Ladysmith News
(Ladysmith, Wisconsin)
Taco Palace offers Mexican food
Taco Palace, Ladysmith's first Mexican restaurant, had the best
opening day in Taco Palace franchise history, according to Mark
Carrara and his wife Joan Ehren, owners of the new business.
The fact that Friday's opening coincided with Mardi Gras had a
role in that, but there seemed to be a genuine interest in having
a Mexican restaurant in the city.
Since moving to Lake Flambeau five years ago, Mark and Joan (formerly
Sterlinske) were looking to open a business. They decided on either
a fast food restaurant or coffee shop. Last October they bought
the building at the corner of U.S. 8 and First Street that was erected
on the site of the former Spot Cafe, which was destroyed by the
tornado.
While researching Mexican restaurant franchises on the Internet,
they discovered Taco Palace, which is based in Monett, Mo. "They
specialize in small cities and have the small town values we liked.
They were looking to expand into Wisconsin," said Mark.
"We contacted them and they invited us to their store in Lino
Lakes, Minn.," he added. We made a decision in March to go
with them." Corporate staff worked with the Ladysmith store
owners getting equipment and food and beverage suppliers
The Ladysmith Taco Palace is the first in the State of Wisconsin,
according to Matt Deves, Taco Palace Vice President. The franchise
was started in 1985 and has 15 stores. By next year that number
is expected to double, according to Deves. "Our best stores
are all in small cities of from 4,000 to 10,000."
Owners and staff from other Taco Palace restaurants opening in
the Badger State will be coming to the Ladysmith store to train,
according to Mark.
Taco Palace has a larger menu with more choices than competing
fast food Mexican restaurants, according to Deves. Its signature
taco meat spices and sauces are unique to Taco Palace. "Our
menu items have a flavor found in regular Mexican restaurants, he
added. "Our quality is a step above fast food."
Taco Palace employees bring food to the customers' tables after
they order, something not found in other Mexican fast food restaurants.
The menu includes tacos starting at 49 cents, burritos (ranging
from 79 cents to $4.39), nachos, salads (taco and chicken), enchiladas,
fajitas and specialties that include beans and cheddar, Mexican
rice and guacamole.
There are four meal deals, a fiesta platter, a combo platter, a
manager's special, daily specials as well as a kids meals.
In addition to being the first Mexican restaurant, Taco Palace
will have the city's first Internet cafe. In 4-6 weeks four lap
top computers will be set up along the north and east walls, and
customers will be able to connect to the Internet after a minimal
purchase. Customers can also bring their own computers, according
to Mark. There will be wireless access to the Internet.
The restaurant offers seating for 24 people. The handicapped bathrooms
and the kitchen took quite a bit of space, and Mark spent three
hours on a computer with a drafting program to maximize the seating.
"I put tape on the floor to visualize it."
Len Verdegan was the general contractor. B J Wood Products of Ladysmith
built the counter. Earl Soviak completed the electrical and Murray
Plumbing the HVAC. The interior of the building was unfinished,
which was a plus.
Mark said their goal of opening this restaurant was reached thanks
to the help of Ladysmith Mayor Dan Gudis, city hall staff, economic
planner Andy Albarado, the revolving loan fund and Dick Shepherd
of Wells Fargo in Ladysmith.
In the near future the restaurant will expanding the menu to include
frozen desserts and possibly steak fajitas.
The restaurant, which employs 12 people, will be open daily from
11 a.m. to 10 p.m. It will remain open an hour after home football
games in the fall, according to the couple. The phone number is
532-0103.
The local reputation of our restaurants like the one in Ladysmith
is Taco Palace's best advertising, according to Deves.
Taco Palace uses 100 percent ground beef, real cheese and sour
cream, fresh produce, select beans and the finest spices.
As their slogan says, "It's fresh and fast."
A Mexican restaurant was one of the things requested by the public
in a local survey a couple of years ago. Taco Palace fulfills that
desire.
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