(Photo by Nathan DeBruin, for Kenosha County Eye)
KENOSHA, Wis. — Two southeastern Wisconsin Taco John’s restaurants have quietly closed their doors for good, ending the chain’s brief run in Kenosha and Racine and generating significant discussion on social media among customers. Google now lists both the Kenosha restaurant on 75th Street and the Mount Pleasant location on Washington Avenue as permanently closed.
The Racine-area restaurant opened in August 2024 with hopes of expanding the brand’s footprint in southeastern Wisconsin. The Kenosha location followed as part of the company’s efforts to grow in larger metropolitan markets after decades of focusing primarily on smaller Midwestern communities.
(Photo by Nathan DeBruin, for Kenosha County Eye)
The closures appear to have taken place within the last week. Residents first noticed traffic cones blocking the Kenosha parking lot, while others reported arriving at the restaurants only to find them closed. Social media posts quickly spread, with customers confirming that both locations had shut down.
Reaction online has been mixed. Some longtime Taco John’s fans expressed disappointment, saying they enjoyed the restaurant’s unique menu and were sad to see another dining option disappear. Others were less sentimental, criticizing the chain’s prices, saying the food didn’t justify repeat visits, or commenting that they preferred competing Mexican-inspired fast-food restaurants.
Founded in Cheyenne, Wyoming, in 1969, Taco John’s has grown into one of the nation’s largest Mexican-inspired quick-service restaurant chains, operating hundreds of locations across more than 20 states. The company is perhaps best known for its signature Potato Olés, seasoned potato bites that have developed a loyal following over the decades. The chain also spent years holding the trademark for the phrase “Taco Tuesday” before giving it up in 2023 after a legal challenge from Taco Bell.
For many Wisconsin residents, Taco John’s has long been a familiar brand, particularly in smaller communities throughout the state. In recent years, company officials had expressed optimism about expanding into the Milwaukee market, believing the area already had strong brand recognition.
It is unclear why the Kenosha and Racine-area restaurants closed. No public announcement explaining the decision had been made as of Monday evening.
Although the two southeastern Wisconsin locations are now gone, Taco John’s continues to operate numerous restaurants elsewhere in Wisconsin and throughout the Midwest.
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One Response
I predicted this to my husband a few months ago, and boom, here it is! I blame it on poor management. The tacos weren’t that great either.