St. Cloud’s Original Mexican Restaurant To Reopen

(KNSI) – Taco Villa will reopen in downtown St. Cloud next month. Bob Abel and his daughter-in-law, Sue Abel, are bringing the local Mexican restaurant back nearly a decade after the last store closed. Bob says the restaurant was a local favorite.

“You know, this is almost like a cult, Taco Villa. The people that remember the flavor. Remember its distinctive quality. They’re going to be pleased. The recipes are absolutely original and authentic.”

Bob says he’s dreamed of bringing back Taco Villa for about four years.

“People that remember its distinctive flavor are going to be pleased. And I think that’s what it is. The world is kind of nuts today. And this is nostalgic. Going back a few years, even a decade, the world was different. And I think people like that.”

He says to expect some changes on the menu like chicken options when the restaurant opens but not to worry.

“there will be some items that are new. We’re going to keep it simple and the same, we’re not going to go wild and crazy. The formula, the plan worked, and we feel it’s going to work today.”

Taco Villa is in the final process of getting food ordered, finalizing the menu, and hiring staff. Bob says Sue Abel will be in charge of the restaurant’s day-to-day operations. Taco Villa plans to open in the first half of February. The restaurant is at 25 9th Avenue North in downtown St. Cloud.

In 1966, Taco Villa opened what was thought to be one of the first Mexican restaurants in Minnesota on 25th Avenue and Fifth Street. At one point, there were three locations with the last store closing on Christmas Eve in 2011.

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