Taco Bueno is a fast food Tex-Mex restaurant chain that is popular in Texas and parts of the Southern United States. With its headquarters located in Dallas, Texas, and the majority of its locations in Texas, there is a perception that Taco Bueno is primarily a Texas-based chain.
In this article, we’ll explore the history and expansion of Taco Bueno to understand how it became so closely associated with Texas, look at data on the number and location of Taco Bueno restaurants to see if the chain is concentrated in Texas, and examine some of the signature menu items to see if they have a distinctly Texan influence.
The History and Origins of Taco Bueno
Taco Bueno was founded in Abilene, Texas in 1967 by Bill Rauschelbach. He pioneered the model of fast food drive-thru tacos and burritos served fresh and made-to-order. The first location was a huge success, and Taco Bueno began expanding across Texas in the 1970s, building a strong base of restaurants across the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, Houston, and San Antonio.
By the 1980s, Taco Bueno had over 50 locations in Texas and a handful in bordering states like Kansas, Louisiana, and Arkansas. The company headquarters remained in Texas as the chain continued expanding primarily in the region throughout the 80s and 90s. This Texas-centric growth for the first few decades cemented Taco Bueno’s perception as a Texas favorite.
Current Locations Show Texas and Southern Concentration
Today, Taco Bueno has over 180 total locations across seven states. An analysis of the number of restaurants by state shows that Taco Bueno still maintains a strong concentration in Texas.
| State | Number of Locations |
|---|---|
| Texas | 121 |
| Oklahoma | 32 |
| Kansas | 16 |
| Missouri | 4 |
| Arkansas | 3 |
| Louisiana | 2 |
| Mississippi | 1 |
With 121 of 180 total locations, Texas has by far the highest concentration of Taco Bueno restaurants. Oklahoma is a distant second with 32 locations. Outside of Texas, the chain is primarily located in other Southern states like Oklahoma, Kansas, and Arkansas.
Analyzing the Texas locations specifically, the highest concentration of Taco Bueno restaurants is in the Dallas-Fort Worth area with 45 locations. Houston has the second highest concentration in Texas with 13 restaurants. Though started in Abilene, there are currently no Taco Bueno locations left in that city.
So while Taco Bueno has expanded outside of Texas over the decades, the Lone Star State is still home to the majority of locations and the chain’s deepest roots.
Taco Bueno’s Menu Features Some Texas Influences
When it comes to the food itself, Taco Bueno’s menu features many of the standard fast food Tex-Mex offerings like tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nachos, and rice and beans. However, a few menu items reflect the Texas origins:
Taco Burgers
One signature item is Taco Bueno’s taco burgers – hamburgers topped with traditional taco fillings like seasoned ground beef, lettuce, tomato, shredded cheese and crispy taco shell fragments. This blend of Tex-Mex taco fillings and an all-American burger is an example of Texas food fusion.
Texas-sized XXL burritos
Taco Bueno takes pride in its oversized XXL burritos packed with rice, beans, cheese, and your choice of meat. These one pound burritos live up to the Texas motto of “go big or go home.”
Queso dip
No Tex-Mex meal is complete without queso dip, and Taco Bueno offers traditional creamy queso along with more adventurous spicy options like Habanero Ranch queso. Queso is a Texas favorite that Taco Bueno makes sure to feature prominently.
Sweet & Crunchy Fiesta Taco Salad
This salad combines southwest seasoned ground beef, refried beans, tortilla chips, cheese, guacamole, and honey mustard dressing. It’s a unique flavor blend found more commonly in Texas than other parts of the country.
While much of the food is fairly mainstream fast food Tex-Mex, the taco burgers, oversized options, queso, and certain signature items like the Fiesta Taco Salad reflect the Texas origins and influences.
Conclusion
Based on the company’s Texas roots, the ongoing concentration of locations in Texas, and influences from Texas food culture seen on the menu, Taco Bueno retains a strongly Texan identity. The fast food chain is firmly tied to Texas through decades of history and growth in the Lone Star State.
However, the brand has expanded and broadened its appeal over the years as evidenced by the numerous locations in neighboring states. Taco Bueno has succeeded in spreading beyond Texas while still maintaining the perception and reality of being proudly Texan in origin and identity.
So in summary – Is Taco Bueno a Texas thing? Absolutely. The restaurant originated in Texas, found success in Texas, and maintains its highest concentration of locations in Texas over 50 years later. The food, branding, and marketing carry Texas influences as well. But the chain has also managed to extend its appeal across a wider region while holding on to its Lone Star roots.
Taco Bueno will likely continue thriving as a fast food brand strongly associated with Texas for the foreseeable future. Its history and identity are firmly interwoven with the state of Texas. Just don’t make the mistake of assuming its appeal and fans are limited within the borders of Texas.
Taco Bueno has successfully navigated expanding beyond its Texas home base while embracing its origins there. For Texans craving quick and flavorful Tex-Mex eats, it remains a beloved go-to option. For those outside Texas, it brings a satisfying taste of the Lone Star State straight to your drive-thru window.
In the competitive world of fast food and Tex-Mex chains, Taco Bueno has carved out a niche as an iconic Texas brand with broader appeal across the Southern United States. It will be fascinating to watch this born-in-Texas chain continue evolving in the years ahead while staying true to its Texas roots.
Wherever you live, next time you’re debating running for the border versus thinking outside the bun, consider swinging by Taco Bueno for some fast, fresh Tex-Mex that will make you feel right at home in the Lone Star State.