With 11 locations in Georgia, Atlanta-based street taco chain Rreal Tacos is preparing for its first expansion outside Georgia. For this first venture, Rreal Tacos is working on an opening in downtown Tampa, at 808 N Franklin Street, in the location formerly occupied by Asian fusion restaurant Haiku Tampa, says coverage by Patch.
Serving up “Authentic Mexican Street Food,” Rreal Tacos invites guests to “Savor the Moment, Find Your Flavor: Discover the Rreal Tacos Experience at Our Multiple Locations.”
And, as it happens, the downtown Tampa location is only the first of three planned for the Tampa Bay market, the Patch coverage says.
The Rreal Tacos menu opens with starters like Guacamole & Chips and Elote and splits much of the rest of the menu into two categories: “Tacos” and “Not Tacos.” Taco varieties include Birria, Grilled Chicken, Al Pastor, and Pork Carnitas, and lots more. “Not Tacos” choices include Birria Ramen, the Quesadilla Grande (served with guests’ choice of protein), and the Birria Pizza.
“We’re not just opening a restaurant — we’re entering a market that reminds us a lot of Atlanta before Rreal Tacos really took off,” Rreal Tacos CEO Damian Otero says in the Patch coverage. “Tampa is energetic, it’s growing fast, and it’s underserved when it comes to this category. It made a lot of sense for us.”
The company is expected to invest about $2.5 million dollars into the former Haiku location, transforming it into space featuring Rreal Tacos’ immediately recognizable brand design.
What Now reached out to Damian Otero on Wednesday to ask about plans for the Tampa expansion. Otero was not immediately available for comment.
You can keep up with all things Rreal Tacos by following @rrealtacos on Instagram.
