Last week I had the chance to interview Samuel Haverl, owner and manager of the newest location of Key West’s Amigos Tortilla Bar. He told me all about their plans for the 600-block of Central Avenue in Downtown St. Pete. Tacos, fajitas, even tacos al pastor with pineapple juice drippings *salivates* are on the menu.

My latest for Creative Loafing is about what Amigos Tortilla Bar is bringing to St. Pete. It opens later this year but I’m already dreaming of it. Read this snippet here:

“A taste of Key West is coming to downtown St. Pete. Known for churning out signature square tacos, the popular Amigos Tortilla Bar plans to launch at 681 Central Ave., expanding its take on ultra-fresh Mexican food to the 600 Block.

According to Samuel Haverl — who owns and manages the new restaurant, the taco joint’s first location outside of the Conch Republic — Amigos founders Eric Sindone, Jack Anderson and Jesse Anderson have a passion for Mexican cuisine. The trio wanted to bring that kind of grub to Key West because it wasn’t offered as much, and so they did in 2010.

“They wanted to do fresh, good Mexican food, like homemade tortillas, and be true to the concept of having a taqueria,” Haverl said.

Haverl began working at Amigos as a manager in Key West five years ago, then moved to St. Pete in 2015 to start sniffing out a second location. As he puts it, the 2,000-square-foot restaurant on Central is a good fit for the community. Why? Amigos is a grassroots concept.

“We’re not a chain restaurant, and we’re true to the food we’re serving. We want to keep it as authentic as we can,” he said. “Plus, we’re funky, and St. Pete is that kind of city.” “

Things are shaping up nicely for the taqueria. Taco Tuesday is about to get real funky. To read more, go here.