New Taqueria Opens Up in Memphis: Tacos, Tacos, Tacos!
Exciting news for taco lovers in Memphis! On October 24th, the latest location of Maciel’s celebrated its grand opening on Summer Avenue. This new spot, dubbed Maciel’s Taqueria, promises to bring a flavorful twist to the local dining scene.
A Surprise Opening
Manuel Martinez, the man behind the Maciel’s brand, shared that this location wasn’t initially in the works. “It wasn’t in the plans,” he commented casually. However, he was drawn to the area because of speculations around a makeover for Summer Avenue. “We just found a really good location, and we got interested because Summer Avenue is getting a makeover,” he explained.
This location marks the fourth opening for Maciel’s, joining its Downtown, Midtown, and recently opened Maciel’s in Bartlett, which debuted earlier this year. The new Taqueria is situated at 3397 Summer Ave, a spacious 4,000 square feet offering seating for 99 hungry patrons. Quite impressive, right? The daylight-filled restaurant was once a warehouse, transformed beautifully into a taco haven with everything being brand new.
Diving into the Taco Scene
Martinez has decided to give a central focus to tacos at this location. He stated, “This is Summer Avenue. It’s a taco place. If we wanted to be here, we had to bring a menu that speaks to the area.” And oh boy, does the menu speak to the area! Featuring delicious offerings like street tacos filled with tinga, chorizo, lengua (yes, that’s beef tongue!), and birria, there’s something for everyone.
There are also Northern-style tacos—those come loaded with beans, onions, guacamole, and grilled spring onions on the side—sounds tantalizing, right? If you’re up for a twist, try the fried tacos featuring mouth-watering potato, fried avocado, pastor, and carnita options. And that’s just scratching the surface! The menu expands to include burritos, nachos, flautas, gorditas, and tostadas. Yum!
Aiming for More
While he’s already got a feast laid out for customers, Martinez has even bigger dreams for Maciel’s Taqueria. He is planning to add a bar to the mix, where patrons can sip on refreshing margaritas, palomas, and, yes, shots of tequila. Doesn’t that sound like a fabulous idea for your next night out?
The Road to Opening
Setting up this new location was no quick job; it took about a year to get everything just right. To help fund this venture, Martinez launched the Bartlett location, but his vision for Summer Avenue reflects the growing appetite in Memphis for delicious Mexican cuisine.
“Memphis is growing and the food scene is growing with it. Mexican restaurants are the one that is the fastest-growing restaurants,” he said. It’s quite clear that the taco craze is sweeping through Memphis like it did for sushi back in 2010!
Looking Ahead
Martinez believes that there is an increasing curiosity among customers who may not be familiar with authentic Mexican food. “We wanted to reach them,” he stated. What a great approach to not only satisfy cravings but also educate people about the rich flavors that Mexican cuisine has to offer!
So, if you are in the area or simply looking for a new taco hotspot, make sure to check out Maciel’s Taqueria on Summer Avenue. It sounds like a must-visit spot for any food lover in Memphis!
