An eye-level exterior photograph of a multi-story, modern mixed-use apartment building in downtown Tampa, Florida, located at 105 W Tyler Street. The ground floor features large, floor-to-ceiling glass windows and a storefront entrance currently under construction, with dark-framed panes and visible interior framing. The building's exterior is light-colored concrete with industrial-style balconies above. A black trash receptacle stands on the sidewalk in the foreground, with trees and a clear blue sky in the background. — La Victoria hopes to open this fall at 105 W Tyler St., in Tampa. Credit: Google Maps

“Coastal Mexican” restaurants apparently want to be near the Tampa Riverwalk.

La Victoria plans to open in September at 105 W Tyler St., just a block away from Matilde, which hopes to open next year.

The 3,800-square-foot La Victoria will be on the ground level of the Ave (stylized all-caps) Tampa Riverwalk apartment complex, just a block away from the Straz Center.

La Victoria replaces the former Melting Pot Social, which closed in March 2025 after two years in business.

Gus Thieken, former general manager of The Pearl, alongside real estate investor Erick Felipe Meza co-own La Victoria.

The Meza family, which also owns El Caporal Mexican Restaurant chain in Ohio, invested seven figures to open the Tampa restaurant, per the Tampa Bay Business Journal.

Although the menu hasn’t been fully disclosed, the TBJJ said La Victoria will serve classic Mexican dishes like ceviche, chilaquiles and shrimp tostadas and have a full-service bar.

“Rooted in coastal Mexican traditions, Crudo celebrates fresh ingredients presented with restraint and precision,” La Victoria added about its offerings.

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