Mez

Mez Contemporary Mexican is the latest venture of the locally owned and operated Chapel Hill Restaurant Group. The Award-winning group includes 411 West Italian Café, 518 West Italian Café, Squid's Seafood Restaurant and Oyster Bar and Spanky's Restaurant. Mez is located in the heart of the Triangle, just minutes from Chapel Hill, Raleigh, Durham and Cary off I-40 (Exit 282). Our menu features traditional Mexican recipes with a modern, healthy twist, and uses locally grown organic products whenever possible. Daily food and drink specials reflect the changing seasons and the skills of our talented staff.

Customers can choose to dine inside in our beautiful light-filled dining room, or outside on one of the area's most comfortable and attractive patios. MEZ also offers a beautiful private room and balcony that can accommodate 80 to 100 people for business lunches, meetings, rehearsal dinners, or any other occasion. Off site catering is also available for groups of any size.

Our Mission

As with the entire Chapel Hill Restaurant Group, Mez strives to provide the value of quality service and outstanding food at an affordable price. We are committed to creating the best possible dining experience from our first contact with the guest through the end of the meal. We have also chosen to accomplish our goals sustainably, and we are proud of our efforts to become a leader in our industry. We were named "Sustainable Business of the Year" in 2007, we were the first Green Plus certified business in the United States, and MEZ was the first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)-designed restaurant in North Carolina.

Biographies

Jamie LaForce General Manager / Partner

A native Ohioan and loyal Buckeye, Jamie has risen through the ranks to achieve the position of Managing Partner with the Chapel Hill Restaurant Group. He first worked as a server at Squid's Restaurant in Chapel Hill in 1997, and over the next three years, he waited, bartended, and served as Assistant Manager. In 2000, his personality and professionalism made him a natural choice to serve as General Manager, and Squid's enjoyed unparalleled success during his tenure. His ability to connect with both our customers and staff were rewarded when he was named Managing Partner at Mez. As an on-sight owner of the business, Jamie is responsible for the day to day operations of the restaurant, and he serves as our representative in the RTP and surrounding community.

Aaron Stumb, Executive Chef

After graduating from the Wake Tech Culinary Program in 1996, Aaron worked at 411 West and 518 West. In 2002 he left to work for a national corporate restaurant group, and gained valuable experience in kitchen management. In 2004 Aaron returned to our group, and helped revitalize Spanky's, our restaurant in downtown Chapel Hill. In 2005, Aaron accepted the position of Executive Chef at Mez, and began researching recipes and techniques of Latin cuisine. A great part of the success enjoyed by Mez today is a tribute to both his knowledge of food and his managerial skills. Aaron is also an Adjunct Faculty member at Wake Tech, where he teaches culinary classes, and he is a popular instructor in the local Williams-Sonoma guest chef series.

Jeff Robinson, Chef du Cuisine

Jeff proudly served in the US Marine Corps from 1991-1995. After leaving the military, Jeff decided to pursue a culinary career in the Chapel Hill area, where he built an impressive resume, culminating with the Sous Chef position at Starlu in Durham. Jeff joined the management team at MEZ in late 2007. He immediately proved to have a wonderful palate and a genuine artistry with food, and he combines these talents with a tremendous work ethic and great attention to detail. He and Aaron work together seamlessly to produce the outstanding menu at MEZ.

Jayme Rhodes - Event Planner

Jayme graduated in 2000 with a degree in Business and Finance from NC State. Throughout her college years she was the food manager for a small café and catered for a small catering company helping in the kitchen and running events. After graduating, she joined the kitchen staff at 518 West while earning her real estate license. Jayme has nine years of real estate sales experience and twelve years of event planning and catering experience to bring to The Chapel Hill Restaurant Group as our Event Planner.

Josh Michael, Bar and Floor Manager

Originally from Kitty Hawk, NC, Josh attended UNC Chapel Hill from 1997 to 2002, where he worked towards a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Environmental Studies. He and his wife Claire have a 22 month old daughter, Abigail. Josh has been with CHRG since 2003 as a waiter, bartender and Floor Supervisor at Squid's in Chapel Hill. He accepted the Bar and Floor Manager position in early January of 2011. He brings a great deal of organization, attention to detail and people skills to the Mez management team.

Justin Bass, Sous Chef

Justin completed his culinary training at Guilford Technical Community College in 2003 and began working at 411 West in Chapel Hill. After gaining significant knowledge during two years in the kitchen of 411, he was offered the position of Sous Chef at Spanky's Restaurant in 2007. His high level of energy and creativity contribute to the presentation of weekly specials and soups that feature seasonal ingredients sourced from local farms.

Seth Batchelor, Catering Director

Born in Thomasville, NC, Seth attended Wake Technical Community College from 2002 to 2008, taking a range of classes including Culinary Technology, Hospitality Management, Business Management, Accounting and Entrepreneurship. He has managed restaurants since his early twenties, working as the Head Chef for Clayton, NC restaurants Jeme's Downtown Café, Good Day Café, Moon Times Wine Bar, and Skylines Café. Seth moved to Chapel Hill in August 2008 and accepted a position as Sous Chef at Spanky's Restaurant. In November of 2010 Seth brought his work ethic and culinary skill to the Catering Director position at Mez.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

• Location: Mez Contemporary Mexican
  5410 Page Road, Suite 8
  Durham, NC 27703
  
  Website: www.mezdurham.com
  Phone: (919) 941-1630
  Email: mez@mezdurham.com
  
  
• Payment: MC, Visa, AMEX, Diners, Cash
• Average Price: Lunch - $10 / Dinner - $20
• Reservations: Accepted by phone (919) 941-1630 / OpenTable
• Other Information:
  • Dress Code: Casual
  • Full ABC permits
  • Parking: Plenty of free, onsite parking
  • Patio: Yes
  • Private Dining: Yes
  • Large Parties: Yes
  • Off Premise Catering: Yes
  • Delivery: For large groups. See Catering
  • Take Out: Yes
  • Split Checks: Yes
  • Wheel Chair Accessible: Yes
  • Smoking: Outside, 25 feet from Doors
  • Gift Cards: Available for purchase during business hours at Mez, or anytime Online