Another Eatery, Taquería Mexicana #1, Gives It A Go At 420 Main Street

EAST HAVEN, CT — There's a new authentic Mexican restaurant to check out in East Haven. Taquería #1 Mexicana recently opened and to good reviews. Located at 420 Main St., many hope this is an eatery that will make it.

During the pandemic, a seafood and wings spot opened at that location. Papa's Wings and Seafood opened in June 2020, with the COVID-19 pandemic very much in full swing. A Black-owned take-out restaurant was immediately popular. Owner James Green said when Patch first visited that he was thrilled. The restaurant closed for a few months as the menu was modified. It reopened only to shut down permanently.

In early 2024, Marjoram Fresh Kitchen opened in the same spot. It featured fare using all fresh ingredients, ones sans hormones or antibiotics; healthy, delicious, and fresh, good-for-you food. Unfortunately, it too closed its doors by September of that year.

A New Haven Taqueria restaurateur, Aniceto Lopez Diaz, applied to the East Haven Planning and Zoning Commission earlier this year to open Taquería Mexicana #1 at 420 Main St.

In a town post on Facebook, some folks who'd visited raved about the food.

And on the popular community Facebook page, The Good Things About East Haven, a member shared a post about the taco spot:

"No need to go to Longwharf! Just had a fantastic lunch at the NEW Taquería Mexicana at 420 Main St. Give them a try and let's support our local small businesses so they can thrive!"

Nearly 300 people 'Liked' or 'Loved' the post, with dozens who had already checked it out sharing positive and complementary comments.

Check out Taquería Mexicana #1 on TikTok here.