TAYLOR — Call it innovative. Call it a flame-kissed collection of cultural flavors. Just don’t call it fusion.
“We’re not really fans of the word fusion. It’s a mixtape of flavors here and there’s a lot of different inspirations for our food so the name really encompasses what we’re trying to do,” said Alecia Davenport, who co-owns the trendy new dining venue Mixtape with husband Ryan.
Mixtape, 108 E. Second St., recently opened and offers a full bar and a craft-cocktail experience along with an eclectic menu. The venue features a pit house, and the smoke factor plays into many of the offerings.
“It’s going back to my mom’s recipes, my great aunt’s recipes, my grandpa’s barbecue chicken ... taking things I’ve learned over the years from that experience but then mixing them with new elements like tomatillo salsa with the chicken, escabeche with chicken, kimchi with smoked pork belly,” Ryan Davenport said.
“We’re not a traditional barbecue place,” his wife added. “It’s not a ‘two-meat, two-sides’ concept. I don’t know that I’ve seen our concept before.”
The menu’s smoke-and-fire theme carries over to the beverage selection as well. Their newest invention, a cocktail called the Ocotillo, features a smoked Tajin rim.
“We have a pretty extensive list of signature cocktails. We’ve come up with a couple that are exclusively known to Mixtape. I don’t think you can get them anywhere else,” Ryan said.
The couple built an outdoor patio that has seen crowds gather for movie nights, intimate dinners and music performances.
“That patio has a really magical element to it so it’s been nice to gather out there as the sun sets,” Alecia said. “Everyone feels welcome here. We’re here to serve the community in every sense of the word and all are welcome.”
The restaurant also mixes up the dining experience by adding off-menu selections, so diners can generally find something a little unexpected on each trip.
“A mixtape is traditionally a tape that you’d make for someone as kind of a love letter through music,” Ryan said. “This is our love letter through food.”
Currently open 4 to 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Mixtape plans on expanded hours coming soon. Catering is available. Phone and online orders are not accepted at this time.
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