Yellow Door Taqueria Debuts on Monday

A perfectly-timed opening, if ever there was one: Yellow Door Taqueria, a new taco-focused spot in Lower Mills will be opening on Monday, July 24th, which just so happens to be National Tequila Day.

Celebrate the…holiday…with seasonal Cali-Mex-inspired tacos, ceviche and salads, courtesy of chef (and co-owner) Colton Coburn-Wood, who also oversees the culinary goings-on at sister restaurant (and neighbor) Lower Mills Tavern. A New England native who grew up in Ventura California, Colton-Wood honed his taco-making craft at Ken Oringer’s short-lived but well-loved Fenway taqueria, La Verdad, and at Sue Torres’ Suenos in NYC. He brings all his skill and experience to bear on the Yellow Door’s scratch menu, which will include 10-12 seasonal tacos served on house-made masa tortillas.

Designed by the team at South End sister restaurant, Lion’s Tail, the beverage program features plenty of tequila and lots of mezcal, as well as a good-sized list of craft cocktails, a couple mocktails and a trio of agave classics. There’ll also be frozen margaritas made in a variety of fresh, fruity flavors (strawberry, raspberry, coconut, mango, watermelon and pomegranate, just to name a few). There’s also a Buy The Kitchen a Six-Pack option if you want to show the kitchen crew some love.

The 60-seat dining room, 1200 square feet in all, was once home to an apothecary and, more recently, the Dark Horse Antique Shop. Designer Taniya Nayak retained some of the original elements (like the maroon and white mosaic tile floor) and added statement pieces like a retrofitted back bar with mismatched, distressed cabinetry full of antique treasures. The teal color scheme evokes the deep coastal waters of the Pacific while two vintage neon signs (Taqueria and Liquor) add a pop of color.

Have a look at the menu below (it’s subject to change, but it’ll give you an idea of what’s in store) then head out to Lower Mills (2297 Dorchester Ave, Boston) between 4:00pm and 12:00am on National Tequila Day or any day thereafter.

TACOS

Carnitas pork confit, cotija, salsa verde, refried beans, red onion, cilantro, chicharrones $4

Azteca tequila-habanero braised beef, salsa ranchero, onion bacon jam, pickled red onion, crispy tortilla strings $4

Colorado stewed pork, escabeche, queso fresco, jicama, crema, cilantro $4

Pork Belly crispy picante pork belly, queso de cabra, roasted beets, Mike’s prickly pear jam $4

Cangrejo local crab a la plancha, blue corn puree chipotle beans, shredded napa cabbage, mango, red onion $5

Duck Confit chamomile vanilla plantain puree, duck cracklings, crema, cilantro, pickled red onions, plantain strings $5

Spicy Chorizo fried potatoes, charred salsa roja, crema, cotija, pickled red onions, fried quail egg, cilantro $4

Veggie chipotle potato puree, beets, queso de cabra, carrot fresno salsa, house guacamole, tortilla strips, cilantro $4

CEVICHE

Scallop habanero-tequila-lime-cumin gastrique, mango & jicama salsa, corn nuts, cilantro $14

Yellow Tail papaya & mint salsa, aji Amarillo-lemon marmalade, cucumber, cilantro $14