Taco Casa Celebrates 50 Years of Family-Friendly Food Service in Tuscaloosa

Business and government leaders gathered on 15th Street to celebrate the 50th anniversary of a Tuscaloosa institution with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting at Taco Casa Tuesday morning.

The brand really needs no introduction. Founded in August 1974 by Rod Wilkin, Taco Casa is synonymous with this city for most folks who have lived or studied here.

Wilkin, his wife Susan and their four children were all on hand Tuesday to mark the occasion with the ribbon cutting, deals all day for customers, and even a group taco-eating under the biggest cactus in town.

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City councilors Matthew Wilson and John Faile were on site for the ceremony along with State Rep. Cynthia Almond, who joined the legislature after serving on the council herself. The Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama also sent a large delegation to help with the celebration.

The Wilkins also acknowledged their earliest partners and employees, including Buffalo Rock Pepsi, who have been with Taco Casa under various names since Day One back in 1974, and "Dollar" Bill Lawson, a longtime local radio host. Lawson said when he was in his early 20s, he and his roommate were among the gaggle of people Wilkin hired for Taco Casa's first day in business.

"I don't tell people I was in radio for 50 years, I don't tell people I graduated from the University of Alabama, I proudly tell people I was one the first employees of the first-ever Taco Casa," Lawson said. "And in 1974, there were no Mexican food places in Tuscaloosa really, nobody knew what a taco was, or a burrito, but Rod Wilkin took a risk on the concept and it was brilliant."

Rod Wilkin said in addition to their legendary status locally, they ship food to 37 different states, including burritos by the hundred to Emmy Award-winning actress Sela Ward, who got her start as a University of Alabama cheerleader.

He thanked God, their customers and their employees for giving them 50 years as the "spicy little spot between mild and hot," and the crowd got out of the heat and into their 15th Street restaurant, where anniversary deals are still going on.

Get by and celebrate with 50-cent Pepsi products and Sweet Tea or half-off an order of large nachos or beefy nachos.

Customers can also snag a free taco with each order purchased Tuesday until 5 p.m.

For more coverage of restaurant and retail development, stay connected to the Tuscaloosa Thread.