San Loco's liquor license has arrived on Avenue C

San Loco debuted at 111 Avenue C between Seventh Street and Eighth Street last December. 

However, the pandemic apparently slowed down the paperwork, and the quick-serve Tex-Mex restaurant only just received their liquor license yesterday.

EVG contributor Stacie Joy was there for the occasion as owners Jill and Kimo Hing and son Dietrich (top right) assembled the area where they'll be making drinks... including a variety of margaritas...

And the first drink ordered: a cactus-pear margarita on the rocks ...

San Loco is open daily here from 4 to 10 p.m. Follow them at Instagram via this link. 

San Loco's East Village presence dates to 1986. Our previous post has more background.

Previously on EV Grieve:
• It's official: San Loco is returning to the East Village

San Loco is back open on Avenue C

San Loco reopened yesterday at 111 Avenue C between Seventh Street and Eighth Street. For now, the quick-serve Tex-Mex restaurant is open for takeout and delivery from 4-10 p.m. daily. (No alcohol here.)

San Loco, which made its East Village debut on Second Avenue in 1986, opened on Avenue C back in December. This location had been closed during the COVID-19 crisis, with their support of frontline workers happening from the Stanton Street outpost.

A free lunch for Engine Company 28, Ladder 11 on 2nd Street yesterday

In recent weeks, San Loco has created grab-n-go burrito grande meal packages for people interested in ordering food for local first responders, hospital staff or nursing home/senior center employees. (Details at this post.)

Yesterday, two local residents bought lunch for the 11 firefighters on duty for the afternoon shift at Engine Company 28, Ladder 11 on Second Street between Avenue B and Avenue C.

EVG contributor snapped this photo of San Loco co-owner Kimo Hing with Frank, Luke and Tom from the FDNY...



San Loco's Avenue C location is currently closed, but the outpost at 111 Stanton St. is open for takeout and delivery.

Previously on EV Grieve:
San Loco's special delivery to 2 local hospitals

San Loco's special delivery to 2 local hospitals

Text and photos by Stacie Joy

Earlier this week, several thoughtful people in the neighborhood ordered food from San Loco to be delivered to the workers at two local hospitals.

I tagged along with San Loco owners Jill and Kimo Hing as they — and their team — created, packaged and delivered hot lunches on Tuesday to two area hospitals, including Beth Israel’s emergency room.













The staff at both hospitals — on the frontlines of the coronavirus outbreak — were clearly tired and stressed, though grateful for the meals. I could see firsthand the conditions today and having the gift of food delivered was appreciated.





San Loco has set up these grab-n-go burrito grande meal packages (beef, chicken, pork, tofu, roasted veggie or rice and beans) along with a side of guacamole and chips and can do the same if you’d like to order food for some local first responders, hospital staff or nursing home/senior center employees.

To purchase meals, please call San Loco at its Stanton Street location at 212-253-7580 or email via this contact.

San Loco's Avenue C location is currently closed, but the outpost at 111 Stanton St. is open for takeout and delivery.

Family affair at the new San Loco on Avenue C

San Loco opened yesterday at their new East Village location — 111 Avenue C between Seventh Street and Eighth Street.

EVG contributor Stacie Joy stopped by and shared this photo of the owners — Jill and Kimo Hing with son Dietrich. (Not pictured: the Hing's other son, Calvin, who was at home.)

San Loco's East Village presence dates to 1986. Our previous post has more background.

San Loco opens TODAY (12/12!) on Avenue C

San Loco officially makes its East Village return today.

There's a noon opening time here for their debut at 111 Avenue C between Seventh Street and Eighth Street.

The quick-serve Tex-Mex restaurant made the announcement yesterday on Instagram.

As previously noted, San Loco debuted at 129 Second Ave. in the East Village in 1986 ... before later moving across the street to 124 Second Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place. That outpost closed in June 2017 due to an unsustainable rent increase. The Avenue A San Loco closed in 2014 after 15 years in business.

San Loco also has a location on Stanton Street.

Previously on EV Grieve:
It's official: San Loco is returning to the East Village

San Loco plotting an East Village comeback?

