Owners of Taco City to open new upscale Mexican restaurant in Louisville

Encanto, a new restaurant from the owners of Taco City, is expected to open in December at 9870 Von Allmen Ct. with menu items such as a 20 oz bone-in ribeye.

Provided by Encanto

USA TODAY Network, Reuters

The owners of a popular local taco chain plan to bring a new upscale and modern Mexican concept to Louisville.

Brothers Oscar and Benigno Estrada, who own Taco City, are turning beyond tacos with Encanto, a modern Mexican restaurant with coastal vibes. The restaurant is expected to open by the second week of December at 9870 Von Allmen Court, formerly a Red Robin Gourmet Burger & Brews, the owners told The Courier Journal.

“We are working on a menu that’s going to be unique in the city,” Oscar Estrada said, adding he and his brother have been working on the concept for three years. “(With Taco City), we’ve been doing great, but we always wanted to have this sit-down restaurant experience.”

Since starting Taco City in 2018 with a location in the Highlands at 1283 Bardstown Road, the casual taco chain has become a fixture of Louisville with four locations now found around the city. Taco City was recently named among the top taco spots in the country, according to a list published Oct. 16 by USA Today.

For Encanto, Oscar Estrada said he hopes to feature an atmosphere reminiscent of Tulum or Cancun with dishes such as bone marrow with esquites, crudo ceviches, and a 20 oz bone-in ribeye with chile morita rub, roasted fingerling potatoes, refried black beans, queso de cincho, compound bone marrow butter, microgreens, chile oil three handmade corn tortillas.

“We travel inside of the United States and my brother goes to Mexico and there’s not a place like those places here in the city,” Oscar Estrada said. “We wanted to offer something different for the city. I think it’s going to be a great addition for the city to have this high-end restaurant that is going to be affordable.”

Other menu items include Tétela, featuring handmade corn masa triangles infused with fresh epazote leaves, chicken tinga or mushrooms al comal, smoked salsa, Mexican crema, queso fresco, and cilantro oil pickled red onions as well as Noche Oaxaqueña, a slow-braised beef short rib with traditional Oaxacan black mole, sweet plantains, pickled red onions, toasted sesame seeds, and handmade corn tortillas. Encanto will also host mariachi bands and other live entertainment on the weekends.

As of now, the restaurant’s hours will likely be 5-10:30 p.m. on weekdays and the restaurant will be open later on weekend nights.

“Louisville has amazing restaurants and we want to be part of that growth in the city,” Estrada said.

Reach food and dining reporter Amanda Hancock at ahancock@courier-journal.com.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Owners of Taco City to open new upscale Mexican restaurant in Louisville

Reporting by Amanda Hancock, Louisville Courier Journal / Louisville Courier Journal

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Encanto, a new restaurant from the owners of Taco City, is expected to open in December at 9870 Von Allmen Ct. with menu items such as Tétela, featuring handmade corn masa triangles infused with fresh epazote leaves, chicken tinga or mushrooms al comal. Provided by Encanto USA TODAY Network, Reuters Encanto, a new restaurant from the owners of Taco City, is expected to open in December at 9870 Von Allmen Ct. with menu items such as Noche Oaxaqueña. Provided by Encanto USA TODAY Network, Reuters

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This story was originally published October 23, 2026 at 4:21 PM.