The Madera Group, which also operates Toca Madera, opened the first Tocaya in 2016.

Born in Venice, Calif., in 2016 on a mission to inspire better eating, Tocaya Organica is Tosh Berman’s answer to the craveable, ingredient-driven health food he felt was missing from the fast-casual space.

Founded in 2013, TMG sets a new standard in lifestyle hospitality and continues to evolve the sustainable, health-conscious dining experience. The group’s strategic expansion includes an additional 13 venues opening throughout the U.S. and abroad by the end of 2019.

If you’re from Southern California and spent any time away from it, you know that Mexican cuisine withdrawal is real!  My earliest taco memory is an original hard-shelled taco from Taco Bell, which, by the way, has been voted America’s Best Mexican restaurant in the 2018 Harris Poll.  Today, Mexican dishes are a staple in my weekly food rotation.  Having been a loyal customer since 1984, my neighborhood take-out and I are on a first name basis.  Direct from the airport it is my first stop when returning from a long trip.  My welcome home meal is invariably the “Studio Plate”, white rice, grilled chicken, black beans, Caesar salad, served with house-made corn tortillas.  Simple, healthy and delicious!

This new-to-menu item makes a perfect power lunch, featuring Spanish-style cauliflower rice, sauteed tricolor peppers, avocado, and sauteed garlic brussel sprouts paired with roma tomatoes, black olives, and arbol salsa. There is also an option to add a protien (and queso).

This bowl is all about bold Mexican flavors—spicy-sweet corn, creamy black beans, vegetable-flecked quinoa—and it’s just as delicious if you replace the chicken with your favorite tofu. All of this goodness was inspired by a popular bowl served at the California-based chain Tocaya Organica.

After working at some of L.A.’s top bars, Johnston was ready to tackle her own program — times two. She heads up the bar programs at Tocaya Organica and Toca Madera. Are you a fan of the classics? Charity has your margaritas and aguas frescas. Are you possessed of an adventurous palate? Activated charcoal agave, pineapple tomatillo shrub, and house-made Coca-Cola syrup are just a few of the ingredients you’ll find on the menu now; but stop in frequently! Her drinks are made fresh with seasonal produce and her creativity is boundless. And after you visit her for a drink, we think your enthusiasm for her craft will be boundless too.

Margarita Day is fast approaching. Do you have a plan yet? On this Friday, February 22nd, it’s your duty to find the best margaritas your local bars have to offer. The Drink Me team will likely be at one of Tocaya Organica’s restaurants.

For all your tequila, lime, and salt needs Tocaya Gaslamp is serving up the Organica, a classic margarita; the refreshing Prickly Pear, Passion Fruit, Tamarind and Strawberry margaritas; and Spicy Margaritas made with jalapeño.

If it seems like there’s a Tocaya Organica everywhere, that’s because the company’s been expanding at a rapid rate throughout the Southland. The chain hit a comfortable stride by serving organic tacos, burritos, bowls, and salads, which are also quite light on the calorie count.

“Brown spirits go incredibly with Latin or Mexican food.” Affirms Charity Johnston, beverage director of The Madera Group in Los Angeles. “When you (use) a brown spirit, you get earthy, charred tones, along with vanillas, chocolate and cinnamon. The influence of a barrel can add complexity to a spirit. When I started working for a Mexican concept, I realized I had even more flexibility in some ways.

Expansion is clearly on the near horizon for The Madera Group, which plans to open 11 locations in the U.S. and abroadby the end of 2019.

The Los Angeles-based hospitality company is funding the expansion of is modern organic mexican concept, Tocaya Organica, through a $20.85 million capital investment received last fall from Breakwater Management LP, according to a press release.

If you’re hosting a Super Bowl party and looking for an easy game day snack, A.j. McCloud, regional chef at Tocaya Organica shares a recipe for guacamole.

What’s the secret to making good guacamole? “It’s texture,” McCloud says. “When you taste store bought guacamole that’s been put through a machine and hasn’t been made by human hands, it’s just like smooth paste.”