The San Loco is opening SOON on Avenue C

[Image via Instagram]

The new San Loco at 111 Avenue C between Seventh Street and Eighth Street is close to being ready to dish out its quick-serve Tex-Mex specialities.

"We don’t have a solid opening date, but are targeting early December to open," said Kimo Hing, who runs San Loco with his wife Jill.

They officially took possession of this space in late May. CB3 also approved a liquor license for the address, the former tapas joint Marcha Cocina, in May.

As previously noted, San Loco debuted at 129 Second Ave. in the East Village in 1986 ... before later moving across the street to 124 Second Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place. That outpost closed in June 2017 due to an unsustainable rent increase. The Avenue A San Loco closed in 2014 after 15 years in business.

San Loco also has a location on Stanton Street.

Previously on EV Grieve:
It's official: San Loco is returning to the East Village

San Loco plotting an East Village comeback?

1st sign of the San Loco signage on Avenue C

As a reminder — San Loco is opening soon at 111 Avenue C between Seventh Street and Eighth Street... the San Loco sign is now out front...



We first reported on the news in late April. You can find more background at that post.

As previously noted, the quick-serve Tex-Mex restaurant debuted on Second Avenue in the East Village in 1986. Owners Jill and Kimo Hing recently posted about that first San Loco on Instagram... here's a photo from 1986 at 129 Second Ave. (and next to B&H)...



San Loco would later move across Second Avenue to this spot.

Previously on EV Grieve:
It's official: San Loco is returning to the East Village

San Loco plotting an East Village comeback?

It's official: San Loco is returning to the East Village

San Loco is now the proud new tenant of 111 Avenue C between Seventh Street and Eighth Street.

In an email yesterday, San Loco co-owner Kimo Hing shared the news that they have officially taken possession of the space — "soon to be a San Loco, back in the East Village!"

As we first we first reported on April 26, San Loco was on this month's CB3 agenda for a new liquor license for the currently vacant 111 Avenue C, which was until February, the tapas joint Marcha Cocina.

However, San Loco had yet to sign a lease. But all is a go now with that as well as a favorable CB3 recommendation.

San Loco had a longtime presence in the East Village, starting in 1986 on Second Avenue before later moving across the street to 124 Second Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place. That outpost closed in June 2017 due to a rent increase that was unsustainable, per co-owner Jill Hing. The Avenue A San Loco closed in 2014 after 15 years in business.


[124 2nd Ave. in June 2017]

The quick-serve Tex-Mex restaurant also has a location on Stanton Street.

No word just yet on an opening date, per Kimo Hing.

San Loco plotting an East Village comeback?

[Photo from February by Dave on 7th]

A familiar name is on the May CB3-SLA docket — San Loco.

Per the just-released meetings agenda for May, San Loco is seeking a new liquor license for 111 Avenue C between Seventh Street and Eighth Street.

The questionnaires aren't posted online just yet, so we'll have to wait to find out more details about what San Loco has in store for this space, which was, until February, the tapas joint Marcha Cocina. (Updated: In an email, co-owner Kimo Hing confirmed that they are applying for a license, though they have yet to sign a lease for the space.)

San Loco had a longtime presence in the East Village, starting in 1986 on Second Avenue before later moving across the street to 124 Second Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place. (Updated: Edited that address based on reader comments.) That outpost closed in June 2017 "due to a rent increase that is unsustainable," per co-owner Jill Hing. The Avenue A San Loco closed in 2014 after 15 years in business.


[124 2nd Ave. in June 2017]

The quick-serve Tex-Mex restaurant recently closed its location on Driggs Avenue in Williamsburg for a variety of factors, including the ongoing construction of luxury properties around its space and the nighttime and weekend closures of the L train, which became a hardship on its staff. Hing had said she was hoping to relocate closer to Bushwick.

The Lower East Side locale on Stanton Street remains open.

The Dumpling Shop moving into the former San Loco space on 2nd Avenue

The coming soon signage is up at 124 Second Ave. where the Dumpling Shop is prepping for a grand opening here between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place.


[Photo by Steven]

According to Facebook, the Shop is "[a]n internationally inspired culinary experience through one of the world’s most iconic foods: dumplings."

