Sneak Peek: Taco Daddy Set to Open in Stamford

Fans of @dallasthewalpig’s Instagram account may have noticed that Dallas, a half Shar-Pei, half bulldog puppy signed a lease for a new taco joint in Stamford. Umm…what?!

Then the account switched over to @tacodaddystamford and fans, both locally and from afar, were undoubtedly confused.

What’s there to be confused about? If a dog opened a taco joint, you’d go, right?

That’s not what’s actually happening but that is the joke at Taco Daddy, a fresh idea by John Nealon—who you likely know from his time as a co-owner of Fortina—and his fiancée Morgan Machette.

After a most PAWticular examination, Dallas is happy to say that she is pleased with the terms and has signed a lease! 🐾 Stamford, we are SO excited to be coming to you in early November! #bosspig #dogopensarestaurant * * * * #dallasthewalpig #walpigdiaries #dogs_of_instagram #puppiesofinstagram #instagramdog #instadog #instapup #instacute #cutepuppy #puppylove #photoediting #puppyphotos #weeklyfluff #animalsco #puppyplay #bestwoof #wrinkleddog #mydogiscutest #picoftheday #ctfoodie #doglove #loveyourdog #weeklyfluff #buzzfeedanimals #fairfieldcounty #stamford #ctfood #ctfoodlovers #stamfordct

4,656 Likes, 23 Comments - Taco Daddy (@tacodaddystamford) on Instagram: "After a most PAWticular examination, Dallas is happy to say that she is pleased with the terms and..."

That whole part about the dog? Well, that’s part of Taco Daddy’s story. It started a few years ago, when the couple launched Dallas’ account, gaining her a serious following of around 60,000. Once a restaurant came into the fray, Nealon and Machette realized they wouldn’t have time to open and operate a business and run a popular petstagram, so they kept the following and changed the handle. “People were not happy,” Machette says. “But Dallas will still make lots of appearances.”

Once you’ve gotten over Dallas’ cuteness—Who are we kidding? Look at that face! You won’t ever get over it!

But seriously, at least for a few minutes, you should get to know what’s happening at Taco Daddy. Scroll down and dive into this first look at this far-from-the-norm taco concept.

Recognize the space? It’s the former Harlan Social.

Expect a fun, come-as-you-are vibe at Taco Daddy highlighted by original artwork by Machette’s sister, Deven, and design accents by her mom, Elizabeth, plus an open kitchen. Guests can also expect games like darts and putterball—that’s beer pong style putt putt.

One side of Taco Daddy will be full service, while the other is quick and casual. “If you’re looking to be in and out, we’ll have a coaster that you tap with your phone that brings up a website you can order from,” Machette says. “You don’t have to download an app.”

On the full serve side, everyone waiting tables is a bartender, so they’re mixing your drinks and getting your food.

About the booze…

Taco Daddy’s cocktails will feature a mixture of easy-drinking concoctions and some will be more adventurous. Additionally, there will be nine beers on tap with a focus on local breweries, with taco friendly brands like Modelo and Corona in bottles and cans. Nealon mentioned that they won’t shy away from heavy wine pours.

The tacos here are anything but traditional. Think along the lines of a Thanksgiving taco; buttermilk fried chicken cordon bleu with French ham, peas, and a creamy mornay sauce; BLT with thick-cut bacon and Peter Luger Sauce; and cheeseburger with American cheese sauce, burger sauce, caramelized onions, and everything you’d expect, including sesame seeds as it’s a riff on a Big Mac. “It’s fun, no rules tacos with familiar concepts,” Nealon says. “Cheeseburger, poke, and Kung Pao shrimp tacos, and we have a fajita program that’s gonna bring Chili’s to its knees!”

And it’s not just about meat! Taco Daddy has plenty of veggie options that include tacos with mushroom, smoked eggplant, and another with roasted sweet plantains and pan-fried Indian paneer cheese. Speaking of queso…it comes as a bowl, as in, with chips and vegetables for your dipping pleasure. What doesn’t taste better when dunked in a molten bowl of slightly spicy cheese?

There’s even a dessert taco, an ode to the ice cream truck legend Choco Taco, with coconut ice cream, chocolate sauce, quenelles of whipped cream, and mint in a s’mores “shell.”

After its soft phases, Taco Daddy will be open at 10 a.m. every day, where they’ll start by serving breakfast tacos and burritos.

Eventually they’ll roll out brunch from Saturday – Tuesday. Yeah, that’s right, FOUR DAYS OF BRUNCH, that’ll especially be nice for those restaurant industry days off.

When do they open, you ask? It’s towards the end of this week. Look out for an announcement on Taco Daddy’s Instagram.

Taco Daddy
121 Towne Street; Stamford