26 Nov 21st-Nov 27th, 2024 phoenixnewtimes.com PHOENIX NEW TIMES | NEWS | FEATURE | FOOD & DRINK | ARTS & CULTURE | MUSIC | CONCERTS | CANNABIS | Tacos and Tunes New restaurant and listening room Le Taco opens in Phoenix. BY SARA CROCKER T acos and tequila are a natural pairing. At Le Taco, co-owner Michael Immordino is adding vinyl into the mix. “Why not? Who doesn’t love tacos, and who doesn’t love listening to music?” Immordino asks while standing in the dining room of the new restaurant and listening room. It will officially opened in the former Little O’s location on McDowell Road on Nov. 8. The signature electric orange and bicy- cles of Little O’s, which closed after nearly four years in August, have been replaced with pops of lime green and hot pink silhouettes of donkeys. This is the first restaurant from Immordino, who has helped restaurateurs including Joey Maggiore open locations of Hash Kitchen and The Sicilian Butcher. He’s partnered with Geoff Smith, a formerly Denver-based restaurateur, on Le Taco. The aim is to keep things simple and fresh on the menu, Immordino says, while cultivating a relaxing neighborhood vibe that he describes as “just like Sunday dinner at home with the family, nice music in the background, sitting down and devel- oping more fun memories.” The menu at Le Taco revolves around 13 signature handhelds, ranging from tradi- tional options such as shrimp and barbacoa to fusion-leaning buffalo chicken and meat-free versions, including a taco with spaghetti squash, roasted poblanos, red onion, pepitas, cotija and crema. All tacos are served on corn tortillas made by La Mexicana Tortillas. And, the restaurant is leaning into its largely gluten- free menu by keeping a separate fryer and flat top for items that contain gluten, such as the buns for its Hatch green chile smash burger, desserts and flour tortillas (which are available on request). “There was a lot of thought in the kitchen on making sure we’re staying true to what we’re advertising,” Immordino says. The menu also includes shareable bites, including guacamole, quesadillas, nachos, salads and churros. Cocktail choices center on tequila and mezcal sips, from Le Taco’s $10, 16-ounce house marg to versions infused with pine- apple and habanero or prickly pear and pomegranate. Palomas, ranch waters and mules are also on the menu along with craft beer. Immordino says he knew the neighbor- hood would expect plenty of draft options, so the bar has IPA options from neighbor Roses by the Stairs, along with beers from other local brewers including Huss Brewing Co. Drinkers will also find Mexican imports including Modelo, Pacifico and Corona. The restaurant has a slew of weekly events in the works, including Taco Tuesdays, Bring Your Own Vinyl on Wednesdays and a rotation of local DJs on Friday and Saturday nights. “There’s something about having that live element and involvement with the guest that makes it feel more of an event and an outing than just going out to eat,” Immordino says of the listening room element of the restaurant. Above a large horseshoe booth are 18 illuminated boxes displaying vinyl selec- tions ranging from The Clash and Queen to Bad Bunny and Zach Bryan. Those records will rotate, with the aim to purchase a new vinyl for the restaurant’s collection each week. Immordino also plans to launch a Sunday Disco Brunch and chef takeovers on Saturdays that feature a three-course meal and vinyl selections guided by the guest cook. “The concept (is) to have a date night and have a couple of different seating times and invite a chef from another establish- ment — because chefs love to get out of the kitchen,” Immordino says. Prior to the opening day, the owner says neighbors had started walking by and popping in to find out what was coming. It’s that neighborhood connection and buzzing hub of locally owned spots that drew Immordino to the area. “It’s very welcoming and everybody’s really involved with each other,” he says. “It’s nice. It feels like a small town.” Le Taco 521 W. McDowell Road Le Taco replaced Little O’s on McDowell Road. The new restaurant offers street-style tacos, tequila cocktails and a dose of vinyl. (Photo by Sara Crocker) “Who doesn’t love tacos, and who doesn’t love listening to music?” asks Le Taco co- owner Michael Immordino, pictured. He has partnered with restaurateur Geoff Smith to open the restaurant. (Photo by Sara Crocker) Try the house marg or a cocktail flavored with pineapple and habanero or prickly pear and pomegranate. (Photo by Sara Crocker) ▼ Food & Drink
