Signage is up for Auriga Cafe on Avenue A

Auriga Cafe took another step toward an opening date with the arrival this past week of their storefront signage here at 198 Avenue A between 12th Street and 13th Street.

As previously noted, David Duran, who runs El Camion a storefront away on the corner at 12th Street, is behind this new venture.

No word just yet on particulars, such as menu items. (The website doesn't appear to be up and running yet.)

Previously on EV Grieve:
Auriga Cafe announces itself on Avenue A

Auriga Cafe announces itself on Avenue A

It has almost been a year to the date when we first heard that a diner was coming to 198 Avenue A between 12th Street and 13th Street.

Back on Friday, the signage arrived for Auriga Cafe. The cafe comes courtesy of David Duran, who runs El Camion a storefront away on the corner at 12th Street.

Through the grapevine, we've heard that this has been slow going here for a variety of reasons, such as waiting for city permits and approvals as well as undoing the mess that the previous tenant, Empire Biscuit, left behind.

The storefront hasn't been in use since the Biscuiteers started peelin' potatoes in January 2016.

H/T to dwg, Christine C., Gojira and Lola Sáenz!

A reader alert from El Camion

El Camion opened today at 12th Street and Avenue A... A reader just sent along an e-mail:

"Eating at El Camion. It is delicious! Nice atmosphere, too."

Will 228 First Avenue become part of Taco Town?

Yesterday, Grub Street provided plenty more information about El Camion, which opens tomorrow on Avenue A at 12th Street... (They have a PDF of the El Camion menus too.)

Given El Camion's proximity to the Mercadito locations... and Diablo Royale Este... La Lucha... Benny's... San Loco...Zaragosa ... it's no wonder Daniel Maurer dubbed this "Taco Town."

Which brings me to.... last April, workers began gutting the former David's Bagels space on First Avenue near 14th Street... At the time, a nearby shopkeeper told me the space will become a Mexican restaurant. "Tacos, burritos — that kind of shit."

I haven't heard any updates about this space... and the work permits are pretty standard:

"Installation of drywall partitions, plumbing fixtures, kitchen cooking equipment in existing eating and drinking establishment. Also replacement of existing storefront with new..."

El Camion opens Thursday

As the signs show, the new Mexican eatery here on Avenue A and 12th Street opens Thursday...




And I finally got a look inside for myself... looks pretty nice to me... we'll see what kind of crowd that it attracts...





Previously on EV Grieve:
El plywood comes off at El Camion

El plywood comes off at El Camion

The plywood is off at El Camion, formerly the Raven, 194 Avenue A at 12th Street.

According to a readers, there's a full bar with nine seats ... and 18 tables packed side by side — not an inch between them. Another reader reported seeing some business types (owners? investors?) inside for a meal yesterday afternoon... But the place was sealed up last night...

Some residents on Avenue A and the nearby side streets are understandably nervous about what kind of crowd El Camion will attract... More on the low-key side, like Benny's, or more like, say, something in the Diablo Royale Este-Señor Swanky’s mix... Said a reader: "I am praying it'll be a nice, quiet little corner joint and not a loud hangout!"

Back in May, the CB3/SLA committee denied their application for a liquor license ... However, despite CB3's denial, the State Liquor Authority ultimately approved the license.

On Nov. 30, Patrick Hedlund wrote about El Camion at DNAinfo... Per his story:

"The man, who was listed in online records for the restaurant's corporate company but declined to provide his name, did confirm that the emphasis will be on food rather drinks, and that the space would close no later than midnight or 1 a.m. on weekends."

Meanwhile, someone affiliated with the restaurant has a Twitter account...



And here's another shot via EV Grieve reader Paul W...



Previously on EV Grieve:
Coming to 154 Avenue A: Mexican restaurant