Dumpling shop from Okinawa owners taking former Tacos Tequila Whiskey space off Colfax Avenue

The owner of a Japanese food restaurant along Colfax Avenue will open a new destination directly behind it serving noodles and dumplings.

Ma’s Kitchen Dumplings & Noodles will open this summer in the space formerly occupied by Rolling Pin Pizza and before that, Tacos Tequila Whiskey, on 1514 York St. in Denver. The owner of those two spots, Kevin Morrison, said Friday he is selling the restaurant’s assets following the abrupt closure of Rolling Pin Pizza last year; he has since moved to Calgary, Canada, to be with family.

Morrison, who founded Tacos Tequila Whiskey in 2013 as a food truck called Pinche Tacos, said the markets for both tacos and pizza has become saturated in the neighborhood. As a result, he turned the keys over to Xi Yong Zheng, who has operated Okinawa Japanese Cuisine next door for 15 years. Okinawa, a local staple, specializes in sushi.

“I think they’re going to do well, because that neighborhood doesn’t have what they’re offering,” Morrison said.

Ma’s Kitchen Dumplings & Noodles, with a focus on Chinese food, is expected to open in late August or early September, said Alan Cheng, the head sushi chef at Okinawa Japanese Cuisine, 2301 E. Colfax Ave., and spokesperson for Zheng.

The owner’s brother, Xi Nuan Zheng, will lead the kitchen, Cheng said. He has worked at hotels in Singapore and is currently in China learning from colleagues with dumpling and noodle shops of their own.

Before Rolling Pin’s short-lived tenure, Tacos Tequila Whiskey served customers for 12 years in the York Street storefront. Another Tacos Tequila Whiskey location remains open at 3300 W. 32nd Ave. in west Denver. There is also an outpost at Denver International Airport.

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