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Taco Tonto's Lakewood

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

LOOK: Taco Tonto's Opens on Madison Avenue

Kent-based eatery opens its doors in Lakewood in the former space of Bela Dubby coffee shop.

It’s been a few months since the Bela Dubby coffee shop closed, and on Monday, the highly anticipated Taco Tonto’s opened in its place on Madison Avenue. Taco Tonto’s, one of the most popular restaurants in Kent — just steps away from the Kent State University campus — opened its second location with huge crowds of patrons stopping by into the evening. The grand opening was so busy, that the restaurant sold out of food. The space seems as if it has been completely transformed from the former coffee shop. A new wall divides the dining area from the new kitchen. In a nod to Bela Dubby’s art culture, that wall is covered by a large, hand-painted mural.  Most of the furniture in the space is reused and repurposed. For example, parts of the bar…

Christina Cocchiarale Ward

9:54 am on Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Ok. I am not a big Mexican fan. In fact the only "Mexican" or Spanish food I like is Taco Bell. lol I kid you not. But this looks like a fun place. I ate at Luchita's once and did NOT like it one bit. Is it comparable to them? I'm willing to try it sometime. I assume they have typical nachos?   more ›

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Taco Tonto’s Getting Ready to Open in Lakewood

John and Jill Crino are opening the popular, Kent-based eatery on Madison Avenue in the space of the former Bela Dubby coffee shop.

It’s been a few months since the Bela Dubby coffee shop closed on Madison Avenue, but rest assured, the Taco Tonto’s is almost ready to open its doors to the public. Taco Tonto’s, one of the most popular restaurants in Kent — just steps away from the Kent State University campus — is set to open a second location in Lakewood on Oct. 8. The new sign hangs above the door at 13321 Madison Avenue.  The newspapers covering the windows add to the anticipation of the grand opening.  For good reason. The space seems as if it's been completely transformed, and it's full of color. A new wall divides the dining area from the new kitchen. In a nod to Bela Dubby’s art culture, that wall is covered by a large, hand-painted mural.  Most of the furniture …

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Colin McEwen

4:44 pm on Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Thanks Judith! I got it. On another note: Yay! Taco Tonto's coming to Lakewood! I grew up five minutes away from the Taco Tonto's in Kent, so I am looking forward to having a little piece of my former home just five minutes away from my new home.   more ›

Friday, March 23, 2012

Bela Dubby Closing, Reopening as Taco Tonto’s

Taco Tonto’s, a staple in downtown Kent, is set to open in the space currently occupied by Bela Dubby on Madison Avenue this summer.

One of the most popular restaurants in Kent is expanding to Lakewood. Taco Tonto’s, a staple in downtown Kent — just steps away from the Kent State University campus — is set to open in the space currently occupied by Bela Dubby on Madison Avenue this summer. The coffee shop/hipster hangout, owned by John and Jill Crino, is expected to close during renovations, but will reopen as the neighborhood’s newest restaurant. The Crinos partnered with Taco Tonto’s owner, Kevin and Emily Yohn. John Crino said he first became interested in opening a Taco Tonto’s in 1990, after he graduated from Kent State University. Then, he and his wife moved to New York City, where they continued to dream about opening a Taco Tonto’s. When they moved to Lakewood a…

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