A new taco spot is moving into the former Columbia Pike home of another recently-shuttered taco spot.
Last week, ARLnow reported that the Instagram-popular Nono’s Taqueria was closed and planning to open elsewhere. Now, only days later, the space between Panda Bowl and Family Kabob House is getting a new tenant.
“Eli’s Taqueria y Restaurante” has taken over the lease for the restaurant and will be filling the space at 3207-A Columbia Pike, owners of both businesses confirmed to ARLnow.
The new restaurant, which will also serve birria tacos as well as other dishes, plans to open next month, co-owner Elizabeth Marquez says.
Eli’s Taqueria y Restaurante comes from local Nevi Paredes, who owns the taco truck Taqueria La Ceibita that is often parked at the BP gas station on Columbia Pike near S. Buchanan Street. Marquez, who is Paredes’ daughter, will help run it with her family.
“We’ve become a bit popular with the locals. [The truck] is run by my mom, me and my two older sisters,” Marquez said. “My mom’s grandkids love to come help out too. It’s been a dream of my mom’s to have a restaurant so we started with a truck and are super excited to open ‘Eli’s Taqueria y Restaurante’ and expand our family business.”
Paredes has lived in Arlington for 35 years. Her daughters are Yorktown High School graduates.
The menu at the new restaurant will be the same as the truck’s, though the restaurant will serve shrimp and fish as well. There will also be breakfast and pupusas because “everyone loves my mom’s pupusas,” said Marquez. Eli’s Taqueria y Restaurante willo continue to provide halal meat, like the truck.
The opening of this new eatery continues to strengthen Columbia Pike’s case as Arlington’s taco corridor.
Nono’s Taqueria gained quite a following before it closed so that the owner can take a “mini-vacation.” The plan is to reopen next spring, perhaps again on the Pike.
The La Tingeria food truck was also quite popular, serving birria tacos on weekends on S. Courthouse Road right off the Pike. It moved to a permanent space in Falls Church earlier this year.
Just last month, Tortas y Tacos at 2911 Columbia Pike announced that it would be extending its hours to 24/7.