Bull Taco to Take Over Old Beach Hut Space

The empty space that once housed the Beach Hut bar on Camino Real in North Beach will soon be taken over by Bull Taco, boasting "inauthentic" Mexican cuisine.

Bull Taco, which has established locations in Oceanside and Cardiff by the Sea, "souces exotic meats and seafoods from around the world," according to its website.

Craig Leslie, one of the restaurant's owners, said the North Beach location will hopefully open in late September or early October, depending on all the permits and completion of renovations.

"The sooner the better," Leslie said. "We're excited to be there."

He said contractors were gutting the entire restaurant -- except for the kitchen -- and creating an outdoor patio for diners.

In addition to the classics like chorizo, carne asada, chicken and pork, Bull Taco also offers shrimp curry, duck and oyster tacos, according to its online menu.

The timeline for opening in North Beach is unclear, but there was an initial hearing July 18 to consider granting the new restaurant a license to sell alcohol. Leslie said the permit was approved at the hearing, and owners were waiting for the official license from the state Alcoholic Beverage Control Board.

Richard Herdell, owner of the adjacent , bought the building and spruced it up in 2011, aiming to lease it to a restaurant.

that he bought the building that housed the defunct Beach Hut bar because he wanted a thriving business next to his well-established art supply shop.

“I did not want to own this building, but I did not want a run-down bar next to me,” he said. “That’s a good piece of property, and it should have a good business on it. Heck, it’s got 19 parking spots. Where can you find a property in North Beach that's got 19 parking spots?”