Traveling Taco Bar

vivAtAcobAR .coM delivers on any event

On a regular Tuesday morning, Brendan Searls, owner of Viva Modern Mexican Restaurant, fielded a desperate call from a local tech company in Santa Barbara. Due to a scheduling mix-up, they suddenly found themselves in need of a catered lunch for 50 people within just a few hours of their event.

Wanting to help, Searls and his chefs put their heads together and formulated a plan to create a portable taco bar from Viva’s menu in time to avert disaster. That first taco bar, complete with varied gourmet taco choices and toppings, house-made tortillas, sides, and salad, was delivered and set up, leaving no sign that there had been any hiccup in the original

Catering Profile

plans. The tacos were such a hit and the response so enthusiastic that Searls couldn’t help but get to thinking. Together with his managers and kitchen staff the concept of Vivatacobar. com was born.

Just months before, Searls and his team had rebranded Cielito Restaurant and opened Viva Modern Mexican. The vision was to bring back to the La Arcada Plaza a casual and fun Mexican restaurant with a contemporary sense — serving food you might find in a similar restaurant in Mexico City today.

“Just about every local has fond memories of passing a sunny afternoon here, enjoying the friendly atmosphere and dining around the Turtle Fountain,” Searls commented.

Nowadays the cycle starts as early as 5 each morning as the culinary team at Viva Modern Mexican begins the process of preparing the day’s all made-from-scratch offerings. The care and precision that goes into the prep at Viva is obvious with the first bite

The same attention to quality and taste is paramount for the catering/delivery little sister, Vivatacobar.com. Formally launched last month, the catering arm has already served groups as varied as office lunches, corporate gatherings, and beach parties. “Where there’s a table, there can be a Taco Bar.” says Searls.

The user-friendly Taco Bar website ensures that anyone in need of affordable yet truly gourmet catered food can have it delivered hot to their table just about anywhere in Santa Barbara County. Whether serving a group of 10 or a major gathering of 500, the unique service offers varied and delicious selections made with the highest quality and, whenever possible, locally sourced ingredients.

Handmade tortillas, slow-cooked meats, time-honored recipes and a fresh selection of salsas make for a unique and memorable gourmet experience wherever the event takes place. The Taco Bar offers choices of fillings, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. Vegetarian rice and beans, the traditional shaved cabbage, a selection of fresh salsas and toppings, fresh chips and Viva’s award-winning guacamole complete the occasion. Everything is delivered and set up ready to serve, complete with serving utensils and recyclable chafing dishes and that keep the food hot for up to two hours.

Bridging the gap between basic food delivery and gourmet catering, Viva Taco Bar has been met with great market enthusiasm. “Everyone who orders once wants to order again,” remarked manager Jake Hildebrand. “After ordering a Taco Bar for 10 employees, one of our early clients ordered one for 450 people two days later!”

From the ease of use of the website, the convenience of the service, and the quality and affordability of the food, this service has become a catering coup. A few examples of the varied groups that have discovered this service so far include a wrap party for ABC’s “The Catch,” weddings, rehearsal dinners, christenings, quinceaneras, and many corporate events and private parties. With over 150 taco bars already delivered and devoured, the overwhelming feedback is an enthusiastic olé.

-By Raymond Bloom

Orders taken at Vivatacobar com