Papi’s Tacos opened a second location on Sept. 30, giving customers two places in downtown Greenville to enjoy the taqueria.
Jorge Barrales Jr., co-owner of Papi’s Tacos, said the new eatery at 21 Augusta St. will improve the dining experience.
“When Carl (Sobocinski) with Table 301, and my dad (Jorge Barrales Sr.) opened Papi’s in 2013, that was a retail space,” Barrales said, referring to the original location at 300 River St. “So they made it to where it was doable to have a small taqueria, but with the support of the community and my dad’s great food, it was time for something bigger.”
Walking into Papi’s Tacos on Augusta Street is a bright and nostalgic experience. A bar looking into the kitchen greets you. Latin music like Marc Anthony’s “Ahora Quién” plays in the background, allowing patrons to hear Spanish and English conversations above the music as the smell of roasting meat, pineapple and corn tortillas wafts through the restaurant.
A full kitchen is a notable difference between the two locations and one Barrales is excited about.
“It’s a lot more space than the one on the river, so we actually have a full-on kitchen, which will give us chances to do features,” Barrales said.
Papi’s Tacos has brought the authentic flavors of Mexican taquerias to Greenville for nearly 10 years. The tacos al pastor capture the traditional taste by pairing the taco with a slice of pineapple, balancing out the cilantro and red onion enough to create a union of flavors without losing the taste of corn in the tortillas. Likewise, with the birria tacos, each flavor stands out without subduing the others.
Meanwhile, Papi’s and another local business, Common Pops, bring a cocktail that marries one of the latter’s popsicles with prosecco, effectively cooling off the warm fall afternoons.
Papi’s Tacos location at 21 Augusta St. is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m.-11 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
