TBT El Gallo now open in a bigger location and 5 more new restaurants to try
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TBT El Gallo is now at 2614 W. Cary St. Photo: Sabrina Moreno/Axios
After three years as a widely popular, takeout-focused Fan District taqueria, TBT El Gallo is now open in a bigger location just a few blocks up the road.
Why it matters: It means more totally badass taqueria tacos, to use the unofficial definition of TBT, plus so much more.
State of play: Chef/owner Carlos Ordaz-Nunez opened TBT El Gallo at 2118 W Cary St. in 2021, in the former Naked Onion space, which he spent his life savings to buy, per Richmond Magazine.
- The largely takeout spot offered just a handful of outdoor seats but quickly became a hit.
- Earlier this year, he took over the former Kreggers at Hand space at 2614 W. Cary St., where he just launched TBT 2.0.
- The new spot has the same tacos and burritos locals know and love, plus more menu options (hey there hot honey wings covered in white sauce) and a full bar. Open nightly 5-10pm now, but all-day and late-night hours should be coming soon.
🍲 Susie's, the Jewish and Moroccan cafe from the folks behind the Susie & Esther pop-up, opens Friday for dinner at 1600 W. Cary St. in the former The Hop pizza space.
- Expect Jewish classics like latkes, matzo ball soup and a brisket sandwich on the menu.
- It'll be open thereafter Tuesday-Sunday for dinner.
🍕 Secret Squares Detroit-style pizza joint is finally open in its Church Hill brick-and-mortar space at 306 N. 29th St., in the former Nile Ethiopian.
- The takeout joint opens online pre-orders every Thursday at 5pm for Friday-Sunday pickup.
🫒 Ash & Olive, the fast-casual cafe and market in Ashland, is now open weekdays for breakfast and lunch.
- The restaurant is from the drummer of the beloved local yacht rock band Three Sheets to the Wind.
- Look for expanded, all-day hours after a soft opening period.
🫓 The Mantu Express, the fast-casual Afghan restaurant chef Hamid Noori opened in Short Pump in September, is now a full-service second location of The Mantu, Noori's popular Carytown Afghan spot.
📚 Abi's Books & Brews, a coffee shop and bookstore concept, opens Saturday at 1212 1/2 W. Cary St. near VCU.
🫡 Brave Captain — the sandwich, drinks and just good sailor-themed fun restaurant from the Cobra Cabana and Hot for Pizza dudes — is looking good and very ready to open soon at 729 W. Cary St. near VCU.
🫗 Meanwhile, we lost or will soon lose a few more restaurants:
🍔 Burger Bach's Midlothian location closed earlier this week, leaving the Richmond-based New Zealand-inspired gastropub with just the Carytown location, which is owned separately and remains open, per the Times-Dispatch.
- Earlier this year, there were five Burger Bach locations.
🍏 Bryant's Cider will close its Carytown location next week after six years in business. Its farm about two hours west of Richmond will remain open.
ICYMI: Kabana Rooftop bar is closing on New Year's Eve. Shamin Hotels, which owns the hotel the bar is atop, will open its own rooftop concept in its place, BizSense reports.
- The hotelier is also planning two other rooftop bars. One atop its under-development Midlothian hotel and another in Scott's Addition on the former Hardee's.