'Eat, Drink & Be Alien': New Jacksonville restaurant a twist on traditional taco joint

A father and son have launched a first-of-its-kind Jacksonville restaurant promising "out of this world" Mexicali cuisine and a galactic-class tequila bar amid interstellar ambiance.

Alien Taco & Tequila Bar landed at 7643 Gate Parkway, #105, in the Shoppes at Village Walk near Ikea and Culver's . The interstellar-themed restaurant replaces the former JJ’s Bistro de Paris , which closed on Dec. 31 after 19 years.

Alien Taco offers inspired tacos and entrees plus at least 50 brands of tequila served amid fanciful decor depicting big-eyed extraterrestrials in all shapes, sizes and walks of life.

Brightly colored portraits of a space alien running for a touchdown at a Jaguars football game, playing at TPC Sawgrass, or fishing with one of the city's bridges in the background hang on the walls and look down from the ceiling. Celebrities such as Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet in their "Titanic" movie roles also are featured.

Handcrafted and rising from floor to ceiling, the dining room centerpiece is a hieroglyphic wall with intricate carvings of extraterrestrials and spaceships reminiscent of ancient Mayan and Aztec mysteries focusing on visitors from outer space.

David and Jordan Berman collaborated to create the restaurant.

A 34-year-old Navy veteran turned entrepreneur, Jordan Berman developed the extraterrestrial concept and created some of the alien-centric artwork. His dad, David, an experienced executive chef and ice sculptor, oversees food and beverage operations and also did some of the alien carvings.

"Most restaurants play it extremely safe. It's all somewhat similar. So we just wanted to come out with something really bold and we weren't afraid to do it," Jordan Berman told the Times-Union.

"Our goal is to make a super fun place that everybody can enjoy. … Everybody else can do what they want to do, but we want to make a special place for Jacksonville," he said of their inspiration to launch Alien Taco & Tequila Bar.

'Eat, Drink and Be Alien'

From the food to the decor, Alien Taco is designed to be "an escape to the extraordinary," Jordan Berman said.

"When you walk in it's a feel-good environment. We engineered the food to coincide with the decor so it's not traditional Mexican by any means. It's more of a Mexicali," David Berman told the Times-Union.

The restaurant's tagline "Eat, Drink and Be Alien" sums up their philosophy. Alien Taco doesn't claim to be an "authentic Mexican restaurant." Nor does it want to be. The Bermans said they want the "freedom to be alien" by offering unique dishes not found elsewhere in Jacksonville.

"The Cazuela Vera Cruz would be found at any fine dining restaurant, but we're not fine dining. It's high-quality food with a fantastic presentation," said the elder Berman, citing one of their restaurant's most popular entrees.

'Out of this world' menu at Alien Taco & Tequila Bar

The restaurant's menu of "out of this world" fare is innovative, designed to be fun, and all freshly made to order.

Tacos ― served with rice and beans ― are at the forefront. Guests can pick two tacos for $17.50 or three for $22.50.

"We will be switching up the menu items in the future to keep things fun as well, and certain new tacos will be featured for our Taco Tuesdays or certain promotions," Jordan Berman said.

David Berman noted the restaurant's signature tacos ― Lunar Lamb-Lamb Birria, Mexico City Cheesesteak and Area 51 ― are unlike any they've found in Jacksonville.

• Lunar Lamb-Lamb Birria Taco ($8.50): Tender lamb roast and grilled lamb chorizo, caramelized onions and roasted garlic served with a rosemary pan dripping broth
• Mexico City Cheesesteak Taco ($8): Chipotle-rubbed ribeye "mingled with smoky pasilla peppers and sizzling grilled onions" then garnished with Cotija cheese.
• The Area 51 Taco ($11.50): A "classified concoction" featuring rock lobster, lump crab, shrimp, seafood chorizo, and a "top secret" blend of Jalisco peppers and onions wrapped in an "exclusive Area 51 tortilla."

Signature entrees include:

• Seafood Cazuela Vera Cruz ($34.50): Pan-roasted Gulf shrimp, rock lobster, sea scallops, and Mahi -Mahi simmered in a mix of fennel, onions, peppers, tomatoes and aromatic spiced Hoja Santa then flashed with Don Julio Anejo. Served with a side of spicy beans and rice
• Paella Burrito with Hot Lobster Ranchero Sauce ($22.50): Sauteed rock lobster, garlic shrimp, marinated chicken, chorizo, clams and mussels tossed with peppers, peas, onions, saffron rice and "tightly wrapped" in a green chili tortilla. Served with a side of Hot Lobster-Ranchero Sauce
• Fire-roasted Chicken Nebula ($27.50): Herb-marinated chicken breast paired with fire-roasted Chilaca peppers, charred onions, and Iberico chorizo, "torched with Oaxaca cheese." Served with spicy beans and rice

Restaurants: What's new or coming soon to Jacksonville's Southside, St. Johns Town center

Margaritas take flight

Alien Taco offers at least 50 tequilas with more on the way. The selection will rotate regularly. And many will be poured at the restaurant's 33-foot hammered copper-topped bar.

Margaritas individually and in flights and craft tequila cocktails top the cocktail menu, which also features imported and domestic bottled beer, IPAs, seltzers and wine.

"Our Margarita flights are our most popular drinks," Jordan Berman said of the flights featuring four different signature flavors for $18.

Other popular margaritas and tequila cocktails:

• Prickly Pear Margarita ($14): Herradura Blanco Tequila, Cointreau, premium sweet and sour with a dash of fresh lime juice and prickly pear
• Jalapeno Cucumber Margarita ($15): 1800 Jalapeno/Cucumber Tequila, Triple Sec, fresh jalapeno and cucumber with a splash of fresh lime juice and premium sweet and sour
• UFO Unidentified Frozen Object ($12): Reposoda Tequila, Triple Sec, sweet and sour mix. Guests pick a flavor from regular, strawberry, mango, or peach

Alien Taco & Tequila Bar is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday and 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

Teresa Stepzinski is the dining reporter for the Times-Union. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @TeresaStepz or reach her via email at tstepzinski@jacksonville.com.

If you're a subscriber, thank you. If not, become a subscriber to get the latest dining coverage .

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: 'Eat, Drink & Be Alien': New Jacksonville restaurant a twist on traditional taco joint