The Taco Stand, a San Diego-based fast casual restaurant known for its Tijuana-style street food, is getting ready to open a new location in Irvine at The Canopy at Great Park.
This is one of several new tenants announced for the development, including Philz Coffee, Chicha San Chen, and In-N-Out Burger, according to the Los Angeles Times. While an exact opening date has not yet been announced, the center is expected to open in late 2026. The Taco Stand will join a lineup of food and beverage concepts planned for the 12-acre development by Almquist, including Shootz and Osen Urban Table. Additional concepts recently announced include JJANG Yakiniku, Social House, and New York Bagel, along with retail tenants such as Rylee + Cru and Free People Movement.
Founded in San Diego in 2013, The Taco Stand was created by Aram Baloyan and Julian Hakim, inspired by the street food culture of Tijuana and the Baja Peninsula. The brand has expanded across California and into markets such as Texas, Nevada, and Florida. The Irvine location is part of a broader pipeline that includes additional openings in Los Angeles and Florida.
The Taco Stand’s menu includes tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and breakfast plates, along with sides like chips, guacamole, and churros. Its simplistic menu has made the concept very popular within Southern California, Las Vegas, Dallas, and Miami. Additional sites are planned for Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and several Florida locations
The Canopy at Great Park is planned as a 12-acre retail and dining destination featuring a mix of restaurants, retail, and wellness concepts. Almquist, the developer behind the project, has also worked on River Street Marketplace and Rodeo 39 Public Market. The center will be anchored by T&T Supermarket, which is expected to occupy about 34,000 square feet. This will be an excellent landing space for The Taco Stand as the surrounding Great Park area continues to grow.
