Lucharitos To Open Second Location in Aquebogue in April

GREENPORT, NY — Taco lovers are rejoicing in Greenport this week as the owner of Lucharitos, the popular taqueria and tequila bar on Main Street, announces a new location set to open in Aquebogue in 2017.

The new location, said owner Marc LaMaina, will be sited at 487 Main Road in Aquebogue, and the goal is to open by April 1.

Plans include a small, tequila focused bar with select local beer and some staple Mexican beer, he said.

"We are really excited to have the possibility of outdoor seating," LaMaina said.

The decision to open a second location in Aquebogue seemed like a natural one, LaMaina said. He and his wife Jennifer have been living in Aquebogue for two years with their two sons, JoJo and Jasper, "doing our daily routine," he said. "Jen's daycare — Bright and Early Discoveries — being right down the road . . . we really love the area. The boys will be going to school next door at the Aquebogue School eventually."

Business reflects life, with LaMaina a proud father of his two sons. "It will theoretically be Lucharitos' little brother. We said we would have to open a second spot, for our second child. Kind of as a joke. But we wanted to expand west for over two years and I have been working tirelessly with my friend and broker Ike Israel to find the perfect fit."

On the menu, LaMaina said, will be tacos, nachos, burritos, salads, and quesadillas. "Very simple," he said.

While the date for opening is currently April 1, LaMaina said that date could come even sooner, in late winter, without the eventual outdoor seating at first, as the permit process takes some time.

"I'm looking forward to the challenge and to see where this all takes us," he said.

The project is a family affair, born of love: LaMaina's brother Michael is also helping to guide the design of the new space from Barcelona, where he lives. His brother and wife Jennifer "are helping with the design and styling of the new space," LaMaina said.

Big news for Lucharitos in Greenport

And the new locale in Aquebogue isn't LaMaina's only news.

He'll be closing the Greenport location for a month in mid-January, from Jan. 15 to Feb. 15, for some major upgrades "which I'm really excited about."

Those include new hardwood floors throughout, new seating, a new bar facade, "some really special tile work in our entryway and a couple of top-secret additions," he promised.

Also on the menu for the months ahead are two exciting new additions, a quesadilla truck and an ice cream truck.

"My business partner Kevin Sage and I are converting this 1973 Chevy P10 into a one of a kind quesadilla truck. We are stoked about this thing. Think thick, gooey cheesy quesadillas stuffed with locally sourced veggies and meats. Totally gourmet ingredients slow cooked and served fast," he said.

The pair also bought an original 1973 Chevy P10 ice cream truck. "It was built in the factory to be an ice cream machine. It has a ton of character. We are working to upgrade it and will be catering parties and events with her, specializing in ice cream sandwiches and soda floats. But we will have additions like fried banana splits and fresh waffles and ice cream. So we have a lot going on."

Lucharitos,which opened after Hurricane Sandy caused extensive damage to the building, was born after LaMaina's former business at the site, Butta Cakes. Lucharitos soon became a staple in the village, with an expansion in 2015.