Paul Leavy/The Valdosta Daily Times

VALDOSTA — A relaxing atmosphere by day, a more energetic ambiance in the evening, and excellent food throughout are all part of the charm and attraction of the new Taqueria del SurEste eatery, located on N. Oak Street Extension off Inner Perimeter Road.

Translated as “the taco shop of the Southeast,” Taqueria del SurEste (pronounced “sir-es-tay”) offers an a la carte menu in a limited service setting, similar to the Atlanta Bread Company.

Customers enter, pick up a menu, and make their selections at the register, with wait service to deliver the freshly prepared food to the tables. Or customers can opt to sit at the full service bar and enjoy a drink with their meal and watch one of several TVs mounted throughout the restaurant, including one in each restroom!

Owner Rick Coleman said the concept for the restaurant is all original, with the design done locally by Roxanne Beam with Ellis Ricket and Assoc., with input from Santiago Iturralde from Pinnacle Prime, North Oak Square plaza’s owner and builder.

“We want our customers to have a warm, friendly feeling, and we are so excited with the commitment to excellent design that Pinnacle tries to achieve,” he said. “Valdosta is a great market, and the traffic counts are amazing here, plus we wanted to be in a neighborhood spot so customers can either come in and enjoy their meals here or come by and take them home.”

Coleman describes the food as “authentic Mexican with a strong Southeastern influence,” and he is very enthusiastic concerning the menu his chef, Jaime Lopez, has been able to create. Customers can order any combination of items, including tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas, nachos, and a number of sides, soups and starters.

The Carnita, twice cooked pork with salsa, onions and cilantro, is an authentic Mexican taco, according to Coleman, and something you’d find in any Taqueria. Other selections show the southern influence, particularly the Tilapia taco with poblano tartar sauce and cole slaw, the Hoppin John side with black beans and rice, and the Coleman side, with turnips, charro beans, and rice.

“We have the feel of a Tapas bar rolled into a full meal,” Coleman said.

The eatery has been open for several days for a “soft” opening to train the staff and for all the employees to become familiar with the menu and the customer flow. An enthusiastic entrepreneur, Coleman has seven years of restaurant experience and is excited to be able to create the space he envisioned “from the inside out.” He calls his staff the most “amazing” staff in town and his enthusiasm is as infectious as the food is delicious.

“We offer upscale food in a relaxed atmosphere,” said Coleman, adding that hometown touches such as the paintings by local artist Becky Meadors imbue a local feel to the eatery.

From the intricate compass centered in the entryway and bar area to the domed skylight, the large and open windows, and the curved bar, the rustic, industrial feel is apparent and adds to the overall appeal of the restaurant.

Coleman said future additions to the menu are planned, and is hoping that customers will be patient as construction continues in the plaza all around SurEste. The sign should be in place this week, but in the meantime, customers haven’t seemed to have any problems finding their way there this week to sample the menu and enjoy the atmosphere.

For more information, contact SurEste at 229-249-0057.