Alex Stupak Plots Empellon Taqueria Expansion

Popular taco restaurant Empellon Taqueria will likely soon have a sibling, should chef-owner Alex Stupak have his way. Stupak is looking to scale the West Village restaurant next year and is close to signing a lease.

Empellon Taqueria was Stupak’s first solo venture — he had been the pastry chef at experimental restaurants Alinea in Chicago and the now-closed Wd-50 — and it launched the brand that he’s since turned into a mini-empire in NYC. Open since 2011, Taqueria garnered enthusiastic reviews from the start. Stupak then expanded with Cocina — now closed — and Al Pastor in the East Village, as well as the much larger, more upscale Empellon Midtown last year.

Though Taqueria is not his most casual restaurant — that distinction goes to playful bar Al Pastor — it’s certainly his most primed for expansion. The menu focuses on those ever-popular affordable Mexican dishes of tacos and margaritas, with a long bar and plenty of opportunities for sharing.

The chef announced the expansion on his Instagram. Stay tuned for more.