Talkin’ bout tacos

Roberto Kelly shook his head. It was the soft opening at the new Tacos El Franc fast-casual restaurant in downtown San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter. No, the co-owner explained, the name doesn’t translate to Tacos of France. The food is 100% Mexican. (Franc was the nickname of the chain’s original owner, Javier Valadez.)

Tacos El Franc has been in business for 51 years in Tijuana. The muy auténtico eatery was featured on Netflix’s “Taco Chronicles” and mentioned in the Michelin Guide this year and last (without being granted a coveted star — yet.)

Kelly spent five years doing reconnaissance (even before the pandemic) in consideration of a cross-border move. The United States operation’s co-owners’ first effort in National City’s Plaza Bonita is seeing lines out the door.

It’s been a little over a week of operation in the Gaslamp, where the long lines for tacos form two blocks up Fifth Avenue at Tacos El Gordo.

“We know we have authentic Tijuana tacos here in the Gaslamp,” Kelly said. “This is a great area. It has its issues but also has potential. We want to bring our food to where people who travel can find it.”

For now, Tacos El Franc is open late night, closing at midnight Monday through Wednesday; 2 a.m. Thursday to Saturday.

Kelly said people will be surprised to see how effective and safe his concept for a “human drive-thru” will be during late hours.

He also hinted at a secret menu, much like In-N-Out. The Tacos El Franc secret menu will be found online starting in November.

“We’ll use the fattiest parts of the cow in the secret menu,” he said. “It’s insane. And it will only be while supplies last.”

Find out more about the food in our story from Frank Sabatini Jr.