Miguel Guzman and his daughter, Diana, in new location of El Gallito Grocery and Restaurant in downtown Tama. The store was recently relocated and the restaurant added. News-Herald photos/John Speer

Tama’s downtown grocery store just grew in size.

“It’s a four times bigger space,” El Gallito owner Miguel Guzman said last week. “And there’s the cafe.”

Guzman finished renovations and opened at 200 West 3rd Street in late December. The building was first built and occupied by the Ben Franklin Store in the late 1970s and has been the 2nd Hand Store for the past several years.

Don and Muriel Rank have moved that business two doors to the west.

El Gallito had been located at 117 W. 3rd in one of the storefronts of what was the Reinbrecht Hardware Store and later had housed an auction house and flea market for a grocery. The new location affords space for a full-service meat counter. A large, 12-door beverage and dairy case stretches across the back of the store.

Young people enjoy authentic Mexican fare in the new El Gallito Restaurant in downtown Tama on Friday, Jan. 2.

A full line of Hispanic food including a huge selection of ingredients is offered along with fresh produce and baked goods.

Guzman said he wants input on additional lines of American food items to add to the selection already in place and invites customer comments.

In addition to groceries there’s a line of housewares and kitchen items and some specialty Mexican items including an eye-catching group of pinatas.

In space on the west side of the store the El Gallito Restaurant offers a variety of authentic Mexican entries ranging from traditional tacos to a variety of special Mexican entries.

Rosa de Dios is the chef.

The fresh meat counter area is a featured area at El Gallito which has relocated to spacious headquarters at 200 W. 3rd St. in downtown Tama.

The restaurant area has seating for 48.

Guzman is assisted in the store by his brother-in-law, Alex Carillo and part-time help.

El Galitto is open seven days a week from 9 a.m.- 10 p.m.

And Guzman says “El Gallito” is “rooster” in Hispanic.

LEFT- Rosa de Dios, chef for the El Gallito Restaurant is shown preparing a meal in the kitchen of the new addition to the business on Friday morning, Jan. 5.

Colorful pinatas are just some of the variety of items on sale at El Gallito.