By Creatively conceived restaurants are often based on the owner’s insight into what new experiences appeal to potential customers. Mark Fox owns multiple NYC restaurants. He feels that distinct synergies must exist between the food and beverage offering, the brand intent, and the décor in finding that unique guest appeal.
Mark has two restaurants called Street Taco, one on the East Side, and the other on the Upper West Side at 2672 Broadway. Both have the same highly original decor and boast a bold, playful take on the street food scene morphed into a full-service restaurant.
This concept drew inspiration from the distinctive, exuberant, weekly food truck scene on Abbot Kinney Blvd. in Venice, California. That casual and hip vibe combines well with the distinctly edgy interior decor of the Street Taco venues. The music is less Mexican and more upbeat, casual LA.
Born and raised in Dublin, Ireland, Mark is fully immersed in the development of any new project he takes on. He envisions the concept and intent and then collaborates with a designer to implement his vision. At Street Taco, original art and unexpected artifacts go a long way in creating a comfortable mood that’s likely to attract a loyal repeat customer. Aside from the traditional staple tacos such as Carne Asada or Polla Asada, Street Taco’s focus is on creating unique and non-traditional tacos such as tuna tartare, fried chicken, or Brussels sprouts. The menu also offers an array of shareable options and bowls.
Street Taco also offers some wonderfully curated special offerings such as Mix n’ Match Mondays, consisting of a tasting of three delicious margaritas on a tasting flight for $15, also a taco sampler plate of four tacos for $15. Every Thursday is Hora Loca night. Happy Hour food and drink specials all night with a DJ spinning from 7:30-11:30 pm.
Looking for quirkiness? The kitchen service counter is a 1960s VW van evoking the street food vibe very distinctively. The custom-painted artwork that adorns the walls was commissioned by notable artists such as Nicole Salgar, a Miami-based mural artist. Nicole is “Influenced by her Latin roots and passion for horror, sci-fi and folk art, Nicole has traveled to Cuba, Europe, South America and along the east coast collaborating on mural projects with local communities.” Once at Street Taco, you can’t miss being struck by a large image of a woman, the style reminiscent of skeletons and skull paintings that celebrate the Day of the Dead in Mexico, commissioned by Mark and signed by the artist.
Similarly, an internationally renowned Tattoo artist, Mike Rubendall, of Kings Ave Tattoo, was commissioned for the custom image backlit behind the bar.
The casual mix of unique and artfully reimagined Mexican street food, as interpreted in LA and NYC and served up in an unpretentious, arty environment, feels very right on the Upper West Side.
– Wall Mural by Nicole Salgar; VW Taco Bus