West Michigan is Getting a Taco John’s Restaurant – And Possibly Multiple!

West Michiganders will have a new place to stuff their faces on Taco Tuesday - at the restaurant that actually trademarked the phrase "Taco Tuesday".

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Wood TV 8 reports that Grand Rapids-based Meritage Hospitality Group has signed an exclusive 50-store development agreement with Taco John’s. Meritage tells Wood TV 8 the agreement includes additional exclusive rights to develop more than 200 restaurants. At least one location is planned for West Michigan - and possibly many more!

Meritage owns more than 300 restaurants in 16 states, including the Morning Belle Bruch restaurants and Stan Diego Taco locations in West Michigan.

In a press release, Gary Rose, president and COO of Meritage Hospitality Group, said,

Taco John’s is the perfect fit for our company. While exploring concepts to expand our portfolio, we were quickly attracted to Taco John’s. We are excited about the Mexican restaurant segment and the Bigger, Bolder, Better direction of the brand. We’re excited to open our first restaurants near our headquarters in west Michigan in 2022.

Taco John's opened its first location in Cheyenne, Wyoming in 1968. It has since expanded to almost 400 locations in 23 states. At one time there was a single Taco John's Michigan location - in Stevensville, in Berrien County, However, that location has since closed and reopened as a new restaurant.

If, like me, you've never been to Taco John's, the company says they're different from other other fast food Mexican-inspired restaurants because they have a unique menu with quality made-to-order food.

Their menu includes tacos, burritos, their popular Potato Olés, fried chicken tenders and tacos, plus breakfast, and cold brew coffee.

Taco John's calls their value menu, the "ValuEST Menu" and it features items for $1, $2, and $3.

According to Wood TV 8, Meritage expects to open the first West Michigan Taco John's restaurant later this year. More details about additional locations will be revealed at the end of April.

We'll keep you posted! Where would you like to see Taco John's restaurants open in West Michigan?

Any other places you've been dying to dine at in the area? Here's a list of restaurants West Michiganders are hoping will open up nearby.