A prominent Sacramento corner is getting a new taqueria and beer bar. Here’s where

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Hot Italian’s building has remained empty, its sign still hung above the door, since the midtown Sacramento pizzeria closed at the end of 2019.

Soon, though, there’ll be a new restaurant and bar putting their own touches on the spaces, with rotating tacos and beer pairings.

5 Tacos & Beers will open its first Sacramento-area location in Hot Italian’s old space at 1627 16th St., Turton Commercial Real Estate senior vice president Aaron Marchand said. The Albany-based taco and beer bar is projected to first greet customers in late summer.

“We’re all excited to finally have such an active corner reactivated. It’ll be a fun transition for all,” Marchand said.

Chef/owner Lito Saldana founded 5 Tacos & Beers in 2020 after 30 years in the restaurant industry, having already launched Los Moles restaurants in El Cerrito, Emeryville and San Rafael.

5 Tacos and Beers has about 100 taco recipes to stuff into housemade corn tortillas, but only lists five on the menu at a given time, Saldana said. The given tacos rotate monthly or even weekly, fillings coming from Sonoma County Meat Co., along with 30 taps pouring local beers.

Tacos are generally $5-$6 apiece, with five available for $27. There are vegan quesabirria tacos and Meatless Monday specials, and weekend brunch with $15 bottomless mimosas in addition to a cocktail list.

“You can find tacos everywhere, but we make everything from scratch. We make handmade tortillas, we use organic meat and we have combined craft tacos and craft beers,” Saldana said.

First reported by the Sacramento Business Journal, the Sacramento location is part of 5 Tacos & Beers’ larger Northern California expansion. It’ll add restaurants in Walnut Creek and Berkeley this year as well.

Background: Albany-based 5 Tacos & Beers is expanding to midtown Sacramento, with a late summer opening projected at 1627 16th St.

What to look for: Carne asada in housemade tortillas, vegan quesabirria tacos and a full bar centered around local beer options.

Where: 1627 16th St., Sacramento.

Hours: Not yet set.