Taqueria Nacional is Coming Soon to 14th and T

From Rachel Nania. Check out her blog, Sear, Simmer & Stir. Follow Nania on Twitter @rnania, email her at rachel[AT]borderstan.com.

John Fulchino and Ann Cashion are spicing up the neighborhood by bringing their North Capitol Street taqueria to 14th and T.

The 2,600 sq-ft fast-casual restaurant, Taqueria Nacional, will serve-up a variety of tacos (think beef tacos, fish tacos, chicken tacos, chorizo tacos and lamb tacos) made with organic ingredients. Fulchino also plans on adding a variety of quesadillas and salads to the 14th Street menu, as well as margaritas, beer and agua frescas.

The ambiance of the new restaurant is important to Fulchino. His goal is to create a space inspired by traditional Mexican and Cuban colors and designs.

“I want to make the environment people are eating in feel like an old home in Mexico,” said Fulchino.

The 14th and T location will have approximately 45 seats inside and 15 to 20 seats on the outdoor patio, making the second location much more accommodating to lingering taco fanatics than the 500 square-foot take-out taqueria at 400 North Capitol Street.

According to Fulchino, the plan for Taqueria Nacional has been in the works for years. Fulchino attempted to get a space in the neighborhood in 2003, but the deal fell through. In 2006, he found a small take-out space (the current location of Taqueria Nacional) next to his restaurant, Johnny’s Half Shell. Even though it was not the optimal amount of space for his ultimate plans, Fulchino took the space and started up his take-out business.

A couple of years ago, Fulchino started negotiations on the Post Office building. He began construction on Taqueria Nacional last year and hopes to open the taqueria by the end of January 2013.

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