There are too many taco shops in Houston, said no one ever.
Tacos A Go Go is giving Houstonians even more opportunity to get their hands on scratch-made tacos and fajita family packs with an announcement that it will be opening two new locations this winter. Its current Heights location on White Oak Drive will move into a larger space at 1102 Yale Street, holding court in the building that formerly housed Lola; and a brand new location will open in the Tanglewood area, opening at 2231 South Voss Road, in the space that previously housed Killen’s STQ.
Beyond the advantages of having more space and parking at a new Heights location, and reaching new audiences that reside and work in Tanglewood and Memorial, news of the expansion comes with an added bonus for the budding brand. For the first time since opening 20 years ago in Midtown, Tacos A Go Go founder Sharon Haynes and chef and co-owner Maribel Gomez will launch a full bar program, in collaboration with veteran hospitality pro and two-time James Beard Award finalist, Bobby Heugel.
The duo have proven to be powerhouses, maintaining the brand for two decades through countless challenges faced by Houston hospitality professionals, with this move demonstrating their fearlessness in growing and evolving.
Heugel has been a longtime fan, and has his own personal connections to the restaurant, agreeing to his first business partnership to open his, now iconic, bar Anvil over tacos at Tacos A Go Go. Call it the luck of the tacos, as Heugel went on to receive countless accolades for his Montrose cocktail bar, and opened other popular concepts like Better Luck Tomorrow and Refuge, a sister concept to Anvil located in the same building.
“I’ve been a fan of Tacos A Go Go for nearly twenty years, so this project is especially exciting for me,” Heugel said, in a press release. “I’m working to bring the same creativity and care their team puts into the food to the bar program, so guests enjoy an experience that feels just as fun and delicious as the tacos.”
Having a full bar at Tacos A Go Go was a longtime desire of Haynes. The larger spaces will now give way for her to consider more robust beverage offerings, including cocktails inspired by Mexican spirits and ingredients. With Heugel’s touch, the curated program will focus on sourcing tequilas and mezcals from family-owned producers and distilleries.
As far as food, Gomez continues to lead the menu, as she has for the last two decades. With more room, guests can expect her to bring more of the same, but with even more intention and care. Tacos A Go Go’s expanded kitchens will allow for tortillas to be made fresh daily and the availability of fajita family packs, with meats prepared over charbroiled grills.
“I came to this country in 1991 with a dream of cooking the food I grew up with,” Gomez said, in the announcement. “To share those recipes here, in a place that has become my community, is a dream come true. Thirty years later, I’m proud to be doing what I love and grateful for the chance to bring people together with food that reminds me of home and hopefully makes them feel at home, too.”
