A new Tex-Mex concept from the team behind UKraft Brunch Cafe is coming to Winchester in West County. GuacoTaco Elevated Fresh Mex will take over a spot at 14560 Manchester Road this April, just ahead of Cinco de Mayo.
According to co-founder and owner Matt Ratz, the restaurant will be a fast-casual, full-service hybrid. Dine-in guests will be greeted by a host and then will be able to order from either a QR code or from a server depending on the guests’ preference. All food will be run out to the guests. GuacoTaco will also be offering takeout, online ordering and catering.
“First and foremost, I love Mexican food,” Ratz said of the decision to branch into the Tex-Mex space. The team is also playing to its strengths. According to Ratz, the head chef from the UKraft team, Ricardo Granados, cooks amazing Mexican food, and this idea has been in the works for over a year, just waiting for the perfect spot to open up. Right now, the menu will include tacos, of course, but also tortas, burritos, salads, quesadillas and even ceviche. GuacoTaco will also have seven or eight different salsa options.
The restaurant will also feature a full bar. Guests can expect a signature margarita, as well as sangria, four different beers on tap (and plenty more in cans), as well as a wide tequila selection.
The new GuacoTaco space is only about 5 minutes away from the Baxter-Clayton location of UKraft, which was ideal for Ratz and his team as they’ll continue to run all locations. Ratz said UKraft’s fast-casual service has allowed them to work out some tweaks that will allow for smooth operation at GuacoTaco, as well as UKraft, going forward.
Ratz has been in the restaurant business for 27 years. He and his brother Mike opened UKraft as a food truck in 2018, and since then, they’ve opened two brick-and-mortar brunch spots. The downtown location moved to 701 Market St. a year and a half ago, allowing them to quadruple the square footage.
Keep an eye on GuacoTaco’s Facebook and Instagram for upcoming details about their opening date.