May 8, 2026

A full-service Mexican restaurant opened Thursday on the west side of Sioux Falls.

Aruma Tacos & Tequila is at 2310 S. Marion Road in the former restaurant space most well-known as The SandBar & Grill at Lake Lorraine.

“We saw an opportunity on this side of town. There’s not many options over here,” said Victor Magana, one of three operating partners. “The idea … is to bring to people, not only the neighborhood, something different, an upscale experience for everyone.”

The owners remodeled the space featuring a mixture of black and white finishes, along with some stone and wood. A long bar top with seating highlights Aruma’s liquor offerings, which include top-shelf tequilas, Magana said.

The menu for Aruma – which means happy place or fragrant — fits on a single sheet, with food one side and drinks on the other.

“What makes us different than any other Mexican restaurant in town is we don’t have so many items on the menu,” he said. “We focus on a decent amount.”

The focus of the family-owned and -operated restaurant is on quality ingredients, Magana said. That has been a hallmark of partner Mario Escalera, who has 30 years of experience owning and working in Mexican restaurants in Wisconsin. Magana has a 20-year background in South Dakota and North Dakota, and for partner Carlos Patino, this is his first ownership opportunity.

Victor Magana, Mario Escalera and Carlos Patino

They were brought together by restaurateur Reyes Arranda, whose extensive partnerships also include La Plaza Fiesta and La Cantina in Sioux Falls.

“He likes to include new people, and he likes to give opportunity to others,” Magana said.

Escalera said he thinks diners will be drawn to the fajitas, quesabirria and chimichangas.

The menu also includes nachos, street tacos, salads, burritos, enchiladas, steaks and a few dishes with shrimp.

Chef’s specials range from Pollo Chipotle and carnitas to flautas and the Aruma Special with chicken, shrimp, peppers, squash, poblano crema, rice and avocado.

Kids items include mac-and-cheese, chicken tenders and fries, and rice and beans.

While the restaurant is designed for an upscale experience, the menu prices are competitive, Magana said. A majority of the items are in the range of $15 to $20.

Lunch specials are available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays.

View the full menu here.

The restaurant seats about 170 inside with a mix of tables and booths and 30 on the patio, which will open once the warmer weather is here to stay, Magana said.

Diners can watch sports on a few TVs – not as many as the restaurants before, and the energy of the space is amplified with Latin music.

Eventually, there will be a casino room with 10 video lottery machines.

The team includes a staff of about 30 people, and Aruma is still hiring to fill a few positions, Magana said.

Hours are 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with flexibility to stay open later if it’s busy, he said.

“Let people know we’re going to be happy to serve them, to see them here, and we’re going to see this place packed,” Magana said. “Everyone, everyone is welcome here. We want them to feel welcome. That’s our main goal.”