Franchising

Full-service taco chain launching fast casual spinoff

Provided

October 9, 2020

Bodega Taqueria y Tequila, a full-service taco joint in Miami, has created a fast casual spinoff — Bodega Taqueria. The flagship Bodega Taqueria y Tequila opened in 2015 serving authentic Mexican street food in the front and a "secret" late-night speakeasy in the back, but Keith Menin, principal of Menin Hospitality, which owns both concepts, said the menu's approachability and affordability will also work well in a limited-service environment.

The debut of the Bodega Taqueria announcement coincides with two confirmed locations slated to open in North Beach and downtown Miami. The Bodega Taqueria in North Beach will open in 2021 in between 73rd Street and Collins Avenue servicing Surfside and Bal Harbour, while the location in downtown Miami will open in 2022 inside of Natiivo Miami, a residential tower, servicing the Brickell area. These two locations will pave the way for at least another 10 Bodega Taquerias to open within the next 18-24 months.

"Over the last six years, we've found that the Bodega brand works both as a full concept venue (Taqueria y Tequila) and, as a food-only destination as well (Taqueria)," Menin said in a company press release. "As we expand the full Bodega Taqueria y Tequila concept with the November 1, 2020 opening in Fort Lauderdale, we are also excited to debut the Bodega Taqueria concept in buildings where fast-casual dining options add to the amenities being offered."

Bodega Taqueria concept's main focus will put its culinary inventiveness and quick-service format at the forefront, Menin said. Offering the authentic taste of Mexican street food, guests will order from the brand's full-sized, retrofitted vintage airstream trailer turned taco truck with the option to dine in the garage seating of picnic tables, neon bar stools and graffiti walls. The menu is the brainchild of Chef Bernie Matz, the executive director of culinary for Bodega, and will offer tacos and burritos and other customer favorites.

"Over the years, we've taken our airstream food truck to different areas to implement pop-up Bodega Taqueria locations, and have seen great success which contributed to our decision to expand the food portion of our Bodega brand to high traffic buildings," said Jared Galbut, managing principal of Menin Hospitality. "The quick service restaurant model is more relevant now than ever before — people want fast quick service of authentic cuisine at approachable prices; we couldn't think of a more opportune time than now to expand."