In early June, Red Mesa Cantina closed its doors at 128 Third St. S in downtown St. Pete after a 16-year run.
“When Red Mesa Cantina opened in 2010, downtown St. Pete looked much different than it does today,” reflected coverage by St. Pete Rising published June 2. “The city was still working its way out of the Great Recession, BayWalk was struggling with vacancies, the inverted pyramid Pier was still open, and much of Central Avenue was lined with vacant storefronts, antique shops, and surface parking lots.”
News of the closing came suddenly, leaving the three-story space’s future unclear. But this week, word has gotten out about what’s replacing Red Mesa Cantina: it’s a new “multi-concept restaurant” from the team behind Rreal Tacos, reports Creative Loafing Tampa Bay.
What Now reported back in February on plans for the taco chain to make its Tampa Bay debut this fall, with a Rreal Tacos location to open at 808 N Franklin St. That opening is still forthcoming.
Meanwhile, the specific multiple concepts replacing Red Mesa and the event spaces that occupied the space above the restaurant have yet to be revealed. They’re expected to start opening in early 2027 and launch in phases thereafter, and to represent an eight-figure investment, 250 jobs, and more than 800 total seats.
“This building has watched over downtown St. Pete for more than a hundred years,” Rreal Tacos CEO Damian Otero said in a statement quoted in the CL Tampa Bay coverage. “We didn’t buy it to change what it is, we bought it to honor it, fill it with life and hospitality for the next chapter of its life.”
You can keep up with all things Rreal Tacos by following @rrealtacos on Instagram.
