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Thursday, February 4, 2010
Uncle Julio’s co-founder to open Rusty Taco on Greenville Avenue in Dallas
Rusty Fenton, the former "Big Kahuna" for Trader Vic's, has set his sights on tacos.
Rusty Taco fish taco
DALLAS — Veteran restaurateur Rusty Fenton, who co-founded the Uncle Julio's Mexican chain in the '80s and most recently worked for Trader Vic's at the Hotel Palomar in Dallas, has set his sights on tacos.
In March, he'll open Rusty Taco, a taqueria boasting a limited menu of nine tacos, with beer and margaritas, plus a selection of breakfast tacos.
"We're going to make our own tortillas, everything's from scratch, nothing's going to be bought," Fenton says. "What we've done is look around and ask ourselves, 'What is the best fish taco I've ever had?' I grew up in Houston, and Berryhill Tamale is where everybody goes for fish tacos in Houston. So we studied it and figured out their recipe. That's been our approach."
Rusty Taco peccadillo taco
Fenton, who left the downsizing Trader Vic's in March 2009, also worked for Carlsson's E-Brands in the '90s, whose portfolio included Taqueria Canonita, the casual taqueria mini-chain co-founded by chef Stephan Pyles. A single Taqueria Canonita remains, at the Venetian Resort in Las Vegas.
"That's what really got me to the whole taco thing was when I worked for E-brands," he says. "That place was so far ahead of its time. If we had done Taqueria Canonita in town instead of the suburbs, I think it would still be around. My recipe for tacos al pastor is basically Stephan's; he still inspires me."
After Fenton's experience with Carlsson and Trader Vic's, where he was flying to open branches in Chicago and Kansas City, he likes that the Rusty Taco concept is smaller scale.
Rusty Taco taco al pastor
The new place will come with plenty of character, since it's going into the old Just Brakes building on Greenville Avenue.
"It's still going to look like a gas station when we finish, which might be appropriate for tacos," he says, joking. "If we were being the most efficient, it would've been cheaper to just knock it down and start over. But restaurants tend to all lay out perfectly the same. That's not as interesting. By keeping the original space, we hope to keep some personality. There's a tradition of gas stations that serve tacos. Besides, we wanted to retain the garage doors so we can open them up when it gets nice."
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Nah. That fad is all but gone. Thay use them thar smart phones for stuff like that nowadays, I betch
doboy78, anonymous:
Go to Fuzzy's Taco Shop. Much better.
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Teresa Gubbins, staff:
well doboy78 it seems like it would be hard to accurately compare since this place, Rusty Taco, isn't even open yet
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bbkahlich, anonymous:
I drive by that area every week - it will be great to have such a fun place in a convenient location!
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PowerOn, anonymous:
I agree, Teresa. It's not even open and we shouldn't be jumpy until we find out if it's good.
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Tracy Yost, verified:
love the concept!
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lf2267, anonymous:
Anything Rusty has to do with food will be fantastic!
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kingbrad2534, anonymous:
Great location. What has taken so long on getting it open? I saw the TABC notices in the windows back in October, I believe. I hope that they put some tables outside under the large gas pump areas, instead of making it all parking.
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Tracy Yost, verified:
Minimum time to get a TABC license is around 8 weeks, and it can take much much longer.
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Travis Bush, verified:
nasty..if it is anything like Uncle Julios, no thank you..
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nina_chawla, anonymous:
uncle julio's is great. i think its a bit pricey (i'm cheap) so Rusty Taco is probably right in my budget! who doesn't love a good TX taco?? give it a chance people!
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Nancy Nichols, verified:
Rusty Taco is a good name for a character in a western movie but it doesn't make me hungry.
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Pavel Lishin, verified:
Nancy: really? I think it sounds more like a sexual act or a sexual position.
Sort of like a rusty trombone.
You can Google that one yourself.
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hellofromfw, anonymous:
I think it's kind of interesting that Fenton freely admits - twice, even - that he rips off recipes. Not the most imaginative fella, is he?
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cherryindallas, anonymous:
that is the first thing i thought of, hellofromfw. i'd be pissed if i was mentioned in the articule as one he ripped off! bad food to start off on, in my opinion...
