After over five years, Chef Dawn Sloan is going from bustling food truck to a brick-and-mortar with Soul Taco to be located at The Common, 1102 Pinemont Dr.
The restaurant’s website landing page states, “Tricked Out Tacos Your Way.” That statement makes sense after looking at the menu with the creatively named tacos and their fillings. And it is all befitting of its Founder and Co-Owner.
“As talented as people I know, they don’t have the gumption to go out there and do it for themselves. But that’s not me. I’m a dreamer. I live with no regrets,” Sloan said. Prior to Soul Taco, she worked around the world in Michelin-star restaurants and quickly rose in the ranks, but after some time realized she needed a change. That brought her to a break from the restaurant scene and went into the corporate life for a while. Eventually the kitchen came calling again, which birthed Soul Taco.
It started out as a food truck and quickly clicked with the community. Business was booming to the point that it was tough to keep up with the demand and the many loyal customers. With the recent food cost inflation, however, Sloan had to make the tough decision to shut down the food truck in May 2022 with knowing that in order to make this work, a mainstay was needed.
So with the help of her new Co-Owner April Gooden, the duo created GooSloan Hospitality Group to not only build up the new location, but to begin franchising as well. “We’re also working with a branding company to grow as a business,” Sloan told us. Gooden will be taking over much of the business side as Sloan handles the food aspects.
“The Roaming Chef,” as Sloan’s Instagram handle states, still caters for private parties and events to help grow the brand’s reach as her and Gooden prepare for the opening at The Common.
The new space will be a nicely sized 2700 square feet to serve upwards of 70 guests.
Sloan is also working on a “supper club” that will occur once a month and allow her to provide a creative, coursed meal for up to 20 people who will get to take the evening’s wine pairing home with them. “There’s nothing like this in the area, and I want to be able to spread my Michelin-star wings a bit with it,” she said.
The opening is slated for Fall/Winter 2023.
