According to recent reporting, House Taco has plans to relocate from its current location inside State House at 1 Capitol Square, to 79 S 4th St, in the former home of sober bar The Dry Mill, which closed last year. The taco concept got its name because it was started out of owner Zachary Martin’s house in 2020 when pandemic restrictions forced restaurants to close.
Martin operated the House Taco concept part-time during 2020 and the eatery developed a large following through Instagram and word of mouth and grew so rapidly that Martin opened a brick and mortar in 2021 inside State House. Since then, the eatery has continued to grow steadily and Martin is eyeing this fall and winter as a time to expand even further.
What Now Columbus spoke to Martin, who shared the timeline for moving and what the new menu offerings will be once House Taco opens its new Fourth Street location.
“This is the launching point for the business,” Martin said of the move.
Part of what that launching point includes is that customers will have direct street access to the eatery, something that isn’t available at its current State House location. Martin also plans to expand hours from breakfast and lunch to include a dinner menu, as well as offering weekend hours and a patio space for outdoor seating. The eatery is slated to move into the new location on September 4, but Martin explained that in order to best serve his clientele and take full advantage of the new space, the menu offerings will roll out in phases.
Breakfast and lunch will continue to be the main offerings for the first month of operating at the Fourth Street location, until the second phase begins in October and dinner options are added to the menu. The final phase will take place some time over the winter, when the eatery is granted its liquor license and will roll out additional menu items like Latin inspired finger foods.
While the cocktail program and full menu are still being developed, Martin said many house cocktails will be made with tequila or rum, with infusions of tropical fruits and herbs, and other spirits will be available such as bourbon and vodka. Some of the finger foods will include crispy roasted onion rice served on a bed of shredded cabbage and topped with fresh pico de gallo to a churro style doughnut served with a side of house made jam dipping sauce.
In addition to serving food at the brick and mortar, House Taco offers catering, which Martin said is a big focus for the business this summer as they prepare for the transition to the new location. Catering orders can be placed by filling out a form on the House Taco website.
