04/29/2025
Dear Howland Community and Valued Patrons,
Melissa and I would like to sincerely thank each and every one of you for your support and loyalty over the past two years. It has been a true pleasure to serve you and be a part of this vibrant community.
Today, we announce that WAHAKA TACO will soon be listed for sale. This decision was not made lightly and is truly heartbreaking for my family, our dedicated team—including Juan Serrano, Mike Gallo, and the entire WAHAKA team—who worked tirelessly to bring our vision to life.
As a passionate chef, I have poured my heart into creating a unique dining experience rooted in my love for Mexican culture and cuisine. My extensive travels and training in Mexico have deeply influenced my culinary vision, aiming to introduce a different style of Mexican food—one that emphasizes authentic ingredients, bold flavors, and a fresh approach to presentation.
At WAHAKA, we never compromised on the quality of our ingredients.
Our beef was always premium cuts: skirt steak, flank steak, and sirloin—not over-boiled ground beef or processed meats.
Our chicken was fresh, using chicken breasts and thighs, never overcooked or made from questionable parts.
All pork products came from pork shoulder, cooked daily to ensure freshness and flavor.
Everything on our menu was made from scratch — sauces, salads, guacamole — nothing was pre-made, commercially processed, from a freezer bag, or plastic bottle.
Spices and chilies were imported directly from Mexico, ensuring authentic flavor in every bite.
Our tortillas were custom made for us by the best tortilla company in Santa Rosa, California — the same artisans who make tortillas for authentic Mexican abuelas.
Our pricing reflected the high quality of ingredients and the labor-intensive process of making everything fresh daily. We believed in offering the very best, even if it meant a higher price point. But we offset that with very discounted daily offerings !
I also want to acknowledge that I am not perfect, and neither was WAHAKA. We always aimed to serve great food and authentic experiences.
I know many expect a sit-down, served dining experience from me, and I understand that the “turning left” traffic situation in Howland was unfortunate. But I want to make it clear—nothing, not even logistical challenges, ever stopped me from delivering great food and genuine passion.
Unfortunately, Howland Township made it extremely difficult for us to open and operate, The township’s zoning restrictions, impact protection plans, signage limitations, and the high costs associated with construction significantly impacted our ability to grow and sustain the business.
While I wish things could have been different, I have come to realize that my passion and dedication do not always align with the community’s expectations or support for this kind of concept.
Unfortunately, Howland has shown a reluctance to embrace adventurous, outside-the-box dining experiences, preferring familiar and processed options. It’s a disappointment, but I respect the community’s preferences.
And to those who may criticize or “hate” on me or our concept — I handle it well.
But let me ask: how many of those people had the courage or Huevos to open a business of your own, the vision to conceive a concept, and the skill to bring all the pieces together?
Finally, I want to give a special shoutout to Harm Andrews for being a great landlord — your support and understanding have meant a lot to us.
With that said, we will look for a community that shares our enthusiasm for authentic, high-quality, and innovative culinary experiences.
To the people of Howland: I love this town and consider it my home. Though our journey with WAHAKA TACO ends here, I remain grateful for the memories and the support we've received. Thank you for allowing us to serve you.
A special shoutout to Juan Serrano, Mike Gallo, and our entire WAHAKA team — your tireless work and dedication made everything possible. I am forever grateful for your commitment and passion.
Wishing you all the best in the future.
Peace, Love, and Taco Grease,
Mark & Melissa Canzonetta
Adios.
