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    Major Taco Lawsuit

    Torchy's Tacos lawsuit alleges stolen Taco Bible led to competitor's ripoff recipes

    Eric Sandler
    Oct 22, 2013 | 3:38 pm

    The Dirty Sanchez. Mr. Pink. The Democrat. The Republican. Fans of Austin-based Torchy's Tacos will immediately recognize these as some of the creative names the company has developed for its signature dishes. Now, a lawsuit alleges that a competitor has stolen the company's secrets and opened a new restaurant that mimics Torchy's distinctive items.

    The alleged culprit? Texas Taco Company, a three-outlet chain in the Houston area with locations in Baytown, Friendswood and Magnolia.

    Chefs can't trademark recipes, but do style and presentation make a recipe so unique that it's a trade secret? That's one of the issues at the heart of the lawsuit.

    Torchy's alleges that Texas Taco uses recipes, menu designs and presentation styles that are "a blatant Torchy's rip-off."

    Torchy's marketing director Brittany Platt says that the company became aware of Texas Taco Company when Torchy's customers started tagging images from Texas Taco on Instagram. "There's clear consumer confusion" about the relationship between Torchy's and Texas Taco, Platt says. She adds that the suit's purpose is to clarify that the two aren't connected.

    In a pleading filed in Harris County, Torchy's alleges that Texas Taco uses recipes, menu designs and presentation styles that are "a blatant Torchy's rip-off." Furthermore, the suit claims that former Torchy's cook Mario DeJesus stole the Torchy's "Taco Bible" that contains all its recipes and supplied it to Texas Taco.

    The suit seeks both to stop Texas Taco Company from using Torchy's recipes and, of course, for monetary damages for using them in the first place.

    According to Torchy's, DeJesus signed a non-disclosure agreement when he worked there that prohibits him from revealing any of the company's recipes to competitors. Furthermore, Torchy's uses a variety of tactics, including video surveillance, to prevent employees from ever removing the Taco Bible. When a manager saw that DeJesus had done so, the company fired him immediately after he returned it.

    When a Torchy's manager visited a Texas Taco location and inquired as to whether Texas Taco was using Torchy's recipes, the pleading states that an employee told him, "McDonald's had also been copied and it was 'just business.'"

    Although it will be up for a jury to determine whether Texas Taco owes Torchy's money, the appearance and descriptions of both companies' tacos appear similar. For example, both the Torchy's and Texas Taco menus describe the avocado they use as "hand-battered," and the Torchy's fried avocado and Texas Taco Willie have identical-sounding toppings.

    The same is true for the blackened salmon taco that's known as Mr. Orange at Torchy's and Bill Pickett at Texas Taco.

    Texas Taco did not immediately respond to CultureMap's request for comment on the lawsuit, and its answer to Torchy's pleading denies all of the allegations. Among the documents Texas Taco officials produced in the filing are DeJesus's employment application and some highly entertaining emails from Torchy's employees that include comments like "I hope you go down in flames" and "THANK YOU SO MUCH for ripping off something that we have all worked so hard to build."

    Torchy's Tacos alleges that Texas Taco Company has stolen its recipes.

    Torchy's Tacos interior with red devil balloon
    MexicanFoodReviews.com
    Torchy's Tacos alleges that Texas Taco Company has stolen its recipes.
    unspecified
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    Oyster News

    New NOLA-style lounge to open above S&D Oyster in Uptown Dallas

    Teresa Gubbins
    Aug 19, 2025 | 11:16 am
    Cache Lounge S&D Oyster
    Samantha Marie Photography
    Cache Lounge above S&D Oyster

    A new NOLA-style lounge is coming to Uptown Dallas: Called Caché, it'll be a refined, New Orleans and French-inspired cocktail lounge located above the legendary S&D Oyster Company opening at 2701 McKinney Ave. on August 29.

    Tucked above S&D, it'll go into a previously unused office, now a 600-square-foot lounge with vaulted ceilings, wood-burning fireplace, and balcony overlooking S&D’s New Orleans-style courtyard.

