 | |
| Industry | Restaurant chain |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2011 |
| Founder | David Choi |
| Headquarters | St. Louis, Missouri, United States |
Number of locations | 9 (2024) |
Area served | Missouri, Chicago metropolitan area |
| Products | Korean-Mexican fusion, Korean tacos |
| Website |
www |
Seoul Taco is a Korean-Mexican fusion fast-casual restaurant chain originally from St. Louis, Missouri, United States. As of April 2024 [update], the chain had nine locations in the Missouri and Chicago metropolitan areas. [1]
History
The chain was founded in 2011 as a food truck. [2] [3] It was founded by Korean American entrepreneur David Choi in St. Louis. Choi had no formal culinary training, and instead learned cooking from his family and from the industry. [2] [3] He had experience in pizza, sandwich, and Chinese restaurants. Choi sold his car and purchased a food truck that was listed for $40,000 at $18,000. He also convinced his friends and family to invest another $22,000 in his business. He began making Korean tacos, which proved so popular that he was able to recoup his investment within several months. [1] By 2012, he opened his first permanent location. [2]
When the chain began expanding, Choi adopted a strategy of recruiting local artists to decorate new locations. [1] In June 2016, the chain opened its first location in Chicago in River North. [4] Its second Chicago location was Hyde Park in December 2018. [4] By April 2023, the chain had nine locations in the Missouri and Chicago areas. [1] In 2021, the chain announced that it hired Michelin-starred, James Beard Award–winning chef Brian Fisher as its culinary director. [5]
In 2021, it celebrated its 10th anniversary with a block party that was headlined by Busta Rhymes. [6] [7] Admission was free of charge and open to the public. [6]
Description
The chain offers a variety of Korean-Mexican fusion dishes. This includes gogi (meat) bowls ( bibimbap with Mexican elements), as well as nachos, burritos, and quesadillas with Korean flavors. [8] [9] Dishes often include kimchi and kimchi fried rice. [10] The chain introduced a "Munchwrap Seoulpreme", inspired by the Crunchwrap Supreme dish from Taco Bell. [11] Alcohol is served at some locations, with both beer and liquor, particularly Korean-inspired drinks, offered. [9] The menu has been described as fairly small by intent; this is to ensure that each of the dishes are well-executed. [5]
Decorations in the chain often feature taekwondo fighters wearing luchador masks. [2] Elements of Japanese culture and hip hop are also present in the design. [12]
References
- ^ a b c d Mancini, Jeannine (April 29, 2023). "From Selling Tacos Out Of A Food Truck To Owning A Multimillion-Dollar Business". Yahoo Finance. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
- ^ a b c d Selvam, Ashok (May 24, 2016). "Tour Seoul Taco, Where Korea & Mexico Converge in River North". Eater Chicago. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
- ^ a b Kindelsperger, Nick (March 29, 2016). "Seoul Taco, a St. Louis favorite, bringing Korean tacos to Chicago". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
- ^ a b Gerzina, Daniel (December 3, 2018). "Popular Korean-Mexican Mashup Seoul Taco Opens in Hyde Park". Eater Chicago. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
- ^ a b Fann, Holly (August 25, 2021). "Seoul Taco hires Michelin-starred, James Beard Award-nominated chef to serve as culinary director". www.stlmag.com. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
- ^ a b Froeb, Ian (June 17, 2021). "Seoul Taco's anniversary party changes headline act to Busta Rhymes". STLtoday.com. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
- ^ "iParty • Busta Rhymes performs at Seoul Taco's block party". STLtoday.com. June 20, 2021. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
- ^ Myers, Quinn (September 9, 2022). "Seoul Taco Expands To Wicker Park, Bringing Korean-Mexican Street Food To Milwaukee Avenue". Block Club Chicago. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
- ^ a b Hernandez, Joseph (May 31, 2016). "Seoul Taco opens today in River North". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
- ^ Hegarty, Erin (December 10, 2019). "Seoul Taco to open in downtown Naperville; Burrito Parrilla now serving customers on Ogden Avenue". Naperville Sun. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
- ^ Nagarajan, Meera; Wolfson, Liz (January 24, 2022). "3 St. Louis restaurants innovating the Crunchwrap". Sauce Magazine. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
- ^ Wilson, Marie (December 20, 2019). "Seoul Taco fuses Korean flavors, Mexican styles in Naperville restaurant". Daily Herald. Retrieved January 12, 2024.