Q&A: Pilo’s Tequila Garden Grand Opening in Wynwood

Pilo’s Tequila Garden Grand Opening in Wynwood from World Red Eye Films on Vimeo.

Miami, FL – February 25 – 26, 2021 – Located in the heart of Miami’s artistic Wynwood neighborhood, Pilo’s Tequila Garden by restaurateur Derek Gonzalez is the newest location for authentic Mexican food, street tacos, late-night bites, interactive and visually stunning art pieces, and an inclusive environment for the entire community to enjoy. The 5,500-square-foot indoor/outdoor restaurant embodies the cultural essence of Mexico and features a large outdoor Tequila Garden that is set to become Miami’s ultimate gathering place.

Owned and founded by Gonzalez, Pilo’s Street Tacos is a mission-based company striving to empower and hire individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities — which Pilo’s calls “special abilities” — to help them achieve their dreams, increase their independence, and provide companionship. The new Wynwood location, in addition to the Brickell outpost, is proud to be one of the top employers of individuals with special abilities in South Florida and an advocate for shattering the national disability employment wage gap. Gonzalez’s Aunt Pilo was the driving force that led him to employ a workforce inclusive of individuals with special needs, and he has pledged to keep her memory alive by continuing to make a difference on a global scale. Pilo’s partners with organizations such as Gigi’s Playhouse, Best Buddies, and Our Pride Academy to employ these individuals.

“When I moved to Miami, I longed for the flavors, spices and recipes my Aunt Pilo used to make when I was a child in Mexico City,” explained Gonzalez. “Now with our new Wynwood flagship location, we have taken the first step in our plans to bring Pilo’s Street Tacos and Pilo’s Tequila Garden to other neighborhoods and achieve our goal of employing individuals with special needs across the country.”

World Red Eye caught up with “Taco Papo” Derek Gonzalez at the grand-opening in Wynwood to get a taste of the world’s first ever tequila garden. Read the full Q&A below.

By Gaby Cuevas

WRE: Tell us about the Pilo’s Street Tacos brand. What sets you apart from other hospitality brands/venues?

Derek Gonzalez: Pilo’s Street Tacos consists of Mexico’s greatest street-food hits, wrapped with a social cause. Our DNA is to experience the collaboration of Mexican culture: food, tequila, and music both indoors and outdoors! The world’s first Tequila Garden combines these three ingredients to make it the ultimate experience.

WRE: Pilo’s Tequila Garden in Wynwood will mark your second venture, following your other Pilo’s restaurant in Brickell. What exactly can guests expect at this new flagship location?

DG: I wanted to create a place where you could experience it all – food, tequila and music. So we combined all the best and created the Tequila Garden. It’s all about the experience at Pilo’s Tequila Garden. It’s the place you go to first for bites, and stay all night. It’s the best food, best music, and best experience every night.

WRE: Why did you choose to open a tequila garden, specifically?

DG: Throughout Mexico, “jardins” are common settings for restaurants, so I wanted to bring that feel to the US. The Tequila Garden has it all – great food, tequila, music and fun, outdoor atmosphere.

WRE: How do you plan to capture the essence of your childhood in Mexico City and translate it to an authentic new restaurant in Miami?

DG: I am a first-generation Mexican immigrant, and spent most of my early childhood growing up in Mexico City. In 2005, I moved to Miami to finish college and be closer to my sister. While working, living and enjoying Miami, I found a lack in the Miami Mexican cuisine and longed for the spices and flavors of my childhood in Mexico City. I became determined to create a restaurant that was authentic and true to the Mexican street tacos that I loved so much. Thus, resulted in the birth of Pilo’s Street Tacos. We are taking my favorite dishes and cocktail inspirations from all over Mexico, and combining those with vibes and music from Mexico to create a one-of-a-kind experience in Miami.

Pilo’s Street Tacos consists of Mexico’s greatest street-food hits, wrapped with a social cause. Our DNA is to experience the collaboration of Mexican culture: food, tequila, and music.

Derek Gonzalez

WRE: What kind of food and of course, tequila, can guests expect to see on the menu?

DG: We serve street food, but only using the freshest homemade ingredients. Our signature al pastor taco is the most authentic Mexican street taco. Our recipe stays true to the Mexican flavors and we cook it just like in Mexico, on a trompo (or vertical skillet that spins). The al pastor taco (“La Pilo Taco”), is what reminds me most of being at home in Mexico. As for the drinks – we have north of 30 tequilas and mezcals to choose from, focusing on quality over quantity, including añejos, reposados, and blancos by the bottle and on our cocktail menu. We aim to provide our customers with a variety of tequilas, each highlighting different flavors and notes of the agave.

WRE: Pilo’s Street Tacos is not just another restaurant business, but a mission-based company. Tell us about the causes you are committed to and how you are using your brand to help.

DG: Pilo’s Street Tacos is a mission-based company striving to empower and hire individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities — which we call “special abilities” — to help them achieve their dreams, increase their independence, and provide companionship. The new Wynwood location, in addition to the Brickell outpost, is proud to be one of the top employers of individuals with special abilities in South Florida and an advocate for shattering the national disability employment wage gap.

WRE: You’ve mentioned your Aunt Pilo serves as the inspiration behind all of your projects. What would she love most about Pilo’s Street Tacos?

DG: My late Aunt Pilo is the heart and soul behind Pilo’s. Growing up, Aunt Pilo had a huge influence on me and was a source of inspiration. Pilo was born with Down Syndrome, yet if you ask anyone who knows her, she is known for all her abilities, not disabilities. She is a master in the kitchen, a social butterfly, genuine and kind-hearted. She is authentic, warm, and hospitable, which is what we try to embody at Pilo’s. I want to keep her memory and spirit alive by providing opportunities for more individuals like her. We have a great team of people at Pilo’s that really makes everything possible – she would love them.

Pilo’s Street Tacos is a mission-based company striving to empower and hire individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to help them achieve their dreams.

Derek Gonzalez

WRE: What are your plans for the future? Any exciting projects in the works that you could share with us?

DG: My goal is to be the largest employer of people with special abilities. We hope to open more Pilo’s Street Tacos and Tequila Garden locations soon. We have some things in the works and cannot wait to let everyone know about our new locations.