It’s cold! And it’s damp, and it’s overcast, and you need something to warm your insides and your spirits. Charity Johnston, Beverage Director for The Madera Group (Toca Madera and Tocaya Organica) to rescue. Charity has put together seven thoughtful tequila cocktails for Drink Me readers, to banish your winter woes and transport you to tequila tranquility.

Flush with cash, the Madera Group has set its sights on the Valley for an aggressive rollout of its fast-casual, health-conscious Mexican restaurant concept.

This new healthy, fast-casual Mexican restaurant just added the Keto Bowl ($13.95) to its menu. It's packed with Spanish-style cauliflower rice, sauteed tri-color peppers, avocado, sauteed garlic Brussels sprouts, Roma tomatoes, black olives and arbol salsa. It’s served with your choice of protein and queso.

Did someone say churro ice cream sandwich? Oh, you betcha. Tocaya Organica, a fresh-casual modern Mexican concept, serves up some pretty sweet sweets alongside a menu suitable for vegans and meat lovers. Here, you can have your churro and eat it, too…? Sure.

The vegan, gluten-free roasted cauliflower at Tocaya Organica is spiced with curry, garlic, and cumin for a delicious alternative to potatoes. While most of the menu has a Mexican flair, the Indian flavors in their cauliflower works nicely as a counterpoint to their main dishes. The fast casual new spot is a good place to get your cauliflower fix when you’re on the go.

Sea bass, carne asada, vegan picadillo, and adobo tofu are being used to create organic Mexican fare at Tocaya Organica. This fast casual restaurant located in Kierland Commons focuses on pairing high-quality ingredients with bold flavors. The versatile menu is rooted in traditional Mexican recipes. A variety of gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options are also available.

Multi-concept restaurant operator The Madera Group has secured nearly $21 million in funding from Breakwater Management to accelerate growth of its chef-driven Mexican food brands.

Madera’s brands include fast-casual Tocaya Organica and fine-dining concepts Toca Madera and Casa Madera. Casa Madera is a coastal lounge concept slated to open its first location in Dubai in partnership with Caesars Entertainment.

The Madera Group, a Los Angeles-based hospitality company, raised $20.85 million in funding from Breakwater Management LP.

Tocaya Organica at Kierland Commons will be hosting “First Round’s on Us” all day on Wednesday, Dec. 5, also known as Neighborhood Appreciation Day. Your first two tacos are free with any purchase of a beverage, side or entrée from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., the deal applies to Tocaya’s Carne Molida, Chicken Tinga, Achiote Chicken, Turkey Picante, Adobo Tofu tacos (upcharges still apply for premium proteins).

West Hollywood-based hospitality firm the Madera Group completed a round of equity funding with a $20.85 million capital raise that will help expand three of its healthy-leaning, Mexican-themed restaurant chains throughout the United States.

The investment comes from Century City-based Breakwater Management, a provider of flexible financing and equity to growing lower-middle market companies.

The Madera Group, the West Hollywood, Calif.-based operator of Tocaya Organica and Toca Madera, on Wednesday said it has received a $20.85 million equity investment from investment firm Breakwater Management.

The investment will be used to fund the expansion of 10-unit Tocaya, a fast-casual organic Mexican concept, as well as the company’s other concepts, such as fine-dining Mexican concept Toca Madera and beach lounge concept Casa Madera, established in partnership with Caesars Entertainment.

Los Angeles based hospitality company The Madera Group, LLC ("TMG") announced today the completion of a round of equity funding with a $20.85 million capital raise. The investment comes from Breakwater Management LP ("Breakwater"), a provider of flexible capital solutions to growing lower middle market companies. The investment will fund The Madera Group's continued geographic expansion of Tocaya Organica, a fresh-casual Modern Organic Mexican concept with 10 locations across Southern California and Arizona; Toca Madera, a fine dining establishment that serves premium organic Mexican food coupled with a high-energy atmosphere; and Casa Madera, a fine dining and beach lounge concept established in partnership with Caesars Entertainment.