Waterford Lakes Town Center welcomes Fat Rosie’s with fiesta-filled grand opening on March 5

Fat Rosie’s officially opens its doors on March 5, bringing the full-on fiesta energy to Florida for the very first time.

Fat Rosie’s Taco & Tequila Bar, the legendary Chicago-born concept known for its high-energy atmosphere, is celebrating the grand opening of its first Florida location with a full-scale fiesta at Waterford Lakes Town Center

The community and local dignitaries will gather on March 5 for the fiesta, co-hosted by the East Orlando Chamber of Commerce and the Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando.

The festivities will kick off at 4 pm with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony and check presentation to United Against Poverty Orlando, followed by an evening of live entertainment and high-energy fun, including performances by Mariachi Sol de América. 

Guests can enter a raffle for a chance to win free queso for a year and packed prizes from beverage brands like Ghost Tequila, Don Q, Espolòn, and other partners. Plus, the first 100 guests in line will receive a custom Fat Rosie’s t-shirt.

For more details about the opening celebration, guests are encouraged to sign up for the brand’s newsletter at fatrosies.com/waterford/.

Beloved across Chicagoland for its high-energy yet welcoming, family-friendly approach to Mexican cuisine, Fat Rosie’s is a place where families linger over dinner, friends meet for margaritas, and birthdays get more animated as the night goes on. The brand is thrilled to bring the fiesta to Central Florida, opening in a vibrant shopping center to offer Waterford Lakes residents and shoppers a new go-to spot to celebrate over authentic Mexican food and hand-crafted beverages. 

“At its heart, Fat Rosie’s is about people coming together for a good time,” said John Iannucci, CEO of Mas Mex, the restaurant group behind the brand. “We’re a place where birthdays get louder, happy hours last longer, and everyday dinners turn into something worth remembering. Waterford felt like the perfect community to bring that energy next.”

Every dish at Fat Rosie’s is made with fresh ingredients and care, with rotating specials that highlight seasonal flavors throughout the year. Much of the menu is prepared in-house daily, from salsas, cocktail syrups, and purées to slow-simmered mole and other key ingredients that power both the kitchen and the bar.

The menu starts with shareable starters like creamy queso fundido and Mexican street corn, followed by signature tacos, sizzling Kick-Ass Fajitas, and classic Mexican desserts like churros. Behind the bar, Fat Rosie’s delivers a beverage program that matches the energy of the meal. Ass-Kickin’ Margaritas made with 100% blue agave tequila are mixed with house-prepped ingredients, while playful touches like the brand’s signature tequila shot airplane add to the celebratory atmosphere. The Fat Rosie’s experience also extends to a lively brunch, where guests gather over favorites with a Mexican twist, including its signature Tres Leches French Toast and chilaquiles.

Discover the latest food and drink news from throughout Central Florida.

Each Fat Rosie’s location has its own personality, featuring colorful design elements, piñatas, sombreros, playful service, and custom artwork sourced from Mexico. 

Fat Rosie’s Waterford Lakes is located at 749 North Alafaya Trail in the Waterford Lakes Town Center, and will be open Monday through Thursday from 11 am to 10 pm, Friday from 11 am to midnight, Saturday from 10 a. to midnight, and Sunday from 10 am to 10 pm.

Additional details about opening-day festivities, giveaways, and entertainment will be shared ahead of March 5. For updates and sneak peeks, follow Fat Rosie’s on Instagram or check-out fatrosies.com/location/waterford/

About Fat Rosie’s

Fat Rosie’s Taco & Tequila Bar has been Chicagoland’s loud and proud Mexican favorite since 2015. Known for fresh ingredients and being Fluent in Fiesta, Fat Rosie’s is where birthdays, date nights, group dinners, and everyday moments turn into unforgettable celebrations.

Guests can enjoy a scratch-made menu of traditional Mexican flavors with a modern twist—think authentic regional tacos, Kick-Ass Fajitas, seafood, soups, salads, and fan-favorite starters like guacamole, queso fundido, and Mexican street corn, all made with the freshest, never-frozen ingredients.

Behind the bar, Fat Rosie’s serves up Ass-Kickin’ Margaritas with 100% blue agave tequila, seasonal mocktails, craft cocktails, beer, and wine.

No two Fat Rosie’s are exactly alike, but all seven Chicagoland locations share the same vibrant energy and signature spirit of celebration. Founded by restaurateur Scott Harris of Scott Harris Hospitality, Fat Rosie’s is now part of Mas Mex, a private equity-backed restaurant group bringing authentic Mexican dining experiences to more communities across the U.S.

Learn more at www.fatrosies.com

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