A new restaurant and craft brewery concept is preparing to open in downtown St. Joseph, aiming to bring a fresh mix of South American–inspired flavors and house-crafted beverages to one of the city’s most visible storefronts.
Mi Familia Tap & Kitchen is planning to open at 210 State Street, the space most recently home to Brookie’s Café and The Kingfisher. The location sits in the heart of downtown — prime real estate that has seen a couple of short-lived restaurant attempts in recent years.
The new concept is built around elevated tacos, craft cocktails and an in-house brewing program. Organizers describe it as a fast-casual format, designed to offer high-quality food and drinks in a relaxed, approachable setting.
The lead developer on the new venture is Corey Carolla, owner of Waterfront Framing and Fashion and the newly opened ‘Outta the Ashes’ antique mall, both located across South State Street.
On the food side, customers can expect South American–inspired tacos made with premium ingredients and a focus on technique. The goal is to deliver bold flavors without the formality of a full-service dining experience.
On the beverage side, Mi Familia plans to feature what it calls Passion Project Brewing Co., an in-house craft beer program led by veteran brewmaster Pete Crowley. Crowley brings more than three decades of experience in brewing and spirits production, with a background that includes developing award-winning recipes and building craft beverage programs.
In addition to house-brewed beer, the restaurant plans a curated tap lineup, craft cocktails and a family-friendly “Primos Dirty Soda Bar” offering customized soda creations. A veteran-led coffee brand, Veterans Roasters, is also expected to be part of the lineup.
The layout is designed to accommodate everyone from solo diners to larger groups of up to 80 people, positioning Mi Familia as both a casual drop-in spot and a gathering place for families and friends.
Downtown St. Joseph has continued to strengthen its reputation as a shoreline dining destination, with restaurants and specialty food businesses drawing both local residents and seasonal visitors. Mi Familia’s owners say they hope to add a distinctive Latin-inspired option to that mix.
An opening date and full menu details are expected to be announced soon.
