Courtesy of Condado Tacos
Mexican food tends to be tasty and inexpensive, and it appeals to a broad range of diners, which may be why more than a handful of Mexican-themed eateries opened in St. Louis in 2022. On Tuesday, Ballpark Village announced that the first Missouri location of Columbus, Ohio–based Condado Tacos will open at the entertainment complex next summer (in the north-facing former Drunken Fish space), one of 12 planned openings for the growing taco brand in 2023.
Founded in 2014, Condado Tacos has since grown to 39 locations in 15 markets and was recently named 2021 Breakout Brand of the Year by FSR magazine. The Ballpark Village location is the westernmost location for the burgeoning brand. (The word condado, meaning county, in the name is meant to connote connecting with the community and the neighborhood at large, according to company officials.)
“We couldn’t be more excited to open our newest Condado Tacos restaurant in Ballpark Village and to bring our fresh and delicious tacos, margaritas, and tequilas to St. Louis,” said Chris Artinian, Condado Tacos president and chief executive officer, in a release.
Tacos, in a broad range of suggested and build-your-own options, are the featured item, offered in a range of shells and double shells, and one they call a “secret shell.” Fillings include steak, ground beef, brisket, chicken, pork, jackfruit, chorizo, and plant-based chorizo. There are vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options and myriad choices of toppings, dips, sauces, and sides available such as Mexi-spicy versions of loaded tots and mac and cheese.
The menu of signature taco suggestions—including items such as The Heater, with a Sweet Lucy shell, tequila lime steak, jicama and cabbage slaw, pickled jalapeños, cilantro, onions, pepper jack, Mexican chimichurri, and cilantro-lime aioli—is extensive, intriguing, and fetching. Taco options can also be made into a bowl or nachos, piled as high as the customer pleases.
Condado Tacos features a large assortment of 100 percent blue agave tequilas, and both classic, flavored (nine flavors!), seasonal, and specialty margaritas, which vary by location. Four draft beers feature three Mexican offerings as well as Bud Light. Half a dozen bottled Mexican beers and PBR and Miller High Life are on hand as well. Happy hours feature discounted food and drink, and vary by location as well.
Courtesy of Condado Tacos
Condado’s 5,225-square-foot footprint will feature a large main dining room and bar, plus an outdoor patio. Local artists are being enlisted to create a vibrant and festive—and uniquely St. Louis—dining experience.
With the addition of Condado Tacos, Katie’s Pizza & Pasta, and Koibito Poké, nearly 20,000-square-feet of new restaurant space will open in Ballpark Village in the first half of 2023, reaching 95 percent retail occupancy in the neighborhood, according to a release.
“Our goal has always been to create a destination that offers a great variety of distinctive dining choices for our residents, tenantsm and guests on game days and beyond,” says Mike LaMartina, chief operating officer for Ballpark Village. “With the addition of Condado, we’re continuing to deliver on this promise.”
Condado Tacos will be open daily and serve well into the evening. The hours are Sunday–Thursday from 11 a.m.–11 p.m., and Friday–Saturday from 11 a.m.–midnight.
