Here’s some hot news: Torchy’s Tacos will be going into the restaurant location vacated in 2014 by Red’s Famous Fried Chicken, across from Robert E. Lee High School, at 426 ESE Loop 323.

“I can tell you that much, and I can tell you we have a tentative opening date in September,” Brittany Platt, marketing director for the Austin-based chain of spicy eateries, said.

That opening date is very tentative, she added.

“We tend to get spontaneous ideas as we build our locations, and that can delay us some as we get excited and happy about a new restaurant,” she said.

The Tyler location, announced just last week, will employ anywhere from 100 to 130 people, Ms. Platt said.

“We’re talking about a lot of jobs, for sure,” she said. “And we’re now looking for a general manager, too.”

That location has been tough for a number of restaurants in recent years. In 2011, Double D Ranch Grill & Bar announced it would open a restaurant on the site. It was soon embroiled in a lease dispute with neighboring Toys ‘R’ Us and opposition from some in the community.

A court injunction prevented the restaurant from opening as Double D Ranch; it instead opened as El Chico Ranch in September 2011. Within two years, however, owners turned it into Red’s Famous Fried Chicken. And that business closed its doors after just three months.

The site was vacant until Torchy’s started work there.

Initial news of the Tyler locale came in a press release about a new Denver restaurant.

“With plans to open in fall 2015, we can practically feel the crisp, mountain air calming the heat of our Brushfire taco already,” the release said. “For those Texans still waiting for their local Torchy’s fix, fear not. The taco hit list this year includes locations in Richardson and Tyler, TX, plus a signature storefront on South Congress in Austin.”

Torchy’s was started in Austin by former executive chef Michael Rypka.

According to the Denver Post, “Torchy’s quick-service joint features at-the-counter ordering of such favorites as The Baja Shrimp (shrimp, cabbage slaw, pickled onions and jalapeno, cotija, cilantro, lime and chipotle sauce) and the Trailer Park (fried chicken, green chiles, lettuce, pico, cheese and poblano ranch). There’s also a full-service bar, ranging from signature cocktails to infused tequilas.”

 

Twitter: @tmt_roy