Barroco Grill, Hola Tacos Shutter Multiple Locations

Owners cite family health matters as reason for closures of popular Cleveland-area restaurants.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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The father-son team behind the popular Barroco Grill and Hola Tacos restaurants have announced the abrupt closure of multiple locations, including the original Barroco Grill in Lakewood and the Westlake Barroco Grill. The owners say the decision is not due to lack of business, but rather a need to step back for family health reasons after rapid expansion over the past 15 years.

Why it matters

The Barroco Grill and Hola Tacos restaurants have been beloved fixtures in the Cleveland dining scene, known for their Colombian street food and tacos. The closures mark the end of an era for the family-owned business, which had grown to multiple locations across the region.

The details

Carlos and Juan Vergara opened the original 12-seat Barroco Grill in Lakewood in 2011, which quickly became a local sensation. They then expanded to the east side, opening a Larchmere location in 2017 and a Crocker Park location in 2018. In addition, they opened Hola Tacos restaurants in Lakewood and Willoughby. However, this week the Lakewood and Westlake Barroco Grill locations have closed, and the Lakewood Hola Tacos is on hiatus until spring. The owners say the decision is not due to lack of business, but rather a need to step back for family health reasons after rapid growth over the past 15 years.

  • Barroco Grill opened its original 12-seat location in Lakewood in 2011.
  • Barroco Grill expanded to the east side, opening a Larchmere location in 2017.
  • Barroco Grill opened a Crocker Park location in 2018.
  • This week, the Lakewood and Westlake Barroco Grill locations have closed.
  • The Lakewood Hola Tacos location is on hiatus until spring.

The players

Carlos Vergara

Co-owner of Barroco Grill and Hola Tacos, part of the father-son team that founded the popular restaurants.

Juan Vergara

Co-owner of Barroco Grill and Hola Tacos, part of the father-son team that founded the popular restaurants.

Barroco Grill

A popular Colombian street food restaurant with multiple locations in the Cleveland area.

Hola Tacos

A taco restaurant with locations in Lakewood and Willoughby, owned by the Vergara family.

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What they’re saying

“We, as a family, are beginning to take a step back.”

— Juan Vergara, Co-owner, Barroco Grill and Hola Tacos (Cleveland Scene)

“Obviously, it's a sad moment for us, but it's also a super-proud moment because we're stepping away with a lot of dignity.”

— Juan Vergara, Co-owner, Barroco Grill and Hola Tacos (Cleveland Scene)

What’s next

The Larchmere Barroco Grill location and the Amazonia restaurant in Lakewood will remain open, and the owners say they will likely shift the other closed locations to 'good operators' in the coming months.

The takeaway

The closure of multiple Barroco Grill and Hola Tacos locations marks the end of an era for the beloved family-owned restaurant group, which had rapidly expanded across the Cleveland area over the past 15 years. The owners cite family health matters as the reason for stepping back, despite the restaurants' continued success.