Taco Palenque is set to open a new location in the Greater Houston area early next year. The booming taco food chain is expected to open in Spring at 21430 Kuykendahl Rd. According to a recent state filing, construction on the next Taco Palenque just started and is slated to wrap up by the beginning of February 2026.
Juan Francisco “Don Pancho” Ochoa founded the brand in Laredo, Texas, in 1987. The eatery builds on the Ocha family’s restaurant legacy, which includes the original El Pollo Loco, with a fast-casual model featuring drive-thrus and fresh ingredients. Since its humble beginnings, Taco Palenque has significantly grown across the state of Texas and even expanded to Monterrey, Mexico. There are now more than 40 Taco Palenque locations throughout the two regions.
Don Pancho’s son, Juan Francisco Ocha Jr., is now at the helm of the business. What Now San Antonio reached out to Ocha, but did not hear back by the time of this publication.
“The pleasing delight of fresh natural ingredients and the fulfilling goodness of authentic handmade recipes made to order that make us proud,” the website reads.
“And that’s what Fresh Mex is all about, at Taco Palenque.”
For those unfamiliar with Taco Palenque, the brand is known for its authentic Mexican-border style food like the signature pirata taco, which consists of fajitas, beans, chees, and a crisped flour tortilla. Taco Palenque fans can expect the same menu that the brand is known for to be in place at the new eatery set to open in Spring early next year.
Taco Palenque is expected to open at 21430 Kuykendahl Rd in Spring by February 2026.
