Wednesday, July 7, 2010
News Beer Permit Alert! Taco Mamacita Finally Gets to Serve Corona
Posted by Dana Kopp Franklin on Wed, Jul 7, 2010 at 6:00 AM
- TheGodfreyShow
Taco Mamacita's owners Mike and Taylor Monen (who spun it off their popular Chattanooga restaurant of the same name) and business partner Chad Phillips knew that serving beer at Taco Mamacita would require going through a legal process. What they didn't know was how long that process would take. They opened on Dec. 11; Metro Council approved a variance April 20, allowing them to apply for a beer license, which after a couple of rounds of public comment and study was finally approved by the Metro Beer Permit Board at the end of June.
Due to a quirk in Nashville's laws, it's generally easier to get a liquor license (regulated by the state) than a beer license (regulated by Metro Nashville government). One of Metro's rules is that beer can't be sold in a restaurant that is less than 100 feet from a residence.
One of Taco Mamacita's walls faces a private home across Edgehill Avenue, necessitating the legal quest for an exemption. (The margin is pretty close. The neighboring coffeehouse on the other side of Villa Place is set back just a few more feet from Edgehill, so it conforms with the beer rules.)
Often the discrepancy between liquor and beer laws sets up the weird situation where a restaurant is permitted to serve cocktails and higher-alcohol beers (which are called "high-gravity" and qualify as liquor) but not ordinary beer with a lower alcohol content. Such was the case at Taco Mamacita.
The owners were a little more clever in their high-gravity beer choices than the previous tenant of the space, Rosario's. One of the local Yazoo brews, Beer Named Sue, made a good accompaniment to Mexican food, and Dale's Pale Ale served as a substitute for Pabst Blue Ribbon in a notorious cocktail composed of a can of beer and a tequila shot.
Nonetheless, Phillips says he's "ecstatic" to be able to sell standard Mexican beers and domestics. "We're extremely happy we went through all the right steps," he says.
Taco Mamacita's owners take pains to avoid any criticism of Nashville's beer laws or any neighbors who voiced concern about the beer license. But it's clear they're glad their patience paid off. "It doesn't really change our scene or vibe, but it's a relief," Phillips says. "It just feels more natural."
Now Taco Mamacita offers all the typical domestic beers (including PBR) and a bunch of Mexican beers in bottles: Bohemia, Corona, Corona Light, Dos Equis Amber (which is also on draft), Dos Equis Lager, Modelo Especial, Negra Modelo, Pacifico, Sol and Tecate.
One high-gravity beer the bar will keep is Bluegrass Brewing Co.'s Bourbon Barrel Stout on tap. (Phillips says he'll probably have a rotating roster of one high-alcohol beer choice at a time.) Other current draft picks include Yazoo's Dos Perros, Blue Moon Belgian-Style White (owned by MillerCoors), and before long, Stella Artois. Bottles are $3.50-$4, and draft beers are $4.50.
Taco Mamacita is at 1200 Villa Place (730-8540).
Comments (6)
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That is great news and good for the community to be able to support a local business that has such a nice atmosphere and good food! My friends were there the other day as usual we had a nice time. Hopefully the owner will open up in Whites Creek and join the James Gang Company in bringing much needed diversity to our area!
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Okay, someone please tell me what actor this guy is identical twins with. I can see him on some television show as a sort of condescending, smartass guy? This has been driving me crazy all day.
The actor that this guy is identical twins with is named Chris Burke (Life Goes On), I can definitely see what you are talking about. Glad I could help.
help: Dunno if this is who you're thinking of, but maybe Chris Eigeman? He's good at playing smartasses.
Chris Eigeman was at the Nashville Film Festival this year, where he reportedly scrounged up a hellacious poker game after hours. He'll always have a warm place in my heart for his wonderful work in Whit Stillman's movies. His own film TURN THE RIVER is really good too.
