We dropped by The OC Mix for Taco Tuesday last week to find out Carlos Salgado wasn’t in the Taco Maria kitchen. Actually, team member (and previous On the Line subject) Roland Rubalcava spotted us devouring our chicken mole at the counter and struck up a conversation. What did we learn? Lots.
Closed since Sunday the 29th, renovations have been underway in the back of the restaurant. Expansion to include a new walk-in refrigerator and additional prep/storage space mean upgrades to the menu. Think expanded wine selection and the addition of dessert, “We will be able to push our limits even more.” per Rubalcava. They are scheduled to reopen this Friday.
And where was Carlos? On a working vacation. Last week he was cooking on a boat. Monday he was spotted in Copenhagen; Salgado was the ‘Guest Taco’ at Chef Rosario Sanchez’s Hija de Sanchez, serving up smoked cod tacos to hungry diners. Enjoy your time away, chef. Looking forward to those menu changes.
A contributing writer for OC Weekly, Anne Marie freelances for multiple online and print publications, and guest judges for culinary competitions. A Bay Area transplant, she graduated with a degree in Hospitality Management from Cal Poly Pomona. Find her on Instagram as brekkiefan.