Toby Wilson is readying to open his biggest taco venue yet, Ricos Tacos at The Norfolk, with Public Hospitality Group. The 100-year-old Cleveland Street pub – which has room for 200 – is, on foot, just a single kilometre up the road from the last Chippendale corner spot. Now, we have an opening date.

From Saturday September 23, both storeys of the revamped pub – where the walls have had a technicolour lick of paint, a glitzy disco ball hangs from the ceiling, and sporty Club Ricos jerseys adorn the walls – will be welcoming taco- and party-loving folk. The menu’s been finalised (with tortas hamburguesas, zucchini flower quesadillas and the Ricos Chook Plate joining the standout tacos) and the teams from El Primo Sanchez and Maybe Sammy have crafted a playful cocktail menu: think Lemongrass Palomas and Pavlova Coladas.

On day one, head to the courtyard and bistro to snack your way through the bumper share-style menu before venturing upstairs to Club Ricos for late-night antics. The fit-out is reminiscent of 1960s Mexican sports bars, with red vinyl couches and vintage look posters on the walls, plus DJs on the decks all night (a 3am licence is currently under review). The same cocktails will be available upstairs and down, with a smaller late-night food menu (which will feature the perfected carriage for Wilson’s tangy salsa roja: a chipotle-salt-doused hash brown) after the bistro closes at 10pm.

Save 20% when you buy two or more Broadsheet books. Order now to make sure they arrive in time for Christmas.

SHOP NOW

On September 24, the first of many weekly Ricos Sunday Asadas will kick off in the courtyard. With a sunny mural by Sydney artist Michael Delany as backdrop, Wilson will be firing up a charcoal barbeque and grilling steaks to be served alongside salads, fries and salsas. A rainbow of mismatched plastic garden chairs and picnic plates, a festoon of lights and neon-lit al pastors on the walls add to the colourful atmosphere.

“I envision late nights upstairs, sunny barbeques and fun, experimental food,” Wilson said in a statement. “Opening weekend will be the first of many momentous days and nights.”

Ricos Tacos at The Norfolk will open on Saturday September 23.

@ricostacotruck
@thenorfolk_hotel