Maria’s Taco Xpress in Austin sells to local investment company

Maria’s Taco Xpress, a South Lamar fixture since 1997, starting as a small food trailer and growing to a full-scale restaurant in 2006, will soon serve its last taco. Bradley Bailey, first vice president, and Adam Rabin, associate, with CBRE in Austin, represented Maria Corbalan, owner and namesake of the restaurant, in the property sale.

“Maria’s Taco Xpress has been a staple of the 78704 community for more than 24 years, first as a food truck and then as the restaurant we all know now,” said Bradley Bailey, first vice president at CBRE. “We were glad to find a locally based buyer who will bring the next phase of this location to life.”

The property has gone under contract to sell to a local, unnamed Austin-based investment company. The sale will be finalized in early November. This new ownership entity is working with Britt Morrison and Brett Maze from the Weitzman Group to find the perfect tenant for this iconic location.

“When I came to Austin from Argentina as a young girl, I fell in love with this city and its people. My restaurant has allowed me to touch so many lives over the years and for that I am incredibly grateful,” said Corbalan. “I will continue to serve everyone until the end of the year and then I am giving the business name, equipment and a trailer to my employees of 20 years. They have been amazing, especially during these recent hard times, and I hope they can bring the same delicious tacos to Austin for many years to come. The best gift the community can give me is supporting my employees on their new endeavor.”

Corbalan and her employees will continue to serve delicious food to customers through the end of the year. She will also be selling all of the iconic decorations and fixtures in the restaurant so that the Maria’s flair can find a place within other’s homes and hearts.

“I have worked very hard as a woman in this city,” said Corbalan. “When I started my restaurant in 1997, beginning with a small food trailer, I never imagined how I would be able to give back to my community and brings smiles to faces with Hippie Church and food made from the heart.”