Tere's Latin Market Adding Full Restaurant Next Door

When the Quizno's sub shop next to Tere's Latin Market on Route 40 closed about two months ago, the owners of the market saw an opportunity.

The market already had a popular Mexican restaurant in the back—owner Teresa Carino said that at lunchtime the line would extend to the front door of the shop—but there wasn't enough space to grow.

So Tere's acquired the old sub shop and next month it plans to open a full restaurant next door to their market.

"We are 100 percent excited," said Carino.

About three years ago, Carino and her husband Jose started serving tacos, tortas and pupusas in the back of their market, which is located at 8525 Baltimore National Pike. Over time, through word of mouth, the customer base grew until there wasn't enough space to sit down at a table during lunchtime, according to Carino.

"I felt bad for the customers," said Carino. That prompted the owners to make the decision to expand.

Carino said the culinary skill comes from her husband, Jose, who has been a cook for 22 years.

"Everything we make is fresh," said Carino. "We prepare everything in the morning. We use the right spices."

She said that with the additional space they plan to add new menu items, one being Peruvian chicken.

The manager, Omar Alvarez, said they are planning to open the new restaurant sometime between June 19 and June 25.

The restaurant is in the process of obtaining a liquor license, but has not yet applied for one, although they plan to have a full bar, according to Carino.

Alvarez said once they obtain the license, they'll sell drinks like margaritas, mojitos and micheladas. He said micheladas are not common in the area, but are great for hangovers. The drink includes beer, hot sauce, tomato juice, Worcestershire sauce and black pepper, Alvarez said.

The new space is expected to seat about 25 - 30 people and construction is just about finished, according to Alvarez.

Carino said they plan to open even if they haven't obtained a liquor license.

After the new space opens, the owners plan to add a bakery to the back of the market.

Alvarez said the bakery will specialize in latin baked goods such as tres leches cake and Mexican breads.

Carino said they're going to hold off on the bakery until the restaurant is established and running smoothly.

"We go step by step," said Carino.

H/T to HowChow Blog for the tip.