Taco Bell Cantina is almost here.

The hipper, more upscale concept that the Irvine-based fast food giant announced this year was coming to the Newport Pier area is expected to open this month at 2121 W. Balboa Blvd., according to the city of Newport Beach.

The restaurant will occupy the prominent corner space long held by the now-closed Original Pizza in a historical building steps from the beach.

Taco Bell Cantina adds tapas-style appetizers and alcoholic drinks to the standard Taco Bell menu of burritos, chalupas and gorditas. The Newport location will sell beer and wine.

The proposed interior of Newport Beach’s Taco Bell Cantina in depicted in a rendering. (Courtesy of city of Newport Beach )

The 32-seat dining area will be open from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Though Taco Bell Cantinas are known for not having drive-throughs, the space’s existing walk-up take-out window will remain.

The Balboa Boulevard location is part of an expansion plan intended to bring more than 300 Taco Bell Cantinas to major markets around the United States.

hillary.davis@latimes.com

Twitter: @Daily_PilotHD