ABOUT
650 Water Street
Downtown Saugatuck
(Next to the Star of Saugatuck)
Friendly, Chef-y, Booze-y, Fast-y
Lindsay + Alec Payleitner opened SaugaTaco in Summer 2024.
From 2016-2023, the couple owned and operated GROW Café + Bistro—also in downtown Saugatuck.
Lindsay helms the kitchen. Alec does other stuff.
They live year-round in the woods, in Fennville, with their two rescue dogs, Spencer + Gordon. (and working cats, Giles + Oz)
FAQs
General
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We are located at 650 Water Street on the north side of historic downtown Saugatuck—the hub of all things waterfront.
We’re directly next to the public boat launch (at Water St. and Spear St.) and the iconic Star of Saugatuck—a double decker authentic sternwheeler paddleboat. Take the vessel on a cruise down the Kalamazoo river, past the lost city of Singapore and into the mouth of Lake Michigan.
Two blocks south is Wicks Park, downtown Saugatuck’s premier green space and certainly worthy of a (taco) picnic. Here you’ll find the country’s last working chain ferry to take you across the river to Mount Baldhead and the road to Oval Beach.
Other water-centric fun just a few doors north—Retro Boat Rentals offers refurbished 60s-style speed boats, donut boats, pontoons and more for you to rent and drive for a few hours.
With speedy service and take out always available, SaugaTaco is a perfect fit for your vacation agenda. Bring carryout to the park, grab an early dinner after a long day at the beach, or relax with a cocktail before your sunset cruise. Celebrate our waterfront whether you’re staying a week or just playing tourist for the day.
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Seating is first come, first serve.
SaugaTaco is a chef-driven, counter-service spot. Reservations simply aren’t part of the process! After ordering at the counter, we’ll immediately make your drinks, and then you’ll grab a table wherever you’d like. We’ll bring the food to you.
The dining room is big (almost fifty seats) with another twenty outside. The room/outdoor seating is malleable—you can move tables around however you’d like. Large groups dine with us frequently.
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For four years, we’ve operated three different restaurants under the gratuity-free model. And to be sure, we still believe that tip culture is complicated and damaged. However, in July 2025, with the passing of new tax law that allows certain employees to deduct some of their tips, it’s simply not fair to deny our team that opportunity.
So, starting on July 16th, for the first time, we will begin offering a tip option when ordering. We have NOT changed anyone’s wages. All our staff continues to make between 1.5 and 3 times the Michigan minimum wage. Additional gratuities are divided amongst everyone working that shift and are distributed daily.
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Yes! We understand dogs are family, and they are definitely welcome to dine with you on our patio.
One caveat: we do NOT allow dogs inside (unless it’s a registered service animal). So, if you’re dining solo on a pup-date, or just ordering carryout, grab a seat outside and order online. Within the ordering platform, leave a note to let us know that’s the case, and we’ll bring everything out to you!
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A wife (chef) and husband team that, 10 years ago, transplanted from the Chicago restaurant scene to the Saugatuck one. Click HERE for our ‘about’ page.
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In late 2023, we stood outside our soon-to-be riverfront location on the northern end of historic downtown Saugatuck. Silently, from across Water street, we stared at the vacant building, and took it all in. The iconic Star of Saugatuck riverboat to the right. Charter fishing docks to the left. A distant vision of the Mount Baldhead tower looking over us. This WAS vacation.
That concept—vacation—inspired the story we’d tell inside: an Austin food truck meets a Key West fish shack, grabs a chef and a liquor license, and sets up shop in an interactive restaurant space. Welcome to SaugaTaco.
We hope you’ll enjoy this vacation vibe regardless of if you’re an actual vacationer, a second-homer, a west Michigan day-tripper, or a local taking full advantage of your hometown!
Service
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Absolutely. Saugatuck is a vacation town, and SaugaTaco is a vacation joint—and that means families. We always want parents to feel perfectly comfortable bringing their entire crew.
We’re equipped with:
High chairs
A kid’s menu with smaller, simpler portions
Coloring sheets and crayons
FREE custom postcards to write ‘Wish You Were Here!’ notes to grandma, friends, and neighbors
FREE veggie temporary tattoos from Tater Tats for any kiddo to don
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Definitely. SaugaTaco is a big open space with lots of moveable tables. Have at it!
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Please…linger! Whether you’re playing catch up with old friends, taking a break from the day’s activities, or watching a game, experience SaugaTaco at your own pace. You aren’t taking up a server’s ‘section’. You aren’t keeping a reservation from sitting down. Order what you want, when you want. Have another round of margaritas. Grab a piece of pie after dinner. Take your time. You’re in Saugatuck, after all.
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Somehow, asking for separate checks at most restaurants feels both intrusive and necessary. You don’t have to think twice about it at SaugaTaco. With our counter-service model, you’ll pay for what you order and without hesitation, the next guest does the same! We’ll give you your drinks immediately and bring the food to your table as soon as it’s ready.
FOOD / DRINK
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Yes. We have a full liquor license including: cocktails, beer, and wine; social district (walkin’ around drinks); and takeout.
Housemade, four-ingredient margaritas are at the top of a fun cocktail list with all chef-made mixers. We also have beer (local craft AND cheap $3 American lagers), Michigan wine, and BOOZY SLUSHIES! Fun summer slushy flavors for the kids that are incredibly spike-able for the adults.
Check out our full drink list on our menu page HERE.
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It’s a chef-owned AND chef-operated spot. The food is beautiful and craveable. Fancy food truck style tacos (and some classics), handmade empanadas, seafood dumplings, the best nachos ever, chips and dips, and not-just-an-after-thought entree salads.
And yes, we’ve got lots for vegans, vegetarians, and gluten-free guests. Click HERE for our ‘menu’ page.
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Always! Tacos with: harissa tofu, BBQ jackfruit tacos, chipotle mushrooms, or Impossible burger; hummus and chips; various sides, including: tomato cucumber salad, house slaw, black beans and harissa rice. We’re definitely happy to point you in the right direction—just ask at the counter!
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Yes. We always have corn tortillas available. Our chips are also corn. Many of our tacos, dips, and salads are already gluten free. Unfortunately, because of cross contamination concerns, we are unable to safely accommodate severe gluten allergies—including celiac. Our counter staff can always help answer any specific questions!
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In the ‘Menu’ section of this site, you’ll find a button for ‘Allergies + Dietary Restrictions’. We’ve prepared an item-by-item, allergen-by-allergen guide.
We take these seriously and will always be straightforward about what we are and are not able to accommodate in our kitchen.
While at the restaurant, please feel free to ask additional questions or to see a copy of our menu guide.