Marcano's South American takeout debuts on Packard in former BTB Burrito
Marcano's Takeout opened Friday in the former BTB Burrito on Packard.
Janet Miller | For AnnArbor.com
While she missed it by a month, Marcano’s Takeout debuted Friday in the former BTB Burrito at 1906 Packard, just south of East Stadium Boulevard.
While there was one glitch - the cash register didn’t work and tabs had to be done by hand - the first day was a success, Marcano-Kennedy said of her first restaurant endeavor. For the past year or so, she has been selling South American dishes wholesale and at the Westside Farmers’ Market under the name of My Kitchen Gourmet.
There were two reasons for the delayed opening, said Marcano-Kennedy, an architect when she lived in her Venezuelan homeland. She and her husband, Scott Kennedy, decided to do the build-out themselves, and the city had some electrical issues.
But she’s happy with the way the building, formerly draped in a grey façade, turned out. She painted the outside a rich burgundy - called vino tinto (red wine) in Venezuela, an ode to the country’s national soccer team.
The interior has colorful greens, yellows and whites. “I wanted a more homey look, as if you are in the living room or dining room of a house,” Marcano said. “We are colorful people, but I didn’t want to go overboard.”
Marcano is using family recipes to make authentic South American dishes such as reina pepiada (chicken with homemade mayonnaise and avacado), yucca and plantain fritters and empanadas. She also offers soups such as chupe (a Peruvian soup with corn and ham), salads and sweets such as Tres Leches cake. Prices range from $3.50 to $7.
Hours will be from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, closed Sundays, until her ovens arrive, which should be in a week. Then she will also be open for breakfast, beginning at 7 a.m. It is all carryout.
Comments
Erich Jensen
Thu, Nov 11, 2010 : 10:01 a.m.
Welcome to the neighborhood...we will try.
Elizabeth Marcano Kennedy
Mon, Nov 8, 2010 : 11:15 p.m.
Hello! Thanks for all your comments, and don't worry, I will be open until 8pm Monday through Saturday, the first two days some neighbors told me the same, so, until I am ready to open for breakfast, I will be opening from 11:00am to 8:00pm, you all will have time after work to come and have some nice South American food and treats to take home for dinner.I also would like to thank all the people that have come to give my food a try, and welcomed me to the neighborhood! Thanks, its nice to be here.
FabioFulci
Mon, Nov 8, 2010 : 11:01 a.m.
Agreed wholeheartedly that it should be open later. I'd definitely stop by to pick up dinner for the family, but I don't get out of work until 6pm on weeknights. Bummer.
avida2reader
Mon, Nov 8, 2010 : 1:24 a.m.
I was a regular customer of BTB and have been missing it ever since, but have also been happy to see the renovation of the building with new food try. I'll do my best to try it out, but I agree with all of the other posters that 6 is way too early to close for a takeout restaurant. I stopped at BTB all the time after work - which is often after 6. Sometimes I work til 9 and I loved that BTB was open til 10 - particularly on a Friday or Saturday night. Staying open later is much more important than serving breakfast for that location.
seldon
Sun, Nov 7, 2010 : 9:31 p.m.
Closes at 6pm? I'm with the other commenters. That's very early, given that most people work during the business day, and that this is a takeout place which could do a great business in selling people dinner to take home. I'd like to try it too, but am rarely out of the office before 6pm.
Linda
Sun, Nov 7, 2010 : 9:02 p.m.
I think it would be beneficial to be opened late. Especially in that area where students are always craving late night meals after studying or partying. That was the crowd that the previous BTB was geared towards. Other than that, I'm excited to try some South American food!
Mallory
Sun, Nov 7, 2010 : 6:19 a.m.
I'm looking forward to trying it, but I'm surprised that it isn't open a little later in the evenings. There is no way I will be able to stop in on my way home from work and pick up supper, so we will have to make a special point to go there sometime on a Saturday for lunch.
Kim Kachadoorian
Sat, Nov 6, 2010 : 6:53 p.m.
bienvenida Marcanos!