Taking a look at Taqueria Cresta’s menu, you’ll find delicious offerings of tacos, enchiladas, plantains, nachos, guacamole, fresh margaritas, and more. Looking around the establishment, which opened on Feb. 28 of this year at 3743 Midvale Ave., you’ll likely enjoy the laid-back, come-as-you-are ambiance situated in the up-and-coming area of East Falls.

Aside from the delicious food and stellar atmosphere, what you won’t see is the process Mike Murphy underwent to open this beloved neighborhood addition.

But Murphy, whose family also owns Billy Murphy’s Irish Saloon (also located in East Falls), has always dreamed of opening a taqueria place in East Falls and forged through the process despite the challenges and long road ahead.

The Whitemarsh native has spent most of his life working the ins and outs of the restaurant business. Early on as he planned out the restaurant, he realized he’d need a community-based lender and advocate in his corner to see his taqueria dream to fruition.

“My brother is in commercial lending, and he recommended that Ambler Savings Bank could be a great one for what I’m doing and what I need, and he introduced me to them,” said Murphy. So on the recommendation of his brother, he contacted Helen Graner, Commercial Lending Officer at Ambler Savings Bank. Murphy closed on the purchase loan of the building in July 2021.

The property was originally a restaurant (with an apartment on the second floor) in the 1960s up to the early 80s. The owning family decided to close it because of the rise in neighborhood crime crime. The revitalization of this once-shuttered building included Murphy’s modern design plans, such as floor-to-ceiling sliding glass windows and a roof deck. He persisted and closed the construction loan in June 2022.

Murphy faced setbacks from the rising inflation of supplies and labor coupled with city permitting, which ultimately took over two years before the grand opening was realized, and he credits Graner with helping the process along, successfully.

“Honestly, I don’t think the loan would have gone through if I didn’t have her fighting for me,” he said. “She’s the reason we’re in business right now. I’ve even referred several of my friends to Helen because of the incredible experience I had with her, including Maria McDevitt, who lives in East Falls and was able to open a bridal shop with the help of Ambler Savings Bank.”

Graner started working with Murphy to apply for a Small Business Administration (SBA) Loan in 2021. The SBA offers competitive lending options that have lower down payments and require no collateral for some loans. In particular, these loans are used for acquiring, refinancing, or improving real estate and buildings.

Ambler Savings Bank offers many options for the purchase of commercial and investment real estate, as well as business asset/equipment loans and business lines of credit to improve working capital. The Bank partners with the Small Business Administration to help small businesses and entrepreneurs like Murphy and Taqueria Cresta secure financing to achieve their goals.

“My advice to anyone considering an SBA loan is to start the process early, use resources available to you, and call on your local community bank for guidance,” said Graner.  

Now open for business, Murphy is still working to finish the roof deck project, hopefully by summer’s end, which he hopes will add to the lure of the restaurant — and the East Falls charm.

“People continue to move into the area, and they need more and more places to go,” he said. “I think all the restaurants in the area kind of piggyback off each other, and we all work together. We know that there’s a lot of potential in this neighborhood.”

With warmer weather approaching and with Taqueria Cresta being in a highly walkable area with plenty of foot traffic, Murphy looks forward to the business the summer season will bring. Diners will be able to enjoy balmy summer evenings on the up-and-coming roof deck with a margarita of choice in hand. He sometimes even takes a moment to enjoy the fruits of his labor, ordering one of his favorite dishes, the chicken enchiladas. But he’s quick to point out that he and many other diners love the Taqueria’s many brisket dishes.

“The brisket tacos are also my go-to, but everything on there is delicious,” he said. “The chef is phenomenal; he knows what he’s doing.”

Learn more at Ambler Savings Bank. Since 1874, Ambler Savings Bank has made an impact in the local community through charitable giving and reinvests customer deposits locally by lending to area consumers and small businesses. Lending decisions are always made in Ambler by bankers who live in the community.