The Localista Is at Home at Casita Taqueria

OK, let me start by telling you how much The Localista loves eating at Casita Taqueria – a heck of a lot!  It’s best to be open about one’s taco obsession.  I drive by their corner daily, so I was aware that another business was taking over the place that used to be Uncorked Fine Wines.  On the day the sign went up saying it was a taqueria, I nearly caused a collision when I slammed on my brakes and sat there, salivating, in heavy traffic on 4th Street.  It took a few car horns beeping and a few incensed drivers punching the air and yelling expletives to shake me from my taco trance.

 

Now, when I say I love tacos, I mean I love Casita Taqueria’s kind of tacos (no drive-thru chain nonsense for The Localista).  First of all, they make everything from scratch – from the homemade tortillas, to the salsa, to the guacamole.  The nine different tacos form the heart of their menu and they’ll certainly get yours skipping a beat:  pescado (my favorite, probably because the housemade pineapple salsa goes gorgeously with the blackened fish), carnitas, barbacoa, chorizo, carne asada, pollo asado, pollo verde, verduras, camarones (another favorite).  Other tasty items show up on their menu, but their tacos are truly to die-for treats!  You can wash it all down with jarritos, if you’re going the non-alcoholic route.  If you’d like an adult beverage they offer Mexican or domestic beer and yummy housemade sangria.

 

I also love what they’ve done with this little house – the definition of “casita” in Spanish. The colorful exterior beckons you inside where the riot of color continues.  Día de los Muertos decor abounds with upcycled/recycled items adding to the wonderfully whimsical vibe.  The adorable patio out back, complete with picnic tables and wrought iron sets, makes you forget your cares for a while as you sit under a shady tree.

 

It is exactly what owners Don and Gwen Arvin had envisioned creating.  They have been going out west to California, Oregon, etc. for the past decade they’ve been together and would always frequent mom-and-pop, hole-in-the-wall taquerias.  They wanted to open a hip, little place in St. Pete that reminded them of those establishments.  

 

Don is originally from Indiana and followed his dad here.  He says he couldn’t face any more winters (who can blame him?!).  Don has restaurant experience, having spent ten years working for Outback in management.  He’s also not a stranger in Casita’s kitchen. Gwen worked for Starbuck’s and then spent many years working for luxury brands like Tiffany’s and Louis Vuitton.  She’s currently studying full-time to become a school nutritionist, but she’s usually the one you’ll find behind the register during the lunch rush. Their head chef, Andy Hobbs, helped create and finalize the menu.

 

It’s the delicious food on that menu, at affordable prices, in an adorable setting that has already won Casita Taqueria quite a following since they opened on October 10th of last year.  I highly recommend you stop in and stay awhile.  You’ll soon see why this little house can easily become your second home.

 

The Localista always asks business owners what was their favorite book as a child.  Don enjoyed reading The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew.  Gwen loved The BFG (Big Friendly Giant) by Roald Dahl. 

 

Menu

Photography provided by Featured Artist of the Burg (FAB) Sheri Kendrick of Enchanted Forest Photography.