Downtown Vancouver has welcomed a new taco shop, as Santo Taco has opened its doors at 108 W Hastings St in the old Noodlebox space.
Santo Taco, which calls itself a "famosa taqueria" (as in a famous taco spot), is the venture of the same team as East Vancouver's Mr Churro.
Mr Churro, which operates at 383 Raymur St, launched in 2023 and serves not only classic and stuffed churros, but also a full menu of Mexican fare including burritos, tortas (sandwiches), and tacos, along with hot and cold beverages.
However, to make the move to Gastown, Mr Churro has temporarily closed. Operators shared the news on social media in March, first announcing Mr Churro's "temporary closure" on April 13, followed by the "big news" of the launch of their Santo Taco operation.
"We’re gearing up for an epic comeback in Gastown with an authentic Mexican taqueria," reads the announcement.
Santo Taco announced near the end of July that its new Gastown restaurant is now open.
"Santo Taco" items were available from Mr Churro. The menu had dishes like burrotes (large burritos), tostares (a Mexican street food featuring a fried tortilla with toppings), and vampiritos (described on third-party ordering platforms as "not a tostada, not a taco. Kinda in between").
Currently, the new Santo Taco restaurant does not have a published website but does offer a menu via Google.
Diners can find items like Texas-style nacho platters and other sides and snacks alongside an extensive selection of tacos, vampiritos, and "mooolitas," which are corn tortillas covered in melted mozzarella and stuffed with a variety of fillings, from chorizo to marinated shrimp. Similarly, there are numerous options for quesadillas, burrotes, tostares, and tortas.
Follow Santo Taco on Instagram @_santotaco/ for more info.
Taco shop opening blocks from long-time taqueria moving to new nearby location
Santo Taco joins the neighbourhood as nearby La Taqueria, a couple of blocks over at 322 W Hastings St, is gearing up to close down.
La Taqueria, which debuted in Vancouver in 2009 at the West Hastings space, is not gone for good. In addition to having multiple locations in Metro Vancouver, the popular casual Mexican restaurant is shifting to brand new digs further west along Hastings. The relocated La Taqueria will be going in at 601 W Hastings St, part of the Waterfront Hub duo of downtown new builds, with a spiffy, modern, 50-seat restaurant.
Once La Taqueria departs, sibling operation and Michelin Guide-endorsed Chupito will take over at 322 W Hastings St until the building nears demolition for redevelopment. No dates for closures, openings, or moves have been shared yet.
This article was originally published on March 15 and has been updated.
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