Rreal Tacos is Opening Soon in Tampa — And It Wants a Local Artist to Leave Their Mark
Atlanta-born restaurant group launches search for a Tampa Bay artist to hand-paint its iconic logo outside its new downtown location ahead of next month’s opening.
Tampa, FL, August 22, 2026 --(PR.com)-- Rreal Tacos is getting ready to open the doors to its first Florida restaurant in downtown Tampa — but before they open their doors, the Atlanta-born restaurant group wants a Tampa Bay artist to help officially put its mark on the city.
With opening day now just weeks away, Rreal Tacos is launching a search for a local artist to hand-paint the Rreal Tacos logo outside the new Tampa restaurant, creating an original piece of public-facing artwork that will welcome guests to the brand’s first Florida location.
And they’re not looking for just anyone with a paintbrush.
Rreal Tacos wants to hear from established Tampa Bay muralists, street artists, painters and creatives who understand the personality, energy and culture of the community the restaurant is about to call home.
“We could have just put up the Rreal Tacos sign, cut a ribbon, open the doors and called it a day. But that’s not how we want to enter Tampa. We want someone from this community to physically leave their mark on our first Florida restaurant. We want Rreal Tacos Tampa to feel like it belongs here from day one,” said Damian Otero, CEO of Rreal Tacos.
From Atlanta to Tampa
Rreal Tacos has spent the past decade growing from a single Midtown Atlanta restaurant into one of the Southeast’s fastest-growing independent Mexican hospitality groups. Since acquiring the brand in 2021, partners Damian Otero and Miguel Hernandez have expanded Rreal Tacos throughout metro Atlanta while maintaining an unconventional approach to growth: the company is not a franchise, has no private equity backing or outside investors, and develops its operators and leadership from within. Tampa represents a major milestone: the company’s first restaurant outside Georgia and the beginning of a larger investment in Florida. The new downtown Tampa restaurant is expected to open within the 30 days, bringing Rreal Tacos’ authentic Mexican flavors, handmade tortillas, high-energy atmosphere and hospitality-driven experience to the Bay area. But the team doesn’t want to simply transplant Atlanta into Tampa.
They want Tampa to help shape what comes next.
Calling All Tampa Bay Artists.
The hand-painted logo is intended to be one of the first examples of that philosophy. Rreal Tacos is currently seeking artists from throughout the Tampa Bay area interested in putting their own craftsmanship behind one of the restaurant’s most recognizable brand elements. Artists interested in being considered are encouraged to submit their work by sending a DM on Instagram or TikTok. Every submission will be reviewed by the Director of Construction, Javy Hernandez, along with the Rreal Tacos leadership team. The selected artist will work with the Rreal Tacos team on the installation ahead of the restaurant’s grand opening. The selected artist will also receive compensation of $2,000 for the completed work.
“This is bigger than painting our logo on a wall,” said Javy Hernandez, Director of Construction of Rreal Tacos. “It’s another way for us to start building relationships here. We want to know Tampa’s artists, its personalities, its businesses and the people who make this city what it is.” That community-first approach has become part of the Rreal Tacos personality in Atlanta, where the company is known for embracing hometown culture and finding unconventional ways to celebrate local personalities — including its headline-making partnership with Atlanta’s “Beltline Kevin.” Now, the team is looking forward to discovering the people who give Tampa its personality.
The Countdown Is On Additional details surrounding the Tampa restaurant’s official opening date, grand opening festivities and community partnerships will be announced in the coming weeks.
With opening day now just weeks away, Rreal Tacos is launching a search for a local artist to hand-paint the Rreal Tacos logo outside the new Tampa restaurant, creating an original piece of public-facing artwork that will welcome guests to the brand’s first Florida location.
And they’re not looking for just anyone with a paintbrush.
Rreal Tacos wants to hear from established Tampa Bay muralists, street artists, painters and creatives who understand the personality, energy and culture of the community the restaurant is about to call home.
“We could have just put up the Rreal Tacos sign, cut a ribbon, open the doors and called it a day. But that’s not how we want to enter Tampa. We want someone from this community to physically leave their mark on our first Florida restaurant. We want Rreal Tacos Tampa to feel like it belongs here from day one,” said Damian Otero, CEO of Rreal Tacos.
From Atlanta to Tampa
Rreal Tacos has spent the past decade growing from a single Midtown Atlanta restaurant into one of the Southeast’s fastest-growing independent Mexican hospitality groups. Since acquiring the brand in 2021, partners Damian Otero and Miguel Hernandez have expanded Rreal Tacos throughout metro Atlanta while maintaining an unconventional approach to growth: the company is not a franchise, has no private equity backing or outside investors, and develops its operators and leadership from within. Tampa represents a major milestone: the company’s first restaurant outside Georgia and the beginning of a larger investment in Florida. The new downtown Tampa restaurant is expected to open within the 30 days, bringing Rreal Tacos’ authentic Mexican flavors, handmade tortillas, high-energy atmosphere and hospitality-driven experience to the Bay area. But the team doesn’t want to simply transplant Atlanta into Tampa.
They want Tampa to help shape what comes next.
Calling All Tampa Bay Artists.
The hand-painted logo is intended to be one of the first examples of that philosophy. Rreal Tacos is currently seeking artists from throughout the Tampa Bay area interested in putting their own craftsmanship behind one of the restaurant’s most recognizable brand elements. Artists interested in being considered are encouraged to submit their work by sending a DM on Instagram or TikTok. Every submission will be reviewed by the Director of Construction, Javy Hernandez, along with the Rreal Tacos leadership team. The selected artist will work with the Rreal Tacos team on the installation ahead of the restaurant’s grand opening. The selected artist will also receive compensation of $2,000 for the completed work.
“This is bigger than painting our logo on a wall,” said Javy Hernandez, Director of Construction of Rreal Tacos. “It’s another way for us to start building relationships here. We want to know Tampa’s artists, its personalities, its businesses and the people who make this city what it is.” That community-first approach has become part of the Rreal Tacos personality in Atlanta, where the company is known for embracing hometown culture and finding unconventional ways to celebrate local personalities — including its headline-making partnership with Atlanta’s “Beltline Kevin.” Now, the team is looking forward to discovering the people who give Tampa its personality.
The Countdown Is On Additional details surrounding the Tampa restaurant’s official opening date, grand opening festivities and community partnerships will be announced in the coming weeks.
Contact
Rreal Tacos
Wilson Radilla
678-733-5132
Wilson Radilla
678-733-5132
Contact
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