Member Spotlight: Crazy Gringo Mexican Cantina

For Tommy Vasilos, sole owner of Crazy Gringo Mexican Cantina, the restaurant business is a family tradition more than four decades in the making.

Vasilos began working in his father’s restaurants when he was 15 years old. His father, a chef, operated two restaurants in metro Detroit, and Vasilos eventually followed him into the business. In 2015, he decided to transform his restaurant at 15 Mile Road and Gratiot Avenue in Clinton Township into a Mexican concept.

With the help of a chef introduced to him by a mutual friend, and a memorable name suggested by his family, Crazy Gringo Mexican Cantina opened its doors in September 2015.

The restaurant quickly gained attention for its fresh, made-daily food and authentic take on Tex-Mex. In 2018, Crazy Gringo entered a taco competition in Royal Oak and took first place, earning the team a trip to Alabama to compete against chefs from around the world. Crazy Gringo finished third in the international competition.

“It was a surreal moment,” Vasilos said. “It was a game changer.”

Today, Crazy Gringo is known for many dishes including steak fajitas, fish tacos, wet burritos and its signature Chori Pollo, a house-marinated chicken breast topped with con queso dip and chorizo.

“People are surprised by the food when they come in for the first time,” said Vasilos. “Wow, you really impressed us with authentic food, they say.”

Among the restaurant’s other popular offerings is the Tommy Margarita, made with fresh-squeezed ingredients.

“When you serve someone a good meal and a good margarita, it sticks with them a little bit longer,” Vasilos said.

Crazy Gringo has expanded beyond its Clinton Township restaurant with Crazy Gringo Express in St. Clair Shores and a location in Detroit’s Guardian Building. The company has also grown its catering and events business, serving graduation parties, showers and other celebrations.

That growth also includes Two Dudes Coffee Bar, another business owned by Vasilos and his partners. Plans are underway to integrate the coffee bar into Crazy Gringo Express locations.

Vasilos joined the Macomb County Chamber in 2019 after friends encouraged him to become more involved and expand his network.

“It’s always good to be part of the community,” he said.

Since joining, Vasilos has participated in Chamber golf outings and other events, while Crazy Gringo has provided catering for a variety of activities. He credits the Chamber with helping business owners build relationships and become more connected to the community.

“The Chamber is the missing puzzle piece that brings everything together,” Vasilos said. “Everyone should be part of the Chamber. You meet people, and it’s always an asset to have it on your side.”

A Macomb County resident since 1974, Vasilos said those community relationships remain important to him as Crazy Gringo continues to grow.

“I love it here,” he said. “I’d like to meet more people from the Chamber, and anything I can do to help them would be great.”

For more information about Crazy Gringo Mexican Cantina, visit crazy-gringo-cantina.com.