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OEsophagus, anonymous:
I also was going to make a disgusting sexual comment but thought better of it. Now I regret not making the most of the opportunity.
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foodmerc, anonymous:
It’s a good idea to try to figure out what makes a competitive product so good, it’s called benchmarking.
Think how bad American cars would still be if they didn’t study the Japanese auto industry. Every recipe is based on another recipe, every architectural design is based on something previously built, and the same rule can be applied to fashion and music.
If studying and emulating the best leads to great products at lesser cost, who can be against that? There are lots of mediocre dishes out there, it would be foolish not to try to be the best you can be.
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Rawlins, anonymous:
What a relief! God knows I've been desperate to find a place selling tacos in the town.
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Jason Rice, verified:
I had NO idea Rusty started Julios. How cool. No wonder I like the guy.
I'm THERE!
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Travis Bush, verified:
Um, Jason...that might require you leave Plano..they must hand out those passes pretty regular.
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jesscorrigan, anonymous:
i've had his food before. I think the tacos will be great, and am looking forward to them with a cold beer and friends...
and the first guy (doboy) is a great example of what's wrong with the internet, and clearly NOT a great American.
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Jason Rice, verified:
My driver will bring them 'round.
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smonster, anonymous:
I would wish for a drive thru too. Oh well.
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Egorsti, anonymous:
Um, there's a Berry Hill in Dallas, so if you want that recipe NOW, go there.
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simsim23, anonymous:
I agree with Egorsti, Berryhill Baja Grill on Preston and Frankford has KILLER fish Tacos, they come grilled and Fried and they are now offering them for $1.99 during lenty at least and they are pretty big...go check it out, I have been going there for at least 4 years. Great happy hour with 1/2 OFF appetizers and cheap drinks.
Berryhill Baja Grill & Cantina 18101 Preston Rd. Dallas, Texas 75252 972-732-8226
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john3938, anonymous:
Poor name choice. I would have googled Rusty Taco before getting that moniker for the joint.
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mexicanboy_18_2000, anonymous:
Look up more info on Rusty Taco via Urban Dictionary pretty good info on them there.
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seangunnell, anonymous:
The coolest tacos are at Bongos across from Bachman Lake... They even have a boat on a beach in front! - Rafael
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rjz_604776, anonymous:
Hey for all of you knocking Rusty Taco wait for it to open. I think you are just business trying to promote yourselves and for that reason you will not get my business. No reason to be tacky. I looking forward to the opening all we really have over here is Taco Cabana for a quick Taco
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Teresa Gubbins, staff:
Rusty Taco is open this week. Their Facebook page says they ran out of food yesterday, their first day.
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derekdiazdeleon, anonymous:
Uncle Julios is the worst Tex-Mex I've ever had and the "salsa" leaves me lost with words in describing how disgusting it is. Salsa is to a taco as ranch dressing is to a sorority girl. You MUST have not one but a few good salsas under your belt Uncle Julio. You don't. Your food sucks. Your salsa sucks even more. Rusty Taco will be mediocre and I being optimistic.
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Teresa Gubbins, staff:
the line of customers, and accompanying media attention, continues to be off the hook. here's a photo from PCP
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Jason Rice, verified:
Rusty is such a nice guy. I'm thrilled he has this kind of success. Only problem is, the last time I chatted with him he desperately needed a day off.... doesn't look like THAT will happen any time soon ;o)
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Jason Rice, verified:
AT LAST
My valet was finally willing to venture into the dangerous veldtlands of Highland/University Park.
I got to see Rusty - who is happy as a clam - and meet his wife - who swears he'll be taking a few days off this year.
Love the concept. The place was packed. The service was brisk. Food ranged from good to fabulous.
I have enlisted the Plano SEALS to abduct Rusty and family and repatriate them in the civilized northern country. It may take some time, but in the long run, he will understand it was for his own good.
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orglez, anonymous:
Tacos made by gringos, No No señor. mi make my own taquitos....
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Jason Rice, verified:
That's culinary profiling, mister.
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ittybittyfoodies, anonymous:
As far as tacos go. I like this place a lot. Authentic? No... but it's tasty. I don't think it's cheap though bc you need quite a few to fill up on (it all adds up) but it's a fun place for the whole family.
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What do you think?