You did a pretty good job! I worked for the Foleys at the corporate training store on Douglas in Wichita for a few years in the 80's as a training manager. I trained managers on how to run a Taco Tico. I left Wichita a long time ago but I have noticed that many of the stores have closed now so your efforts will be appreciated by people that know what a Sancho actually is. Taco Tico had a unique taste and the Foley brothers worked to get it just right. The texture you describe was for more than one reason. The soy based protein absorbed the seasoning well and distributed it evenly throughout the meat and since a metal spatula was used to apply it to buns and shells, it had to spread and not fall apart. As more stores close, this recipe will come in handy for those of us that remember the taste. I miss working there but I have good memories.
Thank you for dedicating years of your life and for doing all this hard work! I miss Taco Tico. Will you PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE imitate their enchilada sauce? I am missing it something FIERCE. THANK YOU again. 🥰❤👏🙌
Hi! I have just come across this recipe and successfully made it for dinner. I grew up in Wichita, and miss those nostalgic days of Taco Tico (and Taco John). Who knew the real secret ingredient was oatmeal?! Thanks so much for this video.
There's a Taco Tico in Augusta on 7th street (Kellogg) and it's as good as it ever was. If you've never had Taco J's it's great too, there's one in Haysville.
Thanks for posting this, I can't wait to try it! I used to live in a town in southern Kansas and Taco Tico is still there, I used to work there from '98-'01. I live in Minnesota now and the closest one to me is in Mason City, IA. That one is probably the best Taco Tico restaurant I've ever had.
I too lived in Southeast Kansas. Man, Taco Tico was a treat on the days my mother didn’t want to cook or traveling to meet my father in different railroad yards. These were the days so thank you for sharing this recipe. I’m making this tonight!
Yeah there is one in Louisville. It was there for a while and then went away. It was on the south eastern part of the city. They re-opened the last year I lived in Louisville and there was a 2 mile long line to get into the parking lot. LOL! The thing is, even after the opening I was never able to get into the place.
My first taste of Mexican food was at a Taco Tico when I was about 4 years old (49 now). I had a Sancho...then another. It was unlike any food I had ever tried at the time. TT has long since vanished from the Indiana area, but I have thought about it many times over the years. One day it popped into my head so I got online and started looking...and found this recipe. I followed it to the letter, and as soon as I put in all the spices, a wave of memories came back to me. It was the taste I had been craving. All I can say is thank you for this recipe. It may have saved my sanity. Only true TT fans will know what I mean.
THANKS for posting this! Where did you live during your Taco Tico days? I grew up on a farm near Parsons, KS. Taco Tico was my FAVORITE place to eat when I was a kid. When I travel, I make sure I take a route that gets me near a Taco Tico. I recently bought a gallon of their hot sauce.... it's sooo good, one could slap a calf nipple on the jug and go to town on it! I've been wanting a copycat recipe of the sauce so I could CAN it. Still looking. Anyway..... Thanks again for posting this. I really like your channel. I subscribed, and featured your channel on mine.
I was born and raised in Parsons. Left when I was a teenager, however, Taco Tico was also my favorite place to eat as a kid. Haven't been back to Parsons in a while, but glad to see this copycat version of the meat. Going to give my family a real treat tonight by fixing this...thanks for sharing 🥰🤩💕
I grew up in Kansas and there was a Taco Tico 63 miles from where I lived but my cousin and I would drive that just to go to Taco Tico. I now live in California and when I say Taco Tico out here people have no idea what I am talking about. Sure miss Taco Tico taco burgers!!!
@Amee415 did you ever get any? I always have some in my freezer. You can also buy their sauce by the gallon. I always have enchilada sauce and mild on hand as well.
Hi there thank you so much for posting this. Not sure if you already know this or not but I just discovered myself that taco tico is selling their frozen meat and their enchilada sauce online now!
