Nearly four years ago, the very popular Taco Trio moved down Ocean Street in South Portland, Maine. They are going back to the original location.

They just moved two blocks down in May of 2021, but as original owner Manny Cerrito's wife, Karen Rasmussen told the Portland Press Herald,

It just never felt like Taco Trio

 

Taco Trio
Lori Voornas
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Karen told the Press Herald that when they moved two blocks down Ocean Street to the new location, it felt too much like a pub or nightclub and they missed the old location. The original location was on the rotary at Ocean and E streets. A tiny place with not enough room and a line out the door that people gladly waited in to chat and eat some of the best tacos in Maine.

Founder of Taco Trio Manny Cerrito passed away in 2024 after a 10-year battle with cancer

Manny Cerrito
Taco Trio via Facebook
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The heart and soul of Taco Trio was Manny Pena Cerrito who died from cancer in October of 2024. That corner tiny restaurant was Manny's love and his wife and business partner is bringing that love back. Before he passed, the couple sold the new location building and started working on renovating the old comfy spot. Karen told the Press Herald of the bigger space they moved into,

It was more (space) than we needed and it wasn’t designed for our needs. The prep kitchen was in the basement. It wasn’t designed for a restaurant that does everything from scratch. But mostly he and I just wanted to be small again and be back here.

There's no place like home

Taco Trio
Lori Voornas
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READ MORE: The Six Restaurants in Maine Featured on the Show ‘Man v. Food

The couple had plans to open in Portland and Saco, after the success in South Portland. They opened in 2011, and Manny was diagnosed with cancer in 2014. Plans were changed to focus on the fight that he eventually lost.

Manny loved Knightville and Knightville loved Manny (and Karen) just as much. They are still renovating and they are shooting for opening in the new/old location in January. But they are still working on it.

Taco Trio
Lori Voornas
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The menu will be the same and that salsa bar that made you wonder just how adventurous you are will be back. Whenever you open, we'll be there to support Manny's memory and all the employees at Taco Trio.

 

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