Look Inside Galaxie, a New Bywater Taqueria That Makes Its Own Masa

A former St. Claude Avenue service station designed by architect Walter Teague reopened as Galaxie over the weekend, a taqueria blending styles from Oaxaca and Mexico City that makes its own masa for tortillas.

Developer Patrick Finney, one of the owners of popular Marigny restaurant The Franklin, has been working on the historic renovation of the former gas station at 3060 St. Claude Avenue since buying the property in 2018. Ken Jackson, who also runs The Franklin, will run the restaurant day to day alongside chef Hank Shackelford, formerly chef de cuisine of Warehouse District favorite Cochon Butcher.

Jackson describes the food as regional Mexican — mixing Mexico City-style al pastor, Oaxacan-style barbacoa, and Baja-style fish tacos along with open-faced quesadillas, sides, and starters like chicharrones de queso, a common Mexican snack.

The trio sources black beans and corn from Oaxaca, the latter of which is used to make masa for its tortillas with a machine also from Oaxaca. Green chiles are sourced straight from New Mexico, and meat is from farms in Louisiana and Mississippi, including the increasingly-popular Home Place Pastures out of Como, MS.

Josh Brasted/Eater NOLA

Galaxie has a walk-up counter where diners can place their order, sit down with a table number, and have their food delivered to them, or they can order and eat at the bar. The bar is a focus of the new spot, with local star bartenders Jason Sorbet from Barrel Proof and Evan Wolf consulting on the cocktail menu. It offers more than 30 types of mezcal, and all in 1 ounce pours to make it easier to try. Mezcal flights are also available.

Josh Brasted/Eater NOLA

Because the Walter-Teague designed station is a historical landmark, the restoration was meant to keep the building as close to original as possible (the bathroom even features original tile), while adding Mexico City colors and decor. The next step is to create ample outdoor seating for the restaurant, à-la Bywater destination Bacchanal.

Josh Brasted/Eater NOLA

Josh Brasted/Eater NOLA

Josh Brasted/Eater NOLA

Galaxie is open from 5 to 10 p.m. Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; from 5 to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday; and closed on Monday.

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