    Caché will have its own distinct identity while honoring the legacy of S&D, offering a cozy, elevated space with cocktails, fine wine, and New Orleans-inspired small plates.

    In a release, co-owner Ryan Bellomy recalls his personal history with S&D.

    "Our parents would drive us to S&D when we were kids, and it’s been a staple for the city for as long as we can remember," Bellomy says. "Herb and Mary Kay Story brought the flavors of the Gulf Coast to Dallas in 1976, and the New Orleans-style courtyard and patio that was added in 2014 has been a favorite spot for us."

    "We were honored in 2023 when Herb allowed us to acquire S&D, and we take seriously our responsibility to preserve this piece of our city’s history," Bellomy says. "With Caché, we wanted to honor S&D’s legacy while creating something completely new—a warm, inviting lounge where guests can enjoy world-class cocktails and small plates in an elevated, intimate setting, building on the tradition and spirit of S&D.”

    Cocktails
    The cocktail program is by beverage director Shane Scully, who was most recently Beverage Director at Petra and the Beast, but has worked in Southern California and Las Vegas.

    “The foundation of our drink program is rooted in history,” Scully says in a statement. “When I traveled to New Orleans, I was surprised by how much of the city’s cocktail scene—both classic and contemporary—remains grounded in traditional cocktail history. New Orleans has one of the richest cocktail traditions in the world. I wanted to capture that authenticity while blending in contemporary techniques and inventive ingredients. Every drink tells a story, and every detail—ice, glassware, garnish—is intentional.”

    Cocktails include

    • Oyster Co. Martini, a twist on the classic Vesper-style martini with roasted Gulf oyster shells infused into vodka
    • American Graffiti - Scully’s take on a sazerac, with Sazerac Rye, cognac, Madeira wine, cola syrup, and cherry bitters
    • Riffignac - a “riff” on the classic New Orleans cocktail, Roffignac, featuring salted honey cornbread–infused cognac, raspberry and champagne shrub, and corn cream soda
    • Chantilly Lace with vanilla and cacao-washed vodka, amaretto, crème des Quatre, and Blanc de Blancs
    • Café Brûlée - blending the classic New Orleans café brûlot with an espresso martini, with brandy, café amaro, chicory cold brew (using Café du Monde coffee), egg (for creamy texture) and a brûléed cinnamon-and-clove demerara sugar
    • Maison Verte with Don Fulano Fuerte , house chartreuse blend, basil eau de vie, and pineapple cordial
    • Hurricanrana, an elevated version of the classic New Orleans hurricane, made with Worthy Park 109 and spiced rum blend, lemongrass fassionola and lime.

    Wine
    Caché’s wine program is by Advanced Sommelier Jesse Rodriguez, whose career spans some of the country’s most celebrated kitchens and wine lists. He was Head Sommelier at The French Laundry, and has led luxury and fine dining beverage programs across the U.S., including Addison in San Diego and Montage International.

    The initial wine list at Caché features 18 wines by the glass and bottle: sparkling wines, crisp whites, rosés, and reds from France, California, and beyond; it will expand to approximately 70 wines later in the fall.

    Food
    The food offering will include

    • caviar service, with choices of Siberian Baerii, Kaluga Hybrid, or Smoked Trout Roe
    • Deviled Eggs - panko-crusted with Creole filling, lemon zest, chive and truffle pearls
    • Black-Eyed Pea Hummus with tahini, topped with field pea and pepper relish
    • Steak Tartare with beef tenderloin, pickled strawberry jam, dill, chive emulsion, garlic oil, served on crostini
    • Charcuterie & Cheese Board with meat, cheese, house cornbread, candied pecans, pepper jam, and pickle medley.

    Decor
    Folding glass doors will open to a balcony overlooking the courtyard, while a zinc bartop, antique-mirrored fireplace, and cozy seating nooks create old-world charm. A crystal chandelier and velvet drapery add finishing touches.

    Bellomy Hospitality Group was founded by Ryan, Sean, and Beau Bellomy, who own S&D Oyster Company, Rex’s Seafood & Market, and have partnered with Julio Pineda and Cristian Lujano in Sueño, the popular Mexican restaurant in Richardson.

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