You won't be able to get your hands on one of Tediberto's exotic-tasting vegan tacos tonight, or any other night in the foreseeable future for that matter, apparently.
It's not because proprietor Yin Macatabas has changed up her infamous Roosevelt Row taqueria and late-night party spot's inconsistent operating hours yet again, but rather because its landlord has closed the place down.
See also: - Roosevelt Row's Tediberto's Has a Liquor License Problem - Tediberto's: Drop Your Vitamix and Put on Your Animal-Friendly Dancing Shoes, Vegans, We're Goin' Out to Eat - Vegan Mexican Restaurant Owner Not Helping Stereotype of Vegans
According to a pair of identical notices dated last Wednesday and taped to both of Tediberto's exterior doors, Macatabas has been locked out of the place by Metro Commercial Properties, the Tempe-based firm that manages the building at First and Roosevelt streets that houses the restaurant, due to failing to cough up rent money.
"This letter will serve as notification that the landlord has locked this suite due to non-payment of rent," the notice states.
Representatives from Metro Commercial Properties declined to comment on the matter or specify how much cash Macatabas owes. We put in a call to the phone number listed on Tediberto's Facebook page for comment on the closure, but it was not in service.
Per Arizona Revised Statutes, Tediberto's landlord has the option of seizing or selling any of the "personal property of his tenant found on the premises."
At present, however, none of Tediberto's fixtures or furnishings -- from the shiny silver couch to any of the metal sculptures on the walls -- have been removed.
In August, we reported on the fact that Macatabas and her employees were selling beer and cocktails without a license around that time late at night and during after-hours parties. Although it isn't known if Tediberto's continued liquor sales after our blog was published, the restaurant would suddenly have curtains or opaque fabric covering its windows on certain weekend nights.
While Tediberto's was been a favorite eatery and preferred hangout for local vegans and downtown area's artist and young-and-hip crowd, it didn't maintain consistent operating hours. One day it would be closed, only to open for business at 4 p.m. the next.
The Tediberto's Facebook page contains numerous inquiries from potential patrons inquiring about when the place would be open.
True to form, there currently isn't any info about Tediberto's closure on its Facebook or whether or not Macatabas will be paying her back rent.
A post made the night before the landlord locked down the property advertised that evening's taco specials states and makes what could be construed as a vague reference to the restaurant's impending closure:
"We're up late, lovers, but we won't be here forever. So hurry in!!!"