For Taco Tico experience was in Garden City, Kansas in the 1970’s. They have a sort of cult following. If you saw locations closed then reopened, it’s likely they were closed by the state for not paying sales tax. This happened several times. Now they are no longer franchised and are privately owned so maybe they grow and improve because some locations were pretty run down. Tasty food though and nothing like it. The stretching the meat out is likely something that we see a lot in Kansas, particularly with German American areas. During the Great Depression German Americans adapted very well as they already had recipes to stretch meat like stippgrütze and many more. My grandfather told me that as a child in the Dustbowl he had something like this for breakfast often. So stretching meat isn’t disgusting, it’s a part of American history especially in the central states with mostly rural areas.
First saw a Taco Tico in Tuscaloosa Alabama, about 18 years ago.Tried and loved the tacoburgers. Never saw another one in Alabama. Don't know if they are still there but will cook some taco tico meat today.
Taco TIco is the BEST. I worked there 35 years ago and have loved their meat ever since. It is a shame that the corporation did not support their franchisees well enough. They coulda been a contenda! But if the news is true that there are new owners, perhaps they will push the brand. There used to be hundreds of Taco Ticos and there could be again!
Taco Tico is a midwest/southeast thing. Richard Christie from the Howard Stern Show is always talking about Taco Tico. I grew up in a town that has one so I love it.
I grew up in Liberal, Ks and we moved away. I drove trucks living in Lincoln, Ne and went to Ft Dodge and Mason City a lot so I always filled up my truck fridge and freezer. I’m now in the Philippines but coming back soon looking forward to eating TT again.
I’ve been using this recipe for years. I’m from Odessa, Texas. We have a restaurant called Taco Villa. This recipe is spot on! When I here you speak of people coming back home and needing to go there, they have similar fans.
This is one of my projects for today. I haven't had taco tico in years but crave it all the time! Thank you so much!!!!!Now I just need the enchilada sauce recipe for the ultimate feast!!
You are absolutely right! The first thing I would do upon arriving to my hometown after seeing mom was to go to Taco Tico. I would also stop by on my way out. Unfortunately, our locations closed a year ago. I miss my Taco Tico...Taco burgers, beef enchiladas, combo burrito, tacos, refried beans, the sauce, and crustos.
OMG, dude. So damn good! I pulsed the slurry in the food processor to get it smooth. So good. I just ate 2 taco burgers and I'm gonna go back for more in a bit. Thank you for your hard work!
Do you remember the red sauce with the black specks in it? I don't remember if it was the "hot" sauce or the "volcano" sauce, but it had, to me, a pronounced "black pepper" flavor. It did not taste like it had chiles or capsaicin as the "heat" source, just pepper. It was unique and totally delish, and by far my fav. I would kill to get my hands on some - even a packet that had the ingredients listed. In the Tico I went to, it was mostly served up in squirt bottles. Loved the enchilada sauce too.
Adding the water to the ground beef at the start is in the right direction. To grind the meat into the desired finely ground form, get a normal hand held potato masher, and mash it as it cooks. The Dollar Tree sells a Betty Crocker plastic masher that should work very well for what you want.
I made the meat tonight. It wad fantastic. The texture was disgustingly great! I have googled liking for sauce recipe and never found one. If you ever get the chance maybe try to tackle that. Thanks so much for sharing the meat recipe. The taco tico in my town closed about 6 months ago and I've been lost ever since
Agreed on the sauces! I loved getting an order of their nachos and ladel'ing on that beautiful hot sauce from the condiment bar. I live in Northwest Arkansas, and they closed up the Rogers Arkansas Taco Tico a couple of weeks after I moved here about 10 years ago before I could go there. 😞
True. SInce I made this video they have started selling the meat online. When they did that they had to put a label on it saying what is in it. Listed as an ingredient is tomato puree. I've added some to the batches and I've seen that orange color come through. Try that out.
I absolutely love Taco Tico and was heartbroken when they closed them down in and around my area. I prefer it 100% over taco bell any day of the week!!! They had the best enchiladas and I loved their taco burger. I always got the refried beans with extra cheese because it was a one of a kind taste.
Tico was always the best! In 63 years I have eaten at a Taco Bell maybe 3 times, under duress after the first time.. Taco Bell always tastes dog-foody.
