Chef Fernanda and TACO NACO KC’s Westport Story | KC Business Journal
Excerpt from Kansas City Business Journal - March 13, 2023
Words by Leslie Collins
Photos by Zach Bauman
Taco Naco features a variety of margaritas and cocktails.
The Kansas City Business Journal spoke with co-founders Chef Fernanda Reyes and Brian Goldman Ruiz in March 2023 about their plans for a second TACO NACO KC restaurant in Westport. The neighborhood’s restaurant community and the chance to welcome more Kansas Citians made it a natural next step after Overland Park.
Fernanda Reyes (left) and Brian Goldman Ruiz are co-founders of Taco Naco.
Chef Fernanda’s training and Mexican cooking are at the center of TACO NACO KC. Brian developed an early restaurant plan during his graduate studies, and the two shaped it around tacos, family memories and the details that make a space feel welcoming. The Business Journal profile explores that origin in more depth.
Taco Naco features a variety of artisanal tacos, including vegan options. Pictured is the potato pipian taco, which features russet potatoes in a green pumpkin seed mole topped with sesame, pepita seed and fresh cilantro. The restaurant uses tortillas from local tortilla maker Yoli Tortilleria.
Our journey began with pop-ups and the Overland Park Farmers’ Market before the first restaurant opened in 2021. The colors, art and music at TACO NACO KC reflect different parts of Mexico, just as the menu makes room for both familiar tacos and plant-based choices such as potato pipián.
One of Taco Naco's quesadilla options.
