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Kate Durden

Virginia Highland restaurant, El Taco, closed on March 19 after serving as a family-friendly restaurant for the neighborhood since 2008.

Friends and family were crammed together on March 19 at the Virginia Highland restaurant, El Taco, to share Mexican-American cuisine on El Taco’s last opening night, concluding 15 years of service.

Since its opening in 2008, El Taco has hosted gatherings for many families in the neighborhood. Atlanta-based restaurant company, the Fifth Group, which owns El Taco, has decided to bring a new restaurant to the community. 

“We hope to provide a new version of the neighborhood’s most beloved spot,” Founding Partner of the Fifth Group, Steve Simons said. “Our new brand will have a more robust ‘to-go’ experience so that it’s as easy to have at home as it is in the newly designed space. As we know that many will miss what we referred to internally as ‘The Taco,’ we think what’s next will be sure to be the new favorite.”

Randy Ryan has been the General Manager of El Taco since October 2021. His prior experience working at South City Kitchen Midtown, another Fifth Group location, for 3 years as a beverage manager led Ryan to fill in for the former general manager of El Taco, where he fell in love with the atmosphere.

“The essence of El Taco is energy, family and fun,” Ryan said. “That’s what it is and that’s why it’s been such a great staple in the neighborhood for so long.”

When entering the front patio door of El Taco, patrons could typically find neighbors and friends, contributing to the community base Simon describes. 

“It’s hard to put into words the impact El Taco has had, and that became even more apparent to me over the last few weeks since announcing our closing,” Simon said. “El Taco has been home to first dates, family dinners, reunions, weekly nacho nights and so much more, especially to those who live in the neighborhood and surrounding community. We’re so proud to have played such a pivotal role in so many people’s lives on a day to day basis – that’s what it’s all about.”

With El Taco being a family-friendly restaurant, they tried to cater to kids in a form they may not be able to receive from other family restaurants. 

“We [had] a real chef who’s trying to bring awesome food to families and let them eat something made by somebody great in a way they don’t usually get at some of the other places they can bring their kids,” Ryan said.

Senior Cecilia Rice began working at El Taco in August of 2022. While working at her first restaurant job, Rice remarks on the comfortable environment the community brings to the restaurant. 

“I feel like everybody working there is really nice,” Rice said. “I just think it gives off good vibes and good food, too. All the kids and families love it.”

El Taco’s staff prided itself on giving young people a chance to gain server experience. All of their to go specialists and greeters were high school students. The Fifth Group has also secured an employment option for all former El Taco employees within their restaurants. 

“When I came here and filled in, I was like, ‘That’s what I want,’” Ryan said. “‘That is where I want to be.’ I love the community, I love the young staff, I love the idea of teaching hospitality to younger people who are working for me. It’s specifically sad because these are a lot of people who genuinely enjoy being together. My staff really like each other and now we’re all spreading out.”

Although Ryan has not been told by the Fifth Group what will replace the space El Taco once occupied, he is excited for the possibilities. 

“They’re going to demo the whole thing,” Ryan said. “We’re going to redo the whole kitchen, redo the whole dinner room, a whole new concept. I’m talking about knocking down walls and all that kind of stuff. It’s not just a paint job. You’re not going to come in here and sit in the same dinner room.”

The Fifth Group has not made their final decision on the replacement of El Taco, but have narrowed down their selection. 

“We are in early discussions and have narrowed down what we feel will be a great neighborhood addition,” Simon said. “As we solidify our intentions, we’ll be sharing that with the neighborhood. Simultaneously, we’ll be completing extensive interior renovations and a kitchen refresh and look forward to opening a fresh new neighborhood place, targeting later this year”. 

Simon credits the Fifth Group wanting to bring the community a fresh and new concept for the change.

“This has been considered for some time,” Simon said. “Initially, the idea was to ‘refresh’ the El Taco concept, but after much consideration, we believed the best thing for the neighborhood and Company was a fresh new start.”

The community has responded to the closing with crowds flooding into El Taco’s final opening hours to hold on to lasting memories.

“People have been really sad about it,” Rice said. ”I think people just don’t really understand and are very confused. A lot of people have been wanting to keep mementos from El Taco. Someone already bought all the lights in the building.”

Ryan reflects on how he feels El Taco has impacted the community and himself throughout its years of serving the neighborhood.

“The restaurant world is such a crazy place,” Ryan said. “You’re running around, and you’ll meet the most amazing people you’ve ever met in your life. The fact that El Taco has been able to bring this kind of friendship and love to so many people in the world. Whether it be your kids’ first restaurant with a fried chicken taco or you met your best friend you ever had in your life and you all stayed in a group chat for the past eight years. I’m glad that El Taco has touched so many people.”

The Fifth Group has been grateful to their customers and staff while forgoing the decision to change. They hope to continue to make memorable experiences as a trusted restaurant group for the new community-based restaurant to come. 

“A restaurant creates so many memories and important moments in people’s lives – both for staff and for guests,” Simon said. “At Fifth Group, we’ve had the pleasure of doing that for 30 years now, with several different restaurants and culinary experiences. We’re one big family at Fifth Group and we look forward to the next 30.”