A taco/Mexican-inspired restaurant chain that’s popular in the midwest is opening its first place in Connecticut later this month with a promise of more to come.
Taco John’s, a quick service restaurant (the new term for fast food) that carries many taco varieties, bowls, burritos and a signature potato dish, as well as a signature taco will open in Newington later this month at 56B Costello Road.
They will serve breakfast and also be open until 1 a.m.
The restaurant with 36 seats, drive through and delivery is being brought to Connecticut by Reliance Hospitality Group, led by CEO Arsal Jaffery, who grew up in Newington and still lives there. The group has two Taco John’s restaurants in Massachusetts.
“Bringing Taco John’s to Connecticut is an exciting next step for our team as we continue to build momentum across the East Coast. We’ve seen incredible enthusiasm for Taco John’s wherever we’ve opened, with guests responding to its bold flavors and quality at a great value,” Jaffery said.
“With more than 57 years of West-Mex heritage and a menu that stands apart, Taco John’s is a fresh and distinctive addition to the Connecticut quick-service restaurant scene.”
Jaffery said they’re not the only quick service Mexican-inspired eatery in Newington,” But we’ll definitely be the best.”
“Our potato oles are something to die for. They’re great,” he said.
The company was founded in Cheyenne, Wyoming in 1969. It is referred to as a West-Mex menu. The company’s website states the business started from a small taco stand in Cheyenne, WY and the “one-of-a-kind tacos and other bold flavors were an instant hit in the community,”
Two local businessmen wanted to share these unique flavors with the world. so they purchased the franchise rights in 1969 and named the restaurant “John,” for the man who started it all.
Jaffrey said they have some unique items on the menu, including fried chicken tacos. He said they’re Taco Bravo has been rated the #1 taco for two years in a row by readers of USA Today.
The item is a soft taco containing a hard “crunchy” taco, a choice of chicken, beef or steak, with lettuce, tomato, cheese, sour cream and guacamole.
The other signature dish, potato oles, which gets rave reviews online, are round, crispy potatoes with a special seasoning.
“We have a great variety of tacos hard and soft,” he said, noting the use only beef from North America. “We have a huge variety of burritos,” and bowls, Jaffrey said.
Taco John’s has 300 restaurants in 21 states, and features house-made Pico de Gallo, crispy corn shells that are made each day, tortilla chips fried fresh in-store daily, and originals you won’t find anywhere else, according to company literature.
This is their first restaurant in Connecticut, Jaffery said, and they are planning to build more. They’re currently looking for locations in Manchester, Hartford, Bloomfield, Vernon, Plainville and Waterbury.
They are also currently hiring team members.
Those who are interested in joining the Newington Taco John’s team can apply online. For more information, visit TacoJohns.com. For more information about Taco John’s franchise opportunities, visit TacoJohnsFranchise.com.
Dining and Cooking