Waltham restaurant Gustazo finally has a liquor license, even if the process to get it proved challenging and disheartening.

The restaurant owners were openly critical of the city this summer when the last liquor license available was awarded to Ruth’s Chris Steak House. The free license was only recently "discovered" by the city when they cross-checked their inventory with the Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission.

Co-owner Patricia Estorino argued that her business, which had been on a waiting list for a license for two years, according to a post on the restaurant’s Facebook page, should have been prioritized over a national chain.

Instead, the license went to Ruth’s Chris. License Commission Chairman Wayne Brasco argued the chain would be more beneficial to the city.

Slated to open at 10 City Point, Ruth’s Chris claims it will bring in 90 jobs and $273,000 in tax revenue to Waltham in its first year.

“We awarded the license based on what best serves the citizens of all of Waltham,” said Brasco, at the time. “We wanted to seek out an applicant that would employ the most number of employees and generate the most tax revenue.”

At a meeting last week, Gustazo, a Cuban restaurant and cafe, was formally given an all-liquor license that previously was held by the now defunct Weston Racquet Club.

The license was on the market for $200,000, but according to Brasco, it was ultimately sold to Gustazo for less, which he described as "reasonable price." He did not disclose the amount paid for the license.

Darlene Wansiewicz, an administrative assistant in the licensing department, refused to release the amount paid for the license.

Estorino was reached multiple times for comment, but did not respond in time for the publication of this story.

The debate between Gustazo and Ruth’s Chris comes at a time when the city is trying to craft a home rule petition to raise the cap on licenses in the city, which is based on population.

The city has worked on the petition for a number of years, but has yet to file one because of pressure from some local restaurant and bar owners.

They oppose the increase, because they say the licenses would flood the market and cripple the value of the licenses some of them had to pay for.

Brasco has been a strong supporter of increasing the cap. The only city councilor to openly oppose it is Joe Giordano.

Currently, if a new business wants to come into Waltham and serve alcohol, their only option is to buy a license from a business that already has one. That allows the existing Waltham business owner to jack up the price. Licenses can run between $50,000 and $130,000. One business owner in Waltham even paid $185,000 for an all-alcohol license, an all-time high.

City Councilor Paul Brasco, the head of the License and Franchises Committee and son of Wayne Brasco, previously said he hoped to have a draft legislation created by June 16, but the council has yet to vote on any proposal. How many licenses make it onto the proposal is also unknown.

After a home rule petition is drafted, it would go before the city council for discussion, possible amendments and a vote. The petition would need a two-thirds approval from the council and approval from the mayor before being sent to the state legislature, and ultimately, the governor’s office.