November 29, 2025

‘I’M SORRY’ FOR ‘SERVING UP AUTHENTIC, CREATIVE TACOS,’ JOKES LO SIENTO’S NEW RESTAURANT OWNER JOHN PARK

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GRAVENHURST — Why’s a Canadian guy with Korean roots running a Mexican restaurant?

“It’s the kind of food I like,” says John Park, owner of Lo Siento on Bethune Drive at the Winewood Road intersection.

Candidly Canadian, he says “I’m sorry” — while his motto says he’s “Unapologetically serving up authentic, creative tacos.”

Which he laughs is the name of his sole proprietor’s business.

“Lo Siento means ‘I’m sorry’ and I wanted to have some fun with it.”

**John Park’s taco bar may be indoors now, away from his patio, but he says his great menu hasn’t changed. There are eight seats and of course takeaways. PHOTOS Mark Clairmont MuskokaTODAY.com**

The 37-year-old film student opened his welcomed tacqueria Aug. 1 and says he’s done well the first four months after moving most of his seating inside for the winter.

An outdoor licensed patio helped the taco stand kick off business in the second half of summer with local and seasonal residents enjoying the culinary cottage menu with a twist.

Various great beef, chicken, fish, sweet potato and a couple other tacos comprise the menu.

All of them easy on the palate and to digest. Though his two chefs will whip up some spicy dips.

“Una cerveza por favour — or s’il vous plait,” will help wash them down.

And of course a margharita — if you please.

Takeaway orders have become staples of his business’s diet.

With now only three tables able to accommodate eight diners at a time that’s still fine with him. It’s just half of what he also had outside where gas pumps and Dee’s Restaurant were among other businesses there.

One other one was Jim Dobie’s Prickly Cactus, another Mexican eatery.

Lo Siento is located in the former Surf and Turf location across from Sander Motors.

Christmas party booked inside

Park’s already booked the small restaurant for a stand-up Christmas party for 14 people, where the holiday crowd will be able to munch, mingle and jingle.

And he welcomes holiday catering platters to go or pick up.

Park is the son of Anne’s Variety owner Anna Park. And brother to Diane Park Thach, whose inlaws own the China House Restaurant across from Sawdust City Brewery.

He’d hoped to open late last spring — “I’m sorry I didn’t” — but town building officials required washrooms, which were severed off when the building was renovated into two businesses.

He subsequently provided restroom in a separate location next to the restaurant, which customers have to exit out the front door to access.

Lo Siento is open Tuesday to Saturday noon to 8 p.m. and 11-4 p.m. Sundays.