A local taco truck could be opening its first restaurant in downtown Framingham.
According to a recent Facebook update from Framingham UnFiltered, Tako Loko owner Chetak Patel is hoping to open a restaurant at 328-330 Concord St. Because the roughly 5,086-square-foot lot is almost entirely taken up by the building and a small loading area, there’s no room for on-site parking. Patel is therefore seeking a parking variance from the city’s Zoning Board of Appeals.
Since the building covers almost the entire lot, Patel argues that meeting current requirements is physically impossible. He also notes that the site has operated for decades without on-site parking and that other small downtown restaurants have received relief under similar conditions.
To help make his case, Patel points to several factors that could reduce parking demand: existing curbside spaces alongside Concord and Dennison, frequent Route 126 bus service, the walkable mixed-use neighborhood, and the restaurant’s takeout-focused business model. Plus, he adds, reopening the long-vacant storefront would support the city’s revitalization goals.
Still, not everyone is convinced. Critics say even a takeout-heavy operation would need parking for staff and delivery drivers, likely putting pressure on the already limited street spaces. Others note that Concord is a high-traffic corridor where idling or circling cars could clog the Dennison intersection and hinder crosswalk visibility. Lunchtime surges could also overlap with Dennison’s morning cut-through traffic, creating potential for double-parking and curbside congestion.
The ZBA must now weigh the site’s physical limitations with the city’s parking rules intended to maintain smooth traffic. Approval would allow renovations to move forward immediately, while denial could require a smaller operation or off-site parking arrangements.
Founded just last year, the Tako Loko food truck is known for its authentic Mexican street eats, including a variety of ‘takos’ (asada, carnitas, and al pastor, to name a few), as well as quesadillas, burritos, tortas, and desserts. If the variance is approved, the restaurant would offer seating for 16 customers and employ up to four staffers per shift.
A public hearing date has not yet been scheduled, and What Now Boston has reached out to the Tako Loko team for further details. Stay tuned for updates.
