Popular Downtown Taqueria Santo Taco Eyes Upper East Side

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — Santo Taco, an elevated taqueria concept, is planning its first location on the Upper East Side, according to recently filed city documents.

The new taqueria, which would be located at 1435 Third Ave. near East 81st Street, has filed a liquor license request with Community Board 8.

The taqueria will take over the space previously occupied by Daona, a grocery store and deli.

The eatery's menu features specialty tacos, including a steak trompo taco with New York strip and sirloin and a pork carnitas taco made with pork belly and ribs, in addition to chicken, carne asada, shrimp and vegetarian options.

The menu also includes a tuna tostada, quesadillas and guacamole with blue corn totopos.

The taqueria, which first opened in 2025 in Soho, was founded by chef and restaurateur Santiago Perez. Perez was one of the founders of Cosme, a contemporary, critically acclaimed Mexican restaurant in Flatiron.

Santo Taco also has outposts in Soho and Union Square, with one coming soon to the West Village.

Santo Taco merges Mexican heritage with "New York lifestyle," according to its website.

Know of a business opening or closing on the Upper East Side? Email Miranda.Levingston@Patch.com.