The gourmet Bevy Market lunch eatery in Kakaako has been revamped into a street taco shop, cleverly named Taco’ako, in the trendy Salt at Our Kakaako shopping and restaurant complex.
THE BUSINESS
Tako’ako is on the Auahi Street corner, right next door to Bevy, the European- styled cocktail bar that also offers tapas-style dining. Both are owned by Christian Self, who said there were so many other places in the neighborhood to get deli items he decided to close Bevy Market.
Foot traffic for Taco’ako in the up-and-coming neighborhood has been steady, as nearby residents discover the new lunch spot.
TACO’AKO
675 Auahi St.
>> Phone: 824-2547
>> Hours: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays
>> Prices: $4 to $11
>> Parking: Validated for Salt parking structure, also street parking
>> Online: tacoako.com
THE FOOD
Like the cocktail bar, Self’s new taco shop uses fresh, high-quality ingredients, with everything made by hand. His chef is Don Boucher of the former Cocina Mexican restaurant, which used to be on the same street.
The small menu includes tacos for $4 or $5, and in the short time it’s been open, the Baja fish tacos have been swimming out the door. Other varieties include carne asada (beef), lengua (beef tongue), tako (octopus), carnita (pork), chicken tinga (shredded) and roasted cauliflower.
Intriguing are the tempura-battered avocado tacos with black beans, slaw, wasabi and chipotle cream; or the camarones taco with beer-battered shrimp, Korean mayonnaise, slaw and avocado verde.
Hefty burritos come in four standard varieties, for $9 to $11, with the carne asada burrito pulling ahead in popularity. Tostadas — chicken, beef or veggie — are $6. One of the sides is elote for $5, a roasted and grilled cob of Mexican street corn, coated with cotija cheese, lime, cayenne and cilantro.
For drinks, in addition to a few of the usual brands of soft drinks, Taco’ako carries the Jarritos brand of bottled natural- flavor sodas in six flavors, including guava, pineapple and tamarind. Once a liquor license is acquired, in about a month, alcoholic beverages will be available.
HOW TO ORDER
Pre-order by phone or step up to the counter. The small shop has seating for 20 to 30 with a small counter inside and four or five tables on the sidewalk.
Grab and Go focuses on takeout food, convenience meals and other quick bites. Email ideas to crave@staradvertiser.com.
