R Taco, Formerly Rusty Taco, Launches Arvada Eatery Next Week

In case you haven't noticed, there's been an invasion of Texas taco slingers in the metro area. Torchy's hit big when it landed at 1085 Broadway earlier this year, and new outposts will open soon in Englewood and Northfield. Before that, Fort Worth transplant Fuzzy's Tacos was already packing the house in Olde Town Arvada, and there's also a Thornton branch. And two years ago, Rusty Taco opened at 1760 South Havana Street in Aurora. Thanks to some corporate dealings behind the scenes, Rusty is now just R Taco and is launching a new location at 7630 West 80th Avenue in Arvada on May 26.

A few months after the first Rusty came to Colorado, the company — named after co-founder Rusty Fenton — was purchased by Buffalo Wild Wings. The rebrand to R Taco began last fall, along with a push to expand the company into more markets.

"We're committed to the authentic, street-style taco," says marketing manager Jack Weatherman. "And we pride ourselves on being great members of the community."

While Weatherman can't speak to the rest of the Texas taco influx, he says Coloradans have responded well to R Taco because of its emphasis on fresh ingredients and housemade salsas, as well as the breakfast tacos available from 7 a.m. every day. "We certainly have a cult following with our type of service and menu offerings and really innovative styles," he adds. Those styles encompass recipes from Mexico, Texas and throughout the Southwest.

When the new Arvada R Taco opens next Thursday, the first fifty people in line will win free tacos for a year. And on June 1, customers who show that they have followed R Taco on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram will receive one free taco.

Weatherman says R Taco will continue to grow in Colorado, with a new Littleton location coming this year and several more stores planned at addresses yet to be named. In the meantime, you can practice your pirate-speak by heading to Arr Tacos in Arr-vada or Arr-ora.