Anyone ever been to a Tijuana Flats burrito eatery? Well if not, it sure looks to us like a place that could be truly enjoyable. This article from the online version of the Orlando Sentinel tells a little bit about the origin of this chain from humble origins. How can you not like a place that features a hot sauce bar every location? See the picture below the article if you don’t believe us. We may have to investigate this ourselves:
Tijuana Flats — a straight-up success story
Scott Joseph | Sentinel Restaurant critic
July 20, 2008Brian Wheeler was just trying to replicate a favorite University of Florida eatery when he opened the first Tijuana Flats in 1995. Wheeler, 38, may be as surprised as anyone that his little burrito and taco shop, modeled on Burrito Brothers in Gainesville, has grown to a chain of 64 restaurants with locations in Indiana, Virginia, the Carolinas and Pennsylvania. The newest TF is slated to open July 28 in Thornton Park next to Hue restaurant.
Not bad for someone whose only culinary experience was working as a UPS driver making occasional deliveries to restaurants.
The first Tijuana Flats
Wheeler figured he needed $30,000 to fund his first restaurant. He borrowed $20,000 from his parents and sold a car for the rest.
Click here to read the rest of the source article from the Orlando Sentinel
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With my move I will closer to one. I love this place and tried to convince the Creator to host a Defcon Day there, but so far he isn’t interested.
They sell a lot of hot sauces, including the one that I made my salsa and Buddahmole with.
Comment fired by Buddah — July 20, 2008- 5:30 pm
I know this restaurant very well and it is an excellent place to eat with a great casual vibe. Decent prices too. I helped the two guys that started this company with the construction of the first 3 restaurants in Orlando and designed the Smack My Ass & Call Me Sally, Honey Where Da Hell’s My Sauce and Smack My Ass - The Slap Heard around the World labels for Brian. If there is a location close to you then by all means, give it a try; you won’t regret.
Comment fired by Turk — July 22, 2008- 11:39 am