Rocco’s Tacos and Tequila Bar will move into former Morton’s Steakhouse space

May 22, 2013 Heather Chin

Photo courtesy of Rocco's Tacos.

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Morton’s Steakhouse fans, take comfort: skirt steak is on the menu at the incoming Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila Bar.

Yes, that’s right: the empty restaurant space at 339 Adams Street that formerly housed Morton’s Steakhouse will soon be home to tableside guacamole, tacos and enchiladas, and homemade Margarita sours — “a full sensory Mexican dining experience complete with live mariachi bands and free tequila pourings.”

This is Rocco’s Tacos’ first New York location and first location outside of Florida, where the five stores are reportedly almost always packed. However, owner Rocco Mangel is no stranger to New York or Brooklyn, having grown up on Long Island.

The lease was signed last week. The space is roughly 14,500-feet-by-6,000-feet on the ground level and 8,000-feet below. It will likely have some renovations done between now and opening day, which is slated to occur “by the end of the year,” according to Jason Muss of Muss Development, which oversaw the leasing.

“They were looking to make an entrance in the New York market and they’re doing that in Brooklyn — a very happening and central location in between DUMBO, Brooklyn Heights and MetroTech, and right next to the Brooklyn Bridge,” said Muss. “It is a testament to the Brooklyn market.”

Rocco’s Tacos joins several other eateries in the area in a sort of Restaurant Row with another Muss location at 345 Adams Street. These include Hill Country Barbecue, Panera Bread, Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt, and Potbelly Sandwich Shop. Shake Shack is also located across the street, on the other side of a recently renovated pedestrian plaza at Adams Street and Willoughby Street.

“It’s a very powerful lineup of restaurants all in one place,” said Muss. “If a family wants to go out and get some dinner, they’ll wander over and there are a lot of great options one night and another night. It’s really the perfect candidate, with a terrific restaurant and operators.”

Morton’s Steakhouse arrived in Downtown Brooklyn in 2008, but closed in early 2012 shortly after the chain was purchased by Texas-based hospitality company Landry’s. The company also closed locations in Boston, Atlanta, and West Palm Beach, Florida — which happens to be where Rocco’s Tacos launched their flagship restaurant.