First-time restaurateurs opening new vegan taco shop in Church Hill area

The one-story building near the intersection of Oakwood Avenue, P Street and Chimborazo Boulevard has sat vacant for years. (Mike Platania photo)

The Church Hill area is set to get a new taqueria. 

Rachel and Milton Rodriguez are preparing to open Taco Vegana at 1004 Oakwood Ave. 

The new restaurant is moving into a vacant building in Church Hill North near the three-way intersection of Oakwood Avenue, P Street and Chimborazo Boulevard.

Rachel and Milton Rodriguez are a married couple and first-time restaurateurs, hailing from the Shenandoah Valley and Baja California, Mexico, respectively. They said that before moving to Richmond about four years ago, they lived in Austin, Texas, where vegan Tex-Mex options were more abundant. 

“It’s not easily accessible, but you have options,” Milton said of vegan Tex-Mex food. “(It’s) something I didn’t find here in Virginia and I think there’s a huge need for it here.”

Milton and Rachel Rodriguez (Courtesy Taco Vegana)

About two years ago they began looking for a location for Taco Vegana while also maintaining their careers. Milton works in financial analytics and Rachel is in HR. 

The Rodriguezes eventually found 1004 Oakwood Ave., a one-story building that had sat vacant for years. In February 2024 it sold to Sam Tuttle, a local developer who has previously done work in the Church Hill area. The Rodriguezes leased the 1,000-square-foot space and began renovating it. 

Milton said at Taco Vegana they’ll be making their own seitan, a wheat-based meat alternative, as well as vegetable-based substitutes such as cauliflower, which he said they’ll fry and use to replace Baja fish tacos. 

“Within the vegan community, there’s a lot of different types of vegans: those who are all about the meat substitutes, those who really just want more vegetable-forward dishes, and those who are gluten-free,” Rachel said. “We’re trying to be really mindful of having those types of options for everyone.”

Taco Vegana will operate with counter service and have seating for around 25. The Rodriguezes also are pursuing an ABC license to serve beer, wine and spirits within the restaurant. 

“We know that we’re sort of a niche. While I know the Church Hill community has been excited about it … at the same time I know that I’m serving vegan Mexican (food). I need everything in my arsenal to bring people in,” Milton said of the need for a full bar.  

Rachel added that the pair is also planning to add morning coffee service later. 

Taco Vegana is looking to open in late February or March.

Another recent arrival to the Church Hill dining scene is Secret Squares, a Detroit-style pizzeria that opened in the fall at 306 N. 29th St. And Chimbo Sandwich Shoppe is expected to open next month in the former 8 ½ space at 2709 E. Marshall St. 

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