Tampa-based Capital Tacos is bringing its fried queso bites, Mexican street corn, and “Big Kahuna” fried fish tacos to Orlando, starting with delivery and pickup only.
The chain, with locations in the Tampa Bay area, will set up in the ghost kitchen food hall at 18 N. Dollins Ave. beginning in late May or early June, said co-owner and operating partner Josh Luger.
The menu will be available through Capital Tacos’ website and app as well as delivery apps such as Uber Eats, DoorDash and Grubhub.
“This is really about planting the flag,” Luger said.
He said he expects Orlando will see a more physical presence of the brand within a year, including brick-and-mortar and food truck locations.
“Orlando has been and is No. 1 for us ,” Luger said. “We really view it as a sister market.”
The Orlando area is already home to popular taco options such as Tin & Taco, Gringos Locos, and MX Taco. Luger acknowledges there are many taco options in Orlando and Tampa, but he believes his chain’s food quality and customer experience will stand out.
“I’ll put our food up against anybody’s,” Luger said.
The Dollins Avenue hall is home to several restaurants without dining rooms, including a White Castle that only does pickup and delivery. The Orlando Sentinel reported in 2020 it was linked to Uber founder Travis Kalanick’s ghost kitchen business CloudKitchens.
Capital Tacos, which started in 2013, is partnering with CloudKitchens to expand in Orlando, Atlanta, Miami, Nashville and Charlotte.
Luger said his chain gets the majority of its revenue from online.
“We know we’re a digitally strong brand,” Luger said.