When you think about the average taco shop, the image in your mind probably doesn’t involve a full bar, two levels of seating and an almost lounge-ish vibe suitable for after-hours meet-ups. But this dream is a reality at the new Taco Y Taco.

This humble yet ambitious taqueria opened its original restaurant at Tropicana and Pecos last year, and just recently expanded by taking over the Eastern Avenue strip-mall space formerly occupied by Republic Kitchen & Bar. The new digs allow for those extra features, making for an odd fit. There are still different stations for ordering different meats in your tacos ($2.25) or burritos ($5.95), and another place to order nachos, fries and other dishes. The place may be fancy, but the food is the same—rustic, tasty street eats. Recommendations? Try juicy carne asada, slow-cooked barbacoa beef, or savory pork in carnitas or al pastor form.

Taco Y Taco 9470 S. Eastern Ave., 749-7091. Sunday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m.; Friday & Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 a.m.