Torchy's Tacos To Close Original South Austin Store

SOUTH AUSTIN, TX — Another piece of history will soon vanish in Austin: Torchy's Tacos officials said this week they will close the first brick-and-mortar store that gave rise to the storied company.

Torchy's Tacos officials announced plans to shutter their original store on south 1st Street by Oct. 22, according to media reports. The company said the move is in line with a focus on providing more accessible eateries throughout the Austin area.

Employees working at the original site will be offered positions elsewhere in the company, officials said.

The store yielded many memorable moments in the history of the successful chain of Tex-Mex culinary fare, including hosting President Barack Obama when he dropped by for lunch during a visit to Austin during SXSW in 2016. In the spirit of bipartisanship, Obama reportedly ordered tacos dubbed a Democrat (filled with barbacoa), a Republican (jalapeño sausage) and an Independent (mushrooms) during his visit, as multiple media outlets reported at the time.

The Obama visit was memorable and dramatic, as the presidential motorcade meandered through streets to the Torchy's Tacos during the food run. Obama's order came to $18.40, which included tacos for his staff and Austin Mayor Steve Adler, as Eater Austin reported at the time.