If you drive into Savannah over the Talmadge Bridge, it’s hard not to see a number of cranes dotting the skyline. No, there is no threat of Savannah looking like Hong Kong anytime soon, but the amount of development going on in town is significant. It has gotten plenty of press. Still, if you aren’t looking just below a couple of those headlines, you are missing what is -without question-the hottest part of Savannah right now. At least as far as development is concerned. It’s the Starland District. More specifically, the Bull Street Corridor stretching from the Anderson/Henry Streets area all the way to Victory Drive. One of the new restaurants going in as we write this is Bull Street Taco, just off of the corner of Bull Street (see what they did there?) and 33rd streets.
Construction is hot and heavy right now at 1608 Bull. Walls are coming down, bars are being built. Yes, there will be a full liquor bar. The license for which has already been approved so there won’t be a battle royale with the neighborhood as they get closer. Bull Street Tacos is coming and it might wind up being the most popular spot on the Bull Street “Strip” for lack of a better term.
Chef John Massey is culinary talent behind it. John has been in town a few years, having worked at The Bohemian Hotel and 39 Rue de Jean. He knows the market and more importantly, he says, saw the need for another taqueria downtown Savannah. “We are really excited about this.” John tells me. “We’ll have homemade tortillas, locally sourced products and bottom line, kick-ass tacos.”
As I mentioned, there will be a full-liquor bar. There will also be a covered patio. It’s estimated right now to be about 14 feet wide by 40 feet long. That’s a nice-sized outdoor area for a tiny taco shop. Yes, it will be tiny. Maybe 20 seats inside.
As you can see from the photos, work is in progress. The heavy lifting is what remains. A lot of the inside has taken shape already. John and his business partner, Mike Cournoyer, hope to be open mid-July.
The neighborhood is evolving very quickly. Woofgang Bakery for Dogs is adding another location across the street. Natural Selections Vegan Cuisine is a hop scotch game away on the corner. Two doors down, Henny Penny Bakery and Coffee (from the Foxy Loxy Group) is now open as well.
Fastest growing part of town? The Bull Street corridor south of Forsyth Park. Mark it down. Only a matter of time before you can Eat It and Like It at Bull Street Tacos.
See you on TV,
Jesse
