By Kathy Chouteau
Richmond’s Sabor Italiano is, at heart, a family affair.
After Juan Tamayo was laid off from San Francisco’s Towns End Restaurant & Bakery during the pandemic, ending a nearly 30-year tenure, an idea started hatching that now has wings.
Today, Juan has joined his sons Omar and Edwin Tamayo to create Sabor Italiano, which means “Italian flavor” in a Spanish-Italian language mash-up. Omar Tamayo, who recently became the father of a newborn son, told the Standard that his own father worked in the food industry “for as long as he can remember.” When he lost his job, “they got the idea to start something of their own.”
The home-based, Italian-Mexican fusion eatery brings a little Mexican heat to Italian flavors, according to Omar, who said the heat comes with a lot of heart too. Permitted since January, Sabor Italiano welcomes curbside pick-ups Friday, Sunday and Monday from 3-9 p.m. at the family’s home at 174 Marcus Ave. in Richmond. On its open days/hours, customers can preorder via the eatery’s Instagram page messaging at @saboritaliano510, which also has the latest menu posted. The family responds with the order’s ETA, and tap pay is accepted.
According to Omar, the family uses homemade sauces and Acme bread, giving it that special Italian touch. Menu favorites range from the Crazy Alfredo, to the Brisket Sandwich, to the Spicy Penne. He said customers can also order any of their pastas in an Acme sourdough bowl, which is really popular. Agua Frescas are also available for sale.
The family plans “to get a food trailer soon,” hopefully by the end of this year, said Omar, if everything goes according to their financial plan. He was also quick to give props to Kitchen@812 out of Pinole, which “provided a lot of valuable information for first-time business owners.”
Richmond has a history of success when it comes to homespun Mexican eateries taking flight. One example includes Masa, which started with a mother and son selling tamales on a street corner to become a multi-restaurant empire in Point Richmond, with a second Masa location on San Pablo Avenue, Johnny Boi smash burgers, Extreme Pizza, and another, yet-to-be-named dessert establishment on the horizon.
Again, preorder Sabor Italiano via its Instagram page messaging at @saboritaliano510 and pick up orders curbside at 174 Marcus Ave. in Richmond.
