Spotlight | Tacombi

Welcome to Broadway Stages' Spotlight, where we feature local shops, restaurants, organizations, individuals, and venues. Join Broadway Stages in recognizing Hispanic and Latino Americans' values, culture, and contributions in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, observed each year from September 15 to October 15. This week, tacos are on the menu as we talk about Tacombi!

Sipping Mezcal in Tulum might be many people's dream. But in 2006, it was where Dario Wolos' dreams took form. Today, as CEO and Founder of Tacombi, he oversees 22 locations of the popular restaurant, as well as Vista Hermosa, a line of authentic Mexican food products, and The Tacombi Foundation, a nonprofit that seeks to advance Mexican communities through food accessibility, education, and employment training.

But Wolos knew that even the tallest trees start with a seed. So, he went online and bought a 1963 Volkswagen bus, locally known as a "combi," for $3000. He disassembled the bus' inner workings to make more room for its new culinary purpose and parked it in the beach town of Playa del Carmen. Initially, the endeavor was called "Señor Tacombi," combining taco and combi.

In 2010, the taqueria brought Mexican food and culture to New York City. Keeping with a theme, it opened in a repurposed garage and featured the original combi parked inside. Since then, the brand has expanded throughout New York City and onward to Connecticut, New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland, Chicago, and Miami. And there are plans for a location in Jersey City in the near future.

You can see why so many places are clamoring for a Tacombi to come there. As one Yelp reviewer said, "Tacombi is such a great and solid place to go get Tacos, Margaritas, and the best guacamole. The service is always impeccable, super nice, and quick. The guac is delicious, and the chips are freshly cooked, which always makes a difference. The tacos were great, and the price/quality is on point. Great ambiance and cool decor in this NY staple." If you are hungry, go online and order now!

Intent on bringing authentic traditional Mexican cuisine abroad, the enterprise started Vista Hermosa, a line of tortilla products made on-site at Tacombi. The line is available at Tacombi and in stores. 

But this is only part of what Wolos had in mind when he started out. He also had a vision of creating a company that could invest back into the community. As COVID-19 made the hardship of food insecurity clear to us, Tacombi reached out. As an undertaking of the Tacombi Foundation, the Tacombi Community Kitchen began helping those in its community. It prepares and distributes wholesome Mexican meals weekly to people who need them. Around 8,500 meals are made each week across Tacombi's locations for this program. In the past four years, the Foundation has distributed 1 million meals. The Foundation has grown to include efforts to advance Mexican communities through food accessibility, education, and employment. If you would like to support the Tacombi Foundation, donate here.

As a company committed to providing mutual value to our community, Broadway Stages feels a kinship with Tacombi. As we continually seek excellence, Tacombi serves incredible, genuine Mexican cuisine. We are both dedicated to giving back to make our communities a better place to live and work.

Finally, if you know Tacombi, you know that every Tuesday is buy one, get one free tacos. But if you want to know more about them and see all they have to offer, follow them on Instagram and Facebook. Or visit them today! And when you do, make sure to tell them Broadway Stages sent you!