Marcano's Takeout to dish up South American comfort food from Packard storefront
At her new business, Marcano's Takeout, Elizabeth Marcano-Kennedy will offer South American and Caribbean dishes.
Janet Miller | For AnnArbor.com
When Elizabeth Marcano-Kennedy pulled up her roots and moved from Venezuela to Ann Arbor in 2003, she knew she was in for some big changes: New country, new friends, new language.
Now, it’s time for a new career. The former architect will become a restaurant owner, opening a new South American eatery in Ann Arbor.
Using family recipes and encouraged by her American-born husband (and No. 1 taste-tester) Scott Kennedy, Marcano-Kennedy plans to open Marcano’s Takeout Oct. 5 (her late father’s birthday) at 1906 Packard, the former home of BTB Burrito, which closed earlier this month.
Marcono’s will offer South American and Caribbean dishes such as chupe (a chicken and cheese soup from Peru), yucca and plantain fritters, batidos (fruit shakes) and tres leches cake.
The stretch of Packard Street south of East Stadium Boulevard has become a food destination, first with Morgan & York wine and specialty foods and most recently with the move of Cake Nouveau. Marcano-Kennedy will be bringing something different to the table. “New York and Florida have Venezuelan food, but there is nothing like this in the area,” Marcano-Kennedy said.
Marcano-Kennedy has eased into the new career. Arriving in Ann Arbor to join her sister, she landed a couple of architecture-related jobs, but was told she would have to take exams to become certified. “After all of the other changes, I thought I could do one more,” she said.
She began taking culinary arts and business classes at Washtenaw Community College and worked as a prep cook in a couple of area restaurants to get a feel for the restaurant business. Finally, her sister took some of her cookies to the owners of Morgan & York, which agreed to sell them.
Marcano-Kennedy rented commercial kitchen space at the Jefferson Market and Cakery and a year ago opened My Kitchen Gourmet, where she prepares South American comfort food such as coquitos (coconut cookies) and cachitos, a ham roll wrapped in a sweet bread. She has also been offering South American cooking classes at Hollander's Upstairs in Kerytown. She will consolidate all of her cooking at the new location.
My Kitchen Gourmet has found shelf space at a number of area markets, including Morgan & York, Jefferson Market and Pilar’s Tamale Shop. She expanded this year when she began selling at the Thursday Westside Farmer’s Market, in the parking lot of Zingerman’s Roadhouse.
She’s ready for the next step, Marcano-Kennedy said. Marcano’s will sell only takeout and she wants to expand to catering. Eventually, she said, she would like to find space for a sit-down restaurant.
“This is a good first step. I liked the idea of carryout,” she said. Prices are expected to range from $4 to $6 for a meal. She needs to buy ovens (BTB didn’t bake) and will paint the interior and exterior in vibrant South American colors.
The project is being self-financed with the help of family, she said. She has a five-year lease with an option to buy the building, she said.
“In Venezuela, I was always cooking,” Marcano-Kennedy said. “But I never thought of it as a business, as a way to make a living. It was a hobby.”
Marcano’s will be open six or seven days a week and will serve lunch and dinner with breakfast also served on Sunday. Exact hours will be determined.
Comments
treetowncartel
Wed, Sep 1, 2010 : 9:22 p.m.
Well,, my bologna has a first name and it is O-s-c-a-r...I miss Big Ten too, so much good stuff in such a little space. Morgan and York reminds me of an Apple Store.
avida2reader
Wed, Sep 1, 2010 : 10:45 a.m.
Sadly some folks have a poor attitude and not much knowledge of food because Morgan & York carries cheeses that can't be found anywhere in the area (not even Zingerman's) and folks that have lived in other countries make it a regular destination. There's a great deal more for sale there than wine. The knowledge and customer service of that business is also amazing. Also Cake Nouveau isn't a "cupcake store" - Courtney has been on several Food Network challenges and is a nationally recognized pastry chef with a long waiting list for wedding cakes etc. Glad to see this new addition adding to the neighborhood!
daniel hussong
Wed, Sep 1, 2010 : 9:57 a.m.
"Bologna" is spelled b-o-l-o-g-n-a
John Hritz
Wed, Sep 1, 2010 : 9:34 a.m.
Nice to see we're developing a "farm team" system that allows someone to create a business model and scale it up to having a store front. The recent changes to allow some foods to be prepared in non-commercial kitchens will help this. I'm surprised we don't have more food trucks and carts in the city. The Michigan winter may put a damper on that method of building a menu and clientele. Looking forward to the opening!
Janet Miller
Wed, Sep 1, 2010 : 6:54 a.m.
Thanks! The story has been changed to reflect the Oct. 5 opening.
Elizabeth Marcano Kennedy
Tue, Aug 31, 2010 : 11:52 p.m.
Hi! Nice article thanks Janet, there is only one detail that I would like to rectify, the date for the opening is October 5th, my Dads birthday. And thanks for all your comments; I am excited to be able to offer all the comfort foods and flavors I grew up with. I'll have Arepas, with different fillings, Empanadas, Batidos (fruit shakes) Plantain, Yuca and many more! And yes, answering your question roadsidedinerlover, I will keep on making the Alfajores, Polvorosas, Tres Leches and Cachitos that Ive been making. See you soon! Dont miss the date: October 5th at Marcanos Take Out
roadsidedinerlover
Tue, Aug 31, 2010 : 9:43 p.m.
Great news! I have been waiting for some South American food! Now if we could get some more Central American food in the area, I would be estatic! (specifically Guatemala and Panama) I wonder if this owner will make some of those desserts called alfajores...dulce de leche cookies...YUM! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfajor
Brad
Tue, Aug 31, 2010 : 7:51 a.m.
"The stretch of Packard Street south of East Stadium Boulevard has become a food destination," Baloney. Good party store turned pretentious wine store next to an overpriced cupcake store. I am looking forward to Marcano's, though.
a2terri
Tue, Aug 31, 2010 : 6:06 a.m.
Intrigued. I hope that there are some completely vegetarian options (including stocks used). Veggie and fish works for our family, too. Not everyone in our family is vegetarian, but it does greatly impact where we go since we all need to eat. Good luck.
Mary Bilyeu
Tue, Aug 31, 2010 : 5:40 a.m.
Oh, this sounds wonderful!
Tii
Tue, Aug 31, 2010 : 5:28 a.m.
Wonderful! Looking forward to some new flavors in Ann Arbor's food scene.