San Diego-based birria concept Mike’s Red Tacos announced it is preparing to expand into California, after a franchise agreement with restaurant ownership group JM Foods. While specific Orange County locations and opening timelines have yet to be announced, a recent press release states that the brand plans to open 18 new restaurants across Orange County and Los Angeles, expanding its footprint in the region.
Led by longtime operators Victor Fiss and John Thomas, JM Foods already operates 25 Jersey Mike’s restaurants throughout the region, with eight additional units currently in development.
Mike’s Red Tacos was initially founded by Mike Touma. It first gained popularity as a food truck in San Diego before expanding into brick-and-mortar restaurants. The brand quickly built a loyal following through its signature beef birria tacos, consommé dipping broth, and social media-friendly aesthetic.
Mike’s Red Tacos specializes in beef birria, the slow-cooked Mexican staple that has surged in popularity across social media in recent years. The menu features a variety of birria-based offerings, from tacos and burritos to loaded fries and ramen, all centered around the brand’s signature slow-braised beef and rich consommé.
As the company explains on its website, “Mike’s Red Tacos started with a simple idea: serve birria the way it’s meant to be enjoyed — rich, flavorful,” a philosophy that continues to define the fast-growing concept.
