AUSTIN, Texas — A popular Austin-based taco chain is introducing some new menu items and getting rid of some old favorites.
Starting Wednesday, Aug. 28, Torchy's Tacos is launching a new menu to mark 18 years in operation. The menu will launch at all 126 Torchy's locations across the country, including the 21 restaurants in the Austin area.
What's new on the menu?
Customers can order eight new items, starting with the Hogfather. Previously a "Taco of the Month," this offering is now here to stay. The Hogfather's flour tortilla is filled with green chile pork carnitas, bacon, crispy onions, teriyaki sauce, green corn relish, cotijua cheese and cilantro.
The Republican as it was previously known – containing jalapeno cheddar sausage, pico de gallo, cheddar jack cheese and poblano sauce on flour – is no more. But the Cougar, another previous Taco of the Month, will now become the new Republican. The brisket-and-barbecue sauce taco also includes onions, grilled corn relish, cilantro and a chipotle sauce on flour.
Looking for a meatless option? The vegan FoSho taco offers avocado, refried pinto beans, Mexican rice, grilled onions and peppers, grilled corn relish, crispy onions and cilantro on corn.
Torchy's customers can also now order Fresh Avocado and Grilled Baja Shrimp tacos instead of their fried counterparts.
Hungry for an appetizer? The Threesome offers tortilla chips with a trio of three dips: Green Chile Queso, guacamole and a choice of salsa.
Another new item is the Damn Good Tots, which are tater tots covered in queso and topped with bacon.
Finally, Torchy's is expanding its Breakfast Burrito to all locations. It offers customers a mixture of eggs, refried pinto beans, potatoes, chorizo, Green Chile Queso and mixed cheese in a flour tortilla. Meanwhile, tater tots will replace homestyle potatoes in all breakfast tacos.
Items leaving the menu
With the addition of these new options comes the removal of some others.
Because Torchy's is retiring its jalapeno cheddar sausage, the #4 Breakfast Taco and the Secret Menu's Ace of Spades will be unavailable in addition to the original Republican taco.
The plant-based MoFaux is also saying goodbye, with the FoSho taking its place.
Lil' Nookies, Torchy's dessert of fried cookie dough with powdered sugar and cherries, are also leaving the menu.
Torchy's does note that these changes aren't necessarily forever. The chain said all removed items have the potential to return.