The ownership group behind a popular St. Louis-based Mexican restaurant chain is calling it quits after 10 years, following a name change prompted by a trademark lawsuit.
The Tilford Restaurant Group announced late Monday that it would close Session Taco, previously known as Mission Taco Joint. The decision follows several turbulent years for the group, including a lawsuit over the restaurant’s original name.
Brothers Adam and Jason Tilford took to Instagram on Monday night to make the announcement calling their time running the group an “amazing run.”
“Unfortunately, our time has come to an end,” the post read.
The group opened its first Mission Taco location on Delmar Boulevard in 2013. In 2023, it was sued by Gruma Corp., the parent company of Mission Foods. As a result, the group changed the name of the well-known chain in St. Louis to Session Taco.
The brothers pointed to the lawsuit as part of their troubles — along with other economic challenges.
“Restaurants have had a rough go taking hit after hit with COVID, a terrible economy and rising cost of goods,” the post read. “And to top all that off we dealt with a trademark lawsuit and absolutely *** the bed on our rebrand.”
The group has closed several of its locations in recent years, including restaurants in Kirkwood, St. Charles and Town and Country.
“We’re just a small family owned company and that hit hard,” the post said of the lawsuit.
The group will hold its last days of service at Session Taco locations on Delmar and in Soulard, along with LaPeZ Mod Mex, on Saturday.
Dining and Cooking