Anyone who's watched George Edward Lopez do stand-up comedy or act knows how hilarious he is. Lopez has long been an iconic figure in the world of comedy, along being one of the first Latinos to star in a TV comedy series. Lopez has now moved into the restaurant business, opening a new restaurant called George Lopez Tacos, and we can't wait to try it.
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George Lopez Becomes a Restaurateur
George Lopez's Chingon Kitchen was his first venture into the restaurant business, which he opened in 2017. This Mexican restaurant serves authentic Mexican cuisine in a laid-back atmosphere. Serving classic Mexican foods like carne asada tacos, burritos, taquitos, elote (street corn), and more, Lopez's delicious Chingon Kitchen has locations in Vee Quiva, Az, the San Manuel Casino in Highland, Ca, and The Brews Hall @ Del Amo in CA.
Two years after the creation of George Lopez's Chingon Kitchen, he opened George Lopez Brewing Co., an artisan beer business in Torrance, CA. Now, Lopez is opening the virtual restaurant George Lopez Tacos to fulfill all our taco dreams.
The restaurateur's food is inspired by his Grandmother's cooking, which is one of the fondest memories of his youth. Lopez was left by his parents as a child, so his maternal grandmother and step-grandfather raised him in Los Angeles. His grandmother's cooking was a central part of his childhood, one that fills him with nostalgia and fondness when remembered.
Grandma's Cooking
After realizing how often he brought up his grandma's cooking during his standup shows, Lopez decided it was time to open a restaurant. "I was always talking about the way my grandmother cooked. I didn't realize or even understand ... how I didn't appreciate it more when somebody could have made something," he explains.
Lopez says that his grandmother died 11 years ago, and he still thinks of her every day. His memories of her are what inspired the menu for George Lopez Tacos. "But in sitting here, talking to you ... I can see myself in the kitchen in a chair waiting for her to bring me one taco at a time. I didn't realize how special those moments were. That's all the stuff that I was trying to bring to the concept of George Lopez Tacos."
The comedian loved his grandmother's cooking with all his heart, but he also hopes to make a healthier version of her dishes. Lopez plans to honor his childhood memories while using high-quality ingredients in his new taqueria.
Another motivation for the new taco restaurant is to bring people together again after a long year of isolation. "I think after a rough year, and us starting to get back to some normalcy, that food is going to be what's going to set us on the right track."
New Houston Restaurants
Along with George Lopez Tacos, there are a number of other restaurants opening in the Houston area. The specialty food grocer and adventurous eatery, Agnes Cafe & Provisions, recently opened on Bissonnet Street. For those looking for dessert, Robin's Snowflake Donuts & Cafe is newly opened as well and has been voted the best donut shop in Texas!
However, before getting your fill on sweets, chow down on some tacos with chips and guacamole from George Lopez Tacos. The taco restaurant is delivery-only throughout Houston, offering street tacos created by George Lopez. There is also a build-your-own taco option to personalize your meal. To get a delivery, use Nextbite.
The Menu
Lopez's delicious taco restaurant menu features La Chingona, which includes a shredded protein of your choice, fresh diced onion and cilantro, salsa verde, pickled onions, roasted jalapenos, authentic masa corn tortillas and fresh lime wedges.
Another tasty option is La Mas Cabrona, which features fire-roasted peppers and onions, fresh diced onion & cilantro, salsa verde, and avocado crema, pickled onions, roasted jalapenos, authentic masa corn tortillas and lime wedges.
Lopez also has your back if you're feeding a crowd. La Gran Fiesta and La Gran Reunion include enough tacos for everyone, along with extra portions of the protein, toppings, veggies and sauces offered on individual meals. La Gran Reunion also includes churro bites with chocolate sauce and Mexican Coca-Cola.
If you're looking for a snack along with your meal, you can get chips with either guacamole or smoky salsa roja. Then, if there's room for dessert, the churro bites are fried pastries dusted with cinnamon sugar and served with chocolate dipping sauce, the perfect end to a delectable meal.
This post was originally published on June 28, 2021.
