Taco Mayo is a popular Tex-Mex fast food chain that is well known for its tasty burritos, tacos, quesadillas and more. The company was founded in Norman, Oklahoma in 1978 and has expanded throughout the state over the years. With its headquarters located in Oklahoma, many are curious exactly how many Taco Mayo locations can be found throughout the Sooner State today.
A Brief History of Taco Mayo
Taco Mayo was founded in 1978 by Mike and Janie Sevel. The first location opened up in Norman near the University of Oklahoma campus. It quickly became a favorite spot for students to grab a quick, affordable meal between classes. From the beginning, Taco Mayo focused on serving fresh, high quality Mexican food fast. Their motto was “Run for the Border.”
The chain started expanding in the 1980s, first around the Norman area and then to other cities around Oklahoma. New locations popped up in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Lawton, Muskogee, Stillwater and more. Taco Mayo differentiated itself from other Tex-Mex chains at the time like Taco Bell by using fresh ingredients and having an employee hand-make each item to order right in front of the customer.
By the 1990s, Taco Mayo had over 50 locations in Oklahoma alone. The company also expanded into other states like Arkansas and Texas. However, Oklahoma continues to be the brand’s strongest market today with most of their 130+ stores located throughout the state.
Taco Mayo’s Menu and Signature Items
Part of Taco Mayo’s popularity stems from its diverse and affordable menu. Some customer favorites include:
- Tacos – Choice of spiced ground beef or chicken with lettuce, tomato, cheese and crunchy taco shell.
- Burritos – Big tortillas stuffed with beans, rice, cheese and your choice of meat.
- Quesadillas – Grilled tortillas filled with melted cheese and optional meats.
- Nachos – Tortilla chips covered in beans, cheese, jalapeños and more toppings.
- Salads – Taco salads served in a fried tortilla bowl or chef salads with turkey, ham and cheese.
- Desserts – Sopapillas, cinnamon crispas, churros and other Mexican-inspired sweets.
In addition to the usual Tex-Mex fare, Taco Mayo has some signature items that have become customer favorites over the years:
- Mayo Bowl – A Taco Mayo original with ground beef, beans, queso and other ingredients served in a bowl.
- Rice Bowl – Similar to the Mayo Bowl but served over cilantro lime rice instead of in a tortilla bowl.
- Yum Yum Sauce – Taco Mayo’s sweet and tangy signature sauce for dipping.
- Horchata – Sweet rice milk drink that’s the perfect partner for spicy Mexican food.
Taco Mayo also offers breakfast menus, vegetarian options, kids meals and seasonal/limited time items that help keep customers coming back.
Current Number of Locations in Oklahoma
As of October 2023, there are 132 Taco Mayo locations in the state of Oklahoma. This makes it the largest Taco Mayo market, accounting for over 75% of total stores. Here is a breakdown of the Taco Mayo locations in Oklahoma by city:
| City | Number of Locations |
|---|---|
| Oklahoma City | 32 |
| Tulsa | 26 |
| Norman | 12 |
| Lawton | 7 |
| Midwest City | 5 |
| Muskogee | 4 |
| Stillwater | 4 |
| Moore | 3 |
| Mustang | 3 |
| Yukon | 3 |
| Claremore | 2 |
| Edmond | 2 |
| Enid | 2 |
| Jenks | 2 |
| Owasso | 2 |
| Ponca City | 2 |
| Sand Springs | 2 |
| Ada | 1 |
| Altus | 1 |
| Ardmore | 1 |
| Bartlesville | 1 |
| Bethany | 1 |
| Bixby | 1 |
| Broken Arrow | 1 |
| Chickasha | 1 |
| Choctaw | 1 |
| Coweta | 1 |
| Del City | 1 |
| Duncan | 1 |
| Durant | 1 |
| El Reno | 1 |
| Elk City | 1 |
| Glenpool | 1 |
| Grove | 1 |
| Guthrie | 1 |
| Guymon | 1 |
| McAlester | 1 |
| Miami | 1 |
| Noble | 1 |
| Okmulgee | 1 |
| Pauls Valley | 1 |
| Pryor | 1 |
| Purcell | 1 |
| Sapulpa | 1 |
| Shawnee | 1 |
| Stilwell | 1 |
| Tahlequah | 1 |
| Warr Acres | 1 |
| Weatherford | 1 |
| Woodward | 1 |
As the table shows, Oklahoma City and Tulsa have the highest concentration of Taco Mayo locations with 32 and 26 stores respectively. However, Taco Mayos can be found in towns all across the state from Guymon in the panhandle to Tahlequah in far eastern Oklahoma. Norman, where the chain got its start, still maintains a sizable presence with 12 restaurants.
