Construction has begun just off campus on the newest branch of the locally owned Mexican food chain, Burrito Amigos Taqueria.
Company General Manager Larry Owen said the new store, which will occupy the location that was formerly a Ben & Jerry’s ice cream shop at 1239 Alder St., will probably open the week of March 13.
“A lot of this is depending on the vendors,” he said.
The campus shop will be the company’s eighth location and will offer a menu slightly limited by the absence of a deep fryer in the store, Owen said, but customers will still get fresh chips made at other locations and fresh authentic food.
“It’s not Americanized food,” he said. “It’s all recipes straight out of Baja, Mexico and San Diego. We get Californians in here who can’t believe our food.”
The taqueria will also feature the chain’s signature breakfast burritos all day although hours of operation have not been finalized. Owen said if demand is high enough the store may eventually stay open 24 hours a day.
Owen said the building’s owner and Ben & Jerry’s franchise owner Gary Bertelsen decided to move the shop to a different location and asked Burrito Amigos to fill the vacancy.
“It’s only been two to three weeks since he relinquished the property and decided to let us in and we’re thrilled,” he said. “I’m really glad to be here. We’re hoping it’ll be a great relationship.”