The skinny on Del Taco's arrival in Suisun City

So how soon is soon?

You've seen the sign, parked at the entrance to the Heritage Shopping Center on Sunset Avenue, advertising the new Del Taco going in at the old Carl's Jr. site.

Indy Pahwa, director of operations and development at Bay Valley Foods — the company in charge of the Suisun City Del Taco location, said the "soon" on the sign actually means mid- to late January, depending on how much of a break the weather gives construction workers.

Already, the Del Taco is sporting some of the mosaic panels of Mexican food it promised the planning commission, plus separate remodeling due in part to a $10,000 façade improvement grant from the city redevelopment agency, according to city planning staff documents. Pahwa also gained permission to remove eight trees from the location and replace them with low-lying landscaping.

Pahwa said the location was a good fit for Del Taco, especially being so near Raley's supermarket.

"I think visibility was a plus, access and proximity to the anchor," he said, adding he estimates about 35 new jobs will come into the community when Del Taco is up and running.

"We've gotten a pretty good response in Vacaville and a pretty good response in Cordelia, so we're hoping for a good response in Suisun," Pahwa said.

For Southern California transplants, Del Taco may conjure memories of cheap tacos plus options of spicy Mexican fast food with use of real jalapenos on some creations.