Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Bo Pombo.
Stephanie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was raised in the restaurant industry. When I was younger there was nothing I wanted to do more than to own my own restaurant. As I grew older I decided that I didn’t think that was something I wanted to do anymore. I went away to pursue an education at the College of Mount Saint Vincent where I later received a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in marketing. At this point in my life, I had one goal in mind and that was to work in New York City.
I had dreams to work in the fashion industry and after working for a digital marketing firm for a short time, I came to realize it wasn’t everything I always dreamed of, and with a pandemic in full swing, I decided to leave New York City. In 2018 my parents decided to open Lokos Takos Taqueria in Fort Lauderdale. It had been successful, but I knew that we could always do more.
I watched from afar and dreamed of owning my own Lokos at one point. I even tried to open one in New York City. I had some of the best people supporting and guiding me through the process of finding the perfect Lokos New York but realistically I needed more help. I decided to take a step back and slow down. I moved home to Fort Lauderdale to learn the ins and outs of the Lokos operation.
But back to when I said I needed help, I needed a partner in crime. I needed someone that I can trust someone that would never let me down, someone who thought the same way I did. I decided to bring my little brother on board. And at the age of 20, I have molded him into the best sidekick I could ever imagine. Well, that was two years ago. To this day Lucca and I run the day-to-day operations of Lokos Takos.
Lokos Takos is a family-owned taqueria here in Fort Lauderdale. We have taken the influence from upstate New York (where we were raised) intertwined it with Mexican cuisine and implemented a healthy twist. We are known for fresh ingredients, healthy options, and a funky atmosphere. We are a fun, diverse restaurant in which we strive to make everyone feel loved and welcome every single time.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Owning your own restaurant you will always face struggles and obstacles. But working with family you face even more. We have such love for one another that we are extremely hard on each other with the love of course but it definitely gets difficult. We have opinions and decisions to be made. We want growth but sometimes time is more important.
So ideally yes we’ve faced struggles but I wouldn’t change a thing. The struggles have made us who we are. Lucca left college to pursue a career in the restaurant business. I left New York City in hopes of a better life here in Florida. We both made huge life changes in the matter of a day, changes people take months to make. But as a team, we adapt and grow wherever we are thrown.
As you know, we’re big fans of Lokos Takos Taqueria. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Lokos Takos Taqueria uses the best products to produce all of our food. We make our chips, salsa, sauces, and tortillas all in-house. We make freshly squeezed margaritas daily. We show love through our food. Everything is very delicate, from the position and placement of our food to our toppings, everything has been made for a specific purpose.
We use the freshest products, to ensure the freshest quality. We are rock ‘n’ roll inspired. This influence comes from spending 20+ years in upstate New York. We have a great appreciation for music and art and display that through our food, decor, and music. When you come to Lokos, we strive for perfect service and great food. We are definitely no ordinary Taqueria.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
We encourage people to come out and give us a try! We love to interact with customers on Instagram and other social platforms. In-store we have a wall for our customers to sign, where they can write their thoughts and experience so that their love stays within the walls of our restaurants. Lokos has been huge with word of mouth. But we can promise if you come once you’re usually hooked.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lokostakostaqueria.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lokostakostaqueria/?hl=en
