It’s been four years since Bedford restaurant-goers have a had a taste of Shorty’s Mexican Roadhouse on Route 101.

But when the bright green restaurant reopens this week under Shorty’s owner Rick Loeffler, visitors can expect something a little different, Loeffler said.

Shorty’s is back with a new name and a new twist. Now called Shorty’s Grill, the revamped restaurant will add comfort food, Italian and Asian-style dishes to its traditional menu.

“Sort of 75-80 percent of the food will be the same food format as Shorty’s Mexican Roadhouse, but we’re adding a little more to the menu and introducing some other non-Tex-Mex, non-Mexicana, non-California style dishes,” Loeffler explained.

Meals will still maintain their “friendly” price point of $15-20, Loeffler said.

“We’re still using our top-notch ingredients. … I guess its kind of a hybrid. At the end of the day, the customer determines what the format is. This is kind of a work in progress.”

In addition to the expanded food menu, the alcohol selections will also be different at Shorty’s Grill. Loeffler said an extensive wine list will accompany the popular margaritas and beer Shorty’s has been known for.

Shorty’s Mexican Roadhouse, which originally opened in Bedford in 1990, was a dining mainstay on Route 101 for 17 years until Massachusetts Mexican restaurant chain Casa Blanca presented Loeffler a generous offer to lease the location, he said.

“It was a very attractive offer, and we chose to take it at the time,” Loeffler said. “They were very nice people, but it’s like two different brands, two different business plans. They didn’t make it and they vacated the property.”

Today, Loeffler operates two of the original eight Shorty’s Mexican Roadhouse locations he once maintained throughout New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

Shorty’s Mexican Roadhouse of Manchester and Nashua have done well despite the difficult economy, Loeffler said. He and partner Jay DelMonte figured now is a fine time as any to bring Shorty’s back to Bedford.

“I had an empty building for a while, and that’s no fun,” Loeffler said. “It’s a good opportunity for Shorty’s and for me.”

As of Dec. 11, Loeffler said the restaurant was still working towards an official opening date, but that it would likely be ready for diners by Monday, Dec. 19.

Once it re-opens, Shorty’s Grill will employ approximately 50 people, Loeffler said, some of whom have worked at other Shorty’s locations all along.

The biggest challenge now is finishing the reinvestment on the space, Loeffler said.

“We really feel we had to make a significant investment in the facility, and really upgrade it and make it different,” Loeffler said. “For years, there hadn’t been a major investment made in the building since we started in 1990. It was time to give it a major refresh.”

The restaurant will still maintain the eclectic decor that attracted Shorty’s fans in years past, Loeffler said, but will now have a more urban feel to it.

“The times change,” Loeffler said. “Shorty’s has been around for 21 years, so we’re trying a new angle.”

Maryalice Gill can be reached at 594-6490 or mgill@nashuatelegraph.com. Follow Gill on Twitter (@Telegraph_MAG).