Today we’d like to introduce you to Leland Neal.
Leland, founder and CEO of Taco Rico Tex-Mex Café, has been in the restaurant business since he was 16 years old. He began working for the Red Lobster chain as a teenager, and had worked his way up to executive status, when, in 1992, he and his business partner, James Ross, decided to go out on their own. “There was a restaurant for sale – a little Mexican place that actually had the name Taco Rico along U.S. 1, which is the main corridor down here in Coral Gables, “We bought it and within six months, changed it to our concept – what we felt was our spin on Mexican food and continue its development daily, recently adding such items as tacos al pastor and an entire vegan section including a plant pure item”(no oil, light salt) With the help of key partners Marcelo Ortiz and Marlon Palmer Taco Rico has opened up five other corporate locations in south Florida – Miami,(Tropical Park), Miami Beach, Pinecrest, and Doral; and their first franchise, West Kendall. 3 more openings are planned to take place in the next year
Has it been a smooth road?
The first couple of years, as far as profitability, are always tricky, but luckily we picked a hot industry and have been blessed. As far as hard work, the restaurant industry is as difficult as any. The daily grind and long hours is tough. We have been lucky to have some family members as well as loyal dedicated employees to get us to where we are today
We’d love to hear more about your business.
We are a family owned quick service establishment cooking fresh and from scratch every day. We’re old school active, and talk to our customers, touching every table and making sure the experience is a good one. We like being a value-oriented establishment, our prices are very competitive, you can feed a family of 4 for under $25. All our entrees come with a complimentary basket of chips and 6 homemade salsas.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Like most large population areas, there are pockets throughout that are great for business and other areas that are not. I have been in Miami for 45 years and love it. It’s diverse and not for all business types. Each of the municipalities have their own different issues to work on.
Pricing:
- Lunch specials start at $6.79 to $8.99
- Monday taco madness .99 cent taco all day
Contact Info:
- Address: 473 s. dixie hwy, 7921 sw 40st, 12275 s. dixie hwy, 409 15st miami beach, 8688 nw 13 ter. 12305 sw 137 ave
- Website: tacoricotmc.com
- Phone: 3056633200
- Instagram: taco rico
- Facebook: taco rico
- Twitter: taco rico
- Yelp: taco rico
- Other: taco rico
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