Tap N Taco to Open Albuquerque Location in Northeast Heights

Tap N Taco, the Rio Rancho taco shop known for Mexico City-inspired street tacos, karaoke nights and craft brews, confirmed plans Jan. 7 to open a Northeast Heights location at 4301 Wyoming NE in mid-2026. The owners said they purchased the 5,709-square-foot former Bank of America building in December and will renovate the site, adding a drive-thru, patios, a bar area and restaurant seating. The group is aiming to open the restaurant doors in May, with broader plans that target mid-2026 for the launch.

The new restaurant will sit adjacent to La Mirada, a recently redeveloped shopping center on the southwest corner of Wyoming and Montgomery NE that already houses a 7 Brew and Freddy’s. Owners expect the location to employ roughly 45 people, offering new local hiring opportunities in the Northeast Heights and supporting foot traffic for the surrounding retail corridor.

Co-owner Juan Estala framed the move as a convenience for Albuquerque customers who have frequented the Rio Rancho site. “Soon, they can enjoy it over there, too,” he said. Co-owner Josh Martinez emphasized sustained demand from the area: “The community has been asking for a Northeast Heights location for quite some time.” Martinez added the location will reflect the brand’s established identity: “Our mission has always centered on bold Mexican street-style tacos, craft brews, patios and shared experiences,” and he said, “This site will mirror that foundation.”

Tap N Taco opened its original location at 1120 Pat D’Arco in Rio Rancho in 2021 and has built a following through menu items that include tacos, quesadillas, loaded fries and margaritas, as well as weekly karaoke nights. The owners said the Rio Rancho restaurant will remain open after the Albuquerque expansion.

The owners are also developing a downtown Chandler, Arizona, location slated to open in May, a move Martinez described as strategic for testing the brand’s regional scalability. “Chandler aligns with the brand demographics that respond to street-inspired food and a high-energy vibe,” he said. “The goal is to prove the model can scale beyond one state without diluting brand DNA.”

For Sandoval County and nearby Albuquerque neighborhoods, the announcement represents both incremental job growth and the adaptive reuse of a vacant commercial building, strengthening the retail mix around La Mirada and increasing dining options for residents who previously traveled north to Rio Rancho for Tap N Taco’s offerings.