Tex-Mex News

These 7 Mexican chains from Texas are about to blow up across the U.S.

More tacos are teed up for the expansion across the U.S.

Courtesy of Velvet Taco

The U.S. is set to be on the receiving end of an explosion of Mexican chain restaurants — and Texas, God bless, is doing its part.

An eye-opening (and clever) story on Mashed called "Mexican Chain Restaurants You're About To See Everywhere" finds 12 chains all on the verge of expansion.

Some are fast-food, some fast-casual; some serve Mexican, some Tex-Mex — but all are poised to make their nationwide entrance.

Out of the 12 concepts on the list, an impressive seven are based in Texas. And out of the seven from Texas, five are taco concepts. Our tacos are spreading across America.

One surprising fact the story reveals is how many Texas-based chains have been recently acquired by big hospitality groups, including Chuy's, Fuzzy's, and Taco Cabana, which will help further their expansion.

Here are seven Texas chains getting ready to blow up:

Chuy's
Tex-Mex chain founded in Austin in 1982 is known for its authentic, Tex-Mex food served in a fun, eclectic, irreverent atmosphere, with each location boasting its own unique, non-chain feel. They currently have 101 locations in 15 states including 10 locations in Dallas-Fort Worth. Expect more now that Darden Restaurants, Inc. (Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakouse) acquired the chain in July 2024.

Fajita Pete's
Houston chain was founded in 2008 specializing in fajitas with choice of chicken, pork, beef, and shrimp. Tortillas are handmade, and the sides are from scratch. Thanks to a robust franchising program, they currently have 30 locations across Texas, Kansas, Pennsylvania, and Colorado, including one that just opened in Austin on September 1.

Fuzzy's Taco Shop
Fuzzy's was first founded in Fort Worth in 2001, specializing in Baja-style Mexican cuisine, open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with burritos, tacos, and breakfast items, plus a full bar. They currently have more than 150 locations in 17 states with more on the way, since they were acquired in 2022 by Dine Brands (Applebee's Neighborhood Grill, IHOP).

Taco Cabana
Fast-casual favorite founded in San Antonio in the 1970s is noted for its good-and-cheap food including tacos, burritos, creative menu of frozen margaritas, and accommodating late-night hours. In 2021, they were acquired by Yadav Enterprises (Jack in the Box, Denny's, TGI Fridays), and Mashed says that owner Anil Yadav plans to streamline the restaurants with upgraded drive-thrus and an easier ordering process for take-out.

Taco Palenque
Fast-casual Mexican restaurant founded in Laredo in 1987 serves authentic Mexican food, including soft and crispy tacos, enchiladas, burritos, and chicken mole. While they are currently only found in Texas, the company was founded by Juan Francisco Ochoa Sr., who also founded El Pollo Loco in 1975 and he plans to expand the concept across the U.S.

Torchy's
Revered Austin taco chain started out as a taco truck in 2006 and now has 125 locations across 14 states with plans to keep expanding. Their tacos and queso are massively popular and they're never afraid to roll out new things: In fact, they just made a big menu change that included removing some menu staples entirely, replacing them with new items such as the Damn Good Tots, topped with queso and bacon.

Velvet Taco
What started out as one foodie-centric taco shop in Dallas in 2011 has grown to nearly 50 restaurants in seven states. They're known for their unique cuisine mashups such as the Chicken & Waffle taco or the Tikka Chicken taco with basmati rice. Future expansion plans include opening locations in airports.

Outside Texas
The five non-Texas chains also in expansion mode across the U.S. include:

Bubbakoo's Burritos, a Mexican joint on the Jersey Shore
BurritoBar, a Canadian chain with plans to expand into the U.S. market
Condado Tacos, founded in Columbus near The Ohio State University campus
District Taco, a small chain in the mid-Atlantic region
Surchero's, founded in Douglas, Georgia in 2007

It remains to be seen whether any will dare to enter Texas.

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outta this world

Cowboys superfan launches pizzeria with Tex-Mex twist in Dallas food hall

Photo courtesy of Starboy's

Check out the cheese pull on Starboy's birria pizza.

A new pizza restaurant is slinging a variety of innovative pies in the Dallas Medical District: Called Starboy’s Pizzeria, the new shop is part of Food Nation Cinco Cocinas, the eclectic food hall at 4711 Maple Ave. The food hall was created by Ray Quintanilla and legendary restaurateur and "Godfather of Dallas Tex-Mex" Mico Rodriguez, who died earlier this month at age 68.

John Flores, an IT professional and self-proclaimed Dallas Cowboys super-fan, created Starboy’s Pizzeria, which is now open in the former Sal’s Pizza and Restaurant space. Friends call Flores by the nickname "Starboy," which combines his love for the Cowboys and his fascination with NASA and space, he explains.

Flores met Quintanilla and Rodriguez while hosting karaoke at Mico’s Bar, another food hall occupant. When Sal’s closed earlier this year, they saw an opportunity to fill the void with a refreshed pizza concept.

“It is because of Mico that I even thought about starting this project: he was part of this, he was always happy, and we really hit it off, so I miss him,” Flores says.

Starboy's Pizzeria joins Mico’s Bar, Picazo Sushi and Poke, Wing City, and JJ’s Cafe, which opened a location in the food hall earlier this year.

Lupe Ibarra, a chef from the closed Sal’s Pizza with 25 years of experience, stayed on at Starboy's to continue perfecting traditional recipes while creating signature new ones tied to Flores’ Mexican heritage.

The result of the collaboration is a menu that includes traditional favorites alongside creative pies with a Mexican-inspired twist like the Pizza Birria (resembling the flavor profile of popular birria tacos), elotero, chicken fajitas, and pastor, among more than 15 specialty offerings.

Flores' passion for the Cowboys is especially evident in several unique creations:

Cry Eagles Cry: Inspired by the Philly cheesesteak, topped with beef, green peppers, onions, and mozzarella.
Starboy’s Classic (Blue): Red sauce, mozzarella, mushrooms, onions, sausage, and fresh arugula.
Starboy’s Classic (Silver): White sauce, chicken, mushrooms, onions, arugula, mozzarella, and a balsamic glaze.
Cowboy: Brisket, onions, barbecue sauce, and smoked gouda.

Starboy's 16-inch pizzas range from $14-$25, with individual slices priced around $4. The menu also features sub sandwiches, pastas with a variety of sauces, and chicken Parmesan, all under $14.

To cater to the busy medical, residential, and retail crowds nearby, Starboy's offers lunch deals for under $12, which include pasta and garlic knots or a slice of pizza and a salad, complete with a drink.

Flores explains that his heritage and his mother’s influence serve as the primary driving force behind his new venture.

“My mom would always host family gatherings. She always fed people, and I got that from her. I like to see smiles on people’s faces from the things I do,” he says. “I have big dreams for this place. I want us to be part of the community and give back.”

Flores remains involved with karaoke at Mico’s Bar and is focused on driving traffic to the entire complex. He hosts Cowboys watch parties, while his adult children — Nathan, Natalie, and Amy — assist with social media, website management, and overall promotion for Starboy’s.

“When people try our pizzas for the first time, their eyes light up, so we know we are on the right track,” Flores says.

Starboy’s Pizzeria is open daily from 11 am-10 pm.

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