If you walk by Mema’s Alaskan Tacos on 8th ave in Ybor, you’ll see an empty parking lot, a closed gate, and a goodbye note on the door. Unlike many stores and restaurants that seem to be named after real people, but aren’t, Mema is a real person: she is the owner’s grandmother.

   She lived in Alaska in the 1950’s, where she learned to make the Alaskan Taco. Contrary to the name, Mema’s served much more than seafood in a tortilla. You could get vegetarian tacos, nachos, enchilladas and tamales, among several other tasty things. HCC students frequented Mema’s after class to stop in for a super cheap taco, and club-goers came in to get a bite to eat and start their drinking early.

   Mema’s closed for good at 3AM on Friday, October 14th, after their last party. As one of the last restaurants in Ybor that you didn’t have to walk a mile to get to, Mema’s will be missed by students, faculty, and clubbers alike. If you want to share your favorite Mema’s story or keep in contact with the owners, you can e-mail them at memasalaskantacos@gmail.com