FINANCIAL DISTRICT — You will soon be able to wrestle up some tasty tacos on South Street.
El Luchador, a small taco joint built inside what was once a horse stable, will serve its authentic Mexican flavors starting Friday evening, when it soft opens, the owners said.
The taqueria, named after the colorfully masked Mexican wrestlers known as luchadores, features a small menu, made up mostly of tacos, burritos and quesadillas. You’ll also find Mexican cola and homemade horchata at the 87 South St. eatery.
Co-owner Kent Tam, a New York City native, said he and his business partner liked the cozy space, inside a landmarked building that sits at the corner of John and South streets.
“You can’t really find tacos like this down here,” said Tam, who’s previously worked with mini-chain Energy Kitchen and healthy-eats spot Calista Superfoods. "And this space seemed perfect for what we wanted.”
The menu features freshly made corn tacos, which cost $4.50 a piece, including an adobe-grilled skirt steak, with sweet onions, cilantro and the restaurant's special El Luchador sauce, a mildly spicy sauce made with guajillo and ancho chiles. There is also a beer-battered cod taco that comes with Sriracha mayo and sliced cabbage.
The small eatery, dotted with images of the luchadores in their quirky masks, seats about 20 people, but there will also soon be seating inside an old trailer home that's parked right outside on the restaurant's property.
The restaurant, which is waiting for approval on its beer and wine license, will be open for dinner from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. starting Friday. Soon, Tam said, he hopes to be open for breakfast and lunch as well.
"We're just trying to use good, fresh, natural ingredients, and make tasty tacos," said Tam. "We're really very excited about the opening."
