A pair of fresh faces have hopped into Froggy Bottoms River Pub and Lily PADio.
Taco Terco, owned by husband-wife duo Daniel Oyarzabal Garza and Cara Sutton, has moved into the riverside property after securing a lease with the property’s landlord, David Hvistendahl. Taco Terco brings with it three 2025 Minnesota’s Best Awards, including Best Mexican Restaurant, Best Tacos, and Best Casual Restaurant.
Taco Terco first originated four years ago as Taco Bien, a restaurant in Lonsdale, Minn. run by Oyarzabal Garza and other business partners. When that venture did not work out, Sutton left her corporate job to join Oyarzabal Garza in his restaurant endeavors. The couple then opened Taco Terco in Montgomery, Minn. They enjoyed success there for two years, up until their landlord decided to sell the building they were occupying, leaving Oyarzabal Garza and Sutton with the task of finding a new home for Taco Terco.
Uncertain about where to go next, Oyarzabal Garza and Sutton took to their public following on Facebook for location suggestions. Multiple property tours and one failed lease negotiation later, Sutton received a call during her family’s Christmas celebration — it was Hvistendahl, who invited the couple to visit his property.
“The story goes, one of our followers on Facebook … is also an acquaintance with David Hvistendahl,” Sutton said in an interview with The Olaf Messenger. “She knew that he needed a tenant, and she knew that we needed a new home. So, she actually told him, ‘Hey, you should check these guys out, give them a call, they’ve got really great food.’ And so, that’s what he did.
The rest is history.
While Taco Terco’s menu hosts many Mexican staples, it also provides its patrons with a fusion of different foods. Before stepping into restaurant ownership, Oyarzabal Garza trained under an experienced chef for nine years, who taught him a variety of international cooking techniques and cuisines. Taco Terco offers monthly specials of foods from different cultures that showcase Oyarzabal Garza’s skills.
“The flavors that I’m bringing are what I grew up with in Mexico,” Oyarzabal Garza said in an interview with The Olaf Messenger. “But I invested nine years learning, so it’s pretty cool [that] it’s not just Mexican [food].”
Before they can share their food with greater Northfield, Oyarzabal Garza and Sutton have a few more hurdles to hop. They are now in the process of revamping the Froggy Bottoms property, staying busy by scrubbing down every wall, refinishing the downstairs bar, and bringing in new furniture. However, not everything about the space will be new — Taco Terco plans to keep the original Froggy Bottoms signage and theme.
“Here’s the behind-the-scenes that nobody in the public knows: I collect frogs,” Sutton said. “We’ve joked that I should go for the Guinness Book of World Records for how many frog memorabilia, kickknacks, [and] decor that I have. So, the fact that this is Froggy Bottoms is like a dream come true, which is why we’re fully embracing everything frog here.”
Oyarzabal Garza and Sutton are also excited to plant roots in the Northfield community. The duo hopes to give Froggy Bottoms a fresh start and make it a welcoming, safe space for all people, including opening up the upstairs space for event rentals during the winter months.
“We really want to do it justice for the community, for my husband’s great food — having his sizzling fajitas out on the patio with an awesome cocktail, listening to the river roaring by,” Sutton said. “We’re just super excited and feel like this is all meant to be, really. All the stars aligned and brought us here at this perfect time.”
“There’s a lot of history in this building,” Oyarzabal Garza added. “It inspires me to make good food and have people experience that — having a beautiful view, but also a fantastic meal.”
Taco Terco is set to open in April, with an official date to be announced. In the meantime, Oyarzabal Garza and Sutton encourage people to follow their Facebook page for updates and, if searching for a job, to join their team.
“To have the nature aspect, the fresh air, the bustling town supporting neighboring businesses — this is a place that people will want to work, and we want you to work here, so reach out,” Sutton said.
