Fuzzy’s Taco Shop targets Beaumont

Fuzzy’s Taco Shop has arrived in Beaumont. Greg Lee, whose restaurant resumé includes Sonic, and Chuck McCarty, who has Chicken Express outlets here, are partners in Baja Tacos Amigos 1 LLC. They have acquired franchise rights to build and operate Fuzzy’s Taco Shops in Jefferson County and the cities of Galveston and Lake Charles, La. The first Fuzzy’s in Southeast Texas actually opened its doors last June in Nederland and has already built a loyal customer base for spicy tacos, cold beer and its trademark margaritas. Now the company has targeted Beaumont for its next outlet, planning a Jan. 18 opening next door to Sertino’s in the Gander Mountain shopping center on Eastex Freeway in Beaumont.

Chef Paul Willis created and opened the original Fuzzy’s Taco Shop near Texas Christian University in 2001 with a menu that boasted Baja-style Mexican food. Billed as the home of the original fish tacos, Fuzzy’s tacos can be ordered soft or crispy, with fish, shrimp, beef, pork or vegetables — and extras such as feta cheese, garlic sauce and an optional habeñero kick.

Fuzzy’s Taco Shop’s corporate-owned and franchise locations are now serving fresh, handmade Baja-style Mexican food across seven states – the new Beaumont location is the 50th store in the burgeoning chain.

In an interview, Lee said the partners’ second area “location will be about the same size as Nederland – about 200 square feet smaller – but will have a larger patio.”

Operations at the Nederland store indicate Fuzzy’s marketing efforts are conducted on multiple levels. As a family-friendly restaurant, they offered specials in October designed to attract that demographic, with Sundays featuring $1 off any plate dinner and free food for kids – a meal from the Kid’s Menu with the purchase of an adult meal.

All Fuzzy’s locations offer indoor and patio seating where their food specialties including fish tacos, burritos, nachos, queso and ice-cold beer are served. The intent is to create an atmosphere that is “bright, fun and energetic – perfect for gathering with friends and family to watch a game, enjoy a beer or margarita, or just hang out.”