222 TACO Just What The Village Ordered

222 is an angel number and is thought by many to mean peace and harmony.   It signifies affirmation and to follow your heart.  It also happens to be the birthday of 222 Taco founder Anna Robbins and is National Margarita Day!  A perfect name for a restaurant that represents a new beginning for its owner, an opportunity to create fun and community, and a giving back to the Village where Anna has lived for the last nine years.

Recently awarded the Best Taco 2018 by the Miami New Times, One of the Best New Restaurants 2018 by Eater Miami and Tasting Table.com, and drawing customers from the greater Miami Beach and Upper East Side corridor, 222 Taco is making its mark on the local food scene and helping to draw positive attention to North Bay Village.

Anna’s journey to the Village began in California where she was raised in an eastern European Jewish home, that loved to cook and share good food.    Not a trained chef, Anna credits her family for making her into an early foodie.  At fourteen, she got her first job busing tables.  During her school years, restaurants were a constant part of her life.  After a journey through the music business following her studies of cultural anthropology and communications at UC Santa Barbara, she found her way back to food here in Miami.

In 2003 Anna arrived in Miami at the end of her gig managing the tour of musician Cody Chesnut who was the opening act for Eryka Badu.  Upon arrival, Anna fell in love with the ocean, the weather and Miami’s vibrant community.   The only thing missing was a good taco!  How could a diverse city like Miami, with an abundance of Latin American cuisine not have good Mexican food?  She set out to remedy the problem!

A founder of Coyo Taco in Wynwood, Anna was one of the early people to see the potential of the now vibrant neighborhood.  Ahead of the curve, Anna has been good at spotting trends and potential.  Upon separation from her partners at Coyo, she set out to find the next exciting new place, and this time it was in her own back yard, North Bay Village.

“I wanted to build on what we did at Coyo” Anna Said.  “Wynwood and the Beach are saturated.  North Bay Village, can draw people from both sides of the bay and I loved the idea of creating a place specifically designed to respond to the needs of this community.  I wanted to help create and support a North Bay Village Renaissance.”

Heeding the call from neighbors for a place where people can sit, socialize, and enjoy fresh, well priced food and drinks,  222 Taco was born.  Every detail was designed to respond to the community feedback.  From the large communal tables that encourage people to sit together and talk, to breakfast offerings and a full bar, Anna wants her place to serve diverse needs.   

“I wanted to create a place that people can walk to, and enjoy either a cup of coffee or a great margarita.”    Since opening in April of 2018, Anna tweaked the menu and hours to respond to feedback.  There are plans for a supper club offering and new lunch specials.   She has explored ideas for a block parties and would love to see the North Bay Village scene continue to grow.

“I would love to see our Village become the next hot spot”  Anna says.  “If we can come together, support local businesses and encourage each other, anything is possible.”

222 Taco is open daily from Noon to Midnight with extended hours Friday-Sunday, including brunch offerings.  There is all day coffee and breakfast offerings and has a full bar.  For more information on the menu and upcoming events visit www.222ta.co or just stop by.