Thank god for this site. My wife and I live in Liberal Ks,& we both grew up on Taco Tico. We are desperately trying to find the enchilada sauce recipe. Do u know what it is,or where we can find it. Thanks.
I used to love going to Taco Tico for the taco burgers, and to play the Tron arcade game they had inside. The taco burgers were closer to barbecue to me than taco seasoned meat, sort of something in between, but it was good! They probably still used real meat back then, just like most of the other restaurants before the Jack in the Box incident that scared them all into using something less potentially dangerous.
Fort Dodge and Mason City have Taco Tico. Seriously, thank you so much for watching and commenting, but if you aren't a TT fan, you will not like this recipe.
So glad I found this, we were traveling and found a taco tico, ummmm so good. Really miss the ones that closed in our hometown and while we were enjoying our Sunday.89 cent tacos from the drive through ugh! since COVID closed so many dining rooms, I thought what if someone mastered this weird creation...yep, you did it! We tried it last night, Finally a smearable meat lol We always thought it was possibly refried beans mixed in with that. We did however decide to not put the vegetable protein in there and it’s still to us seemed just like our expectations were hoping for. Thank man!
We have only one Taco Tico left in Topeka, KS and I'm desperate to find the recipe so I can make sanchos myself in case they, too, close down. Thanks so much for this! I'm going to try it ASAP!
You must be talking about the one at 17th and Fairlawn. I was in Topeka for a funeral four years ago, and made it a point to get a sack full of Sancho's. The only significant change to the building was a drive-thru.
Grew up with Taco Tico - and you're right - we always want it when we can! Luckily I still live in a town that has it. But I wish you wouldn't say gross, disgusting, etc. in your video - just make the meat and sing its praises! No disgusting comments or apologies needed for us Taco Tico foodies.
I have come to love this recipe. Where I grew up in west Texas, there was a similar place called Taco Villa. This recipe is spot on. Well, except for their red sauce they add but it's still pretty darn close. I use the original recipe from 2009, but use garlic/onion powders instead of salts. Otherwise it's the same. Thanks for this recipe, I've been searching for it for literally years.
Hey neighbor! Yeah we had one up by Arby's at the Mounds Mall and one on 53rd Street. My Grandfather was Sicilian and owned Andy's Pizzeria and my mom worked there. We would bring our Sanchos and Enchiladas in his shop and eat before mom had to clock in. My Grandfather was raise hell about eating the stuff. Oh, the memories. Now, we're stuck with Taco Bell. My cousin just took a trip and texted me and said he found a Taco Tico. I also miss the enchiladas from Taco Grande, but their not near as good as I remember Taco Tico.
I LOVED Taco Tico back in the early 80’s. I went to one a few years ago somewhere in Arkansas and it just didn’t seem the same. You can boil the hamburger meat until brown or brown it in an Instant Pot on a rack and get that same texture.
I have not been to Taco Tico since my nearest location is nearly 130 miles from me. When I get the chance, I want to try your meat seasoning recipe, and your Taco Tico refried beans recipe just like you make it. I will make homemade flour tortillas ahead of time for the occasion also. By the way, does Taco Tico have cinnamon churros or a cinnamon coated fried flour tortilla chips for a dessert menu item?
There is a taco tico in Metairie Louisiana. My boys and I just had it last week. I'm going to make the meat tonight and use it with the sauce we took home. ❤️
I just made this and I can't say it taste exactly the same, but I think that is due to my own errors. I didn't have plain vinegar so I used apple cider vinegar. Also...when the meat started to cook and wasn't getting that reddish color, I freaked out and dumped in some paprika and a little extra chili powder. I'm going to have to give this another go, because all the taco ticos within 100 mile radius of me have closed. Thanks for cracking the code to the taco tico meat. Looking forward to see you crack some more famous recipes.
Did an experiment and added 1 tsp of Korean chili powder in addition to the regular chili powder and it kicked this already great recipe to perfect! Thanks so much for your work! BTW, if you have a dollar tree store in your area they carry a taco sauce called Gaspara's that's very close to the Taco Tico sauce.
