'A beautiful building': Popular Cape Coral taco joint opening off McGregor Boulevard
Update: Taco Works did not open Nov. 3 as expected. An Instagram post on Friday stated the owners "forgot one very special detail needed to open today." They hoped to be open Saturday, Monday or "on Taco Tuesday at the latest."
When Taco Works opens a new location in Fort Myers on Friday, Nov. 3, it may not be where you think it is.
Max Curtis and Ozzie Morrobel, the co-owners of the wildly popular taco joint in Cape Coral, have been busy working on a location in downtown Fort Myers.
But before that one debuts, the duo announced a third location (or technically second?) will open along McGregor Boulevard at the base of the Cape Coral Bridge.
“We knew we were going there for a little bit but kept it quiet,” Curtis said. “It was so turnkey, everything came together very quickly. We are very excited about it.”
It will take over the spot previously occupied by Colleoni’s Italian Ristorante, north of College Parkway and just south of Buddha LIVE.
Not much work was needed since the building was so move-in ready.
“We changed the décor and stuff, switched some things up to suit our style,” Curtis said. “The paint scheme and colors fit. It’s a beautiful building. Fully equipped. We got very lucky.”
And while it’s a much bigger space than the Cape location, it will have the “same feel, just more seating,” with orders still being placed at the counter.
The building's drive-thru may or may not be utilized.
“We are still debating that,” Curtis said. “If we don’t use it, we can throw some tables out there, maybe cornhole or something.”
Food truck beginnings
Curtis and Morrobel started Taco Works out of a food truck for two years before opening their first fast-casual restaurant in Cape Coral a little more than a year ago.
The menu that began there and has found continued success in the Cape will be the “exact same” at the new locations, which is great news for Taco Works' fans.
The signature tacos — from Philly cheese and That Ziki to Chicago beef and Buffalo — put them on the culinary map.
The Korean beef tacos, with shredded beef, cabbage, carrots, cilantro, onion, spicy ginger glaze and sesame seeds, are the most popular. Street, gringo, vegan and kids options are also available.
The hefty burritos, limited-time special tacos and nachos get lots of love too.
“Everything is made from scratch and our portions are big,” said Curtis, adding that a seafood taco is being contemplated. “We want to be different, but we get lots of requests. We listen to our customers but want to stay true to what we do.”
Downtown location still happening
The opening of the McGregor site doesn’t really impact the upcoming downtown location. That one — on Hendry Street next to Cowboy Up Saloon, in the space previously occupied by Peter’s German Ice Cream & Coffee Shop — is coming along.
“We’re hoping to have that going in the next three or four weeks,” Curtis said. “We lucked into a great spot there too. We want to open in November.”
That spot, unlike the others with beer and wine only, will have a full liquor license.
All locations will have similar hours — opening at 11 a.m. and closing at 9 p.m. usually, except for Friday and Saturday nights.
“We’re hoping to be open seven days,” Curtis said. “Maybe late nights on the weekends.”
Staff is in place, but Curtis encourages anyone interested to drop by either the Cape or McGregor location to fill out an application.
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And he encourages customers to keep an eye out for upcoming specials, “like $1 tacos or maybe a get-one-free.”
Curtis and Morrobel aren't about to stop with just three locations.
"We are always looking," Curtis said. "Our eyes and ears are always open. We want to get 10 locations in the state before we franchise. We’ll figure it out. It’s going to be fun.”
Taco Works, 12731 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers; 1017B Cape Coral Parkway E, Cape Coral; coming in November to 1617 Hendry Street, Suite 102, Fort Myers; (239) 984-5912; tacoworksfl.com; follow on Facebook and Instagram
Robyn George is a food and dining writer for The Fort Myers News-Press. Send news to [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: New Taco Works restaurant is opening in Fort Myers on Nov. 3
