rreal tacos is opening out of the former red mesa cantina building at 128 3rd Street South | red mesa cantina

One of downtown St. Pete's most recognizable restaurant properties has a new owner.

Atlanta-based Rreal Tacos has purchased the former Red Mesa Cantina building at 128 3rd Street South, where it plans to open three restaurant and bar concepts under the Rreal Tacos brand.

The ground-floor restaurant is expected to open in early 2027, with the remaining concepts opening in phases.

Founded in Atlanta in 2015, Rreal Tacos is known for Mexican street food inspired by Mexico City, with a menu centered around tacos served on handmade tortillas pressed to order.

Guests can also expect burritos, quesabirria tacos, tortas, enchiladas, fajitas, ceviche, street corn, loaded fries, and house-made salsas, along with an extensive selection of tequila, mezcal, and craft margaritas.

The more than century-old building was originally constructed as St. Petersburg's first fire station and most recently housed Red Mesa Cantina for 16 years before the restaurant closed in June.

"This building has watched over downtown St. Pete for more than a hundred years. We didn't buy it to change what it is. We bought it to honor it and fill it with life and hospitality for the next chapter of its life," CEO Damian Otero said in a conversation with St. Pete Rising.

The atlanta-based restaurant serves a variety of tacos on fresh flour or corn tortillas | Rreal tacos

Otero said the acquisition came together almost immediately after he learned Red Mesa Cantina was closing.

"I was getting a haircut," Otero recalled. "I drove straight to the airport, caught a flight and met up with the owner. By 6 p.m., we were walking the property and coming up with a deal."

Purchasing the property, rather than leasing it, represented the largest investment the company has made.

"We had to purchase it. That's why we gambled the whole company on this," Otero said. "We weren't ready for this. That's how much we believe in this corner, this property and St. Pete."

Otero said preserving the building also played a major role in the decision.

He said owner Dean Kucera had opportunities to sell the property for redevelopment but ultimately chose a buyer committed to keeping the building standing and continuing its use as a restaurant destination.

Coo Miguel Hernandez (L) and Ceo Damian Otero (R) | RReal Tacos

Harrison Gault and Jay Billings of Commercial Partners Realty represented Rreal Tacos in the sale transaction.

The more than 16,000-square-foot property will eventually house three concepts across its three levels.

The ground floor will feature the flagship Rreal Tacos restaurant, while the second floor is expected to become a full-service restaurant, though Otero said the concept is still being finalized.

A rooftop bar will occupy the building's third level, with food available from the restaurants below.

When fully operational, the property will feature five bars across three levels, accommodate nearly 800 guests, and employ more than 250 people.

Founded without outside investors or private equity backing, Rreal Tacos currently operates several locations throughout metro Atlanta and is preparing to open its first Florida restaurant in downtown Tampa later this year.

The St. Pete restaurant will become the company's second Florida location.

rreal tacos operates 12 restaurants in georgia, with upcoming locations in st. pete and tampa | rreal tacos

Otero said the company evaluated several markets before expanding outside Georgia but ultimately chose Tampa Bay because of the opportunities it offered both the business and its employees.

"We asked ourselves, if we're going to promote one of our managers to become a business partner in another state, where are they going to be the happiest?" Otero said. "It was Florida. Tampa and St. Pete just made sense."

He added that the company plans to continue expanding throughout the Tampa Bay region before considering other parts of the state.

Unlike many growing restaurant brands, Otero said Rreal Tacos has expanded by reinvesting profits back into the business rather than franchising.

"We're not a franchise. We have no private equity and no outside investors," Otero said. "Everything we make, we reinvest back into the business."

Construction is expected to begin in the coming months, with the ground-floor Rreal Tacos slated to open in early 2027.

The second-floor restaurant and rooftop bar will follow as work progresses on the rest of the building.