Jeff Jackson, CEO and president of Legendary Q Brands, the franchisor of Billy Sims BBQ, is launching a new fast casual concept, named tacocue americano eatery. The concept blends two different food categories—Barbecue and Mexican—with a variety of daily smoked meats used in a “build-your-own” taco/burrito/bowls/quesadillas restaurant. tacocue will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The first tacocue americano eatery, located at 9107 South Sheridan Road in Tulsa, will open its doors on December 1 at 6:30 a.m. for the Grand Opening Weekend. In addition to a variety of food giveaways being featured on social media platforms including: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat, tacocue will be hosting live music each night from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The Hi-Fi Hillbillies, Jake Karlik and Paris Faye duo and Last Chance Band will play a wide range of music from classic rock to today’s hits. Guests will have the opportunity to take photos in the exclusive tacocue Photo Booth, as well as a chance to enter a name for the iconic taco woman.
“We are delighted to be creating a new concept that combines two of America’s favorite foods,” says Jackson. “If you look at the hot taco eateries, they are all incorporating smoked meats, and at Billy Sims BBQ, that’s obviously our specialty. That was the inspiration to combine American smoked meats with Mexican sides and toppings-a perfect match.”
tacocue, whose mission is “Fresh. Bold. Fusion.,” hand-prepares each menu item from scratch daily, using the freshest ingredients. The eight different meats (Pulled Pork, Smoked Chicken, Hot Link, Chorizo, Hamlet Ham, Brisket, Steak and Breakfast Bacon) are seasoned and smoked using pecan wood, giving a vibrant fusion of bold flavor. This retro-twist on Americano Mexican delivers a dynamic punch to every palate.
The four menu items include: The Taco Duo (2 tacos), Bowl (Salad or Rice), Burrito and Quesadilla. Upon selecting their menu item and smoked meat choice, guests can then choose from over 20 ingredient options to fill their item with, including three salsas—the spiciest of which is tacocue’s “KA-BOOM Sauce.” Kids meal selections include a Taco or a Quesadilla with the choice of cheese or meat, paired with a fruit cup and 100 percent fruit juice box.
Additionally, tacocue offers an assortment of domestic and imported Mexican beers such as Dos XX Amber, Dos XX Lager, Corona Extra, Corona Light, Modelo and Tecate, as well as over 10 wines from Moscato to Merlot.
Likely tacocue’s most surprising offering is its breakfast menu featuring a premium selection of coffee: Imperial Coffee, European Blend (Dark Roast), Colombian Blend (Medium) and Decaf. Eggs and bacon proteins are additional ingredient options. tacocue will open at 6:30 a.m., and guests can grab-and-go or sit-and-sip.
tacocue prides itself on being guest-centric by providing endless service from the first bite to the last crunch. The staff culture is crafted to bring a lively, personal experience that leaves a lasting impression on guests. The build-your-own operational design adds to the overall experience.
“One of my favorite aspects of tacocue?” ask Ryan Gray, tacocue’s chief of operations. “Our guests are able to watch us build their order, therefore, they can get exactly what they want and don’t need to worry about getting the wrong order.”
The 2,700 square-foot prototype tacocue, located at 9701 South Sheridan Road, will seat about 80 guests and includes a heated, all-season patio. The interior will include images of food and POP art including the Taco Woman, a sassy image which will delight fans. The location will act as a test-model to determine the success or possibility of franchising. Legendary Q Brands hopes to begin franchising within 12 months, starting in Oklahoma. Seven existing franchisees are ready to sign in a variety of locations including Lawton, Midwest City, OKC/Edmond, Iowa.
