Located at 4004 Henderson Blvd. in South Tampa, Streetlight Taco will offer a contemporary menu of Mexican favorites inspired by owner and Executive Chef Michael Brannock’s extensive travels throughout Mexico and dedication to its multifaceted cuisine.
Brannock tells Creative Loafing Tampa Bay that he plans to soft open Streetlight Taco during the first week of January, although an exact date isn't set in stone.
CL tends to stray away from the word “authentic” when it comes to any type of cuisine, but simply put: Brannock is doing things the right way.
Dedicated to traditional cooking techniques commonly found in restaurants, homes and street food stalls throughout Mexico, Streetlight Taco will offer a lunch and dinner menu full of unique tacos filled with wood-fired steak and fish, slowly-braised pork, brisket and chicken tinga and even vegetarian options like sweet potato and eggplant.
Brannock says that there are over 50 different types of corn native to Mexico, and Streetlight will be nixtamalizing and grinding several varieties on the restaurant's own molina to create fresh masa dough for its hand-pressed tortillas.
In addition to a variety of tacos on house-made tortillas, Streetlight will also offer Pueblan-style cemitas sandwiches, sides like chips and salsa, salads and larger entrees such as wood-roasted half chickens or carnitas platters after 5 p.m.
"I want everyone who eats here to be immersed in this dining experience, from the ingredients we're using to watching us work in the open kitchen," Brannock tells CL. "We wanted the atmosphere to be very relaxed and convenient and the food and service to over-deliver in every aspect."
Three salads on its menu are inspired by three Mexican cities: Oaxaca, Puebla and Morelos. Since American salads are much different than the side slaws typically found in Mexican cuisine, Brannock decided to create standalone dishes using ingredients and preparations that are commonly used in those states.
A full-service bar packed with several varieties of mezcal, tequila and hard-to-find imported beers can also be enjoyed alongside Streetlight's "vinyl menu," where folks can "order" specific records to be spun on the bar's turntable.
While Streetlight Taco boasts a casual atmosphere with quick-order kiosks and food that will eventually be available via apps like UberEats and DoorDash, its from-scratch menu, open kitchen and dedication to traditional techniques certainly set it apart from other taco joints. Scattered throughout the new restaurant are souvenirs and reminders of Brannock's travels throughout Mexico, like vintage love letters he found at a flea market in Mexico City.
The 2,500 square-foot space seats about 60 patrons at its bar and dining room, in addition to ample outdoor seating.
Streetlight Taco was slated to open last fall, but delays surrounding construction and equipment stalled it a few months.
In addition to Brannock, Streetlight Taco's partners include Jack Murray and Nick Reader, who are also the managing partners of Michelin-starred Italian restaurant Rocca.
For the latest updates on Streetlight Taco and next month’s soft opening, head to its Instagram at @streetlighttaco.
After its debut, the new Mexican restaurant will be open from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. from Tuesday-Thursday and Sundays, and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Streetlight Taco will be closed every Monday.
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