Marin couple opens taqueria in Ross
Cecilio Dominguez and his wife and business partner, Alba Carranza, opened Taqueria Marin in Ross last month, bringing classic Mexican street food to the downtown space that sat vacant after chef Marco Franceschini closed his 25-year-old Trattoria Fresco in 2024.
The San Rafael couple also owns the nearly 5-year-old Taqueria & Pupusería El Torogoz in Larkspur, where Mexican dishes share the menu with specialties from Carranza’s native El Salvador, including pupusas and other platillos.
In Ross, the focus narrows to street-style fare inspired by Dominguez’s years working in taquerias and large hotels along Mexico’s Riviera Maya, where he grew up.
Burritos are filled with carnitas, al pastor, grilled chicken, carne asada, spicy chorizo, crispy fish, shrimp or fajita-style vegetables. These can be ordered mojado, or wet, covered in salsa, melted cheese and sour cream; California style with French fries inside; or in a bowl with grilled onions and bell peppers. All are served with red or green salsa or a spicier habanero version prepared daily in-house. Tortilla chips are also made fresh each day.
Additional menu items include enchiladas, fajitas, a beef birria plate, nachos with optional proteins, salads, sandwiches, tortilla or lentil soup, plus breakfast egg dishes such as tortas, burritos and huevos rancheros.
Beverages include house-made hibiscus agua fresca, Mexican horchata and mojito limonada; a selection of Mexican beers also available as micheladas mixed with lime, Clamato juice and Tajín; and a few house wines.
An eight-month build-out led by Ross resident Paris Royo of San Francisco-based Royoco Construction & Development Corp. included a full overhaul of the kitchen and dining area. The counter-service restaurant features lime green walls accented by vibrant fuchsia ceiling beams, woven pendant lights and white quartz tables paired with bright yellow chairs and a matching padded banquette along one wall.
Behind the teal-tiled counter face, a deep red feature wall is painted with bold, hand-lettered menu graphics and a large Día de los Muertos-style skull illustration. Two televisions are positioned for sports viewing. The restaurant seats about 20 indoors, with a few additional spots at turquoise bistro tables on the sidewalk out front.
Christina DeRockere, a Sausalito-based commercial real estate broker who negotiated Dominguez’s Larkspur restaurant, was also instrumental in the Ross opening.
After arriving in the United States 15 years ago, Dominguez worked his way up through various roles at restaurants throughout Marin, including Mill Valley Beerworks and Marché Aux Fleurs, now Marché, in Ross, where he moved from pantry cook to line cook to sous chef over the course of seven years.
“Cecilio worked at a pace like no other and was hungry to learn everything: prep, ordering, recipe building, menu costing and English,” said Dan Baker, Marché owner and new restaurant neighbor. “He was an integral member of the team while he was there, and I knew early on he was motivated to do whatever it took to open a place of his own. I am so happy for his success in Larkspur and love that his second place is a couple doors down from Marché.”
Taqueria Marin is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. Orders can be placed online at taqueriamarintogo.com or by calling 415-419-5370.
Leanne Battelle is a freelance food writer and restaurant columnist. Email her at ij.lbattelle@gmail.com with news and recommendations and follow on Instagram @therealdealmarin for more on local food and updates on the launch of The Real Deal Marin restaurant search guide.