbringing and Mexican roots, Mario Lopez sought out to create an on-demand and accessible cuisine that includes Tortas and bowls reflecting authentic flavors he’s enjoyed since childhood. “My entire family is very into cooking, and our best moments together are always around a table filled with food,” said Lopez. “Now I have the chance to share what I love and enjoy with families everywhere.”
With a menu jointly created by acclaimed Chef Eric Greenspan and Lopez himself, Mario’s Tortas Lopez offers six signature Mexican sandwiches (aka Tortas) that can also be made into cauliflower rice bowls. Served on a griddled telera roll, the Tortas options include Beef Barbacoa, Chorizo & Egg, Grilled Chicken, Pork Carnitas, Chile Relleno, and Vegan Chorizo. Carefully crafted sides to accompany the sandwiches and bowls include nachos, chile rellenos, chips and guacamole, black beans, elote, and cinnamon sugar-dusted churro doughnuts served with dulce de leche.
“I’ve known Mario for many years now, and I’ve been waiting for the right opportunity for us to partner together,” says Robert Earl, founder of Virtual Dining Concepts. “We have created a one-of-a-kind, on-demand cuisines with quality ingredients that have Mario’s special touch, and I am so excited for everyone to taste Mario’s Tortas Lopez.”
Lopez adds, “I knew Robert Earl would be able to make my vision come to life – there’s no one else I’d trust in the restaurant business who could make this happen. It is especially important to me that this menu is available for small, independent restaurants to carry as a way to help them regain their financial footing.”
With the added impact of celebrity ownership, virtual restaurants like Mario’s Tortas Lopez, offer independent restaurateurs the opportunity to use their existing staff and resources to serve more customers, generate more revenue and diversify their business. The celebrity involvement, combined with the strength of Grubhub’s vast delivery network provides restaurants with a lifeline to sustain business.
“We’re excited to partner with Virtual Dining Concepts on the new Mario’s Tortas Lopez brand, as it allows us to continue bringing our diners new and different options, especially from a beloved personality like Mario,” says Kevin Kearns, Senior Vice President, Restaurant Network at Grubhub. “Through virtual concepts like this, we’re also able to give independent restaurants on our platform the opportunity to grow their business through these tough times. Everyone’s a winner.”
Mario’s Tortas Lopez is now available for delivery in major metropolitan cities across the country, with additional locations to be added, through the Grubhub app or Grubhub.com. Diners can input their zip code to find their nearest location. Also, throughout April, diners will receive free delivery with a minimum order of $15.
