After nearly eight years in business, Boca Tacos y Tequila will serve its last Boca Ball on July 30. The trendy Tucson taqueria is moving into the old Delectables space on North Fourth Avenue.
Boca's owner Maria Mazon completed her final walk-through of the 3,000-square-foot space at 533 N. Fourth Ave. Wednesday afternoon. She plans to reopen on Aug. 5, with new furniture and the same casual vibe that's made the original spot so popular.
"It's been a heck of a ride on Speedway," she said. "We graduated from kindergarten to the big school."
Mazon was forced to close Boca's original location near the University of Arizona to make way for yet another towering student housing complex. Boca's neighbor, Mama's Hawaiian Barbecue, also will be razed as part of the project.
Boca Tacos y Tequila, at 828 E. Speedway, must make way for student housing. This location remains open until July 30.
"I'm nervous as heck," Mazon said. "(Delectables) is an institute alone. But being nervous is a good sign."
A larger kitchen space will give Mazon more freedom to experiment with the menu. In addition to the genre-bending tacos and cocktails, she plans to add soups, interesting guacamoles and gourmet chef's specials to the rotation. All with counter-service.
"It's pretty much what I really wanted, to showcase Mexican cuisine," she said. "Say a couple wants tacos and also something a little bit more upscale without breaking the bank."
Boca chef/owner Maria Mazon says she’s nervous, happy and excited to move her 8-year-old restaurant to Fourth Avenue.
Delectables closed for good on June 30, ending a 44-year run, 35 of those years under longtime owner Donna Difiore. Difiore announced in late May that she had found a buyer for the building, which also houses a hair salon and florist. She said she plans to continue Delectables Catering not far from her old Fourth Avenue space, she said.
Last month, Boca was featured on the Food Network's "Ginormous Food." The show focused on Mazon's five-pound Titanic Taco Dog (think Sonoran hot dog big enough for a family of five, with leftovers to spare).
The new spot will have a more gourmet vibe, and slightly longer hours of operation. But don't expect to get a plate this time. Mazon is keeping her signature cutting boards.
"You'll get the fancy glasswork and a chopping board for a plate. That's just who I am."
