Tatoheads owner returns to scene with Tipsy Tacos in Clintonville
Daniel McCarthy is taking a three-phase approach to his latest vision.
Long known for his Tatoheads Food Truck, McCarthy is leasing the kitchen of Brew-Stirs Beechwold Tavern, 4955 Arbor Village Drive, where he has launched Tipsy Tacos.
It started as a single-day pop-up on Cinco dey Mayo, where he would fill in for Jeff Harkleroad, owner of Tank's Ironclad Meats, whom McCarthy was helping at his business inside the tavern.
Tipsy Tacos was a smashing success and Harkleroad would be on an extended break from the business. The owners of the tavern asked McCarthy to fill in permanently.
Rushed, he named his business, created a logo and agreed to serve food at Brew-Stirs.
"I needed to do something quickly," he said. "When I was asked, I had 10 days to figure it out."
The Tex-Mex had a small part on the menu at Tatoheads Public House, located on the south side, which McCarthy closed in March of 2019.
It was quite a blow, he said, so he patched together some gig work in restaurants, with the goal of getting back to his style of cooking.
He parked the food truck in the Brew-Stirs parking lot. McCarthy said he plans on firing that back up by the start of football season.
It was located at 2701 Indianola Ave. before the Brew-Stirs gig became available.
Tipsy Tacos has familiar choices: several kinds of tacos, burritos, tortas, quesadillas, nachos and appetizers, all made to order.
The third leg of McCarthy's journey is barbecue. In the near future, he is to start Chick-n-Daddy, also on the grounds of Brew-Stirs, where he has a smoker.
He sees the endeavor as a "low-brow Budd Dairy Food Hall" − several dining concepts under one roof. All businesses operate under the umbrella of Comfort Concept Creators.
"I'm feeling good about it," McCarthy said. "I like this neighborhood. It's diverse."
Nancy Kuhel, executive director of the Clintonville Area Business Association, said she wasn't aware of the changes at Brew-Stirs Beechwold Tavern, but the food sounds promising.
"Obviously, we wish him good luck," Kuhel said. "And Clintonville loves good food. A lot of people will be very excited to hear that."
Tipsy Tacos' hours are 4 to 10 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays and 1 to 10 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays. They will be expanded when the regular football season begins, McCarthy said.
For more information, call 614-407-8787.
gseman@thisweeknews.com
@ThisWeekGary
This article originally appeared on ThisWeek: Tatoheads owner returns to scene with Tipsy Tacos in Clintonville
