Tijuana Flats is a fast-casual restaurant chain serving lunch and dinner, specializing in Tex-Mex cuisine.
Tijuana Flats was founded by Brian Wheeler in Winter Park, Florida, in 1995. He just graduated from the University of Central Florida when he decided he wanted to open his own bar and restaurant. With help from his dad who loaned him $20,000 to start the business, Wheeler opened the first location, with college students being one of the very first loyal customers of the brand. The business was modeled after a Mexican restaurant in Gainesville, Florida called Burrito Brothers.
The restaurant serves Tex-Mex cuisine, specializing in a range of tacos, burritos, chimichangas, salads, quesadillas, and wings, with unique Mexican and Western flavors. The company is also known for its wide range of in-house hot sauces with flavors that range from sweet to full-blown hot and spicy, which is called, "Smack My Ass and Call Me Sally."
Tijuana Flats is widely known for its unique restaurant design. All of the locations feature a huge mural painting by an artist, featuring some of the iconic images and symbols of the restaurant, Mexican cuisine, and American details. The very first location was painted by artist Christopher Galipeau, who also painted 8 other locations until his death in 2008.
The restaurant eventually started franchising, leading to different locations across 5 states, and by 2015, the company was sold to AUA Private Equity Firm.
For more information on Tijuana Flats, please visit the official website at www.tijuanaflats.com.
What Makes Tijuana Flats Different?
There are many things that make Tijuana Flats stand out in the Tex-Mex restaurant industry. First, they make all of their sauces in-house and even sell them by the bottle. Hot and spicy lovers will enjoy their full range of sauces, which range from mild, to sweet to burning hot. They have a "Hot Sauce Bar" specifically featuring these sauces.
Second, they only use fresh ingredients for all of the items on their menu. They only make the food once a customer makes an order, and that means fresh, high-quality food that's rich, filling, and healthy.
Another thing that makes them popular is their vibrant restaurants. Using bright and bold colors, murals, and an overall lively, fun, and friendly environment makes Tijuana Flats a great place to dine with family and friends.
The menu is also simple but within the menu categories is a range of items that has something for everyone. Their customization feature also makes it possible for a million different possibilities in terms of flavor and food preferences.
There are 9 categories in the Tijuana Flats Menu, and these are:
- Starters
- Wings
- Classic Entrees
- Flats' Favorites
- Sides
- Desserts
- Drinks
- Kids
- Take Home Kits
Starters include Chips and different sauces/dips, and Atom Bombs, while Wings include different orders in pieces and flavors, as well as a take-home kit. Entrees include salads, tacos, burritos, flautas, bowls, nachos, quesadillas, and chimichangas.
The Flats' Favorites menu features chef-curated entrees served with salsa and chips, which include burritos, chimichangas, nachos, chicken burritos, flautas, and tacos. Drinks are Coca-Cola products and Apple juice, while Desserts include churro bites and cooked dough flautas.
The most recommended items on the Tijuana Flats menu include:
- Bangin' Chicken Tacos, which is grilled chicken, cheese, lettuce, and the popular Bangin' Sauce, a crowd favorite
- Tijuana Bowl, which is like a deconstructed burrito, complete with veggies, cheese, and your choice of protein and sauce
- Tinga Tacos, which consist of shredded chicken cooked in a sauce and topped with your choice of toppings
- Flautas, which are crispy and tender with chicken, black beans, melted cheese, sour cream, pesto, and guacamole
There is no dedicated Vegan Menu at Tijuana Flats but they offer several vegan and vegetarian items on the overall menu. One of the most popular features of the restaurant is the ability of customers to customize their orders. All of the items on the menu can be changed in terms of toppings and ingredients used, making it convenient for vegans and vegetarians to order food at the restaurant. Some of the vegan menu items include:
Vegan toppings or ingredients include black beans, rice, salsa, guacamole, and a variety of different vegetables and sauces.
Yes, there's a kid's menu at Tijuana Flats. The overall vibe of the restaurant is casual, chill, and fun, making it a great restaurant for families. The Kid's Menu features smaller portions of the regular menu, and it includes the following:
- Kid's Burrito
- Kid's Taco
- Chicken Nuggets
- Kid's Nachos
- Quesadilla
All the meals come with a side of chips, applesauce or candy, and a soft drink or applied juice.
Does Tijuana Flats Offer Delivery?
Yes, Tijuana Flats offers delivery or pick-up. Simply visit the official website, choose your location, place your order, and have your items delivered or you can also pick them up at the restaurant. You can also use third-party delivery companies, just check with the apps if they offer Tijuana Flats, such as DoorDash, Postmates, Uber Eats, and Grubhub.
Can You Cook Tijuana Flats at Home?
No, you can't cook Tijuana Flats at home but the restaurant does offer their Take Home Kits menu where you can order a platter of ingredients for different dishes, such as tacos, burritos, and nachos, and mix the ingredients to make your own variations at home.
What are the Operating Hours of Tijuana Flats?
Tijuana Flats is open from Sunday to Thursday from 1030am to 10 pm and longer hours on the weekends from 11 am to 11 pm. Because there are over 100 locations with many of them being franchises, operating hours may vary. Please confirm opening and closing times by calling the location near you.