Manito Taco Shop, a food truck operation in Lockport, is expanding on site into an adjacent building for sit-down and indoor dining.
The business leased space at 3958 Lockport Olcott Road, former site of All Season Suds & Equipment Services.
It’s the next phase of expansion for Ivan Gonzalez and Jessica Tramp, who run the business with their daughters Rebecca and Crystal and partner Louis Calix. They plan an expanded menu and alcohol sales of margaritas and Mexican beer.
The Mexican natives came to Buffalo four years ago. Before the pandemic, they delivered traditional tacos to farm workers in northern Niagara County before expanding to delivery across the region.
In September 2020, they opened Manito Taco Shop as a food truck in a permanent parked spot on Lockport Olcott Road in Wrights Corners, at the border of the towns of Lockport and Newfane.
When the restaurant opens in April-May, the food truck will go back on the road for special events and party rentals. Translating for her father, Rebecca Gonzalez said the goal is to better serve their customers, who currently have the option to sit at outdoor picnic tables or take their food to-go.
“The main idea is better service,” she said. “They deserve this and more, and to have a better experience.”
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Carrubba’s Chicken Pit will open as a dine-in barbecue restaurant this spring at 2197 George Urban Blvd. in Depew at a former Friendly’s restaurant that was later converted to offices. Owner Mike Carrubba acquired the building through a limited liability company last month for $300,000.
Carrubba, a full-time firefighter, launched his business in spring 2020 as a pop-up barbecue stand at rotating locations. More recently, he’s hosted weekly Friday pop-ups at Dave’s Christmas Store, where he’ll also begin offering fish fry for Lent.
At the new site on George Urban Boulevard, he will expand the menu to include fresh-cut french fries with specialty toppings, pulled pork, milk shakes and freshly squeezed lemonade.
“We’re going to have seating for about 30, takeout service and a drive-thru,” he said.
Plans call for opening Thursdays and Fridays by April or May while continuing to offer on-site chicken barbecue fundraisers.
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Moneybags Dumplings has leased a commercial kitchen at 69 Chenango St. in Buffalo at the former Quaker Bonnet Bakery. It’s the first brick-and-mortar location for pickups and deliveries for owner Jali Carroll, who had rented kitchen space from a caterer in the Clinton Bailey area. It’s the next progression for the business, which has done popup events since 2020 and will this year hit the road with a food truck.
“A lot has happened in the last year and a half,” said Carroll, who said she’s created a following of those who love her Singapore fried dumplings.
Plans call for returning to events and festivals by May with the food truck, while continuing online ordering and curbside pickups from the new site Thursday through Sunday. She’s also exploring a menu expansion to include steamed dumplings, steamed fried rice and noodles.
“We have big plans for the trailer to increase our footprint,” she said. “We’re much more stable from this location and can expand and do different things.”
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