This Chicago Native Wants to Build the In-N-Out of Tacos

Taylor Mason of Taylor's Tacos is connected a ngo to return her business to the adjacent level and create the "In-N-Out of tacos."

With this bold thought successful mind, the West Chicago autochthonal is transforming her beloved fast-casual taco conception into a streamlined fast-food acquisition that caters to the modern customer's craving for convenience. She's afloat embraced this shift, fueled by her willingness to accommodate and, arsenic she says, "fail fast."

"People either want thing speedy and convenient, aliases they want to vino and dine," Mason tells Restaurant Influencers big Shawn Walchef of Cali BBQ Media. "We really person to spell down to the fast-food concept, and I deliberation we tin do that. I deliberation that we person a merchandise that tin withstand that."

Taylor's Tacos has served complete 300,000 tacos and completed much than 2,300 catering events. The Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Eater and different outlets person featured the business arsenic a must-visit spot. In August 2023, its "sexy, crispy shrimp taco" earned the title of champion taco successful Chicago connected Good Morning America.

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Alongside her wife, Maya, Mason launched Taylor's Tacos Chicago, LLC, which has since grown into a celebrated catering company, taco shop, event space called Taylored and a nonprofit, Tacos Create Community NFP.

At the halfway of Mason's entrepreneurial travel is her beardown belief successful mentorship and the powerfulness of community. "It takes a colony to raise a business," she says.

And for her, that colony is vast. Mason has tapped into a wealthiness of resources, some successful Chicago and nationally, joining programs for illustration Goldman Sachs' 10,000 Small Businesses and NYPace. She actively seeks opportunities to study and grow, ever looking for ways to heighten her business skills and support Taylor's Tacos thriving.

"There's truthful overmuch to know," she shares. "I consciousness for illustration I cognize truthful much, but I still person truthful overmuch to learn. And truthful my mentors benignant of travel from everywhere."

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Good Morning America effect

Taylor Mason's emergence to prominence took a awesome leap successful 2023 erstwhile she appeared connected Good Morning America aft winning the title of champion taco successful Chicago.

That nationalist spotlight transformed her business. The "Good Morning America effect" brought lines astir the area and nickname connected the streets of Chicago. Despite the fame, Mason stays humble, utilizing the momentum from her media appearances and word-of-mouth buzz to proceed increasing her marque — without relying heavy connected marketing.

"To this day, group extremity me, saying, 'Oh, you were connected Good Morning America,'" Mason says of her newfound notoriety. "Everybody's like, oh, the Keith Lee effect; what astir the Good Morning America effect?"

With her eyes group connected the future, Mason is simply a relentless unit successful the nutrient industry. Her travel exemplifies the power of resilience, mentorship and the thrust to push boundaries to grow. "I'm conscionable truthful grateful that I had that level to showcase who we are," she says.

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