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Santa Rosa Taqueria receives Virginia ABC license for Clarendon location

Santa Rosa Taqueria receives Virginia ABC license for Clarendon location

Built World Arlington, VA local

The D.C.-based taqueria and margarita bar has a new license for its planned Clarendon location.

2 days ago: Virginia ABC license issued

Overview

Updated Yesterday

Santa Rosa Taqueria & Margarita Bar received a Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control license for 2815 Clarendon Blvd on November 9. The D.C.-based restaurant group had said in September it aimed to open by early October.

The license is a required permit for serving alcohol. It does not confirm the restaurant has opened or that it has all other approvals. The Clarendon location would be the second Santa Rosa Taqueria, after the original on Capitol Hill.

Why it matters

A new taqueria and margarita bar could add a dining option to Clarendon, but the license alone doesn't mean it's open.

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Key Indicators

1
Virginia ABC license issued
Restaurant license issued on Nov. 9, 2026
2
Santa Rosa Taqueria locations
The Clarendon spot would be the second, after Capitol Hill
2017
Capitol Hill opening year
The original D.C. location opened in 2017

Voices

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People Involved

MM
Micheline Mendelsohn
Deputy CEO, Sunnyside Restaurant Group
Overseeing the Clarendon opening

Organizations Involved

Santa Rosa Taqueria
Santa Rosa Taqueria
Restaurant
Planning Clarendon location

A D.C. taqueria and margarita bar known for tacos, nachos and rotating seasonal margarita flavors.
Sunnyside Restaurant Group
Sunnyside Restaurant Group
Restaurant group
Expanding Santa Rosa Taqueria to Clarendon

Family-owned restaurant group behind Santa Rosa Taqueria, Good Stuff Eatery, and We, The Pizza.
Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority
Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority
State regulatory agency
Issued license

State agency that regulates alcohol licenses in Virginia.

Timeline

November 2025 November 2026

4 events Latest: 2 days ago
Tap a bar to jump to that date

  1. Virginia ABC license issued

    Latest License

    The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority issued a restaurant license for 2815 Clarendon Blvd.

  2. Opening targeted for early October

    Statement

    Micheline Mendelsohn told ARLnow the restaurant aimed to open by early October.

  3. Santa Rosa Taqueria plans Clarendon location

    Announcement

    ARLnow reported Santa Rosa Taqueria would open at the former Seamore's spot.

  4. Seamore's closes in Clarendon

    Closure

    Seamore's seafood restaurant closed at 2815 Clarendon Blvd, vacating the space.

Scenarios

1

Santa Rosa Taqueria opens in Clarendon by end of 2026

Possible Resolves by End of 2026

Discussed by: ARLnow reporting and company statements

The restaurant received its ABC license in November. If it has cleared other inspections, it could open before the end of the year. The company had targeted early October, so a 2026 opening remains possible.

2

Opening slips to 2027

Possible Resolves by Q1 2027

Discussed by: No public prediction, but typical for restaurant build-outs

Restaurant openings often face delays beyond initial targets. If the Clarendon location does not open by December 31, 2026, it will likely open in early 2027.

3

Santa Rosa Taqueria never opens in Clarendon

Unlikely Resolves by Q2 2027

Discussed by: No public prediction

The license could be abandoned if the company changes plans. This is unlikely given the public statements and investment, but it is a possible outcome.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

2017

Santa Rosa Taqueria opens on Capitol Hill (2017)

Santa Rosa Taqueria opened its first location on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. The restaurant serves Mexican food, including tacos and nachos, and has a margarita bar with rotating seasonal flavors.

Then

The Capitol Hill location became a neighborhood spot for fast-casual Mexican food.

Now

It established the brand's model, which the Clarendon location aims to replicate.

Why this matters now

The Clarendon opening would be the second location, following the Capitol Hill template.

November 2025

Seamore's closes at 2815 Clarendon Blvd (2025)

Seamore's, a seafood restaurant, closed its location at 2815 Clarendon Blvd in Clarendon. The space became available for a new tenant.

Then

The closure left a vacancy at the Crossing Clarendon shopping center.

Now

Santa Rosa Taqueria later announced plans to take over the space.

Why this matters now

The closure created the opportunity for Santa Rosa Taqueria to enter the Clarendon market.

Sources

(3)
+1
Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority ARLnow ARLnow