When they opened American Eat Co. in early 2018, the developers wanted to create a food court atmosphere that would also serve as a business incubator, a testing ground for aspiring restaurants considering opening a stand-alone brick-and-mortar.
Samurai Sombrero is the latest restaurant to take that leap.
More like baby steps, says Gabriela Delgadillo, who owns the nearly 2-year-old Japanese-Mexican sushi food truck with Jesus Oleta.
The couple, who launched Samurai Sombrero in December 2022, had been flirting with the idea of a brick-and-mortar for months. When Coop by Cowpig announced it was leaving American Eat Co., 1439 S. Fourth Ave., the couple jumped at the opportunity.
The restaurant is expected to open on Thursday, March 28; American Eat Co. opens at 11 a.m.
Delgadillo said they temporarily closed the food truck, parked at 8101 E. 22nd St., while they get settled into the 8,000-square-foot American Eat Co., home to several other restaurants including Monster Sonoran Hot Dogs, Walterβs Pizzeria and Kitchen 86.
The second location will offer an expanded menu and a sushi bar that will allow them to offer more fresh fish including sashimi and nigiri.
βPeople have loved our food so much it has allowed us to grow,β Delgadillo said.
Coop by Cowpig closed earlier this month after less than a year at American Eat. In an Instagram post Wednesday, owner Javier Castro shared heβs opening a new location on Fourth Avenue.
βThis is seriously a dream come true,β he posted. βI canβt wait to get back in the kitchen and start cooking for you guys again.β.
βWe have some really awesome stuff planned for our city,β he posted. βAs soon as I can, I will give you guys more details so stay tuned.β
He could not be reached for comment, but his Cowpigβs Facebook page showed that the food truck is still operating.
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