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TORONTO – The Rusty Bull Taco Co., 803 Franklin St., Toronto, has been doing well bringing a part of Mexican restaurant culture to the Gem City selling authentic, southwestern-style tacos to hungry customers for about a month.
The restaurant, open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Saturday and closed Sunday, is off to a great start, according to A.J. Hunt, co-owner.
“(The building) was a drive-through car wash that’s been repurposed into a restaurant,” said Hunt, adding he and partner Mark Frankovitch of Weirton wanted to do something different. “No one was thinking outside the box. This is something no one would expect.”
Hunt said many thought it would be a drive-through restaurant, and the pair did nothing to discourage that. They actually went so far as to wax the outside windows so no one could see inside – the ultimate surprise for a building no one else wanted, said Hunt.
Inside the walls are decorated with restrained decor, including tile imported from Mexico, and tables seating 35 people. Hunt also said they took galvanized roofing that would rust and used it for the outside facade, while parts of the inside are timbers salvaged from a 160-year-old old barn. Hunt said the idea is to give patrons a taste of what it’s like to dine in an authentic Mexican and southwestern eatery.
“We sprayed the (galvanized roofing) on the sides with acid so it will slowly rust,” said Hunt, adding no detail was too small. “We really want to keep it authentic.”
The bull is a sacred symbol in Mexican culture, so that became the restaurant’s logo and name, Hunt continued. So far the eatery is selling five types of tacos – pork, chicken, beef, spicy beef and vegetarian. Additional items include chips and salsa as well as authentic Mexican soda and black beans with homemade sauce.
“Simple, authentic and consistent” is what owners were striving for, said Hunt. “Too many restaurants try to do too much. We wanted to focus on a few items of quality. Our tacos are made with a soft, flour shell. We wanted to take a few staples and perfect them.”
Hunt said the idea came from Mexican street vendors selling tacos that are everywhere in California and the southwestern U.S. “They are called street tacos,” he said. “We also sell the Mexican brand of sodas – Jarritos – as well as (possess) a beer license.”
Hunt said he likes opening venues that are outside of normal local cuisine, and the Rusty Bull Taco Co. is neither a full-service Mexican restaurant nor fast food. David Price Jr. is his general manager, he added.
Customers are patronizing the restaurant, and pick-up orders can be taken by calling ahead at 740-337-4290.
“It’s been really busy so far,” said Hunt.