Rodolfo Barrios, the visionary owner behind Taco Cat food truck, is on the brink of an exciting expansion. He’s all set to unveil Taco Cat 2, a second brick-and-mortar establishment. Located at 1800 N Germantown Pkwy in Cordova, this new restaurant is scheduled to open its doors on November 2.
Taco Cat isn’t just a catchy name—it’s inspired by the colorful world of video games and a sentimental nod to the owner’s son. Like the name’s inspiration, the food itself is vibrant, boasting bold flavors and authentic Mexican delights.
A native of Mexico City, Rodolfo’s passion for Mexican cuisine drives his dedication to serving only the most genuine flavors. His quest for authenticity began 23 years ago when he first arrived to Memphis “with just a backpack full of clothes, no English whatsoever, and a bunch of dreams.”
Frustrated by the lack of authentic Mexican flavors in the food trucks he sampled, he recalls those early days, “Since I love Mexican food, I was always trying the food trucks around the area, everybody claiming to be authentic… I got sad because this is not authentic. One day, I’m just gonna open up my own food truck and I’m gonna show people what real Mexican street flavors are all about.”
And he has indeed fulfilled that promise. Building on the success of his food truck venture, Rodolfo is eagerly anticipating the opening of Taco Cat 2, where he will introduce menu items that were previously unavailable.
The restaurant will offer a range of delicious additions, including beer and Micheladas, traditional Mexican soups like pozole, chicken tortilla soup, and caldo tlalpeño, as well as other delectable options. Rodolfo is also exploring the possibility of a small outdoor patio, allowing patrons to savor their meals and drinks in the fresh air.
But his dreams don’t stop at the restaurant. Rodolfo has grander plans on the horizon, with intentions to launch another food truck on Houston Levee in the near future. As Taco Cat 2 settles into its permanent home in Cordova, Rodolfo’s unwavering commitment to authenticity and his passion for sharing genuine Mexican street flavors promise to bring even more culinary adventures to the Memphis area.
