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Dip Into the Tropical Vibes of Centro

Take a first look inside Minneapolis’ about-to-open Mexican restaurant

by Joy Summers
An airy industrial restaurant interior with light wooden tables, a long bar with stools, and light pink walls with a large embroidered mural of flowers.
These are the tacos we’ve been waiting for
Kevin Kramer/Eater Twin Cities

Centro, the new restaurant in Northeast and the first half of the highly anticipated dual restaurants from chef Jose Alacron is about to open on a corner in Northeast Minneapolis. The building that’s kitty corner from Indeed Brewing opens up to a riot of pink, vibrant blue and a hum of activity. The staff is ready and the kitchen and bar are being stocked in anticipation of an open this Friday.

The restaurant’s history is rooted in the chef collective of Lyn 65, that’s where chef Alacron first hosted pop ups to solidify this modern Mexican dual eatery, Centro and Popol Vuh. Now, it’s run by the chef and Jami Olson, who will run the front of house.

This first phase of the dual restaurant project is a casual spot has a menu mix of raw bar, tacos, and cocktails. Second will be the elevated Mayan cuisine of Popol Vuh. The long anticipated restaurants were originally expected to open last fall.

Instead, Centro will open by the 30th, if not sooner with some limited hours. Meanwhile the opening for Popol Vuh remains undetermined.

Jami Olson and Jose Alacron
Kevin Kramer/Eater Twin Cities

The menu is stacked with tacos, most priced at just $4. Other dishes are serious Mexican comfort foods: frijoles barrachos, papas chingones and a raw bar with shrimp, aguachile, and ceviche.

The exterior, with room for outdoor seating
Kevin Kramer/Eater Twin Cities

Cocktails are $8 to 10 dollars and a bottle of Tecate is set you back $3.

An airy industrial restaurant interior with light wooden tables, a long bar with stools, and light pink walls with a large embroidered mural of flowers. Kevin Kramer / Eater Twin Cities

The easy Mexican charm of the place is all set for a late week opening.

A blonde wooden wraparound bar with blonde wooden stools, and a pink wall in the background with a bright mural.
The room wraps around a large, square bar
Kevin Kramer/Eater Twin Cities
A bright entryway with yellow doors made into an overhang, above cash registars
Order over here, under the sunshine overhang
Kevin Kramer/Eater Twin Cities
A plate of fried fish tacos garnished with cilantro and pink radishes on a wooden table.
Fish tacos. Yes.
Kevin Kramer / Eater Twin Cities
Three brightly colored cocktails in a highball, lowball, and tulip shaped glasses on the wood bar inside Centro. The background shows a bright pink and red cross stitched styled mural.
Cocktails at Centro
Kevin Kramer/Eater Twin Cities

Centro

1414 Quincy Street NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413

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