TP Story
Born in CT. Inspired in CA.
I started Taco Pacifico in Madison, CT in 2009 out of frustration and desperation. Having lived in LA a bit earlier in life, I was fed up with the local Mexican food offerings along the CT shoreline, where I’d recently settled. It was hard enough for my wife - a SoCal native - to put up with New England winters, so to live without any taste of home was clearly a formula for a rocky marriage. You think I’m being facetious here but these Californians and their fresh Mex…
At the Car Wash
What began as a simple one man show catering venture soon evolved into a taco cart stationed at a car wash. How LA! By a stroke of beginner’s luck, Taco Pacifico received a write up from a little publication known as The New York Times. Maybe you’ve heard of it. Apparently a lot of people read it so word spread rapidly about some gringo New Yorker who makes his own tortilla chips, fresh salsas, etc.
On the Road Again
Food trucks were trendy and on the rise at the time, and I was vehemently against the idea of operating one for this very reason. After so many failed attempts at finding the right restaurant space, I realized a mobile unit was the only affordable option and pursued this path. 15 years and 1,300+ events later, we are still truckin’ - literally.
Clam Shells & Taco Shells
In 2023, Taco Pacifico acquired the Clam Castle, a 65+ year old beachside Madison institution - merging traditional fresh seafood with Mexican favoritos. Where else can you find a golden-fried scallop taco w/fresh pico de gallo and homemade chipotle ranch dressing?
Hot Off the Tortilla Press
Long before Taco Pacifico existed, I was really into crafting the perfect tortilla chip. All of the chips you see on the shelves are mass produced via automation and therefore taste the same…IMO. But our golden triangles are hand-cut, hand-cooked, hand-salted, hand-sorted, hand-packed, hand-everything! Just recently, we received our manufacturer’s license and began packaging our signature product for resale aboard the taco truck. Eventually we plan to distribute them locally.
You May Say I'm A Dreamer
Hopefully some day one of the major industry players out there will discover this product and offer me millions and millions of dollars to cash in my chips. (Yes, pun intended:) People often laugh and tell me to “keep dreaming” when I get to this point in the story. I have to laugh with them because every milestone I’ve ever reached throughout this crazy 15 year journey has begun with those two words. So eat well and keep dreamin’! - Greg Sharon