New Mexican Restaurant Xochitl Opens in Great Falls

The locally owned Xochitl Cocina & Tequila brings modern Mexican flavors to Montana

Jan. 30, 2026 at 9:39pm

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A new locally owned Mexican restaurant called Xochitl Cocina & Tequila has opened its doors in Great Falls, Montana. The restaurant is serving up a menu of tacos, specialty cocktails, and desserts that blend Mexican and Montana flavors, like the Pan de Elote corn cake topped with huckleberry glaze.

Why it matters

The opening of Xochitl adds another locally owned dining option to Great Falls' growing food scene, which has historically been dominated by national chain restaurants. The restaurant's focus on blending Mexican and regional Montana ingredients and flavors also reflects a broader trend of restaurants across the country putting a unique spin on traditional cuisines.

The details

Xochitl Cocina & Tequila has opened in the former Bert & Ernie's location in Great Falls. The restaurant's name is pronounced 'So-Chill' and the menu features a variety of tacos, including shrimp, sirloin, and chicken, as well as specialty cocktails. One of the standout desserts is the Pan de Elote, a homemade corn cake topped with ice cream and a huckleberry glaze, which combines Mexican and Montana flavors.

  • Xochitl Cocina & Tequila officially opened its doors in Great Falls in January 2026.

The players

Xochitl Cocina & Tequila

A new locally owned Mexican restaurant that has opened in Great Falls, Montana, serving a menu of tacos, cocktails, and desserts that blend Mexican and regional Montana flavors.

Rudy Nunez

The director of operations for Xochitl Cocina & Tequila, who explained that the restaurant chose to open in Great Falls because they felt the city needed this type of dining option and they wanted to be part of the community.

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What they’re saying

“We decided to join because we felt like Great Falls needed this. We wanted to be a part of the community. So, we're here, and we're happy to be here.”

— Rudy Nunez, Director of Operations, Xochitl Cocina & Tequila

The takeaway

The opening of Xochitl Cocina & Tequila in Great Falls represents a growing trend of locally owned restaurants bringing unique culinary experiences to Montana, blending regional flavors with traditional cuisines. This reflects the evolving food landscape in cities across the country as consumers seek out dining options that offer a more personalized and community-focused experience.