Taco Tuesday everyday

The largest Hispanic market in Oakland County will be opening a new restaurant location in early 2019 with the opening of Carnival Taco Shop, 1416 Walton Boulevard in Rochester Hills. Co-owner Jason Aviar, who owns and operates Carnival with his two brothers, Joseph and Chris, said the Rochester Hills location is part of a branching out of the brothers’ Pontiac-based market that opened almost 10 years ago. “Inside the market, we started a hot food counter like you would see at other grocery stores, with Mexican-style food, “ Aviar said. “Over time, the hot food counter turned into a restaurant. We have a dining area with seating for about 70.” Based on authentic Mexican offerings, the success of the Pontiac restaurant led to the opening of a second location, with Carnival Fresh Mex in downtown Detroit’s Penobscot Building, 645 Griswold Street, Detroit. The restaurant also was voted “Best Authentic Mexican Cuisine” by viewers of WDIV Channel 4. The Rochester Hills location will be the third location for Carnival. “We don’t Americanize it,” Aviar said about the tacos, tortas, elote corn and other Mexican street eats offered at the locations. The Rochester Hills location will be about 1,500 square feet, and will offer some additional items, such as homemade chips and salsa, and sauces that aren’t found in most mainstream markets. Aviar said the Rochester Hills location is expected to open in January 2019.

Business Matters for the Rochester area are reported by Kevin Elliott. Send items for consideration to KevinElliott@downtownpublications.com. Items should be received three weeks prior to publication.