Brooklyn’s third boozy Taco Bell faces board opposition

CB2 committee said no to liquor license for Taco Bell Cantina at 58 Court St.

February 20, 2019 By Lore Croghan Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Taco Bell wants to build a cantina on Court Street that serves liquor-laced slushees. Eagle photos by Lore Croghan

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Want booze with that Chalupa Supreme?

Taco Bell plans to serve wine, beer and slushies blended with vodka, rum or tequila at the restaurant it’s building at 58 Court St. in Brooklyn Heights.

Before the drinking can commence, however, the fast-food chain needs a liquor license for this location.

Earlier this month, Community Board 2’s health, environment and social services committee voted against granting a liquor license to the proposed Taco Bell Cantina.

The committee had several reasons for its no vote, a member said at a Feb. 13 CB2 general meeting:
There was “some community opposition.”
There was “somewhat of a lack of engagement” with the community on Taco Bell’s part.
The question had been raised about whether Taco Bell would consider closing earlier than 3 a.m., but the Taco Bell rep present didn’t have the authority to negotiate the closing hours and would have to consult with corporate headquarters.
The cantina manager who would open the Court Street cantina would be transferred to another job soon afterward, meaning there wouldn’t be anybody at Taco Bell whom the community could contact if problems arise.

CB2’s executive committee is scheduled to vote on 58 Court St.’s liquor license application on Monday, Feb. 25.

Slushies at the Taco Bell Cantina on Flatbush Avenue are served with or without liqour, depending on your preference.

Nationwide expansion in urban locations

Community boards play a purely advisory role in liquor license applications. The New York State Liquor Authority is the entity that will decide the proposed cantina’s fate.

Taco Bell is on a nationwide expansion campaign in urban locations, a switch from its traditional focus on constructing suburban restaurants with drive-through service, Eater New York reported in 2017.

The chain has already opened a cantina in Flatbush right across the street from Kings Theatre.

The 1034 Flatbush Ave. eatery was packed after a concert on Monday night.

A Taco Bell Cantina like this one on Flatbush Avenue is planned for 58 Court St.

Another Taco Bell Cantina is at 1359 Broadway in Bushwick.

A spokesperson for Taco Bell did not provide comment about the 58 Court St. liquor license application.

The 58 Court St. storefront is a commercial condominium that belongs to Court Associates LLC with Constance Forman as member, city Finance Department records indicate.