Blue Taco, a restaurant known for its quirky taco and burrito combinations, will open a new location on Ambler Avenue. The grand opening is set for July 1.
This second site will replace Java City, located next to Hardin Simmons University, which owns the establishment.
Manager and Executive Chef Nathaniel Erwim said the push to add an additional location in the area attempts to reach out to the customers on the north side of the city.
“A lot of our customers come from that side of town, so it’s a little more convenient for them,” Erwim said. “Also, we can reach the hospital.”
With plans for the new restaurant underway, Java City has moved into its new location in HSU’s Moody Center.
Although the university owns the property, the restaurant will have no ties to the school, Erwim said. However, it still will offer student and military promotions, as does the Buffalo Gap location. Additionally, customers can earn free coupons and merchandise by text messaging ‘Blue Taco’ to 39649.
For its grand opening, the Ambler location will unveil a breakfast menu, a new move for the chain. With the expanded menu and different location, Erwim said he expects business to be “insane.”
“I hope that we’re busy from the minute we open the doors until we close,” he said. “And it’s a good location, so I see business continuing pretty well.”
Blue Taco fan Parker Gordon, freshman piano performance major from Stephenville, said he will appreciate the shorter drive, especially considering rising gas prices.
“I like Blue Taco because it offers good Mexican food at a good price. There is a lot of variety you can choose from, and it all goes into one taco shell,” Gordon said. “Right now, the closest place we can go for a burrito is Sharky’s, but sometimes we want something different. You couldn’t ask for a better location.”
Unlike Sharky’s and Chipotle burrito-based restaurant chains, Blue Taco offers authentic blue-colored tacos. And Erwin said he hopes the new location will encourage patrons to try new flavors. He suggests the shredded beef or shredded chicken.
“I try to get people to think a little bit outside of their normal flour tortilla. For example to get pineapple on it, perhaps,” he said. “I want to get them away from their normal everyday going to the store to find a flour tortilla.”
