Arizona Taco Co., the New Hope taqueria known for its Arizona-style tacos and carne asada fries, is plotting a major move into Uptown Minneapolis, staking out a sprawling space at the Seven Points shopping center. Owner Marcos Ayala says the plan is to transform the former Arts & Rec footprint into a lively, multi-level hangout with rooftop seating and a private bar. It would be the restaurant's first sizable Minneapolis storefront and a very public show of faith in Uptown's slow, grinding commercial comeback.
According to Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, Ayala is eyeing roughly 7,000 square feet at Seven Points, with plans that include rooftop space and a private bar. The outlet reports that Arizona Taco Co. is moving into the former Arts & Rec space, a high-profile vacancy that has become a litmus test for Uptown's revival. Reporter J.D. Duggan's story was published March 30, 2026.
What’s Coming To Seven Points
As reported by Racket, Ayala hopes to use the big interior not just for tacos but for nightlife, with plans that include salsa and other dance nights. The rooftop is expected to work double duty, pulling in evening crowds that might otherwise skip the Lake Street corridor. Racket pegs the address at 3001 Hennepin Ave., right at the Lake and Hennepin intersection that developers and neighborhood groups have been trying to bring back to life.
From New Hope To Uptown
Arizona Taco Co. started as a single family-run shop in New Hope and has since stretched its menu and catering operation, adding items like Mexican-style pizzas and building a loyal suburban following. That evolution is detailed by CCX Media. A move into Seven Points would shift the brand from a destination in the suburbs to a high-traffic urban spot that leans hard into nightlife.
What This Could Mean For Uptown
Uptown has been trying to lure new anchors, pop-ups, and events to fill empty storefronts at Seven Points and nearby blocks, a push explored in Twin Cities Business coverage of efforts to recruit dozens of businesses to the Lake and Hennepin core. A large tenant that serves tacos by day and brings in dancers and bar traffic at night could help thicken foot traffic on evenings and weekends, which is exactly what neighborhood boosters say the area is missing.
Advocates, however, point out that safety concerns, parking challenges, and sustained support from both the city and property owners will shape whether one flashy new arrival can really move the needle for the district.
Neither Ayala nor the property managers have committed to an opening date. The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal notes that the plan remains in its early stages and still needs tenant build-outs and city approvals. Ayala told the paper he hopes the Uptown spot will “help build momentum” for the neighborhood, but the timing will ultimately hinge on permitting and construction.
