Love Local: Boho Taco Brings Together Casual Mexican and Top-Flight Service
Visit Tech Square for an easy, relaxed meal and an atmosphere that invites you to stay.
09/18/2024
BY BRIAN CARR
Looking to shake up your lunch plans? Step inside the light and airy Boho Taco at West Peachtree and 5th Streets for an easy, relaxed meal and an atmosphere that invites you to stay. We sat down with directing partner Joseph Karam to talk about his new venture on the edge of Tech Square, and what makes the Boho Taco experience really special. Read on:
Fast Casual Mexican at Tech Square
Joseph Karam is a third-generation restaurateur, with a deep-rooted connection to the industry. His grandfather owned several "meat and three" southern food restaurants and his father started investing in restaurants in 1990. Karam has nearly 20 years of experience with restaurants in Midtown, including Ray’s New York Pizza at Tech Square. And right next door to Ray’s, Karam introduced a bright new concept that brings together casual Mexican and top-flight service.
“You're as good as your last plate, and there's urgency with that,” Karam said. “As our whole industry is still digging out from the pandemic, we are grateful for everybody that comes in the door. Especially here in Midtown where we have so many regulars.”
Focused Menu, Scratch Kitchen + Excellent Service
The carne asada taco is a must-try. It’s marinated fresh every day. Boho Taco’s bar program features relaxed versions of popular drinks, with the Boho Margarita and Paloma among the more popular offerings. In addition, they have 16 beers on draft.
“We have a pretty narrow scope on our menu and that's on purpose,” Karam said. “I take a lot of pride in having a scratch kitchen, but it's counter service. We do it at a high level, it’s efficient and it’s fast. We put a lot of thought into our menu. You can't be everything to everybody, but we hit all the notes. I feel like it's the greatest hits of quick Mexican.”
With so many choices in Midtown, why stop by Boho Taco? Karam says it’s about the excellent service his team of 17 people-pleasing staff members will deliver.
“We are strong advocates for our customers,” Karam said. “I’m incredibly fortunate to have a team that genuinely cares about our customers and shares in the vision. We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished in such a short time, but we're always focused on how we can improve.”
With a foothold established at Tech Square and good traffic for lunch and dinner, what is Karam planning next? Look for a breakfast menu in the future, along with live music for special events and Yellow Jackets football gamedays.
What’s in a Name?
Karam said when he first walked through the space, it felt dark and uninviting. He immediately envisioned transforming it into a brighter, more welcoming environment. As he began researching design elements, he found himself naturally drawn to the Bohemian style: light, playful, free-spirited and rooted in organic forms. From the large windows looking out on 5th Street to the open dining room layout, Boho Taco is inviting and comfortable like your favorite pair of blue jeans. It’s also pretty neat that Karam’s business partner Nasser Samad also put his amazing gardening skills to work, bringing the restaurant’s exterior to life.
“I had spoken with him because I know he has a green thumb at home,” Karam said of Samad. “He asked me ‘Would it be okay if I brought in some greenery?’ And the next thing I know it's like an oasis. Most mornings, I look outside and there's somebody on the patio taking a photo of a green pepper, or a lime or some basil. The greenery attracts people. They really get a sense that we care about the food we're putting on the table.”
The Ideal Match for Midtown’s Growing Population
Gazing out the windows at Boho Taco, Karam can see the new Tech Square III construction site directly across the street that will deliver a new multi-use tower for academics and commerce. But he sees more than just steel and glass: he’s thinking about how more potential customers can walk over and experience his restaurants.
“There's a real vision in terms of creating walkability that Atlanta has lacked for a long time,” Karam said. “Midtown's becoming very walkable. I think that Georgia Tech is bringing in a lot of businesses because they want to recruit Georgia Tech talent. And with what Midtown Alliance has been able to do over the years, it’s creating an atmosphere where people want to be.”
Two restaurants, Boho Taco and Ray’s New York Pizza. Side by side on 5th Street in the center of the action. Where professors, entrepreneurs, students and business execs all mix together on the sidewalk. For Karam, optimism about the present and the future points skyward.
“This is the best part of Atlanta,” he said. “You have just so many different types of people, different lifestyles. It's alive.”
Plan Your Visit:
Boho Taco is located on the edge of Tech Square at the corner of West Peachtree and 5th Streets.
22 5th St NW
Atlanta, GA 30308
678-605-5021
Hours:
Sun—Wed 11am-9pm
Thu—Sat 11am-10pm
