One of Austin’s most popular taco trucks has branched out to a new brick-and-mortar. After a brief soft opening, Cruzteca Mexican Kitchen, from married Mellizoz Tacos owners Jessica Galindo Winters and Adam Winters, greeted customers on March 5.
Galindo Winters tells CultureMap that the restaurant will slowly build on the Mellizoz formula. Currently, it is operating under a limited menu with a selection of tortas, like pulled pork and fried avocado, and popular tacos, like tempura shrimp, migas, and the Escobar — Cruzteca’s take on carne guisada.
There are also a few appetizers: chicken flautas, nachos, queso, guacamole, and queso bacon fries. Over the coming weeks, the restaurant will add new entrees, including fajitas and enchiladas, as well as a full bar with beer, wine, and margaritas.
The interior, designed by Ruby Cloutier, uses the same bright palette as the South First Street trailer. Bold turquoise walls are accented by brass mirrors, colorful textiles, painted skulls, and oversized wicker pendants. Scattered plants help warm the strip mall space, located in the former location of Stuffed Cajun Meat Market in Sunset Valley.
This will be the third location for Mellizoz, which has a lunch-only roaming truck, as well as a permanent spot on the corner of South First and Monroe streets. The owners originally opened under the name Izzoz, a nod to the couple’s children who are fraternal twins (the Spanish word mellizo translates to twin). A trademark dispute forced them to change the name.
Cruzteca is open Monday-Thursday, 7 am-9 pm; Friday, 7 am-10 pm; Saturday, 8 am-10 pm; and Sunday, 8 am-9 pm.
The interior of the new restaurant is clad in cheerful colors.
