Borderline to mezzanine

Nearly Texas: Damian Avalos opened up his Tex-Mex style North Border Taco truck in late 2013 with his mom, Maria, and they’ve been a staple outside local breweries ever since. Now, Avalos is taking North Border a step further with the South Sacramento taco stand (3721 47th Avenue), which should be open any day now. At press time, Avalos was waiting for one last inspection.

The brick-and-mortar carries the same menu as the truck, with a few more specials. No alcohol yet, but Avalos said he plans to eventually build an outdoor beer bar serving regional brews. Expansion plans continue later this month with a second North Border Taco truck on April 24.

Why Tex-Mex? Avalos, a Sacramento native, moved to Texas with his Texas-born wife for a few years, where he attended culinary school and got his start in professional kitchens.

“That’s just our style,” Avalos said. “It’s what we know.”

Co-op update: The next iteration of the Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op is still on track to open right behind Temple Coffee at 29th and R streets in April 2016. General manager Paul Cultrera shared details, floor plans and renderings at a luncheon last week, emphasizing the four-level parking garage and lot with 118 spaces available weekdays and an additional 198 spaces nights and weekends. Plus, 36 sheltered bike parking spots and a bicycle repair station.

“Parking has been our big issue, and with more parking, we think we’ll have an easier time getting people in,” Cultrera said, alluding to future competition with Whole Foods opening in Midtown.

The $9.5 million project will expand the grocery store from 16,000 square feet to 26,000 square feet, plus a 16,000 square-foot mezzanine. Artist renderings depict a modern, clean look with lots of natural wood, plus an emphasis on eco-friendly materials. The upstairs will house offices and classrooms as well as indoor- and balcony-dining areas. The downstairs grocery store will feature expanded produce, meat and deli departments, with a bigger emphasis on prepared foods.

Ah yes, the food! Cultrera said there will be a big self-service hot and cold food bar, and a larger grab-and-go section along with separate bars for burritos, sandwiches, pizza, ice cream and coffee. And for the first time, the co-op will do much of its baking and desserts in-house. Probably not a bread-baking sort of bakery, Cultrera said, but yes to cookies, pies and pastries galore.