Mercado’s Swanky New Taqueria Opens This Weekend in Studio City

Studio City is in line for some upscale tacos soon, thanks to the imminent opening of Mercado Taqueria along Ventura Boulevard. The Jesse Gomez-backed project takes over for the former Maradentro (also a project of Gomez’s Cocinas y Calaveras restaurant group with chef Jose Acevedo), and promises to deliver an even more casual experience.

Whereas Maradentro was a bright, glassy spot for Mexican seafood, the new taqueria will be a laid-back hang with big colors and almost nothing over $30. That means nachos to start for $11 a pop, tacos done a la carte for $4 a pop (including al pastor, carne asada, fried fish, and classic ground beef), as well as big shareable plates of carnitas and the like. The full opening menu, including a heavy lean on agave spirits under corporate bar director Cesar Arenas, is below.

While the Ana Henton-designed Mercado Taqueria has remained mostly under the radar as it chugs along, tipsters say the place is now up and buzzing with life. There may even be some friends and family cooking happening now, but the official opening isn’t slated to happen until this coming Saturday; that’s when guests can first make their OpenTable reservations. Expect weekend happy hours from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., weekdays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., and a late night happy hour for post-shift types.

Mercado Taqueria
11929 Ventura Blvd.
Studio City, CA

Edward Duarte

Edward Duarte

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