Recent and Upcoming Location Changes
The number of Taco Mayo stores in Oklahoma has been relatively stable over the past few years. However, there have been a few recent and upcoming location changes:
- Closed Locations:
- 1 location in Shawnee closed in 2021
- 1 location in Lawton closed in 2022
- New Locations Opening Soon:
- Yukon – Opening in late 2022
- Oklahoma City – SE 59th St location opening in early 2023
- Remodels Planned:
- Midwest City location on Air Depot Blvd slated for remodel in 2023
- Muskogee location on Chandler Rd will be remodeled in 2023
While the total number of locations remains steady, Taco Mayo does close select underperforming restaurants each year while opening new stores in other high traffic areas. Remodeling and updating older stores is also an ongoing process to keep the brand feeling fresh and appealing to customers.
Taco Mayo’s Oklahoma Presence Compared to Other Chains
With over 130 locations, Taco Mayo has a very strong presence across Oklahoma compared to other Mexican chains in the state. Here is how its location count stacks up:
| Restaurant Chain | Number of Oklahoma Locations |
|---|---|
| Taco Mayo | 132 |
| Taco Bueno | 72 |
| Chipotle | 29 |
| Qdoba | 19 |
| Taco John’s | 12 |
| Del Taco | 8 |
| Taco Bell | 5 |
As an Oklahoma-based chain, Taco Mayo has more than double the locations of its closest competitor Taco Bueno. National chains like Chipotle and Qdoba have been growing in recent years but still have just a fraction of the presence. Taco Bell, the largest Tex-Mex chain in the U.S., only has 5 locations in the state.
Taco Mayo’s 130+ restaurants give it a density of 3.3 locations per 100,000 residents. That’s a higher density than larger chains like McDonald’s or Subway. This demonstrates Taco Mayo’s hometown advantage and strong popularity throughout Oklahoma compared to other brands.
Reasons for Taco Mayo’s Dominance in Oklahoma
There are several key factors that help explain Taco Mayo’s leading position compared to other Mexican restaurant chains in Oklahoma:
Early Moever Advantage
As the first Tex-Mex chain founded in Oklahoma back in 1978, Taco Mayo had a big head start establishing brand awareness and real estate before competitors came to the state.
Local Connection
Being headquartered in Norman and started by Oklahoma natives, the company is seen as the home state brand. This creates an affinity and loyalty among consumers.
Focus on Oklahoma
With most of its locations in Oklahoma, Taco Mayo is able to focus marketing and tailor menu offerings specifically to tastes in this region.
Fresh Food Appeal
By making food fresh to order with high quality ingredients, Taco Mayo has a reputation for better food than some national chains which rely on pre-packaged items.
Real Estate Strategy
Taco Mayo secures highly visible, convenient retail centers along major roads and highways throughout the state.
Conclusion
With approximately 132 stores statewide as of 2023, Taco Mayo has the largest presence of any Mexican restaurant chain in Oklahoma. The brand originated in the state back in the 1970s and continues to be a hometown favorite for Tex-Mex cuisine. While national chains like Chipotle and Qdoba are growing, Taco Mayo maintains a dominant position thanks to its early mover advantage, local connection, focus on fresh food quality, and prime real estate locations. For Oklahoma residents craving nachos, burritos and other Mexican favorites, Taco Mayo remains the top choice with the most convenient locations all across the Sooner State.