SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A Taco Plaza is coming to Northgate Boulevard and Peralta Avenue in Sacramento hoping to provide a space for food trucks, street vendors and other entrepreneurs to thrive.
Johnathan Quintero manages Tacos La Piedad and says his family has been serving the Northgate community for years.
"They can find authentic, delicious, Mexican flavors," said Quintero. "My dad started the business, 25 years ago, with a little cart. Then, he moved into a smaller food truck and then we moved into a big truck. Then, we expanded into a restaurant."
Tacos La Piedad is working with the City of Sacramento and other groups to make the Taco Plaza come to life. That includes the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Council member Karina Talamantes, the Gardenland Northgate Neighborhood Association, and the Sacramento Office of Innovation and Economic Development.
"It means a lot to us because back then, the city did not want food trucks when we barely first started," said Quintero. "But now, we're partnering with them to work together and create a space that everybody can enjoy together."
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Outside of providing food, the Taco Plaza will hold a variety of cultural events, music festivals and activities to help strengthen the community, too.
"We always felt like it would be great if families could come, sit and enjoy eating tacos and having an opportunity to gather," said Marbella Sala, President of Gardenland Northgate Neighborhood Association. "We're wanting to bring business to Northgate, attention to Northgate, investment in Northgate and a sense of community in Northgate."
In 2022, the City of Sacramento allocated $5 million in ARPA funds for the Northgate corridor, $65,000 went towards the Taco Plaza project. There's no opening date for the plaza yet., $300,000 is still needed. The Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is encouraging all to support the cause.
"All of Northgate is small businesses with a lot of delicious food," said Quintero. "Just come out and support them because it means a lot to us. We work very hard to bring everybody delicious food."
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