Dumplings are red, violets are blue, the dumplings we create aren’t what you’re use to. 🌹🌹🌹 Here at The Dumpling Shop, we’re not only trying to reinvent what goes inside the dumpling, but on the outside, as well! Perhaps you may see our creation as Valentine’s Day special? (hint hint)

A post shared by The Dumpling Shop (@thedumplingshop) on Jun 28, 2018 at 3:59pm PDT

The previous business at this address, San Loco, closed in June 2017 "due to a rent increase that is unsustainable," as owner Jill Hing put it. San Loco opened in this location in 1986.

Updated 8 a.m.
Thanks to the commenter to point out the Shop's website, which includes the menu.

Former San Loco space for rent on 2nd Avenue

[Photo from Friday]

The empty storefront is now on the rental market at 124 Second Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place.

The listing (PDF here) doesn't offer too many specifics on the 800-square-foot space. There isn't any mention of the asking rent... (the first neighboring tenant mentioned is Caffe Bene, which closed in April on St. Mark's Place...)



San Loco closed last month "due to a rent increase that is unsustainable," according to owner Jill Hing. The business opened in this location in 1986.

San Loco is closing its 2nd Avenue location after today

After today, San Loco will no longer have a presence in the East Village.

The quick-serve restaurant took to Instagram yesterday to announce that they are closing on Second Avenue between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place.

We are heartbroken to announce that we are closing our 2nd Ave location due to a rent increase that is unsustainable. Tomorrow, June 20th will be our last day of business. Our other #sanloco locations will remain open so please come visit us. Thank you 2nd avenue for 30+ years, we will surely miss you. 💔#supportsmallbusiness. #theskyiscrying #vivasanloco

A post shared by SAN LOCO (@sanloconyc) on Jun 19, 2017 at 3:52pm PDT

We are heartbroken to announce that we are closing our 2nd Ave location due to a rent increase that is unsustainable. Tomorrow, June 20th will be our last day of business. Our other #sanloco locations will remain open so please come visit us. Thank you 2nd avenue for 30+ years, we will surely miss you.

Owner Jill Hing, whose brothers opened this location in 1986, talked to Jeremiah Moss last November about their struggles to stay in business.

There are many factors that contribute to our struggle to survive — and the noose definitely keeps tightening. Our customer base has been mostly squeezed out of this neighborhood as a consequence of hyper-gentrification. Rent is a constant source of stress. In our case, as with many long-standing businesses, we are at the mercy of the landlord and live in fear of our next rent renewal.

They can raise your rent exponentially to just force you out, or they can charge you above market because they know moving is not a viable option. For example, one of our location's lease is up in the spring, we have been tenants there for 20 years, but still they are asking about 15-20% above the comps around us because they know moving is expensive, disruptive, and can cost us our liquor license (although San Loco obtained the liquor license it stays with the address). And regardless of our good standing with the community board, we could be denied a new license, or most likely, be given one with limitations. There are moratoriums on most blocks now because of the over saturation of restaurants/bars in the neighborhood.

Rent aside, there's also more competition, with Otto's Tacos and Taqueria Diana opening nearby in recent years.

The Avenue A San Loco closed in 2014 after 15 years in business.

Something new to take home on Avenue A

An EVG reader noted that the sign went up Saturday for the new restaurant taking over the former San Loco space at 151 Avenue A — TakeMeHome Rotisserie Chicken.

Word here is "chicken, green beens, roasted potatoes, etc. to go. … nothing like we have ever had before. Very fresh."

The San Loco closed here between East Ninth Street and East 10th Street back in February. The CB3/SLA Liquor Licensing Committee voted to deny high-profile restaurateurs Ken Friedman and April Bloomfield a license to open a bar cafe here in May.

No word on an opening date for TakeMeHome just yet.

[Updated] Reader report: CB3 votes down Friedman-Bloomfield cafe concept for Avenue A

[Photo from February]

The CB3/SLA Liquor Licensing Committee voted 6-1 tonight to deny high-profile restaurateurs Ken Friedman and April Bloomfield a license to open a cafe in the former San Loco space at 151 Avenue A.

