Mojo’s had operated in the space for over 20 years until it closed during the pandemic. (Mike Platania photos)
For the first time in three and a half years, parties are being seated at 733 W. Cary St.
Tito’s Taqueria & Bar, the first of two new concepts taking over the former Mojo’s Philadeli building near Oregon Hill, opened for business last week.
Through the course of its 20-plus-year run, Mojo’s had been a popular haunt for VCU students as well as Oregon Hill and Fan locals before it closed in 2020 and the building was sold. Tito’s owner Tito Padilla said he’s already heard from customers about the building’s history.
Tito Padilla
“They tell us, ‘Oh, we’ve been here awhile and went to Mojo’s.’ They’ve been glad we opened. They have a lot of memories here,” Padilla said.
Tito’s is the first restaurant Padilla has personally owned, though he has familial roots in the Richmond restaurant world. His father Rudy owns Amigos Family Restaurant near Willow Lawn, and his sister Iliana White is behind Kahlo’s Taqueria & Bar in Union Hill.
His other sister, Estefani, is preparing to open La Fe Cafe next door to Tito’s in a few months.
Padilla said he’s excited about many of the chef’s specials on Tito’s menu, which include a birria pizza and sandwich, pork al pastor and chori pollo. Tito’s menu also includes such Mexican staples as burritos ($14-$16) and a variety of street tacos, which range from $13 to $16 for three.
When it comes to drinks, Tito’s offers eight specialty margaritas ranging from $11 to $18, the larger of which are 22-ounce drinks. It also has signature cocktails including the Oaxaca Nite, made with lime and grapefruit juice, agave and mezcal, as well as tequila flights.
Tito’s is open daily at 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. on weeknights and 11 p.m. on weekends. Padilla said he’s considering adding brunch service on the weekends but doesn’t want to interfere with La Fe Cafe next door, which will offer coffee, breakfast and lunch.
Meanwhile, deeper into Oregon Hill, work is underway to renovate the former Mamma Zu building at 501 S. Pine St. to make way for Restaurant Adarra, a Spanish eatery that will relocate from Jackson Ward.
Mojo’s had operated in the space for over 20 years until it closed during the pandemic. (Mike Platania photos)
For the first time in three and a half years, parties are being seated at 733 W. Cary St.
Tito’s Taqueria & Bar, the first of two new concepts taking over the former Mojo’s Philadeli building near Oregon Hill, opened for business last week.
Through the course of its 20-plus-year run, Mojo’s had been a popular haunt for VCU students as well as Oregon Hill and Fan locals before it closed in 2020 and the building was sold. Tito’s owner Tito Padilla said he’s already heard from customers about the building’s history.
Tito Padilla
“They tell us, ‘Oh, we’ve been here awhile and went to Mojo’s.’ They’ve been glad we opened. They have a lot of memories here,” Padilla said.
Tito’s is the first restaurant Padilla has personally owned, though he has familial roots in the Richmond restaurant world. His father Rudy owns Amigos Family Restaurant near Willow Lawn, and his sister Iliana White is behind Kahlo’s Taqueria & Bar in Union Hill.
His other sister, Estefani, is preparing to open La Fe Cafe next door to Tito’s in a few months.
Padilla said he’s excited about many of the chef’s specials on Tito’s menu, which include a birria pizza and sandwich, pork al pastor and chori pollo. Tito’s menu also includes such Mexican staples as burritos ($14-$16) and a variety of street tacos, which range from $13 to $16 for three.
When it comes to drinks, Tito’s offers eight specialty margaritas ranging from $11 to $18, the larger of which are 22-ounce drinks. It also has signature cocktails including the Oaxaca Nite, made with lime and grapefruit juice, agave and mezcal, as well as tequila flights.
Tito’s is open daily at 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. on weeknights and 11 p.m. on weekends. Padilla said he’s considering adding brunch service on the weekends but doesn’t want to interfere with La Fe Cafe next door, which will offer coffee, breakfast and lunch.
Meanwhile, deeper into Oregon Hill, work is underway to renovate the former Mamma Zu building at 501 S. Pine St. to make way for Restaurant Adarra, a Spanish eatery that will relocate from Jackson Ward.