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Torchy’s Brings 'Damn Good' Tacos to West U

Pooja Salhotra
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Alexa Schwartz, Serena Schwartz, Jacki Schwartz,

Twin sisters Alexa Schwartz (left) and Serena Schwartz (right) say Torchy’s is one of their favorite restaurants. As Meyerland residents, they, along with mom Jacki Schwartz (middle) are excited about Torchy’s new location. (Photo: Pooja Salhotra)

The temperature was hitting three digits, but that wasn’t enough to stop more than 800 people from attending Torchy’s Tacos’ grand opening party at their newest Houston location (5537 Weslayan St.) on Monday evening.  

By 4:30 p.m., 30 minutes before the party was slated to begin at the new West U Torchy’s location, a line of people of all ages wound around barricades and soon extended out into the greater Weslayan Plaza. Located in the former Chuck E. Cheese space on Weslayan, the new joint is Torchy’s 14th location in the greater Houston area. The Austin-based restaurant started out as a food trailer over a decade ago and has since become a fan favorite for kids and adults alike. 

“The tacos are just awesome,” said Jacki Schwartz, a Meyerland resident who attended the opening party with her twin daughters. “The mixture they make is so good. It’s a different kind of taco, not your run-of-the-mill kind.” 

Tacos and margaritas

At their opening party, the new Torchy’s offered customers free tacos and drinks. Pictured: Fried Avocado Tacos, the Trailer park, a peach margarita and a passion fruit margarita. (Photo: Jordan Magaziner Steinfeld) 

Jacki said she and her daughters Alexa and Serena, rising sophomores at Bellaire High School, often visit the Rice Village outpost of Torchy’s, or they stop by the Sugar Land one when they are in that area of town. But this new location is far more convenient. When asked what their favorite taco is, Serena, Alexa and Jacki all blurted out “Fried Avocado.” But Jacki then proceeded to list other tacos on the menu, such as Trailer Park and The Independent, noting she’s liked everything she’s tried so far. 

Monday’s grand opening party included not only free tacos and drinks, but also entertainment. A local DJ was spinning hits, there was face-painting for kids  and local artist Sergio Mireles was creating live art, decorating a large white canvas with Torchy’s baby devil mascot. 

Michael Grant, Kim Grant,

Michael and Kim Grant, Bellaire residents, are excited to have a Torchy’s close to home. (Photo: Pooja Salhotra) 

The friendly mascot was also bopping around outside, taking photos with attendees as they waited in line. Outside, Torchy’s employees also served up chips with guacamole and queso, and samples of local beer were distributed. The Torchy’s team seemed to have thought of everything for the opening party. They even had branded paper fans for guests to cool off with, as well as cold  water and bottles of Topo Chico. 

Once the doors to Torchy’s opened at 5 p.m., groups of people were granted entry in waves. Guests ordered tacos at the counter and runners quickly delivered orders to guests at their tables. The 5,000-square-foot-space is brightly lit with full-length glass windows and high ceilings. There’s also a full-service bar where customers can order draft beer, fresh-squeezed margaritas in a variety of flavors such as peach and passion fruit, and other signature cocktails. An outdoor patio offers extra seating in a dog-friendly space. 

Damn Good sign

Torchy’s Tacos abides by the mantra of serving “Damn Good” tacos. (Photo: Pooja Salhotra) 

The new restaurant officially opens to the public on Wednesday, Aug. 14. Hours of operation are Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m.-10 p.m., Friday, 7 a.m.-11 p.m., Saturday, 8 a.m.-11 p.m. and Sunday, 8 a.m.-10 p.m. The West U restaurant is Torchy’s Tacos’ 55th location in Texas, and the chain has plans to open an additional three restaurants in the Houston area throughout 2019. 

