Richmond's beloved El Garage taqueria, renowned for its succulent quesabirria tacos, has shuttered its doors, leaving a community of food lovers craving more flavors. Despite a strong following that sparked through curated Instagram feeds and genuine street cred, the Montaño family-owned gem at 1428 Macdonald Ave. made the tough decision to cease operations. According to a heartfelt Instagram post on @el_gaaarage, the family cited overwhelming financial, emotional, and physical demands as key factors in pulling down the restaurant's shutters.
The rise of El Garage is a testament to the magnetic pull of Mexican street food in the Bay Area's diverse culinary terrain. Originally a pop-up in the family’s car park, El Garage swiftly attracted a loyal following. This success, however, came with its share of challenges, leading to an inevitable closure that, according to the San Francisco Chronicle, positioned the Montaño's in a paradox where they "couldn’t afford to close but couldn’t afford to stay open any longer either."
The SF Chronicle had previously showered the taqueria with praise from critics like Soleil Ho and Cesar Hernandez, noting the savory blast of the tacos and the quality of other dishes such as potato tacos and aguachiles. While patrons mourn the loss of El Garage's physical location, El Garage is transitioning its culinary journey, embracing a future of pop-ups and catering services. Promising a rebirth of its beloved birria, El Garage is popping up at Oakland's Dokkaebier brewery today, as announced on their Instagram page.
