A Tacombi on Every Corner
New York magazine|January 02, 2023
Can Danny Meyer's millions make the chain bigger than Shake Shack?
By Rachel Sugar
A Tacombi on Every Corner

At any of Tacombi’s 11 outposts in New York, you can purchase Carne Asada tacos and sautéed-mushroom quesadillas or guacamole and cold beer. Inside, the white-tiled rooms are uniformly pleasant. Whether you are at the store on Amsterdam Avenue or Bleecker Street or Austin Street in Forest Hills, you can find the same pineapple agua frescas and pastor breakfast tacos, which are—conveniently—“served all day!” according to the starburst note on the menu.

You’d be forgiven for thinking that Tacombi is simply a collection of restaurants. It is that, but it is more than that. Tacombi is a surprisingly efficient delivery and catering operation. Tacombi is very good prepackaged tortillas that you can buy at Whole Foods as well as spicy-chicken burritos in the freezer aisle. Tacombi is a nascent empire, and this year will mark the start of a massive expansion across the country. A year ago, Tacombi announced that it had received $27.5 million in a funding round led by Danny Meyer’s Enlightened Hospitality Investments and revealed it would use that capital to expand to 75 locations over the next five years. Coming soon: Chicago, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Long Island. Tacombi could be the Shake Shack of Mexican food, except Shake Shack is merely a chain with enjoyable fast-food burgers, while Tacombi— according to its founder and CEO, Dario Wolos—is in the business of exporting Mexico to the entire rest of the world.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM NEW YORK MAGAZINEView all
A Wonk in Full- Ezra Klein, glowed-up and post-coup, was almost a celebrity at the convention.
New York magazine

A Wonk in Full- Ezra Klein, glowed-up and post-coup, was almost a celebrity at the convention.

Ezra Klein, glowed-up and post-coup, was almost a celebrity at the convention. Ezra Klein, who is known to keep his passions in check, did not have the right credentials to get into the arena. The Secret Service didn't recognize the New York Times' star "Opinion" writer and podcaster, but eventually he was able to figure out how to get in to where he belonged. This was, after all, as much his convention as any journalist's, since its high-energy optimism turned on the fact that President Joe Biden was no longer leading the ticket and, starting early this year, Klein had led the coup drumbeat.

time-read
5 mins  |
August 26 - September 08, 2024
The Afterlife of Donald Trump - The presidential hopeful contemplates his campaign, his formidable new opponent, and the miracle of his continued existence.
New York magazine

The Afterlife of Donald Trump - The presidential hopeful contemplates his campaign, his formidable new opponent, and the miracle of his continued existence.

Donald Trump raised his right hand and grabbed hold of it. He bent it backward and forward. I asked if I could take a closer look. These days, the former president and current triple threat-convicted felon, Republican presidential nominee, and recent survivor of an assassination attempt-comes from a place of yes. He waved me over to where he sat on this August afternoon, in a low-to-the-ground chair upholstered in cream brocade fabric in the grand living room at Mar-a-Lago.

time-read
10+ mins  |
September 09 - 22, 2024
Danzy Senna Can't Stop Thinking in Black and White
New York magazine

Danzy Senna Can't Stop Thinking in Black and White

Her latest novel holds diminishing returns.

time-read
6 mins  |
September 09 - 22, 2024
Live, Laugh, Love
New York magazine

Live, Laugh, Love

Dick jokes meet sentimentality in a wily Sandler-Safdie collab.

time-read
4 mins  |
September 09 - 22, 2024
Tim Burton Is Great Again
New York magazine

Tim Burton Is Great Again

A long-awaited sequel revels in gore and nostalgia.

time-read
4 mins  |
September 09 - 22, 2024
In the Shack With Robert Caro
New York magazine

In the Shack With Robert Caro

The Power Broker is turning 50. The final LBJ book is almostwell, he won't say exactly, but he's trying for 900 words a day.

time-read
10+ mins  |
September 09 - 22, 2024
24 Comedians You Should Know RIGHT NOW
New York magazine

24 Comedians You Should Know RIGHT NOW

THE COMEDY industry is undergoing a metamorphosis in 2024. Name-brand venues like the Second City and UCB are opening or reopening in New York, beloved local spots are being bought out by megacorporations, and streaming-service-helmed comedy festivals are usurping the old-fashioned ones. Post-WGA strike, TV-development execs are growing green-light-shy, Hulu is entering the stand-up fray, and YouTube specials are becoming just as worthy of watching as Netflix specials, if not more so.

time-read
9 mins  |
September 09 - 22, 2024
Leading Lady
New York magazine

Leading Lady

Anna Sawai could take home the Emmy for her performance in Shogun. But she's keeping her cool.

time-read
8 mins  |
September 09 - 22, 2024
RESTAURANT REVIEW: Le Même Veau
New York magazine

RESTAURANT REVIEW: Le Même Veau

The Frenchette crew has taken over the 87-year-old restaurant, and the snails are as garlicky and the duck as pink as ever.

time-read
3 mins  |
September 09 - 22, 2024
DESIGN HUNTING: A LOFT WITH A HIGHER PURPOSE
New York magazine

DESIGN HUNTING: A LOFT WITH A HIGHER PURPOSE

Ali Richmond, co-founder of the nonprofit Fashion for All Foundation, has lived in this Brooklyn loft for almost 20 years with his archive of designer clothing.

time-read
3 mins  |
September 09 - 22, 2024