Popular Puerto Rican Food Truck Launching Restaurant This Month

A Puerto Rican restaurant is opening soon.Photo byMary WestonUnsplash

Operating a food truck allows owners to enter the food and beverage industry without the kind of investment a physical storefront would require. It lets them fine-tune their menu and cultivate a following, all without paying massive amounts of rent and utilities. However, there is only so much potential growth a food truck provides. Eventually, for the business to grow and flourish, it must make the transition. That is exactly what is happening with one local Tucson Puerto Rican food truck, as the husband and wife duo behind the mobile eatery are making the jump to a physical restaurant in the coming weeks. 

Batey Puerto Rican Gastronomy blossomed out of the COVID pandemic mess. When potential jobs were frozen as businesses around the state put a hold on bringing in new employees, Jackeline and Carlos Garcia looked elsewhere to bring in new funds. As a couple from the island, they decide to try and share their love of Puerto Rican cooking with the community. 

At the time, the couple was living in metro Phoenix but saw an opportunity to bring flavors of their culture and their family to the people of Tucson. During the annual Tucson Meet Yourself festival, Batey Puerto Rican became a big hit, and the decision was made to focus entirely on the Old Pueblo. In the years since the food truck’s launch, it has continued to grow. 

Unlike other businesses, that have attempted to make the jump to a physical location after only a few months, Batey Puerto Rican Gastronomy has taken its time. For these kinds of moves it is almost always best to avoid premature growth, as it comes with it added expenses. 

The new physical location will open at 4230 North Oracle Road, likely by the end of the month. The move itself has been a long time coming, as renovations and other updates to the address have been online since December of last year. So, when it opens to the world in a few weeks, it will be a true labor of love. 

The restaurant will offer all of the favorites people have enjoyed from the food truck, as well as an additional spread of traditional Puerto Rican flavor (as well as some unique twists on other favorites). From crispy plantain chips to seafood paella, there will be plenty to sample and enjoy. Plus, there will be plenty of authentic Puerto Rican cocktails to try out.