Passing the Torch, Sharing the Table: How City Built Brewing and Los Mariscos de Pancho Are Opening a New Chapter Together
A New Chapter at City Built
Something special is happening inside the City Built taproom. After years of evolution, community partnership, and a whole lot of creativity in the kitchen, we’re entering a new chapter — one built on collaboration, culture, and shared flavor.
On December 9, we welcome Los Mariscos de Pancho into the City Built kitchen. This partnership brings a whole new world of Mexican seafood, birria, and bold, coastal flavors into our space, while letting City Built focus more deeply on the reason we opened our doors in the first place: community, hospitality, and an innovative beverage experience.
This isn’t a takeover.
This isn’t a replacement.
This is two stories joining at one table.
How We Got Here: A Kitchen with a Story
When City Built opened in 2017, the kitchen quickly became a huge part of our identity. Our Puerto Rican–inspired menu connected people to our culture and gave the taproom its unique heartbeat.
Then came the pandemic.
Like many restaurants, we had to adapt fast. That’s when the kitchen created Li Grand Zombi, a Creole-inspired takeout pop-up. Guests loved it. It later evolved into Zombi Kitchen, which carried the taproom through a time of uncertainty and built its own loyal following.
After the Zombi era ended in April 2023, we leaned heavily on community support — local chefs, our food truck friends, and our own team stepping up wherever needed. Sweet K, the wife of our founder Edwin, returned to the kitchen in August 2023 and again in July 2025 to stabilize operations during transitions.
By 2025, it became clear that the kitchen didn’t need another pivot.
It needed a partner with a culinary identity already built to thrive.
A Food Truck Community That Stepped Up
One of the bright spots during the last few years has been our relationship with the local food truck community. Whenever we needed help — whether for big events or slower kitchen periods — they showed up.
This connection became the foundation for Food Truck Monday, a weekly tradition that continues today and will carry us through the gap between our current kitchen closing on November 23 and Los Mariscos beginning service on December 9.
Food trucks will support our taproom from Nov 24 to Dec 8, keeping everyone well-fed as we prepare for this next stage.
The Los Mariscos Story: Built from Hustle and Heart
Los Mariscos de Pancho started in 2019 from humble roots — a studio apartment, family recipes, and a dream.
Owners Pancho and Vanessa Sanchez spent their early years cooking Mexican seafood plates and birria for delivery, bringing authentic coastal flavors and family traditions to customers across West Michigan. Their quesa-birria took off online, and before long, demand pushed them into opening their brick-and-mortar spot on Leonard Street.
Guests don’t just taste Los Mariscos’ food.
They feel the story behind it.
That combination — flavor, culture, authenticity — made the partnership feel natural. When the idea resurfaced in 2025, it felt less like a business decision and more like a continuation of what both brands already stand for.
Why This Partnership Works
City Built and Los Mariscos share a foundation built on:
culture
family
community
flavor
grit
and creating spaces where people feel welcome
This collaboration allows:
Los Mariscos to bring their full menu into a taproom that already embraces cultural diversity.
City Built to focus on expanding its beverage program and community experiences while still celebrating a diverse food offering.
It’s not one stepping in for the other.
It’s both stepping forward together.
What Guests Can Expect Starting December 9
When Los Mariscos begins service inside the City Built taproom, guests will enjoy:
Their full menu of Mexican seafood and birria
A separate food menu (same ordering flow as our drink menu)
The same taproom staff, energy, and hospitality
Occasional returning favorites from City Built’s Puerto Rican menu
Continued Food Truck Monday events
Catering through Los Mariscos for The Second Ward and for outside events
The same great dining experience whether you’re sipping, snacking, or settling in for a full meal
Their Leonard Street location will remain fully open.
A New Focus: City Built’s Beverage Program
With the kitchen in expert hands, City Built is turning its attention to a part of the brand that continues to grow in exciting ways: our drink program.
Led by Patrick Lynch, Head of Brewing Operations, and supported by Brewer Sydney Cannarozzi, this team oversees our entire craft beverage lineup, including:
beer
cocktails
cider
wine
hard seltzer
and zero-proof offerings
Sydney in particular has been the catalyst behind our growing draft cocktail program, bringing creativity, technique, and forward-thinking energy into every pour.
And coming in 2026, we’ll launch our reinvented Mug Club — renamed the Drink Club — featuring discounts on all draft beverages, including the full zero-proof menu.
Two Cultures. One Taproom. A New Table to Share.
This partnership between City Built Brewing and Los Mariscos de Pancho is more than a kitchen transition — it’s a celebration of culture, community, and the power of collaboration.
City Built’s kitchen closes on November 23.
Los Mariscos begins service on December 9.
We can’t wait for you to join us in this next chapter.
A bigger, bolder, more vibrant table is waiting.