Bird Rock Taco Shack moving to a new location in Bradenton’s Village of the Arts
Bird Rock Taco Shack, a staple in Bradenton’s Village of the Arts since 2016, is moving to a new location nearby at 1213 13th Ave. W.
Owner David Shiplett closed his previous Bird Rock Taco location two weeks ago, and hopes to reopen in December.
He is renovating a house built in 1905, located next door to MonarkArt Gallery, for the new Bird Rock Taco Shack, which has more interior and yard space, allowing him more room for patrons, more room for musicians and more room to display art work.
In the interim, while Village of the Arts is having its Día de Muertos-themed Festival of Skeletons this weekend, Shiplett will be serving his tacos from a pop-up food booth in the front yard of his new place 5-9:30 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
On the menu are an eclectic selection of tacos, including Asian barbecue, pork pastor, chicken Tinga, duck and lobster. Entertainment will be provided by a nine-piece reggae band.
“It’s a perfect fit on this corner with the vibe and the food,” Mark Gagnon of Monark Art Gallery said of his new neighbor.
Gagnon was also looking forward to the festival, having the street closed and seeing the return of visitors to the village.
“Every art gallery in the village will be open for the Day of the Dead celebration, including a couple which are reopening for the first time since the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Shiplett said.
The name for Bird Rock Taco Shack comes from Shiplett’s days living in San Diego, Calif., and one of his favorite surf spots there.
“The place was called bird rock because there was this rock that looked like a bird that helped bring in the waves,” Shiplett previously told the Herald.
A year ago, Shiplett opened Cottonmouth Southern Soul Kitchen at 1114 12th St. W., also in the Village of the Arts.
Cottonmouth continues to thrive and most customers prefer the outdoor seating, he said.
As at Cottonmouth, the music will be an important part of the scene at Bird Rock Taco Shack.
“I am not doing it for the money. I honest to God do it because I love music. I don’t have to leave the village to hear it. Every musician that comes to the village loves it. Besides, my food is better when I am happy,” Shiplett said previously.
