The demand for tacos continues to grow in Vancouver. Two of the city’s most popular Mexican restaurants will be expanding in January 2015.

Tacofino, which started as a Tofino-based food truck in 2009 and opened as a restaurant in Vancouver in 2013, announced today (December 16) that it will open a new location in Gastown next year. The flagship restaurant in Blood Alley Square will be called the Taco Bar.

“This is definitely an exciting new chapter in our ongoing story,” Kaeli Robinsong, who co-founded Tacofino and co-owns the Taco Bar, stated in a news release. “We’re looking forward to showcasing our new space and unveiling an expanded menu that will offer Tacofino favourites alongside some new and imaginative dishes and share plates.”

To pair with tacos and other Mexican-inspired offerings, the Taco Bar will feature tequila- and mezcal-based cocktails as well as local and Mexican beer. The 3,000-square foot dining room will include 80 seats, with 20 more at the bar.

During warmer months, a 420-square-foot patio facing Blood Alley Square will be open. A separate entrance at 15 West Cordova will offer premade tacos and burritos for takeout.

Across Burrard Inlet, Vancouver’s five-year-old La Taqueria “pinche taco shop” is opening its first location on the North Shore. The restaurant and commissary kitchen at 1305 Welch Street, North Vancouver, is also slated for a January opening.

The commissary kitchen will produce corn tortillas for all La Taqueria locations (322 West Hastings; 2549 Cambie Street). The North Vancouver location will also offer a taco menu.