A group of culinary veterans found inspiration in a loveable bull as they shaped their latest restaurant concept: a fresh, authentic taco restaurant in an upbeat, family-friendly environment. Mojo’s Tacos is set to launch in the former Saffire space in the Factory at Franklin on Saturday, May 5th, with a Grand Opening event from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Mojo is the pet bull of Franklin businessman and restaurateur Bill Butler, one of the partners behind other local landmarks like Burger Up Cool Springs, Franklin Juice Co., Juice Nashville, Honest Coffee Roasters and Five Daughters Bakery. Mojo is an imposing animal with a gentle heart who loves to eat well. When Butler, his son Will Butler, Travis Anderson, Jason Smith and Dave Story decided to open a taco shop focused on great food, craft beverages and a hip, energetic atmosphere, the Mojo’s name was a no-brainer.
The Mojo’s Tacos truck has been serving a scaled-down menu since February, and customers can’t get enough of the handmade tortillas, slow-cooked meats, fresh veggies and from-scratch sauces that are reminiscent of Texas tacos and flavors. Now the brick-and-mortar restaurant will offer a broader array of tacos, along with a range of paletas – Mexican-style popsicles – made daily, a full-service bar featuring craft tequilas and beers, and other twists.
“The Taco Truck allowed us to test some menu items and the response has been very rewarding,” said Dave Story, co-owner and culinary mind behind the concept. “We expected that our smoked brisket with guajillo barbecue sauce and old school ground beef tacos on freshly made tortillas would be well-received, but more innovative ideas like our fried avocado, and the puffy shell taco with pork adovada, another Texas-inspired favorite, have been a lot of fun to roll out.”
With a nod to Cinco de Mayo, the public is invited to Mojo’s Tacos and the adjacent amphitheater lawn at The Factory on Saturday, May 5, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. for food, fun and festivities. Both the truck and the restaurant will be serving tacos, along with fresh paletas for kids (think blueberry, mango and strawberry buttermilk) and adults (think sangria, margarita, and mint julep, since it’s Derby Day as well). The Kentucky Derby will be shown on the televisions, and other fun elements will make it a family-friendly event.
Co-owner Travis Anderson says Mojo’s Tacos fills a niche that was missing in Franklin.
“We want to serve business people, families, visitors and friends looking for a fun night out with a menu unlike anything that can be found here, and in a really cool space,” Anderson said.
To learn more, visit www.mojostacos.com or follow Mojo’s Tacos on Facebook.
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