Look Around Alley Taco’s New Cass Corridor Digs

For many students and residents living in Midtown over the past several years Alley Taco has been a go-to for a inexpensive lunch or a late-night snack. This week, the restaurant officially relocated to bigger digs on Willis Street.

Owner Jason Frenkel opened the original location in January 2014 inside Marcus Market. The new shop occupies the former Goodwells Natural Foods space next door to Avalon International Breads. The restaurant is bigger than the original, now shuttered, market counter, allowing Alley Taco to offer carryout alongside casual, dine-in seating. The 3,000-square-foot space features a walk-up counter and banquettes along the opposite wall for around 15 customers. Additionally, outside the patio features standing bar space for customers to eat tacos on the go and several picnic tables.

Alley Taco’s menu has undergone a few changes over the years and the latest iteration also includes several updates. Fresh items this time around include horchata slushies, tortilla soup, and a “mexi-melt” — something Frenkel describes as “a quesadilla wrapped around a taco.” The restaurant’s deal featuring five tacos for $5 is now only available on Tuesdays.

Photographers Michelle and Chris Gerard dropped by the restaurant during its second day of business to check out the interior. Take a tour of the expanded outpost in the gallery below.

Michelle and Chris Gerard

Alley Taco is located at 418 W Willis St.; open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week with plans to expand to 11 a.m. to 4 a.m. by mid-July.

• Alley Taco’s New, Bigger Willis Street Restaurant Arrives This Week [ED]

• Alley Taco Will Take Over Former Goodwells Space [ED]

• All Eater Inside Coverage [ED]