I so much appreciate what you went thru to get this right. You nailed it. I used to look forward to these at least once a week when they had the 5 burger special. Made these last year and was awesome remembering. Might break it out for the superbowl this year. Have you tried freezing this at all?
Indeed, Taco Tico meat does have a very unique and original flavor. Their hot sauce also has a one of a kind flavor and is a very good compliment to any menu item. I live in the wonderful capital city of Topeka Kansas. Topeka is blessed with not only one, but two operational Taco Tico restaurants! Topeka is also the home of Westboro Baptist Church. You're welcome. If you choose to visit one of our Tico's, visit the N. Topeka Blvd. location. I have my reasons. If you've never had Taco Tico, you must try the beef enchiladas! My personal favorite! BTW they sell packaged frozen Taco Tico meat by the pound here as well!
I have no idea what the renowned local Topeka Kansas hate group "Westboro Baptist Church" has to do with Taco Tico, but as of 2023-12-28 a search for Taco Tico locations in Topeka Kansas shows these three locations: 1) 3200 SW Topeka Blvd 2) 2102 NW Topeka Blvd 3) 5222 W. 17th At Fairlawn
@@fredthegraycatt The 3200 SW Topeka Blvd location has not existed for at least 10 years. So long in fact that I had completely forgotten about them. As for the WBC comment, a joke, just as all Taco Tico lovin Topekan's considered them to be.
I came across a rambling "old memories" comment on one of the articles about the Kansas restaurants closing, and that person knew them back to the days of their founding. The meat DOES, according to that person, have both TVP AND oatmeal as filler/extenders. I think you have pretty much nailed it here. I LOVED Taco Tico, like many people, mostly for the "meat" and the sauces. You wouldn't happen to have created a recipe for their hot sauce, the red one with the black specks, would you? ;)
Judging by how busy the Taco Tico is at the Mason City, Iowa location does give me good confidence that they will be open in the future. The drive-thru line is almost always wrapped around the building and nearly to the street. And no, it is not because of slow service because you will get through the line very quickly. It's definitely a local iconic restaurant to eat at, and I love their fantastic extra-hot sauce! LONG LIVE TACO TICO!!!!
I love the fact that you went to extremes to figure out this gordian knot of a recipe! 😂 Native Kansan, but work takes me far from the world were delicious, smeary Taco Tico meat is available. Gonna try this immediately. TY! If i can find a good Dunkin Carmel Craze Coffee copycat next, I can finally eat like a king again! Bravo 👏
Any idea how to make Taco Tico Sauce? Or where to buy it in bulk? I was going to stop by Taco Tico in Topeka on my way home this weekend but from what I remember, it doesn't come in packets that I can hoard easily.
Yes there is one in Fort Dodge. The one in the video is in Fort Dodge. A lot of people used to destroy Taco Tico after weigh in. It was sort of a tradition. :)
Just came across this. I ate 2 Sancho Supremes EVERY DAY for year in college at Western Kentucky University because I was the typical student with very little money. NEVER got sick of it!! Cant wait to try this...THANKS!! 😜
averageiowaguy: When you make the Taco Tico copycat tacos, what do you and your family use for sauce? Do you have a Taco Tico sauce cloned recipe? Have you found a name brand sauce with a similar taste to Taco Tico's? Or do you just use whatever you have on hand? Taco Tico's sauce was unique to Taco Tico in its flavor and I, for one, loved it. No matter how good the copycat meat recipe is, without the sauce to top it off, it's missing something. What a shame that no one anywhere has figured out a copycat recipe for any of the Taco Tico sauces.
Man I miss taco tico they closed there doors in 1999 but I heard taco tico brother started taco grande. Which we still have. But i moved to colorado and they have neither.
I remember my family going to Taco Tico for taco burgers. They were so delicious! When we moved away from Arkansas City, Kansas in 1971, I was so sad to have missed them. Looking forward to making this recipe.