  • Lauren Sorkin, Brandon Sorkin, Jordan Sorkin,

    Bellaire mom Lauren Sorkin brought her three sons, Brandon, Drew (middle) and Jordan to the grand opening of Torchy’s in West U. (Photo: Pooja Salhotra)

  • Chips and queso

    Torchy’s employees distributed chips and their signature queso and guacamole to those waiting in line for the grand opening party. (Photo: Jordan Magaziner Steinfeld) 

  • Grand opening party

    Approximately 850 people attended Torchy’s grand opening on Monday, Aug. 12. (Photo: Pooja Salhotra)

  • Buz Marvins, Libby Marvins, Nancy Peskin,

    Buz Marvins, Libby Marvins and Nancy Peskin braved the nearly 100-degree weather to check out Torchy’s opening party. (Photo: Pooja Salhotra)

  • Avril Nunes, Riley Nunes, Adrienne Nunes,

    Torchy’s fan Avril Nunes brought her son Riley Nunes and daughter Adrienne Nunes to try the taco joint for the first time. (Photo: Pooja Salhotra)

  • Face painting

    The grand opening included kid-friendly attractions such as Face Painting by Stormy. June (pictured) is all smiles after getting her face painted. (Photo: Pooja Salhotra) 

  • Damn Good sign

    Torchy’s Tacos abides by the mantra of serving “Damn Good” tacos. (Photo: Pooja Salhotra) 

  • Torchy's new location

    Torchy’s new location is located at 5537 Weslayan Street, in the former Chuck E. Cheese space. (Photo: Jordan Magaziner Steinfeld)

  • Menu

    Torchy’s Tacos menu includes a range of “Damn Good” tacos such as Baja Shrimp, Fried Avocado and a fried chicken taco called “Trailer Park.” They also offer breakfast tacos in the mornings, as well as happy hour drinks such as margaritas, sangria and local beers and wines. (Photo: Jordan Magaziner Steinfeld)

  • Torchy's sign

    This new location marks Torchy’s 14th outpost in the greater Houston area. (Photo: Jordan Magaziner Steinfeld)  

  • Lauren Sorkin, Brandon Sorkin, Jordan Sorkin,
  • Chips and queso
  • Grand opening party
  • Buz Marvins, Libby Marvins, Nancy Peskin,
  • Avril Nunes, Riley Nunes, Adrienne Nunes,
  • Face painting
  • Damn Good sign
  • Torchy's new location
  • Menu
  • Torchy's sign

Lauren Sorkin, Brandon Sorkin, Jordan Sorkin,

Bellaire mom Lauren Sorkin brought her three sons, Brandon, Drew (middle) and Jordan to the grand opening of Torchy’s in West U. (Photo: Pooja Salhotra)

Chips and queso

Torchy’s employees distributed chips and their signature queso and guacamole to those waiting in line for the grand opening party. (Photo: Jordan Magaziner Steinfeld) 

Grand opening party

Approximately 850 people attended Torchy’s grand opening on Monday, Aug. 12. (Photo: Pooja Salhotra)

Buz Marvins, Libby Marvins, Nancy Peskin,

Buz Marvins, Libby Marvins and Nancy Peskin braved the nearly 100-degree weather to check out Torchy’s opening party. (Photo: Pooja Salhotra)

Avril Nunes, Riley Nunes, Adrienne Nunes,

Torchy’s fan Avril Nunes brought her son Riley Nunes and daughter Adrienne Nunes to try the taco joint for the first time. (Photo: Pooja Salhotra)

Face painting

The grand opening included kid-friendly attractions such as Face Painting by Stormy. June (pictured) is all smiles after getting her face painted. (Photo: Pooja Salhotra) 

Damn Good sign

Torchy’s Tacos abides by the mantra of serving “Damn Good” tacos. (Photo: Pooja Salhotra) 

Torchy's new location

Torchy’s new location is located at 5537 Weslayan Street, in the former Chuck E. Cheese space. (Photo: Jordan Magaziner Steinfeld)

Menu

Torchy’s Tacos menu includes a range of “Damn Good” tacos such as Baja Shrimp, Fried Avocado and a fried chicken taco called “Trailer Park.” They also offer breakfast tacos in the mornings, as well as happy hour drinks such as margaritas, sangria and local beers and wines. (Photo: Jordan Magaziner Steinfeld)

Torchy's sign

This new location marks Torchy’s 14th outpost in the greater Houston area. (Photo: Jordan Magaziner Steinfeld)  

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