Taco Tico
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Taco Tico is a chain of Tex-Mex cuisine fast-food restaurants. This establishment serves tacos, tostadas, nachos, enchiladas, burritos, refried beans, and sopaipillas available for dine-in, take-out, or drive-thru. Dan Foley opened the first Taco Tico in 1962, in his native Wichita, Kansas. He began franchising new locations in 1967. The company kept expanding and also added more items to the menu, which originally just offered tacos and nachos, and was a regional hit by the 1980.
In 1988, Foley sold the company and chain to a former executive from KFC. The meat recipe, which gave Taco-Tico tacos there unique flavor, was changed at that time. Most likely as a result of corporate influence, in an effort to lower costs. The meat, at that time, was sent in frozen tubes, from the home office. It is unknown if the flavor was reverted to the original recipe, and/or the process for delivery, at this current time. Expansion continued and locations are throughout the Midwest and Southeastern states. Taco Tico developed four distinctive taco sauces (mild, medium, hot, and volcano) in 1971 and continues to use them today. Newer buildings are adobe with teal-green and orange awnings, signs, and trim.
On January 2, 2008, there was a discussion on the Howard Stern Show about show regular, Richard Christy, and his family's tradition of going to Taco Tico, praising the chain's delectable "Sanchos". Richard father was upset that the Taco Tico in his town had closed, but was excited to learn that there was one located inside a gas station in nearby Pittsburg, Kansas.
