UPPER EAST SIDE — Calexico, a Southwestern eatery with two food carts in Manhattan, is preparing to make a jump to a Manhattan brick-and-mortar eatery on Second Avenue.
As construction goes on inside, windows at 1491 Second Ave. near East 78th Street are papered up and a notice says Calexico 122 LLC. applied for its liquor license early this year.
Calexico is known for its street food — it won the Vendy Award for Best Street Food in New York City in 2008 — and serves up entrees like the gringo taco, carne fries and a selection of rolled quesadillas.
Three brothers, Jesse, Brian and David Vendley, decided to start Calexico as a food cart in 2006, serving their grandmother's recipes, according to the company's website.
The company did not immediately return requests for comment on Friday.