Chef Jackson Boxer has stepped in to help veteran Notting Hill cantina Taqueria “get its mojo back” as it enters its third decade. The Westbourne Grove venue will close on Monday next week (23 February) for a brief make-over before reopening on Tuesday 3 March as TAQ.
Originally a street stall, Taqueria moved into its permanent premises 21 years ago and established a reputation as one of the “very few good Mexican restaurants in London”, according to the 2026 Harden’s guide.
Jackson knows all about changing tack: he rebooted his nearby restaurant Orasay as Dove just over a year ago. For the new TAQ project, he is working with culinary director Eduardo Yishima (formerly of CDMX Tacos in Soho) on developing a new menu that combines classic Mexican staples – tacos, tostadas and quesadillas – with blackboard specials including a fish torta based on the fish bun that was an Orasay favourite.
Jackson and his Dove team are providing mentorship and support during the changes, while the current Taqueria squad remain in their roles, including chef Elias Marin and managers Milton Vazquez and Natalia Patino.
Jackson says: “Taqueria already had an amazing team with huge potential – it just needed an exciting new offering and identity to breathe new life into the place. Knowing that my good friend Eduardo was looking for a new project, it made perfect sense to bring them together.”
There is no word as yet on the future of Taqueria’s second branch, in Exmouth Market, although if the switch to TAQ is a big success, we might expect a similar change to follow.