Screaming Goat Taqueria moves to larger locale, creates special-event space at old address
By Jane Bartnett
It’s been a very busy summer at Gulf Gate’s wildly popular, award-winning Screaming Goat Taqueria.
A go-to dining spot for the past five years, those who love tacos and chef and owner Malin Parker’s own twist on modern Latin street food should know the business has moved to a larger space at 6566 Gateway Ave. The original location at 6606 Superior Ave. is now the site of Screaming Goat Taqueria Events.
“We outgrew the restaurant space on Superior Avenue,” Parker said. “Creating an event space was something that people had been asking for.”
The new space can comfortably accommodate 30 to 35 people at a time. Louise Faras-Dorst, director of catering, reported that this summer a New Jersey couple hosted their wedding rehearsal dinner there.
“We had 45 people there. Everyone had a wonderful time,” Faras-Dorst said.
In creating the unique event space in the heart of Gulf Gate, Parker said that his goal is to not only offer a special place for family gatherings but one for special corporate and business occasions.
On July 14, the Screaming Goat held a private kick-off party in the new space for the Gulf Gate business community. Faras-Dorst hand-delivered the invitations to local store owners the week before the party.
“Mix and mingle. Bring your business cards! This will be an opportunity to meet other professional herein our Gulf Gate neighborhood,” the invitation read. That evening, between 30 and 40 business owners and friends dropped in to toast the new Screaming Great Taqueria Events location.
The sense of camaraderie was evident as introductions were made and business cards exchanged.
“This is a close-knit group,” said Lili Kinsman, owner of Butter Curated Thrift on Superior Avenue.
New businesses owners such as Eric Sauer of the Natural Apothecary Shoppe on Gateway Avenue, with Emmy Award-winning NBC makeup artist Laurie Lombardi, plus Clare Jerome of Clarabell Cookies on Mall Drive, mingled with longtime Gulf Gate business owners Loyola D’Sa of Gateway Media and web and marketing guru Antonio Guerrero of Sarasota Web Marketing.
“Gulf Gate is changing for the better,” Guerrero said.
Also on hand was the designer of the Screaming Goat Taqueria logo, Pete Olszak. He owns Big Wave Graphics.
“I love Latin cuisine,” said Parker, speaking of his restaurant and its growth. “I worked in a Dallas restaurant and that’s where I fell in love with Latin food. Tacos are comfort food. All of our food is homemade and healthy. We’re a gluten-free destination.”
In fact, one half of the Screaming Goat Taqueria menu items are vegan.
The welcoming space at the Screaming Goat Taqueria Events on Superior Avenue mirrors the ambiance at the new larger Gulf Gate Avenue restaurant. It has a more intimate feel with space for mingling as well as tables and chairs. A flat-screen television is mounted on the wall for media presentations.
Custom catering is offered for both offices and homes.
“We’ve catered many events at people’s homes on Siesta Key and off the Key,” Parker said. “Lots of destination weddings, rehearsal parties, baby showers and other special occasions. This summer has been a busy time for us. We do a lot of office deliveries during the day.” Business in June, he noted, has been “up 50% year-on-year.”
Custom catering offerings include:
Breakfast: Breakfast tacos or breakfast burritos along with a selection of croissants, scones and muffins as well as juice, water, tea and coffee.
Lunch/ Bowls: Tacos, bowls and toppings as well as water and a selection of bottled sodas.
Small Bites: When it’s cocktail time, the Screaming Goat offerings include a selection of mini-tacos, chips and guacamole and salsa along with wine, beer and soda. There is an option to offer served wine and beer or as a cash bar.
Before opening the Screaming Goat Taqueria, Parker honed his craft at the Culinary Institute of America. He spent his early career working as an executive chef in large hotels, as corporate development chef for TGI Friday’s, and in Sarasota as executive catering chef at Morton’s Gourmet Market.
In addition to his work at the restaurant, Parker also finds time to give back to the community, teaching Sarasota County school children about nutrition, eating and cooking locally.
To support local businesses, every other Tuesday from noon to 1:30 p.m. small business owners are invited to attend the Screaming Goat Taqueria Events Small Business Networking Lunches. In August, they are on the 9th and 23rd. There is a fee of $12 cash, per person.
On the first Wednesday of every month, business card mixers will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Screaming Goat Taqueria Events space, with a fee of $10 per person.
“These local business events will benefit the non-profit Jed Foundation,” said Parker. The national organization works to prevent teen and young adult suicide.
Visit online at Screaming-goat.com, or call (941) 312-1674.
Author: Jane Bartnett