The much-anticipated Cactus Tacos is opening Friday morning in the former Henry's Tacos location at Tujunga and Moorpark in Studio City.
It's only 200 hundred yards from where Henry's Tacos moved to in the former Studio Sub location in Tujunga Village, and the family opening the new taco stand will have specials all weekend.
"We want everyone to come to say hello to us, and try a taco or a burrito," said 47-year-old Martha Silva, who will be taking money at the counter while her son Marlo Tornel, 21, runs the kitchen behind her.
Fot the weekend, through Sunday, tacos will be $1. Burritos and meat quesadillas will be $3.50 and shrimp and fish burritos or a three-taco combo plate will be $5.
The new taco stand in Tujunga Village is officially called Cactus Taqueria #3 at 11401 Moorpark St.
The day before their grand opening, Marlo Tornel senior, who owns two other Cactus Tacos in Hollywood, was making last-minute decisions.
"We are going to have recycled containers that can also be recycled again," he said, showing off the paper products the dishes will be served in that has the recycle symbol on it. "We want to make sure that we are as environmentally careful as we can be."
The kitchen was revamped and completely re-done at the former Henry's Tacos, and it was done by Vincent Rotello of Total Construction, who renovated the Rustic Spoon down the block and other local places.
"It was an honor to work on this place that used to be Henry's," Rotello said.
The outside is now done in stone, with stone tiled floors. There are now seven tables in front of the counter—it is significant.
"Seven is my lucky number," Silva said. "There are seven tables, we are opening on the seventh and at 7 o'clock in the morning."
In general, Silva will take the morning shift, greeting her friends from the nearby St. Charles Borromeo Church, and the kids walking to the Oakwood School and Walter Reed Middle School. Marlo will take over for the afternoon and evening customers.
"We will be opened for breakfast, so they can get something to eat on the way to school or work," Silva said. "People keep coming over to ask if we have opened yet, so I think people are excited to see what we've got coming."
Their daughter Christine did the artwork of the cactuses on the side of the building, and they will have a container for water for people who may bring their dogs.
The new taco family doesn't see themselves as in competition with Omar Vega and the family that moved half a block away.
"We are offering something different, and we don't want to compete with the people who love Henry's," young Marlo said.
Marlo will offer special plates, and his mother is practically vegetarian (she eats some chicken and fish), and they plan to offer some vegan dishes. Soy chorizo burritos and other vegan dishes are being planned for the menu.
The night before opening, Martha is at home making her salsa from a secret family recipe. There will be a blessing on Saturday from a priest, and they plan to have mariachis playing on Friday afternoon.
"It's going to be a big party, everyone come!" Silva said.
Also see:
* A Greeting from Martha and Marlo of Cactus Tacos on Opening Day
* Meet the New Taco Family in Studio City
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
