The Goat

A Gulf Gate Taqueria Elevates Latin Street Food

As a young boy, Malin Parker harvested fresh vegetables in his mother’s garden and learned “where food came from and the respect that it deserves.”

Now, the executive chef and restaurateur brings that same culinary integrity to the Screaming Goat Taqueria, founded in 2018 in Sarasota’s Gulf Gate district.

“I created ‘The Goat’ to be a place where I would want to hang out,” Parker begins, “with Latin street food that is made completely from scratch, an interesting selection of craft beer, a relaxed vibe, knowledgeable service, and great music.”

The Goat is now best known for its signature craft tacos—like the Pork Cochinita Pibil with avocado-tomatillo salsa, arugula, pickled red onion, and queso fresco; and the Beef Barbacoa with guajillo-chipotle salsa, cactus-paddle-roasted onions, queso fresco, and radishes.

“The adjective that is probably used to describe our food the most is ‘fresh.’ We make everything from scratch, using the best-quality ingredients that I can find,” Parker says. “I am proud of the fact that you can literally ‘taste the love’ that goes into our food.”

It is a love that Parker has been cultivating for decades. His passion for cooking was “a gift” from his mother, who was a talented chef, and Parker began cooking in professional kitchens when he was 15. He graduated from the Culinary Institute of America and has since worked as an executive chef/director of food and beverage for several hotel companies. He has also been a corporate development chef for TGI Fridays, a corporate executive chef for Epicurean Life, and an executive catering chef for Morton’s Gourmet Market.

“It probably sounds cliche, but opening The Screaming Goat is truly my greatest professional achievement. I have learned so much, and every day continues to be an opportunity for personal and professional growth,” Parker says. “I love that my guests can take a break from their busy lives, eat some tacos, drink a beer if they like, listen to some toe-tapping rock ‘n’ roll, and just relax for a few minutes.”

The work is fulfilling for multiple reasons. Parker gets to cook, to share his fare with his guests, and to support the local food economy. He sources ingredients from Big Apple Market/Penn Produce—a purveyor that handpicks the highest-quality items from Tampa’s farmers’ markets.

“There are so many reasons to support local agriculture. Apart from the fact that local food tastes so much better and has a lot more nutrients, it’s good for the planet and the local economy,” Parker says. “We’re so lucky to live in a state where there is so much bounty.”

At the start of 2022, look for The Goat in a new (and much larger location) in Gulf Gate. And that expansion is just the beginning.

Screaming Goat Taqueria: 6606 Superior Ave, Sarasota; 941-210-3992; screaming-goat.com