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Rreal Tacos acquire Mexican restaurant Zócalo

The Atlanta-based Mexican street food concept announced that it has acquired a majority stake in traditional Mexican restaurant Zócalo

Joanna Fantozzi, Senior Editor

November 15, 2023

1 Min Read
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Joanna Fantozzi

Atlanta-based, five-unit Mexican street food concept, Rreal Tacos, announced Wednesday that it had acquired a majority stake in local traditional Mexican restaurant, Zócalo. Rreal Tacos owners Damian Otero and Miguel Hernandez had both been patrons of Zócalo for years before they began discussing partnership opportunities with the independent Atlanta restaurant’s owners, chef Lucero Martinez-Obregon and brothers Marco and Luis Martinez.

Zócalo is a Midtown Atlanta family-owned restaurant known for traditional recipes made from the brothers’ mother’s homecooked dishes like moles and burritos, created with ingredients shipped in from Chicago and Mexico.

New majority owners Otero and Hernandez reassured regular customers that they will not be making major changes to the menus. Instead, they want to celebrate the 30-year history of the brand and honor the restaurant’s legacy by bringing back a few old favorite recipes and “maybe adding a margarita or two.”

“We want to bring in new energy and new systems, without taking control from our partners,” Otero said.

For Zócalo’s original owners, the partnership and infusion of capital will be an opportunity to solidify the brand’s legacy in Atlanta.

“I feel like this is completing a circle,” Martinez said in a statement. “By finding the right team in Damian and Miguel, we’re going to honor our parents, get back to our roots and bring back the original excitement and energy that made us a beloved institution. We’re definitely going to become a legacy in Atlanta.”

Related:Savory Fund acquires majority interest stake in The Sicilian Butcher with up to $30 million investment

For more background on Rreal Taco’s operational and leadership style, check out Ron Ruggless’ DrinkedIn Live conversation with Damian Otero and Miguel Hernandez here.

Contact Joanna at [email protected]

About the Author

Joanna Fantozzi

Senior Editor

Joanna Fantozzi is a Senior Editor for Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality. She has more than seven years of experience writing about the restaurant and hospitality industry. Her editorial coverage ranges from profiles of independent restaurants around the country to breaking news and insights into some of the biggest brands in food and beverage, including Starbucks, Domino’s, and Papa John’s.  

Joanna holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature and creative writing from The College of New Jersey and a master’s degree in arts and culture journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. Prior to joining Informa’s Restaurants and Food Group in 2018, she was a freelance food, culture, and lifestyle writer, and has previously held editorial positions at Insider (formerly known as Business Insider) and The Daily Meal. Joanna’s work can also be found in The New York Times, Forbes, Vice, The New York Daily News, and Parents Magazine. 

Her areas of expertise include restaurant industry news, restaurant operator solutions and innovations, and political/cultural issues.

Joanna Fantozzi has been a moderator and event facilitator at both Informa’s MUFSO and Restaurants Rise industry events. 

Joanna Fantozzi’s experience:

Senior Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (August 2021-present)

Associate Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (July 2019-August 2021)

Assistant Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (Oct. 2018-July 2019)

Freelance Food & Lifestyle Reporter (Feb. 2018-Oct. 2018)

Food & Lifestyle Reporter, Insider (June 2017-Feb. 2018)

News Editor, The Daily Meal (Jan. 2014- June 2017)

Staff Reporter, Straus News (Jan. 2013-Dec. 2013)

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