Mojo Burrito’s plans for Hixson Pike location fall through

If the Erlanger deal works out, it won't be the first time that Mojo burritos were offered there. In this 2005 file photo, Luke Herron, left, prepares lunches for delivery to Chattanooga-area hospitals alongside Eve Williams at Mojo Burrito On the Go. If the Erlanger deal works out, it won't be the first time that Mojo burritos were offered there. In this 2005 file photo, Luke Herron, left, prepares lunches for delivery to Chattanooga-area hospitals alongside Eve Williams at Mojo Burrito On the Go.

By Tim Omarzu January 25, 2017 3 min read

Photo Gallery

Mojo Burrito could open in ErlangerRestauant’s Hixson plans fall through

Plans fell through for Mojo Burrito to expand into this Hixson Pike commercial building near Highway 153.

Patrons are reflected in a mirror at the new Mojo Burrito location in East Brainerd. After opening on the Labor Day weekend, it is the third Mojo Burrito, in addition to restaurants in St. Elmo and Red Bank.

Staff Photo by Allison Carter/Chattanooga Times Free Press - Mar 4, 2011 - Casey Orth puts pico de gallo on a customers burrito Friday at Mojo Burrito in East Brainerd. The prices of tomatoes went up because of below-normal temperatures in the month of February and Mojo Burrito has felt the effects.

Staff Photo by Allison Carter/Chattanooga Times Free Press - Mar 4, 2011 - Mojo Burrito hand mixes their pico de gallo. Recently prices for tomatoes have increased and businesses like Mojo Burrito have felt the impact.

Staff Photo by Allison Carter/Chattanooga Times Free Press - Mar 4, 2011 - Mojo Burrito in East Brainerd uses tomatoes in many of their products such as salsa and pico de gallo. Recently the price of tomatoes rose and Mojo Burrito has felt the effects.

The good news for burrito lovers is that Mojo Burrito, a popular, homegrown burrito maker, may open its fourth outlet at Erlanger hospital in downtown Chattanooga.

The bad news for those looking to get their burrito fix is Mojo Burrito’s plans fell through to open in a vacant building on Hixson Pike near Highway 153.

The Hixson deal was canceled around Christmas, said Eve Williams, who founded Mojo Burrito in 2002 in St. Elmo. She said she couldn’t come to an agreement on building upgrades with Paul Pruett, the owner of the Hixson building between Shooter’s Supply and 2 Crazy Greeks that Williams planned to renovate and lease.

“I’m very disappointed that things did not work out in Hixson. It would be financially irresponsible for me to move forward in that location,” she said.

But Jed Mescon, a former longtime Chattanooga TV anchorman who is now Erlanger’s vice president of public relations, marketing, and development, last week approached Williams about having her open an outlet in the medical mall.