Coral Gables is getting an authentic taste of Mexico City with the grand opening of the Wapo Taco Taqueria on Friday, July 10th and they’re kicking things off with a Grand Opening celebration featuring free Pastor Tacos and Mexican Beer from 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
With a generous fan base in their northern counterpart located in Hallandale Beach, Florida, they’ve now set their sights on South Florida and will be bringing their street-food treats to Coral Gables at 2526 Ponce De Leon Boulevard.
Originally from Mexico, Wapo opened their first United States location, not even a year ago, by Cousins Francisco and Luis Musi, veterans of the Mexican capital’s most notable taqueria. They’ve brought with them handed-down family recipes and of course, the family’s pioneered method of charcoal grilling tacos (creating Tacos al Carbón, now a staple of Mexico City dining).
“In my hometown, a taqueria is a place for all,” states Francisco Musi, cofounder of Wapo Taco!. “Likewise, Wapo Taco is a place for diversity – our inviting, relaxed environment, delicious assortment of made-from-scratch dishes, unique flavors, and affordable prices – are meant for all to enjoy, and we are excited to bring that to beautiful Coral Gables.”
The 2,000 square foot, 80-seat Coral Gables locale will launch an enticing new menu with tried and true favorites from their stockpile of perfected family recipes and refreshing new item. Similar to its older sister in Hallandale Beach, Wapo Taco!’s inviting decor is both simple and fun. The spacious dining room is centered around the large open kitchen, wrap-around, eat-at bar, seating 15, that shows-off the action at the charcoal grill, double spit fire, schwarma-style pastor rotators, and the tortilladora and Mexican comal, both manned by their talented tortillera. A large mural displaying Wapo Taco!’s motto, “For the Love of Tacos” adorns the wall above the entrance.
In keeping with the family theme, fresh, quality ingredients, daily made-from-scratch salsas, marinades, stews and tortillas, and ancient Mexican cooking methods and ingredients, Musi hopes to address the issue of the lack of authentic Mexican taco spots. Diners at Wapo Taco! will feel confident knowing all the food will be made fresh daily.
Prices at Wapo Taco range from $2.99 for sides up to $16.99 for specialty dishes. Some of the items on the menu include items include:
Cebollitas Preparadas – grilled spring onions with lime juice, salt and Maggi seasoning sauce
Chicharrón de Queso – Gouda cheese grilled to a light crisp on one side and left warm and gooey on the other, then hand rolled into a flute shape and served with a side of fresh guacamole
Tacos- served two per order on freshly pressed and grilled house made corn tortillas using the traditional nixtamalization process, include Carne Asada – grilled arrachera (skirt steak) garnished with cilantro, avocado and roasted chiles
Carnitas – tender and moist braised pork shoulder and belly topped with crunchy chicharrón, onions and cilantro; pork or chicken Pastor, the classic ‘al pastor’ made in its traditional form of marinating meat in a mixture of dried chiles, spices, almonds and achiote spice, slowly roasted and sabered from the spit grill into warm corn tortillas, topped with onion, cilantro and juicy pineapple
Campechano – grilled skirt steak, stewed chorizo and chicharrón with house salsa especial; La Bomba – grilled cactus, chorizo and melted manchego cheese with guacamole, pico de gallo and Mexican crema
Costra – crispy outside and gooey inside grilled Manchego cheese, wrapped around grilled skirt steak and served over two flour tortillas with a side of guacamole
Gringa – pastor meat and melted Manchego on top of two flour tortillas, garnished with onions, pineapple and cilantro with a side of guacamole and morita sauce
Volcán Volcan –crispy chargrilled corn tortillas with melted Manchego and grilled steak, served with a side of guacamole
Along with their delicious and extensive menu of tasty treats, Wapo Taco will offer traditional Mexican desserts and soft drinks like creamy Horchata, a rice based water with cinnamon, milk and vanilla, and of course Mexican beers to wash everything down.
For everyday fun- stay tuned. Once open, Musi plans to have a Monday-Friday Happy Hour from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. with two-for-one beers as well as a late-night In the Biz Happy Hour featuring the same. Wapo Taco! opens this Friday.
Wapo Taco!
2526 Ponce de Leon Blvd; Coral Gables, Florida
www.elwapotaco.com
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