Mexican Restaurant Uncle Julio's to Open at Waterfront Property

The new location will fill a space that has been vacant for nearly 20 years.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Uncle Julio's Mexican from Scratch restaurant is coming to Norman, Oklahoma in August, according to Dani Perales, the director of marketing and innovation at Sun Holdings, the parent company of Uncle Julio's. The new restaurant will occupy a waterfront property that has been vacant for close to two decades.

Why it matters

The opening of Uncle Julio's in Norman represents the revitalization of a long-vacant property and the expansion of a popular Mexican restaurant chain into a new market. This is expected to bring new dining options and economic activity to the area.

The details

Sun Holdings, the parent company of Uncle Julio's, confirmed that the new Norman location will open in August 2026. The restaurant will occupy a waterfront property that has sat vacant for nearly 20 years, signaling a new chapter for the underutilized site.

  • Uncle Julio's is slated to open in Norman, Oklahoma in August 2026.

The players

Uncle Julio's

A Mexican restaurant chain that specializes in made-from-scratch Mexican cuisine.

Sun Holdings

The parent company of Uncle Julio's and the entity that confirmed the new Norman location.

Dani Perales

The director of marketing and innovation at Sun Holdings.

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What they’re saying

“Uncle Julio's Mexican from Scratch restaurant is coming to Norman in August, according to Sun Holdings director of marketing and innovation Dani Perales, who confirmed in an email to OU Daily Thursday.”

— Dani Perales, Director of Marketing and Innovation, Sun Holdings (The Oklahoma Daily)

The takeaway

The opening of Uncle Julio's in Norman represents an opportunity to revitalize a long-vacant waterfront property and bring a popular Mexican restaurant chain to a new market, potentially boosting the local economy and dining options for residents.