Alex Bohon and his father Otto Ramon Bohon — the family/duo behind the beloved southside restaurant, Taqueria La Esquina — are ready to debut the brand-new concept on Broadway Boulevard near Craycroft Road.
Throughout June, folks have been welcomed into Copal for their soft opening hours but the family is hosting an official Grand Opening party from 6 – 9 p.m. on Tuesday, July 16.
The location, which formerly housed The Dutch at 5340 E. Broadway Blvd. #100, is near the Williams Centre and right around the corner from Iron John’s Brewing.
For those familiar with the dining room, the entire space is at least twice the size of Taqueria La Esquina (4876 S. Sixth Ave.). Copal inherits the large dining area, which will serve some of the staples found at La Esquina.
For appetizers, the Copal menu features Elote Ribs (whole corn ribs grilled and quartered) and Trilogia Aguachiles (shrimp that’s been cured three ways). Tortilla soup, a few salads, and several street taco options are afoot including carne asada, jackfruit birria, roasted wild mushrooms, and ribeye.
If you’re looking for a full-on feast, check out the entrees like The “Chapo” Burger (a smash burger with roasted poblano, Oaxacan cheese, housemade chorizo, pickled onions, and arugula) or the wild-caught salmon that’s seared with an ancho and coco nib crust — the Salmon al Xocolate.
Keep in mind that the menu is always subject to change before the Grand Opening.
Then there’s the bar! Copal has a curated selection of Sotol, Banora, tequilas, and authentic Mexican cocktails “that celebrate our rich culinary heritage.”
Margaritas are on the menu alongside the classic michelada and a Sonoran Smoke & Spice — a cocktail that brings together the smokiness of mezcal and sweetness of prickly pear.
Aside from the indoor seating, there are several seating options available on the enclosed, outdoor patio — they’ve even installed a couple of swinging benches! The smaller play area that the owner of The Dutch had created is also still outside on the patio.
Stay tuned for the restaurant’s hours of operation. In the meantime, start planning for the Grand Opening party on Tuesday, July 16 from 6 – 9 p.m. Keep an eye out for more Grand Opening details by following the restaurant on Instagram.
Copal is located at 5340 E. Broadway Blvd. #100. For more information, visit copaltucson.com and follow Copal on Instagram. To learn more about the family’s other concept, Taqueria La Esquina, check out our August 2022 article, “Your New South Side Obsession.”
This article was originally written on Monday, June 24, and updated on Wednesday, July 3.
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Article written by:
Matt Sterner
More about MattAt a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.
He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.
If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.
