I remember a day about a decade or so ago when my late husband, Wayne, and I walked into Jessy’s Tienda y Taqueria in Norfolk’s Ocean View.
Alejandro Romero first opened it in 2003 as a small convenience store in a strip of shops, selling the most basic of Mexican products. But two years later, when an adjacent church vacated its spot, he signed a four-year lease and began to expand.
Tacos and tortas were on the menu and, on the weekend, the eye-opening soup, menudo. It was about this time folks began telling me about Jessy’s, always with the adjectives “amazing” and “authentic” somewhere in their description.
Having spent time, sometimes extensive, with my birth mother in Texas, I, too, soon became a believer in Jessy’s. Wayne and I both loved to indulge in the fresh food and spend time walking through the market next door, perhaps picking up some baked good, chorizo or unusual packaged items.
I’ve followed Jessy’s as they opened a location in Norfolk’s Ghent and then a small five-booth outpost on the edge of the ViBe District near the Virginia Beach Oceanfront.
In a recent conversation, Alejandro’s son, Jorge, who works with other family members to run the various stores, dropped a bombshell: A full-scale Jessy’s with a market is coming to the Dam Neck area of the Beach.
The space, in the Oceana Crossing Shopping Center off Oceana Boulevard near General Booth Boulevard, will replicate the original Jessy’s. A Surf Rider restaurant and Thin Brew Line Brewing Co. are also located in the center.
“We will occupy 3,000 square feet for the restaurant, accommodating 85 guests inside and a patio with another 25. We are hoping to have it running full steam by Oct. 1,” Romero says.
Next year, there are plans to expand, he says.
“Stage Two of this project will be opening the grocery side, which will occupy 2,000 square feet by summer 2020. It will be an exact replica of Ocean View with a butcher shop, bakery, produce, and grocery aisles.”
Planning has been in the stages since March.
“This is going to be the first Jessy’s that we get to design and build from the ground up, so that will be the main difference, the image,” Romero says. “We are no longer improvising here or using an existing setting and adjusting to it. We have designed a fresh image, vibrant and lively yet warm and embracing, a reflection of our Mexican culture.”
And look for a menu that also reflects the Mexican culture, like the original Jessy’s. Romero says there will be a vast variety of traditional taco stuffings including barbecue, cabesa, lamb and lengua.
“We’ll also have the usual antojitos any reputable taqueria must offer: sopes, tostadas, gorditas, elotes, tamales and huaraches, your classic burritos, quesadillas, chimichangas and fajita entrees,” he says.
Other items include soups, ceviches and fresh crafted cocktails.
“The bar will bring La Fiesta to the strip with our traditional hand-crafted margaritas with natural fruit infusions. We love to have fun with peppers and fruits and the great combinations that yield succulent flavors. Of course, we’ll also have a wide variety of draught Mexican and local beers, wines and tequilas,” Romero says.
I’ll have more details on the new Jessy’s location in my column as they become available.
A LA CARTE: COMINGS AND GOINGS IN VIRGINIA BEACH
Here’s something to wag your tail over: The Virginia Beach SPCA is hosting Yappy Hour at New Realm Brewing Co. The event takes place 6-8 p.m. Aug. 26, which is National Dog Day.
SPCA staff will be there with adoptable animals, and you can grab a discounted beer with other animal lovers. For more information on the Virginia Beach SPCA, visit vbspca.com.
New Realm Brewing is at 1209 Craft Lane; call 757-302-8550 or visit newrealmbrewing.com.
A four-course dinner paired with Ketel One Botanical vodka cocktails takes place Aug. 27 at Lager Heads restaurant, inside the Hilton Garden Inn Virginia Beach Oceanfront. The summer-inspired event starts at 5 p.m. and is priced at $45.
Lager Heads is at 3315 Atlantic Ave; call 757-995-1400 or visit lagerheads.com.
Wine Class takes place at Bella Monte Restaurant & Enoteca on Aug. 28. The workshop is hosted by certified sommelier Kiera Hill of Vino Culture and explores vintages from Portugal.
Six wines will be discussed and sampled along with a light offering of cheese and charcuterie. The class runs from 6:30 until 8:30 p.m. Reservations are required by emailing kiera@vinocultureva.com.
Bella Monte is at 1201 Laskin Road; call 757-425-6290 or visit bellamontevb.com.
Patrick Evans-Hylton, patrickevanshylton@gmail.com?
