Amazon country is about to land some fantastic Mexican food. Casco Antiguo — which has built a strong following in Pioneer Square since 2015 for its plantain empanadas, braised beef tongue tacos, and margaritas on tap — will open a second Seattle location near the Amazon Spheres next Monday, July 15. The new space at 2102 7th Avenue has a rustic feel, with exposed brick walls, floor to ceiling windows, a patio with a view of the Spheres, and a mural painted by local artist Victor Melendez. It will also have the same food and drinks menu as the Pioneer Square spot, although the official Instagram page teased some new dishes, including squid tacos, roasted chicken, and shrimp in garlic gravy.
This isn’t the first time Casco Antiguo has attempted to expand. In 2017, the restaurant opened a location in Tacoma, but it didn’t last long. The owners hope to have better luck in an area that caters mostly to the lunchtime crowd, with the Vietnamese fast casual place Sizzle and Crunch opening a location in South Lake Union recently and Rachel’s Ginger Beer planning a spot across from the Spheres soon. Though the neighborhood tends to be a ghost town after hours, Casco has a strong happy hour, from 3-6 p.m. every day. Perhaps the pull of discounted margaritas, sangria, and tacos will set it out from the pack.