Jake Wheeler is no stranger to the restaurant industry or Tex-Mex cuisine. Both have always been a part of his and his family’s livelihoods.
“Back in 1995, (my dad) launched Tijuana Flats. In 2015, he sold it. So now we’re here and it’s my turn to take the reins and do something new,” Jake Wheeler said.
The family also owns Tibby’s New Orleans Kitchen and Jake Wheeler had been working there as a manager, handling events and marketing.
Jake Wheeler and his father, Brian Wheeler, opened Big Taco in Casselberry in early November. Jake Wheeler said his dad had been getting restless since retiring.
“The way this went is my dad, he retired about four or five years ago,” Jake Wheeler said. “He got bored in retirement — like one day, I walked outside and he had our dog on the jetski in the backyard. So he gets bored. He always wants something new and he thought, ‘You know if I’m going to be spending my money and resources to do something, how about I help out my kids?’ So he said, ‘I was good at Tex-Mex and I think we could do it again.’ So then he came up with Big Taco and the whole idea of this was to provide an outlet for me and my brother to take the reins, run, do our thing and hopefully create another Tex-Mex empire.”
Jake Wheeler said Big Taco had been a nickname for his dad since the elder Wheeler opened up Tijuana Flats.
“He’s been called Big Taco since 1995,” Jake Wheeler said. “His friends gave it to him. They would hang out, ‘Hey, Big Taco, what’s up?’”
Taking command of Big Taco has proved something of a challenge for Jake Wheeler. He had restaurant experience with running Tibby’s, but Big Taco is a completely different setup.
“I had no clue of how to run a fast-casual restaurant,” Jake Wheeler said. “Luckily had the training of the full service, which is a much bigger operation. I wouldn’t say it’s easier or more difficult than this, but once I came here to the fast-casual setting, it was kind of refreshing.”
The decision to open in Casselberry was a strategic one. Jake Wheeler said the idea was to save money on rent while building up a reputation.
“We thought Casselberry is a great place — you have a family environment, a good town, and we’re not breaking the bank and we could really build a good community here. Our neighboring restaurants — Bagel King and Anthony’s — they’ve been here for 20-plus years. They’re all very respected. So we decided we go next to them so we can build that same reputation that they have.”
On the latest episode of Florida Foodie, Jake Wheeler talks about what makes Big Taco unique from Tijuana Flats. He also talks about the artwork on display inside the restaurant and shows off some of the most popular menu items.
Please follow our Florida Foodie hosts on social media. You can find Candace Campos on Twitter and Facebook. Lisa Bell is also on Facebook and Twitter and you can check out her children’s books, “Norman the Watchful Gnome.”
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Top Hat Catering helps feed thousands of seniors
The Fry Shoppe is a passion project decades in the making
Ghost Kitchen Orlando thrived during the pandemic and it's getting ready to expand
Hollerbach’s German Restaurant is a transformational force in Sanford
Plate Above Catering helps keep Second Harvest’s Culinary Training program free for students
La Maison Du Macaron brings a taste of Paris to Florida
Pine & Oak Tavern offers delicious food with a side of history
Central Florida roasters Barnie’s Coffee still going strong after 43 years
Build My Burgers is ready to franchise, expand
Couple behind Zymarium Meadery sees success with brick-and-mortar location in Orlando
Central Florida woman went from stay-at-home mom to working cook, running her own cottage bakery
Love of anime inspires family-run Florida restaurant chain Soupa Saiyan
Crooked Can Brewing remains focused on Central Florida as it readies for big expansion
Pizza hobby becomes nostalgic business for SoDough Square’s owner
Owner of Dancing Empanada ready to sell business he started out of trunk of his car
Husband, wife behind Pho Wheels dish out Asian street food all across Central Florida
Owner of Winter Park’s Hen & Hog battles serious health issues while keeping his business open
Universal Orlando shows off impressive menus for Minion Café, Halloween Horror Nights
Pandemic-induced boredom led to success of Central Florida bakery Stackd Brownies
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Best Advice Show
Mismatch
The Eyes of Texas
Pollyanna
The Count of Monte Cristo
Florida’s Fourth Estate
You Have a Friend in Detroit