By Kat Worrall and Ian Currie
Reporters
With curiosity and excitement on the rise, it seems that Baylor students are salivating for the opening of Torchy’s Tacos in Waco.
Torchy’s Tacos is set to open on April 3, according to Torchy’s Tacos official website. The chain will be located at the former Taco Bueno site at 801 S. Fifth Street.
The news of the restaurant has created excitement among many Baylor students who are fans of the chain.
Torchy’s Tacos was originally started in Austin by founder Michael Rypka in 2006 and will establish itself in Waco after sustained success at many other locations.
Torchy’s operates 21 locations throughout Texas.
It will join the approximately 90 Tex-Mex or Mexican food restaurants in the Waco area, according to data from urbanspoon.com.
Dallas junior Abigail Simnacher said Torchy’s and the added diversity to downtown Waco is exciting to her.
“I like that it’s pretty close to campus, so I’ll probably be there a lot,” Simnacher said.
Austin sophomore Annie Pace said she looks forward to the quality of tacos available at Torchy’s.
“There are not that many good taco places in Waco,” Pace said. “It’s going to attract Wacoans for sure.”
Some of the taco chain’s menu draws inspiration from starting in the state capital, including “The Democrat” taco, featuring shredded beef and tomatilla sauce, and “The Republican” taco, featuring jalapeno sausage with shredded cheese and poblano sauce.
Torchy’s is planning a special on the grand opening day.
From 7 to 10 a.m., Torchy’s will be offering customers one free breakfast item of their choice as either a dine-in or to-go option.
Though the breakfast items have yet to be specified, some breakfast item favorites include the “Monk Special” (scrambled eggs, green chilies, bacon, cheese on a flour tortilla) and the “Ranch Hand” (grilled skirt steak, eggs, Diablo Hot Sauce).
This opening day special is building conversation on campus around the opening of Torchy’s Tacos.
“The hype is kind of crazy, so I think it’s going to be crowded every time I’m there,” Pace said.
Houston sophomore Holly Livesay is planning on attending the opening to see if it matches the excitement it has created.
“I want to see what all the hype is about,” Livesay said.
The most important part of any restaurant is the quality of its food. Students who have eaten Torchy’s Tacos before said this is what has made its grand opening so exciting.
“We have one in Dallas,” Simnacher said. “It is delicious and we go all the time.”
