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After months of renovations to his planned Lucharitos taqueria and tequila bar in Center Moriches, owner Marc LaMaina is planning to open a food truck at the location starting Sept. 24.
“I’m doing this because I feel like we’ve been teasing the community for way too long. That, and it does cost money to be here,” LaMaina said.
LaMaina said the food truck, Lil Lucharitos, will operate on Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from noon-6 p.m. and will serve tacos, non-alcoholic beverages, nachos and more at 177 Montauk Highway. There will be gluten-free options.
LaMaina said he doesn’t expect the main restaurant to open until at least Christmas, which is a good time to “work out the kinks,” he said.
LaMaina gave GreaterMoriches a tour of the 1-acre property, which will include a greenhouse, an area to have special occasions under a trellis currently being renovated, a ¼-acre farm that customer can walk through and a children’s area.
“Now that I have kids, I want to build things that families could enjoy,” said LaMaina, 38, who has three boys, and whose wife, Jennifer, runs Bright & Early Discoveries child care in Riverhead. The center will bring its kids to the location as part of its nature program, Jennifer LaMaina said.
Lucharitos, once complete, will also include a coffee and churros truck, among other amenities.