Cuantos Tacos to open in Q1 2027

Cuantos Tacos said on May 18 that it had signed a lease for its first brick-and-mortar restaurant in Austin, moving beyond the small yellow truck that has operated on East 12th Street since 2019. The new restaurant is planned for 808 Justin Lane in North Austin, in the former Nugent Grocery store near the Crestview bus station, according to local reports. The opening is expected in late 2026 or early 2027, with Austin Business Journal reporting a first-quarter 2027 target and other local coverage describing a late-2026-to-early-2027 timeline. Cuantos’ website still lists its current location as 1108 East 12th Street and identifies the business as a 2024 Michelin Bib Gourmand recipient. ### Where is the new restaurant going? The new restaurant will be at 808 Justin Lane, according to reporting by MySA and the Austin American-Statesman syndication on Yahoo. MySA said owner Luis “Beto” Robledo disclosed the site in an Instagram post on Monday, May 18, placing the taqueria near the corner of Airport Boulevard and Lamar and about 12 minutes north of the truck’s current East Austin location. (bizjournals.com) The former Nugent Grocery building gives Cuantos a permanent indoor space after years as a food truck. The current Cuantos website continues to direct customers to 1108 East 12th Street, indicating the truck remains the active operating site for now. ### Who is behind the expansion? Luis “Beto” Robledo, identified in local coverage as executive chef and owner, is leading the move. (mysanantonio.com) The Yahoo/American-Statesman report said chef José López will join Robledo as co-owner in the taqueria. Robledo said in an Instagram post quoted by MySA that Cuantos had “just signed the lease” on its first brick-and-mortar. (yahoo.com) He also said, “We are just happy and proud to be a part of the growth,” describing the opening as part of a broader Austin taqueria scene rather than a departure from the brand’s existing approach. ### What has made Cuantos stand out as a truck? (yahoo.com) Cuantos has built its reputation on Mexico City-style street tacos served in two- to three-bite portions, according to its website and local coverage. The menu listed online includes suadero, cachete, buche, carnitas and longaniza tacos at $2.75 each, along with quesadillas and other items. Michelin’s guide lists Cuantos Tacos in Austin as a Bib Gourmand restaurant, a designation the guide uses for places offering good quality and good value. (mysanantonio.com) MySA also reported that Yelp named Cuantos the best taco spot in Texas in 2024. ### What will change when the taqueria opens? The brick-and-mortar will add dine-in capacity and a bar program, according to the Yahoo/American-Statesman report. (cuantostacosaustin.com) That report said the truck itself will serve as the kitchen for the taqueria and that the drinks program is expected to include tequilas, mezcals, wines, cocktails and frozen margaritas. (guide.michelin.com) The menu is expected to keep core tacos and tortas while adding rotating specials. The same report said the food truck will close closer to menu testing and pre-opening activity for the restaurant. ### When should customers expect the move to happen? Austin Business Journal reported on May 18 that the brick-and-mortar is expected to open by the first quarter of 2027. (yahoo.com) The Yahoo/American-Statesman report published May 19 described the opening window as late 2026 or early 2027, which aligns with that timeline. For now, Cuantos’ next public milestone remains the transition from the East 12th Street truck to the Justin Lane taqueria. (yahoo.com) The company’s website still points customers to the truck, while the permanent restaurant is being prepared for an opening expected no later than the first quarter of 2027. (cuantostacosaustin.com) (bizjournals.com)