The Wigglin’ Pig crew — Kristie Jaramillo, Ruben Gomez, Eleica Watts and owner Ernie Padilla — pause for a photo during the lunch rush at their location on West Main Street in Cortez. Their signature pork sliders and gourmet mac and cheese beckon in the foreground.

Jim Mimiaga/The Journal

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The Wigglin’ Pig crew — Kristie Jaramillo, Ruben Gomez, Eleica Watts and owner Ernie Padilla — pause for a photo during the lunch rush at their location on West Main Street in Cortez. Their signature pork sliders and gourmet mac and cheese beckon in the foreground.

Jim Mimiaga/The Journal

The Wigglin’ Pig on West Main Street in Cortez can now serve alcohol along with pulled pork tacos, grilled cheese and other “gourmet comfort food” dishes.

The Cortez City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a new hotel and restaurant liquor license for the restaurant. Owner and operator Ernie Padilla opened The Wigglin’ Pig food truck in March 2018 and moved into a brick-and-mortar location in late 2018.

“I’ve been a resident here since 1991, and it’s been a dream of mine to open a restaurant and serve food,” Padilla said at the meeting.

Mayor Karen Sheek said it’s nice to see him able to expand his business from the food truck.

Police Chief Roy Lane said he conducted an investigation of the applicant and took a poll of nearby residents and businesses. He said 53 were in favor and zero were against the liquor license.

sdolan@the-journal.com