South Philadelphia’s La Catrachita, a popular taco spot in a shopping center off Christopher Columbus Boulevard, was back serving customers within hours of a vehicle crashing through its storefront early Tuesday morning.
Crash and immediate response
Surveillance footage captured a car striking the restaurant’s front wall around 3 a.m. The driver fled the scene, and police have not yet released details about any arrest or injuries. Owner Carlos Gomez said he first learned of the damage through a text from his landlord.
“We don’t have a drive‑thru! Because they want to come eat tacos inside,” Gomez joked, but added he was initially “afraid, scared because I don’t know exactly what happened in the moment.”
Community support and quick repairs
Friends, family, and regular patrons quickly reached out. “A lot of people text me or call me, they say, you okay? I say, yeah, we’re okay. Thank God everybody okay,” Gomez said.
His father‑in‑law constructed a temporary storefront by 6 a.m., allowing the restaurant to open for the weekend. “You can come in; it’s temporary, we do construction, ya know,” Gomez explained.
Owner’s perspective on the incident
Gomez noted the restaurant previously operated 24 hours a day, a schedule he no longer maintains. “It’s good nobody got hurt, but it’s something we can fix, and we have to fix it, ya know,” he said, adding that insurance should cover the damage.
Patrons react to the rapid reopening
Customers expressed amazement at the speed of the recovery. “That was crazy! I would’ve thought this happened like a few days ago since everything was built out,” said Jewel Moser of Fishtown. “It’s insane; this was like my pregnancy craving when I was pregnant with this one, so I love it here. It’s crazy that they’re open so fast,” added Liz Marie Salcedo.
Police investigation ongoing
Philadelphia police are still investigating the crash and have not confirmed whether the driver was apprehended or if any occupants were injured. The department has not released a suspect description.
La Catrachita’s swift reopening underscores the resilience of small businesses in South Philadelphia and the strong network of community support that helps them weather unexpected setbacks.
Original reporting: Allentown News – 6abc Philadelphia — read the source article.
