Popular Taqueria Set to Join Growing Dining District Along Court Street

Pata Roja Settles into Permanent Downtown Space

CINCINNATI (February 9, 2024) – Owner Derrick Braziel and partners Michael Millay, Jon Powell and Jerry Porter will celebrate the upcoming opening of Pata Roja Taqueria with a ribbon cutting ceremony today at 52 E. Court Street – a 1,060-square-foot space being leased from Cincinnati Center City Development Corp. (3CDC). Following the ribbon cutting, Pata Roja will host a number of soft opening events before beginning its regular business hours on Tuesday, Feb. 13 at 11 a.m. Started as a food truck, which was typically located behind Bar Saeso in Pendleton, Pata Roja has grown steadily in popularity since it opened in 2019 and has become widely known for its authentic street tacos and other Mexican dishes. With a following that has increased significantly over the years, the Pata Roja team decided it was time to put down roots in Downtown Cincinnati.

The space, which is located along Court Street Plaza, was modeled after the iconic taquerias of Mexico City, featuring the clean textures of tiling with fun, vibrant colors. Furthermore, the central focus of the restaurant is its trompo – a meat rotisserie that stands front and center in the kitchen. Like the machine used to shave the meat for a gyro, it will be used to roast pork for authentic Tacos al Pastor.

“We couldn’t be more excited to open the doors at Pata Roja,” Braziel said. “There’s a great deal of excitement and energy on Court Street and we’re thrilled that we have the opportunity to make our taqueria a part of it – but none of this could have taken place without the support of community partners like The Greater Cincinnati Foundation, who provided key funding to make the buildout possible.”

Pata Roja’s menu will feature a variety of street tacos, with some of the most popular being the al Pastor and the Campechano – a quintessential dish in Mexico that combines several meats into one delicious taco. Patrons can also enjoy a variety of frozen margaritas, fresh salsas and other authentic cuisine.

With the recent influx of downtown employees returning to the office, demand for lunch options is on the rise. Other local restaurants are looking to expand their hours – and their menus – to cater to the weekday lunch crowd. Pata Roja is opening its doors at the perfect time, equipped with a menu and operating hours that already include lunch, and a sizeable following that is ready to dine.

“We’ve had the privilege of watching Pata Roja grow from an idea to a Cincinnati favorite! We’ve cultivated a great relationship and are excited that Derrick and his team wanted to work with us to grow their business into a storefront,” said Lindzie Gunnels, Commercial Leasing Director with 3CDC. “Introducing Pata Roja on Court Street Plaza will broaden the range of dining options available – it’ll be a great lunch option for those returning to the office and a fun spot to check out on the weekend. We look forward to the energy Pata Roja will bring in Cincinnati’s urban core and are happy to have the taqueria the neighborhood!”

Pata Roja joins Court Street Kitchen, Onolicious Hawaii, Avril Bleh, Pilar, and Mid-City Restaurant among others on Court Street Plaza. The taqueria will be open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 AM to 8 PM.

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