According to a reader at the meeting, CB3 member Ariel Palitz cast the lone vote of support. (Also, we hear that Friedman and Bloomfield were not in attendance.)

Of course, all final decisions are up to the State Liquor Authority, so the two could take their case there. However, as Eater previously noted, Friedman and Bloomfield dropped plans for a wine bar on Bleecker Street in April 2012 after encountering some resistance from residents in Community Board 2's jurisdiction.

And some residents had concerns about their Avenue A proposal.



Updated 6:09 a.m.

BoweryBoogie has a report from the meeting here. Per BB: "There was staunch opposition to this application for fear of a bait-and-switch. There’s no kitchen and the food offered is a “light menu.” San Loco, in contrast, never 'celebrated' its drink offerings."

Updated 10:09 a.m.

Friedman tells Eater that they will not pursue the space any further.

We love the East Village and specifically Avenue A. But if we aren't wanted there, we get it. Unfortunately for those who think they've done a great thing by preventing another restaurant or bar from opening there, they will discover that the rent is too high for a barber shop or frozen yogurt store, so a bar or another taco shop will most likely take this space.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Ken Friedman and April Bloomfield eyeing the former San Loco space on Avenue A

More details about the new Avenue A project from Ken Friedman and April Bloomfield

More details about the new Avenue A project from Ken Friedman and April Bloomfield

[Photo from February]

As we first reported yesterday, high-profile restaurateurs Ken Friedman and April Bloomfield are hoping to open a cafe-bar concept in the former San Loco space at 151 Avenue A.

The paperwork (PDF!) filed ahead of this month's CB3/SLA committee meeting on May 12 offers a few more details on the concept. The documents at the CB3 website show a cafe/bar with five tables seating 10-12 people, and a bar with a 7-person capacity.

Here is the diagram that accompanies the paperwork…



Meanwhile, the proposed kitchen hours are 7 a.m. to 4 a.m. And here is the sample menu…


[Click on image to enlarge]

Although nothing on file at the CB3 website has Friedman and Bloomfield's name attached to it, multiple people have told us they are behind this project … perhaps they will even make an appearance tonight to discuss their plans with the North Avenue A Neighborhood Association…



Updated 10:04 a.m.

Eater offers some Friedman-Bloomfield history this morning:

It's also worth noting that in the past, they have gone through the process of applying for liquor licenses many times without actually committing to the spaces they were eyeing.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Ken Friedman and April Bloomfield eyeing the former San Loco space on Avenue A

Ken Friedman and April Bloomfield eyeing the former San Loco space on Avenue A

[Photo from February]

San Loco closed on Feb. 16 after 15 years at 151 Avenue A, as we first reported here.

Word is now that high-profile restaurateurs Ken Friedman and April Bloomfield are eyeing the former San Loco location for a cafe-bar concept that would be open early for breakfast … and late night for cocktails (with lunch and dinner in between). The place would curate a specific coffee, wine and cocktail program.

This application is on the May CB3/SLA agenda released yesterday (though their names aren't on it just yet).

Friedman and Bloomfield own such places as high-profile places like The Spotted Pig, The Breslin and The John Dory Oyster Bar … while Friedman has teamed with the likes of Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter at The Monkey Bar and Taavo Somer at The Rusty Knot.

Avenue A looks to be going even more upscale in a hurry … with projects such as this, the all-new 7A and Alex Stupak's new Mexican restaurant at the former Sushi Lounge space.

Former San Loco space for rent on Avenue A

San Loco closed for good on Feb. 16 after 15 years at 151 Avenue A, as we first reported here. The for rent signs are up now…



We didn't spot the listing online. The sign says "retail," though given that San Loco had a full liquor license, you'd have to expect another bar-restaurant in this space.

As for San Loco, the locations on Second Avenue and Stanton Street remain open … as well as the outpost in Williamsburg.

San Loco on Avenue A has closed after 15 years

The sign here between East 9th Street and East 10th Street is pretty self-explanatory… the Second Avenue location remains open… Meanwhile, what will become of San Loco's full liquor license?

H/T Andrew Coamey

As long as it's not so fancy pants that a taco will cost $5

At San Loco on Avenue A.