More Details Behind Hillcrest’s Not For Profit Taco Shop

The Cohn Restaurant Group (CRG) is prepping to launch its new suite of adjacent concepts on University Avenue — BO-beau + cache, the pairing of a romantic and bohemian version of CRG’s popular bistro with a French-inspired cocktail speakeasy — and next door’s Tacos Libertad, which has been the talk of the town since last month when the local hospitality group announced that it would be running the casual eatery as a non profit.

Founders Lesley and David Cohn have shared more details about the structure behind the not for profit endeavor, which will serve a menu of tacos on housemade tortillas filled with everything from duck to skirt steak and octopus cooked over a wood fired grill. Designed and managed by Philippe Beltran, Tacos Libertad will also have a late night walk-up taco window.

With the help of an advisory committee, the Cohn Restaurant Group will choose one charity per month to receive donations from Tacos Libertad. The charities will be required to submit an application that includes proof of non profit status and a short video; once chosen, a charity may not be selected again for at least 36 months.

The amount of the donation will equal the profits that remain after accounting for operating costs, including staff salaries and ingredients, but the Cohn Restaurant Group will absorb other expenses and services; the group also makes a guarantee that each chosen charity of the month will receive no less than $3,000. A rep for the company says that the first non profit has not yet been selected but we can expect that aspect to be in place before Tacos Libertad’s currently scheduled soft opening on Wednesday, May 17.