First-time restaurateurs opening new vegan taco shop in Church Hill area

taco vegana Cropped

The one-story building near the intersection of Oakwood Avenue, P Street and Chimborazo Boulevard has sat vacant for years. (Mike Platania photo)

The Church Hill area is set to get a new taqueria. 

Rachel and Milton Rodriguez are preparing to open Taco Vegana at 1004 Oakwood Ave. 

The new restaurant is moving into a vacant building in Church Hill North near the three-way intersection of Oakwood Avenue, P Street and Chimborazo Boulevard.

Rachel and Milton Rodriguez are a married couple and first-time restaurateurs, hailing from the Shenandoah Valley and Baja California, Mexico, respectively. They said that before moving to Richmond about four years ago, they lived in Austin, Texas, where vegan Tex-Mex options were more abundant. 

“It’s not easily accessible, but you have options,” Milton said of vegan Tex-Mex food. “(It’s) something I didn’t find here in Virginia and I think there’s a huge need for it here.”

milton rachel rodriguez

Milton and Rachel Rodriguez (Courtesy Taco Vegana)

About two years ago they began looking for a location for Taco Vegana while also maintaining their careers. Milton works in financial analytics and Rachel is in HR. 

The Rodriguezes eventually found 1004 Oakwood Ave., a one-story building that had sat vacant for years. In February 2024 it sold to Sam Tuttle, a local developer who has previously done work in the Church Hill area. The Rodriguezes leased the 1,000-square-foot space and began renovating it. 

Milton said at Taco Vegana they’ll be making their own seitan, a wheat-based meat alternative, as well as vegetable-based substitutes such as cauliflower, which he said they’ll fry and use to replace Baja fish tacos. 

“Within the vegan community, there’s a lot of different types of vegans: those who are all about the meat substitutes, those who really just want more vegetable-forward dishes, and those who are gluten-free,” Rachel said. “We’re trying to be really mindful of having those types of options for everyone.”

Taco Vegana will operate with counter service and have seating for around 25. The Rodriguezes also are pursuing an ABC license to serve beer, wine and spirits within the restaurant. 

“We know that we’re sort of a niche. While I know the Church Hill community has been excited about it … at the same time I know that I’m serving vegan Mexican (food). I need everything in my arsenal to bring people in,” Milton said of the need for a full bar.  

Rachel added that the pair is also planning to add morning coffee service later. 

Taco Vegana is targeted to open in late February or March.

Another recent arrival to the Church Hill dining scene is Secret Squares, a Detroit-style pizzeria that opened in the fall at 306 N. 29th St. And Chimbo Sandwich Shoppe is expected to open next month in the former 8 ½ space at 2709 E. Marshall St. 

taco vegana Cropped

The one-story building near the intersection of Oakwood Avenue, P Street and Chimborazo Boulevard has sat vacant for years. (Mike Platania photo)

The Church Hill area is set to get a new taqueria. 

Rachel and Milton Rodriguez are preparing to open Taco Vegana at 1004 Oakwood Ave. 

The new restaurant is moving into a vacant building in Church Hill North near the three-way intersection of Oakwood Avenue, P Street and Chimborazo Boulevard.

Rachel and Milton Rodriguez are a married couple and first-time restaurateurs, hailing from the Shenandoah Valley and Baja California, Mexico, respectively. They said that before moving to Richmond about four years ago, they lived in Austin, Texas, where vegan Tex-Mex options were more abundant. 

“It’s not easily accessible, but you have options,” Milton said of vegan Tex-Mex food. “(It’s) something I didn’t find here in Virginia and I think there’s a huge need for it here.”

milton rachel rodriguez

Milton and Rachel Rodriguez (Courtesy Taco Vegana)

About two years ago they began looking for a location for Taco Vegana while also maintaining their careers. Milton works in financial analytics and Rachel is in HR. 

The Rodriguezes eventually found 1004 Oakwood Ave., a one-story building that had sat vacant for years. In February 2024 it sold to Sam Tuttle, a local developer who has previously done work in the Church Hill area. The Rodriguezes leased the 1,000-square-foot space and began renovating it. 

Milton said at Taco Vegana they’ll be making their own seitan, a wheat-based meat alternative, as well as vegetable-based substitutes such as cauliflower, which he said they’ll fry and use to replace Baja fish tacos. 

“Within the vegan community, there’s a lot of different types of vegans: those who are all about the meat substitutes, those who really just want more vegetable-forward dishes, and those who are gluten-free,” Rachel said. “We’re trying to be really mindful of having those types of options for everyone.”

Taco Vegana will operate with counter service and have seating for around 25. The Rodriguezes also are pursuing an ABC license to serve beer, wine and spirits within the restaurant. 

“We know that we’re sort of a niche. While I know the Church Hill community has been excited about it … at the same time I know that I’m serving vegan Mexican (food). I need everything in my arsenal to bring people in,” Milton said of the need for a full bar.  

Rachel added that the pair is also planning to add morning coffee service later. 

Taco Vegana is targeted to open in late February or March.

Another recent arrival to the Church Hill dining scene is Secret Squares, a Detroit-style pizzeria that opened in the fall at 306 N. 29th St. And Chimbo Sandwich Shoppe is expected to open next month in the former 8 ½ space at 2709 E. Marshall St. 

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Mark A. Olinger
Mark A. Olinger
15 days ago

Literally across the street from my house, and directly across the street from the James S. Christian, Jr., Place that the Church Hill Central Civic Association and Capital Trees are partnering to create a true neighborhood square the larger community. We look forward to Taco Vegana helping create that attractive, welcoming space that we need in the area. Lots of excitement around here to be able to add to the area’s walkability and support of small business..

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Peter James
Peter James
15 days ago

This is fantastic, Mark! Glad to see momentum continuing in your neighborhood. Also glad to see Taco Vegana setting up shop there. Wishing you and the Rodriguezes all the very best going forward in these outstanding endeavors. Keep it rolling!

SA Chaplin
SA Chaplin
14 days ago

I, too, live within walking distance. I wish you guys luck (but also wish that you will, at some point, add non-vegan options).

Zach Thomas
Zach Thomas
12 days ago
Reply to  SA Chaplin

I mean would it kill you to eat a meatless lunch from time to time?

Chris Crews
Chris Crews
12 days ago
Reply to  SA Chaplin

“Great! A new Chinese food place! They should serve pizza.”

Zach Thomas
Zach Thomas
12 days ago
Reply to  Chris Crews

Exactly. Some people just have an uncontrollable urge to let it be known they aren’t interested in eating vegan food and that they think something else should be served. It doesn’t seem to happen with any other type of restaurant.

Linda Ellen Childs
Linda Ellen Childs
14 days ago

We are just returning to Church Hill from 🇲🇽 Mexico and cannot wait to taste your offerings! Wonderful edition to the neighborhood!

Mike Hunt
Mike Hunt
14 days ago

Wish them luck, but don’t seeing this lasting long without non-vegan options. You can get a vegan taco at literally any taco place in the city

Chris Crews
Chris Crews
12 days ago
Reply to  Mike Hunt

But if you want vegan tacos, this would seem to be a good choice.