Melendez recently announced that he was taking a step back from the restaurant world to focus his efforts on catering. To do that, he will have to close Twisted Taino. Like many present-day operators, the chef-owner cited a number of economic factors that make running a full-service restaurant a daily struggle: “the decline in business, high rent and shortage of people willing to work,” among them, he said.
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But Parma residents have something delicious to look forward to. After Twisted Taino departs, a new concept, Hot Nachitas Taqueria, will open on April 1st. Owned by Cristina Melendez and Nena Lopez, the fast-casual eatery will offer “Mexican family recipes” for preparing foods like cochinita pibil, carnitas, carne asada, chicken tinga and al pastor, which will be dished up in the form of salads, tacos, tortas, quesadillas, burritos and rice bowls.
Melendez describes the developments as “bittersweet,” but he takes pride in his many accomplishments.
“After 5 years, starting a restaurant in the middle of a pandemic against all odds, many recognitions and awards, and thousands of satisfied clients that have become friends and family,” he states.
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