Don Mario’s, a popular Mexican restaurant in downtown Owensboro, is adding a location inside Windridge Country Club. The new site will take over the restaurant space currently operated by J’s Good Grub, which plans to close there by May 1 and return its focus to food truck operations.
Restaurant owner Oralis Radilla said the move gives Don Mario’s an opportunity to connect with a new customer base on the east side of town. They will also assume full control of the bar, which was previously operated by the club.
“We’ve just been downtown, so this gives us an expansion point,” Radilla said. “We’re excited for that side of the community to try us out.”
Radilla said there’s a stigma about traveling between KY 54 and downtown due to traffic, so having a more accessible spot in a neighborhood setting is ideal. Windridge is located at 5044 Millers Mill Road.
“We love that this space is built into a neighborhood. There’s a sense of community there,” she said.
The Windridge location will feature a smaller, condensed version of the downtown menu, focusing on best-sellers while introducing local favorites such as burgers, club sandwiches, and grilled items. Plans also include a breakfast buffet and grab-and-go options for golfers and others.
“One thing we’re really excited about is the full-service bar,” Radilla said. “We don’t have room for that downtown, but here we’ll offer Bloody Marys, mimosas, whiskey sours, and more.”
She added that they plan to partner with the club on events and catering through the venue’s banquet hall, which is available for rent to the public.
Board members at Windridge said bringing in Don Mario’s was a strategic move to boost both dining and golf traffic while eliminating the club’s burden of staffing and operating a restaurant themselves.
“Our goal has been to get out of the restaurant business and just be a landlord,” said board member Garret Carter. “We were looking for someone with name recognition and experience. Don Mario’s checked all the boxes.”
Fellow board member Charlie Barr emphasized that both the restaurant and the golf course are open to the public.
“One of the biggest misconceptions is that people think we’re a private club, but we’re not,” Barr said. “Anyone can come out to eat or play a round of golf.”
Carter said members have responded positively to the announcement, especially with the promise of expanded breakfast, lunch, and dinner options.
“We’re excited about what they’ll bring — not just food, but energy and new ideas,” he said. “They’ve already been brainstorming ways to activate that space.”
As for J’s Good Grub, owner Jay Johnson said it was tough to gain traction despite a solid year of effort.
“I did everything I could to let people know it was open to the public, but the support just wasn’t there from the membership,” Johnson said. “Location was a big challenge — it’s not somewhere people just drive by.”
Johnson, who built his reputation through his food trucks, said he’s shifting focus back to that business, including two trucks and a DoorDash operation. He plans to stay in the Windridge space through May 1 with daily service and several food specials.
“I’ve got mixed emotions, but this just reinforces why I prefer the food truck model,” he said. “No one can just decide to go in a different direction on me.”
Don Mario’s has not set an official opening date but plans a soft launch as details are finalized. Radilla encouraged the public to stop by and give the new location a try.
“We want everyone to know it’s not just for members. Everyone is welcome,” she said.
