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Neighborhood Report

Taco hut spreads its wings

Mema's Alaskan Tacos will add a larger venue at 1724 E Eighth Ave. that will offer indoor seating.

By SHARON GINN
Published August 18, 2006

The little Ybor City hut that sells "Alaskan tacos" until the wee hours soon will open a full-sized restaurant, in hopes of drawing a bigger lunch crowd and other customers who'd rather dine inside.

Mema's Alaskan Tacos may be known as a "late-night alcohol sponge," but owner Sean Godin says many of his customers come to Ybor just for his tacos. His shop, festooned year-round with Christmas lights, offers only outdoor seating.

So about Sept. 1, he plans to open a bigger place at 1724 E Eighth Ave. in the former Little Sicily restaurant, which closed earlier this year when the owner retired.

For now, Godin plans to keep open the hut at 1604 N 17th St. Both places will use the Mema's name.

"The important thing is we'll offer an indoor environment," Godin said. "That was an issue. Whenever it's really hot or cold or rainy, it's difficult to enjoy outdoor dining."

Godin began selling his tacos in February 2004. The recipe comes from his late grandmother Mema, who learned to prepare the tacos from a Mexican friend when she lived in Alaska 50 years ago. There is nothing Alaskan about them except for the pollock in the fish tacos, but, he said, "the family has always referred to them as Alaskan tacos."

Mema's offers six kinds of tacos and plans to add a tofu taco and Mexican restaurant fare such as burritos, enchiladas, nachos and quesadillas. Godin will also continue to serve a variety of beers and sangrias.

The restaurant will seat 40 inside and 35 outside, big enough that Godin is considering clearing a space for live entertainment on the weekends.

Like the original, the new Mema's will be open from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Sundays, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Mondays and Tuesdays, and 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays.

NOLA IS BACK: At long last, the West Tampa lunch spot NoHo Bistro has returned to its new location at 1714 N Armenia Ave.

Owner Jessica Raia-Long had initially hoped to be closed for only about a month when she left her N Howard Avenue site in December due to a large rent increase.

But one month turned into several thanks to delays and governmental red tape. On Tuesday, the bistro opened with an updated menu. Hours remain 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The new site expands the seating to 20 to 25 diners.

SEEKING THE RIGHT FIT: Yet another restaurant has opened at 3636 Henderson Blvd. Manengo's Restaurant replaces Vinarium, an upscale Italian restaurant that closed in July, just eight months after a promising debut.

Cuba natives Anaida Rodriguez and her sister-in-law, Blanca, promise authentic Cuban food, including chicken, pork, fish, black beans and the all-important Cuban sandwich. Manengo's is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. for lunch and dinner.

[Last modified August 17, 2006, 11:09:17]