Condado Tacos to close central Ohio carryout eatery

POWELL, Ohio (WCMH) -- Condado Tacos, a Columbus-based joint with a build-your-own taco menu and walls covered in street art, is closing its central Ohio carryout location.

The chain's carryout eatery at 4052 Presidential Parkway in Powell will shutter Sept. 8 to be transformed into a test kitchen, marketing studio and private event space for the brand. Condado launched the location three years ago in 2021 and has since served as the chain's sole carryout-only eatery.

"We are thrilled about this pivot and believes it reflects our dedication to culinary creativity and exceptional customer experiences," said Sara Kear, Condado chief marketing officer, in a release. "Our Powell location will now be a focal point for our entire company, developing innovative flavors and menu items, setting the stage for the future of Condado Tacos."

Renovations on the location start the day after the closure on Sept. 9, the release said. Powell customers will be able to receive free delivery from the brand's seven other central Ohio locations, like at 102 N. High St. in Dublin's Bridge Park and at 8958 Lyra Drive near Polaris Fashion Place.

The Powell location's shift in operations comes as other Columbus Mexican eateries are expanding, while some taco joints are shuttering. Local Cantina closed their Short North location earlier this summer, with El Vaquero set to take over the restaurant in the near future, according to a sign posted outside of the building.

Yabo's Tacos, another local chain, closed its Powell eatery last year and moved that location's operations to the chain's Lewis Center restaurant. Earlier this summer, a central Ohio chef took over Yabo's former Powell space to launch his own restaurant boasted as the "perfect destination for family meals and everyday celebrations."

Until the Sept. 8 closure, Condado in Powell is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.