Torchy's Tacos to close West Midtown restaurant
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Kristal liked the tacos and margarita at Torchy's. Photo: Kristal Dixon/Axios
A Texas-based taco chain will close its Atlanta restaurant — and the only location in Georgia — roughly 18 months after it opened to customers.
Driving the news: Torchy's Tacos confirmed to Axios that it will close the eatery at 1055 Howell Mill Road in West Midtown.
- Torchy's last day serving customers will be Monday, Feb. 3, Jane Beck, a spokesperson for the restaurant, told Axios.
What they're saying: "We're incredibly grateful to the team members who have poured their time and energy into this restaurant," Beck said. "We also want to thank the loyal guests who shared meals with us since we opened in 2024."
Catch up quick: The restaurant opened in August 2024 on the ground floor of West Midtown's Star Metals building, according to Tomorrow's News Today, which first reported the closure.
- Its menu includes queso, guacamole, salsa and chips, and a variety of chicken, beef, pork, seafood and veggie tacos; bowls, salads and burritos. It also offers breakfast tacos and burritos.
The intrigue: Torchy's isn't the only place slinging tacos in West Midtown.
- Both Velvet Taco and Taqueria Del Sol are located within three blocks of Torchy's.
- Agavero Cantina and Rreal Tacos are also nearby.
The big picture: Torchy's closure is the latest in a series of restaurants shutting down in West Midtown and across Atlanta.
Context: Beth McKibben, Rough Draft Atlanta's editor in chief and dining editor, said that despite social media users fretting about the city's restaurant scene, higher closure rates are common in December and January.
- That's usually the time when leases are negotiated and "new agreements can't be reached."
- Additionally, the cost to rent commercial space in the city has increased nearly 28% since 2020, McKibben reports.
- "The restaurant industry is notoriously difficult. Restaurants run on thin margins and high operating costs, while relying on a fickle dining public living on a diet of social media content meant to induce FOMO," she said. "It's a huge achievement for a restaurant to make it beyond a decade."
Kristal's thought bubble: I visited Torchy's Tacos back in September and enjoyed the food and margarita I ordered. I hate to see it close.