Tacocat, an upscale taco bar on 208 10th St. with a Kruhu-designed logo of a cat that resembles a Dia de los Muertos mask with a taco for its sombrero, has been in the planning stages by the Frog Hollow Group for six years and emphasizes the young at heart. This means older young adults and adults who want to have fun and fellowship with their friends.
The young-at-heart emphasis can be seen in the bright décor and the dart boards, the big Connect Four-style game in the lounge area, the painted-on Twister game on one of the main floors, and a hopscotch game painted on as one journeys to the restroom.
The restrooms are decorated like the optical illusion room from the 70s Willy Wonka film mixed with monochromatic Spanish tiles. Colorful, zig-zagging stripes adorn the walls, stylized orange couches are in a lounge area, and warm colors are here and there with interior design work done by Jennifer Krapp. The games in the décor perhaps help all from boomers down to millennials reminisce while having fun and socializing.
“This is not a family restaurant but is an upscale taco bar for young adults and adults to have fun and fellowship with their friends.” Breannah Newton, Director of Operations for the Frog Hollow Group, said.
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The high-demand establishment, which has a bar with an emphasis on classic Hispanic and fusion-themed cocktails, opened last week and had crowds of more than 200 each evening with lines forming at 4:30 p.m. — thirty minutes before opening. On Friday, July 8, 20 parties still waited for tables at 9:30 p.m., she said.
The restaurant is first-come, first-served and does not accept reservations.
“Our food is not your classic interpretation of Mexican food. It’s our own Frog Hollow Group flair added to street tacos,” Newton said. “Come in expecting the unexpected.”
The nachos come with a choice of proteins and salsa, queso, guacamole, and pico de gallo. Also, the street tacos come with three different meat options or even a tangy cauliflower. The street tacos can be prepared for vegetarian or vegan diets.
Among other options for dishes, they have queso fundido which comes with the restaurant’s homemade chorizo (Spanish/Mexican sausage) and three different styles of melted cheese. They have an expansive menu of food choices beyond these options.
Tacocat focuses on homemade food and fresh, local ingredients. They make their own taco and corn tortillas. They also make their own peach salsa with peaches from Ridge Spring, S.C.
One of their many libations — many of which come with hand pressed citrus or other juices every day — may remind some of the drinks in Tiki bars in Southern California and other areas coupled with traditional Hispanic cocktails. The Oaxacan Deadhead #12 comes in a cactus-themed cup with Oaxcan and Caribbean rums, Banane de Bresil, Almond Orgeat, Lime and Allspice. The drink menu has varieties of margaritas, cervezas, frozen drinks and more.
Newton also mentioned the “groupies.”
These are buckets of mixed drinks for sharing with a group. One groupie is called “Good Vibes” and is a bucket of six jarritos grapefruit sodas spiked with Blanco Tequila. Another is called “Buena Vida” and is a bucket of six pacificos and six shots of blanco tequila.
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Tacocat shares a kitchen with another Frog Hollow group restaurant, PHO-RAMEN’L, which is located directly in front of it on the corner of Broad and 10th St. in a remodeled space.
PHO-RAMEN-L opened in February but had been planned long before that. The pandemic affected its opening.
Newton said, “It took us six months just to get the front gate for that place.”
“PHO-RAMEN’L features Southern ingredients with an Asian flair. It has Southern U.S. fusion cuisine,” she said.
Tacocat is open from 5 to 10 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays and 5 to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Lunch hours may be added soon as well as live entertainment, she said.
Ron Baxley Jr. is a correspondent for The Augusta Press.
