When can you you try a Republican or Democrat taco in Florida? Torchy’s opening soon
Torchy’s Tacos, an Austin, Texas-based Tex-Mex restaurant company with a cult following, is about to open its first restaurant in the Tampa Bay area.
The new store is scheduled to open this winter at 2314 Tyrone Blvd. N. in St. Petersburg.
Torchy’s is new to Florida, and also has a store planned for Altamonte Springs, near Orlando.
Founded in 2006 as a food truck by Mike Rypka, the company has grown to more than 90 brick-and-mortar stores in 14 states. The tacos have quirky names like Trailer Park, Democrat and Republican.
“A long time ago, in the bustling town of Austin, Texas, a man named Mike Rypka bought a food trailer and a red Vespa. His dream? To start a taco joint. Like all great chefs, he filled his first menu with more experiments than meals — and thanks to some trips around town on his Vespa, and overheard iterations of “Damn, these tacos are good!” at the food trailer, it was declared a hit,” the company website says of Torchy’s launch.
Torchy’s has been inviting applicants for bartender, back of the house and front of the house positions on its St. Pete Facebook page.
Although the Torchy’s Facebook page doesn’t say when the St. Pete store will open, it does promise that “damn good tacos are coming soon and we need talented team members to join us on this journey towards taco domination.”
Torchy’s mantra is to deliver the tastiest tacos, queso and margaritas.
Torchy’s taco of the month for December is the Naughty Santa, featuring chorizo, grilled shrimp, pickled onions, jack cheese, avocado, chopped cilantro, and poblano sauce, served on a flour tortilla.
Also new to Florida is California-based Del Taco.
Del Taco just opened in Bradenton and has another location in the works. It also has two restaurants in Orlando, and one each in Melbourne and Kissimmee.
This story was originally published December 15, 2022 at 12:05 PM.
