Tacos N’ More dry no more

Look for the tap not to run dry at Tacos N’ More, 19171 North John Wayne Parkway, following last week’s decision by the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses & Control.

Tacos N’ More was granted a liquor license, ending the application and hearing process which took several months.

According to Public Information Officer Wes Kuhl of the DLLC, Tacos N’ More now has the ability to sell beer, wine and hard spirits with a restaurant liquor license. Kuhl noted that it is normal for the board to hear a case approximately three months after a local governing body has made its recommendation.

Mercy and Jesus Vasquez had submitted the application requesting they be allowed to serve liquor at their establishment.

“We’re very, very happy,” Mercy Vasquez said. “It was a long struggle to get it,” Vasquez said. She added that the license took effect as soon as it was received.

Several councilmen had spoken out at a city council meeting back in June against the proposed liquor license the restaurant was seeking. The major concern was that Tacos N’ More was less than 300 feet from a school site.

Theresa Morse, a liquor licensing consultant, spoke on behalf of the applicants at the time. Morse, who said she spent 13 years at the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses & Control, told council that the 300 foot rule (distance required from a church or school for an establishment to sell liquor) does not apply to restaurants. The ruling does apply to a bar, beer and wine bar or liquor store licenses.

“They (Mercy and Jesus Vasquez) have put their lifesavings into this place,” Morse said. “They just want to sell beer to compliment their food.”

According to paperwork that had been submitted with the application for the liquor license, the restaurant can currently seat up to 40 patrons. Morse indicated that there is no bar inside the facility, and it is all dining room seating.