A Taco Bar Will Open Near Faneuil Hall

The space near Faneuil Hall that was until recently occupied by Bertucci’s (22 Merchants Row, Downtown Boston) won’t remain vacant for long. Mercado Taco Bar plans to open there later this year, as first reported by Boston Restaurant Talk and confirmed by the restaurant’s co-owner.

Manuel Rubio told Eater that he and his business partner — Ruben Leon, who is the founder of the Plaza Azteca restaurant empire — are still working their way through the permitting process, and that construction has not yet begun. But he was optimistic about a late summer opening date.

Rubio described Mercado Taco Bar as a sit-down restaurant featuring tacos made with handmade tortillas, inspired by authentic beachside taco shacks in Mexico and street food from New York City and Los Angeles. Mercado has applied for a full liquor license, so diners should expect to see some mezcal and tequila on the menu, too.

Rubio, who works as the marketing director for the Plaza Azteca restaurant group (note: Mercado Taco Bar will be independent of Plaza Azteca), said that he and Leon hope to bring something different to Boston.

“I want to bring something unique to my favorite city in the country.”

Follow Mercado Taco Bar on Facebook to stay abreast of their plans as the opening draws closer.

In other Faneuil Hall-area news, New York’s Magnolia Bakery debuted last week on the main food colonnade inside of the Quincy Market building.

Update, 6:20 p.m.: The headline and language in this piece have been slightly adjusted to clarify that the forthcoming Mercado Taco Bar is located near Faneuil Hall but is not part of Faneuil Hall Marketplace.

• Bertucci’s Closes Its Longtime Faneuil Hall Location [EBOS]
• Mercado Taco Bar to Open in Bertucci’s Space at Faneuil Hall in Boston [BRT]
• Mercado Taco Bar [FB]