Metzger Family Restaurants, owners of Jax Kitchen and The Abbey, has announced plans to open their newest venture, Gio Taco later this year.
In a press release, restaurateur Brian Metzger said that their our tacos “will be intentionally designed to ignite a sense of adventure among our guests,” pulling inspiration from “the streets of Havana, the gardens of Costa Rica, the beaches of Hawaii, [and] the coast of Puerto Rico.”
Named for Metzger’s stepson Giovanni, the fast-casual restaurant will be located at 350 E. Congress Street in downtown, Tucson, in the new Cadence development. Metzger’s long time friends at FORS Architecture + Interiors will design the space.
“While we’re surely not asking our guests to forget everything they know about tacos, we’ll be introducing them to a new attitude and concept of what tacos can really be,” Metzger said. “Our culinary team will basically be creating a ‘no-rules’ kitchen, and everything we do will be guided by our pledge to provide a ‘totally unexpected’ experience.”
Slated to open in November, Gio Taco will be the company’s third eatery in Tucson, joining the popular Jax Kitchen on North Oracle Road, named for Metzger’s son Jack, and The Abbey on East Sunrise Drive, named for Metzger’s daughter, Abby.
This article appears in Jul 11-17, 2013.
… not to be confused with the style of ‘no rules’ kitchen or ‘totally unexpected’ experiences that the D.O.L. dodging ABC provides to Scottsdale patrons.
-Meow
I do not comprehend, meow.
Damn it Jerry! I just got this scoop Sunday!
So when is some genius going to put in a bodega downtown for all those stranded students?
There is a bodega on 4th Avenue at 9th Street. It’s called Hopyard and the people there are great. Every time I go in she has more items for sale from peaches to popcorn to laundry soap.
here’s a link https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hopyard/164…
“attitude.” For tacos. Oh, please.
Jax and Abbey are so full of passive-aggressive Yelp BS artists (sorry, my bad, they’re called “Elites”) and snotty staff who act like you owe them a favor when you ask a question about the menu they’re supposed to know. Figures Connelly and Morgan would get their panties all frothy over some new taco revisionist place. They’re fucking tacos, people. Wake me when he does something that even remotely comes close to what Kade M is doing.
Winosdoitbetter: So to clarify, you’re claiming that Rita and Jerry have befrothed their undergarments because 1.) One wrote the story and 2.) One commented on things unrelated to Gio Tacos?
While the story certainly doesn’t express skepticism about the restaurant, it just as certainly isn’t giving the not-even-open-to-be-judged place unneeded praise — I should know, I gave the piece a look before it was published.
Yeah, they’re “fucking tacos,” but I don’t see the sense in burying a place that is nowhere close to producing one.
Hello everyone… i am the head BS artist as shown above. Either way, i appreciate your reading this story, and hope you give it ONE shot when we open, rather than just being negative just to be negative. I am happy that you enjoy Kade’s restaurants, and I hope you try ours when it opens. Brian
I love the food at The Abbey. Can’t wait for Gio Tacos!
I’ve always had great experiences at jax and not because of my work. People are friendly and helpful. I thin the food is done well and Brian brought many ideas to town that people have adopted.
Winosdoitbetter is the one with the “attitude.”
clearly, the post about them just being tacos was written by a person with a personal grudge toward the local chain. otherwise, why get so upset? i’d prefer to let my own experience lead my opinions and will try out the new place myself before deeming them, “just f——– taco’s”
Also, isn’t the place named for his step son? why get all bent and possibly hurt his feelings. he might read this!
You know …… if any of you know the concepts (Jax and Abbey) history tells you what a great experience you will recieve.Brian keep on keeping on and if this is anywhere near Ginni’s duck tacos (Jax Kitchen ) we have another hangout.
MUCH LUV B!
Brian has always been a stand up fella. If he want to continue to open up restaurants here it is because he loves Tucson. This town is big enough for many more restaurants developed by locals especially. Remember folks. Eat local & support businesses like Brian’s and Kade’s. They could have decided to open elsewhere but love the old pueblo and its people..
When are the unpretentious restaurants going to open? Price points and noses are just too high at most of these places. Spend less on your decor and be more creative with less expensive local products (squash, beans, greens etc.) And maybe you can offer entrées that real working people in Tucson can afford. This is a LOW wage town and we want to support you but need decent filling portions at a $12(or less, gasp) price point.
I bet the prices here will fit right in with what Karlito is looking for. It’s being built in Cadence near the proposed World of Beer. It is going to be a fast casual type with a walk-up window at the pool in the building. Perfect for the student population. And right next to the World of Beer.
People bitch because Tucson doesn’t have any stylish places with “authentic” food. They bitch because prices are too high or that restaurants are snobby. They complain about location, service, the color of the friggin room.
I get sick of reading about it.
Most people have no idea how much work it takes to open or run a restaurant. Nor do they realize how expensive it is to run a restaurant.
Tucson is moving quickly into being a town with a full spate of places to eat.
As a person who eats out often both for work and for fun, I am excited about all the changes that are happening and I still cherish the good old standbys in town. There are plenty of both.
For the record, We look forward to trying a Gio Taco and being able to support a fledgeling Tucson business that believes in good food with reasonable prices and liveable wages. Quite the opposite of Amy’s tip-snatching retaliation fest upon customers and employees in Scottsdale. Gio Taco, we hungry Tucsonans look forward to your arrival.
-Meow
Two points:
1. I am ALWAYS down for tacos, whether new and unique or just plain ol good. If Mr. Metzger’s previous endeavors are any indication, this will be a most welcomed addition to my belly.
2. (and most important) “befrothed their undergarments” is my new favorite term of ALL TIMES
Burnie Mak, a new possible slogan for Gio Taco emerges; “Tacos and service so good, you’ll want to befroth your undergarments.”
-Meow
Brian – I will indeed patronize your new place. I have had nothing but great meals at your other two restaurants. Thanks for bringing something fresh, new and exciting to downtown. You share a vision that others obviously do as well. Places like St Phillips or the Tucson Mall just don’t have the same potential that downtown does.
As for the guy that claims that Kade’s food is better, he’s obviously never eaten at the Abbey or Jax. Kade has decent food, but it’s not groundbreaking. The reason the hub does so well is that its a lone island in a sea of bad food. Given some real competition like Proper etc. we shall see how it REALLY does.
And as for the other guy that wants someone to open “unpretentious” restaurants downtown…. Hey man when you get off your butt, use YOUR hard earned money, risk everything, and open something yourself. How’s that.
Hey “the truth” I’m not a restauranteur. Just a customer willing to give what little money I have to a local restaurant that could reach my price point. I’m not alone as you can tell from the shit storm over on the “keep Tucson shitty” post (way to miss the point of the comments about Gio BTW Dave). This looks like free market research to me. To all you people sitting on $$$ thinking about doing something downtown do an interesting more budget conscious restaurant/bar!
What a narcissist to continue naming these generic restaurants after his children. I have lived all over the country and I’m so not impressed with places like Metzgers. Completely superficial and boring… Stay in the foothills!