JoCo Mexican Place Opens New Kansas City Location - Tacos, Frozen Mezcal Pina Coladas

Taco Naco, a new Mexican restaurant in Westport, offers street tacos, fresh ingredients, and a family-friendly atmosphere.

Taco Naco, the newly opened Mexican restaurant located at 4144 Pennsylvania in Westport, offers street tacos with fresh ingredients and a touch of the chef's creativity. With mezcal bottles adorning the walls and high seats on the patio overlooking the bustling Westport sidewalk, it's hard not to draw comparisons to its predecessor, Port Fonda, which occupied the space from 2012 to 2022.

However, there are several notable differences between the two establishments. Taco Naco opts for counter service rather than table service, creating a more casual and accessible dining experience. The ambiance is brighter and more vibrant, with an abundance of pink and red hues in the decor. Unlike Port Fonda, Taco Naco doesn't blast rap music at an ear-splitting volume, making it a more family-friendly and relaxed environment.

While Taco Naco's first location, opened by owners Fernanda Reyes and her husband, Brian Goldman Ruiz, in 2021, sits in a quiet strip mall off Metcalf Avenue in downtown Overland Park, the Westport location offers a change of pace and a more vibrant setting.

"We wanted to be surrounded by other chefs and sought out a destination-style space," Goldman Ruiz explained.

The menu at the Westport location largely mirrors that of the Overland Park location, with a few exceptions. Bartender Diana Condori has introduced some new frozen concoctions, including frozen mezcal pina coladas, to Taco Naco's offerings. Additionally, the weekend brunch now features chilaquiles, a dish that Goldman Ruiz has eagerly awaited.

"I've been waiting for Chef Fernanda to add chilaquiles to the menu for a long time," Goldman Ruiz shared. "Her family in Mexico excels at comida casera, such as soups and chilaquiles, and I really miss those chilaquiles when we visit them in Durango."

Despite the new additions, the tacos remain the star attraction at Taco Naco. The quesabirria tacos are particularly popular at both locations, along with signature tacos like pork al pastor and brisket barbacoa.

In addition to its regular menu, the Westport location offers daily specials, including Taco Tuesdays, Rice Bowl Wednesdays, Thirsty Thursdays, and Fish Fry Taco Fridays. Happy hour, which runs from 3 to 6 p.m. on weekdays, features Mexican beers for $3.50, classic margaritas for $6, and frozen cocktails for $9.

Taco Naco's operating hours are as follows: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to midnight on Fridays, 8 a.m. to midnight on Saturdays, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays.

As for future expansion, Goldman Ruiz hinted at the possibility of a third Taco Naco location.

"Perhaps down the road," he said. "We are always on the lookout for potential spaces, but for now, our focus is on ensuring that our customers have a consistently great experience at both of our existing locations."

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