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Rio Rancho鈥檚 Tap N Taco to open first Albuquerque location
The Mexican restaurant and bar is also expanding to an Arizona city
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A popular Rio Rancho taco joint is tapping Albuquerque for a new location 鈥� one of two the restaurant has in the works.
Tap N Taco is slated to open its first Albuquerque location in the Northeast Heights at 4301 Wyoming NE in mid-2026, the owners confirmed this week.
The Mexican restaurant, known for its street-style tacos and craft brews, currently has one location at 1120 Pat D鈥橝rco in Rio Rancho. Co-owner Juan Estala said the business鈥� karaoke and DJ nights draw many Albuquerque residents.
鈥淪oon, they can enjoy it over there, too,鈥� Estala said.
Co-owner Josh Martinez added, 鈥淭he community has been asking for a Northeast Heights location for quite some time.鈥�
The owners plan to repurpose a former Bank of America building adjacent to a redeveloped shopping center on the southwest corner of Wyoming and Montgomery NE known as La Mirada, home to a newly built 7 Brew and Freddy鈥檚, with more to come. Martinez and his wife, Anna, purchased the 5,709-square-foot building in December.
The owners plan to begin renovations soon, incorporating a drive-thru, patios, a bar area and restaurant seating. The group is aiming to open the restaurant doors in May.
The owners are always looking to improve and add to the menu and Tap N Taco experience, Estala said, but providing Albuquerque with the same live music, quality Mexican food and laid-back vibes found at the Rio Rancho location is the priority, he added.
鈥淭he intent is a neighborhood hub that supports local jobs and a vibrant gathering space rather than just another dining room,鈥� Martinez said. The new location is expected to employ roughly 45 people, he added.
Albuquerque isn鈥檛 the only city Tap N Taco is headed to. The owners are also in the process of building a location in downtown Chandler, Arizona, where Martinez 鈥� though born and raised in New Mexico 鈥� currently resides.
鈥淐handler aligns with the brand demographics that respond to street-inspired food and a high-energy vibe,鈥� Martinez said. 鈥淭he goal is to prove the model can scale beyond one state without diluting brand DNA.鈥�
The Arizona location is also slated to open in May.
Despite the future expansions, the co-owners confirmed that Tap N Taco鈥檚 Rio Rancho location will remain open.
Estala, Martinez, Javier Chavira and Joel Marquez launched the original location in 2021 鈥� drawing in crowds with authentic Mexico City-inspired taco plates, quesadillas, loaded fries, margaritas and mojitos. Karaoke nights on Wednesdays have also been a popular offering.
鈥淐ustomers come in, sing, have fun and have some tacos and drinks,鈥� Estala said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 really fun.鈥�
The owners said they鈥檙e looking forward to sharing the Tap N Taco experience with more Duke City residents.
鈥淥ur mission has always centered on bold Mexican street-style tacos, craft brews, patios and shared experiences,鈥� Martinez said. 鈥淭his site will mirror that foundation鈥︹��
Kylie Garcia covers retail and real estate for the Journal. You can reach her at kgarcia@abqjournal.com.
