The much-anticipated late summer opening of Masa brought Mexican food to the East Market. In joining the Market’s team of food vendors, Masa filled a distinct culinary void in the eating mall. While representation of Cajun, Korean and Mediterranean cuisine is formidable, tacos were a different story. Sure, there’s a robust taco scene outside the Market in Columbus as a whole, but Masa brings something less often seen at local brick-and-mortar joints: Serious tacos.

The scent of fresh tortillas will soon be wafting through the air at the East Market, 212 Kelton Ave. Masa Mexican Grill will bring its menu of tacos, nachos, quesadillas and more to the Market later this fall. Masa diners will be treated to a taste of the authentic cuisine Owner Ivan Ruiz grew up eating in Guerrero, Mexico. A cuisine that’s really centered around one key element.

An immigrant-owned kitchen is bringing a taste of Mexico to the East Side. Masa Mexican Grill will hold its grand opening Wednesday in the East Market, according to its owner and chef Iván Ruiz. Featuring handmade corn tortillas, “Salsa Ilegal,” burritos, nachos and more, Ruiz said the menu was partially inspired by his childhood – and its near-daily cooking rituals – on the west coast of Mexico, he said.

There’s always a lot happening in the Columbus restaurant world!

Iván Ruiz is frequently found hunched over the kitchen stove, using only his nose to detect whether his handmade tortillas are ripe for serving. “I can sense it right away,” he said. Two decades ago, Ruiz immigrated to Ohio from his hometown Guerrero on the Pacific coast of Mexico, and since then, he’s dipped his toes in managing a number of chain restaurants in the area: Chipotle, Moe’s, Piada – you name it.

The scent of fresh tortillas will soon be wafting through the air at the East Market, 212 Kelton Ave. Masa Mexican Grill will bring its menu of tacos, nachos, quesadillas and more to the Market later this fall. Masa diners will be treated to a taste of the authentic cuisine Owner Ivan Ruiz grew up eating in Guerrero, Mexico. A cuisine that’s really centered around one key element.