With steaks it is more likely to be the meat tenderizer bothering you- it has papaya enzyme in it and I am very allergic to papayas. So are several of my good friends. It makes all of us cough hard and sneeze. Usually if meat of any kind has that on it me and my friends are reacting in under five minutes. You might want to check that out.
Thank you for this, my 2 sons and I are big fans of Taco Tico. U nfortunately we have to drive 60 miles to get to the nearest one. The closest that I was able to get to the Taco Tico sauce was Emerils Enchilada sauce. I think he has 2 versions online but the simple version comes close to Taco Tico, at least to my taste.
Can’t wait to try your recipe - beautiful family you have there as well. I grew up with Taco Tico in Do Da Town, nothing like it here in Texas. Now if we can only determine where they get those course ground taco shells…
Tortas are a soft spot of mine. I spent 3 months in Garden City Kansas and there was this place called Tapatios or something like that and they had fantastic tortas. I think I'll stop in for a Torta next week.
Topeka Kansas, 1976 to the late 1980's: There was nothing like a big to-go sack of Taco Tico. Sancho's, taco's, taco burgers, etc., when you and friends have the late night beer munchies. There was a mistake regular Tico customers made only once when doing a Tico run, and that was to put your Tico to-go sack(s) in the car seat. What you quickly wound up with was a grease soaked paper bag that left a big greasy mess on your car seat. That grease soaked bag was part of the attraction/signature of eating Tico. Damn it was good!
I made this. I did not see the point of adding the butter, as the 80/20 ground beef I used supplied all the grease needed to replicate the original. I used that same brand of TVP. I used oat flour instead of oatmeal, as persons I know who had worked there back in the late 70's and early 80's said that is what was used. The texture came out perfect. The aroma and taste were quite bland. I wound up adding some taco seasoning to get it to the point of where I thought it was sufficiently replicated to the Taco Tico taste. All that was missing was the Taco Tico sauces, particularly their hot sauce. Thank you for posting this.
it is authentic, I get steak burrito and 2 tacos usually. You can pound the 2 tacos and half a burrito and save the other half for later! I also like to try the Torta for a change up.
It sure seems like upping the quality and taste by eliminating fillers would be a good thing. Since you are processing the meat in water, you are already assuring even distribution of flavors. It may not be authentic, but sure would have better flavor. I also agree garlic and onion powder are better without salt. Added cumin is also essential. It does tend to to weaken if it is cooked too longer, so it is probably preferable to either add it at the end, or in two dumps - one early and the other late.
I got ALL the stuff today to make and going to try it just because. there is a Taco Tico in Claremore, Oklahoma. the place is THE BEST. the owners are AWESOME and put a lot of time and money into the store to keep it thriving. they recently remodeled the building and looks brand new. the interior is super nice too. pretty sure its the cleanest restaurant in town. the employees are the best too. Its SOOO good I make a 63 mile one way trip every week. haha and sometimes twice a week. i'll comment on my try at your recipe and taste test when I get it done.
I think the ones that closed were all run by one guy in Kansas if I am reading the news reports right. The one in the video is still open and does a booming business every day.
The locations that closed were all corporate locations. The surviving locations are franchised locations that decided to operate without a corporate structure.
I grew up visiting the Taco Tico in Prestonsburg, KY. Hell, my Mom even worked for Taco Tico in college in Richmond KY. Please please please...send me the recipes for the things I grew up on...Taco Meat from Taco Tico....their hot sauce recipe...and how they assembled the Taco Burgers that I, as a 10 year old, devoured after a 30 minute drive. :)
+oklahormoan Try the meat and add whatever burrito ingredients you want. Different franchises seem to do it differently so I can't tell you 100% what to do. Good luck!
there is a Taco Tico in Claremore, Okla. they recently remodeled the building and most likely the cleanest restaurant in town. LOVE that place and travel there 63 miles one way every week
Now figure out how to clone the enchilada sauce and volcano sauce and I'll be forever grateful! I'm going to attempt your recipe tonight I'll let you know how it goes
If you are ever in Newton Kansas stop at Lupe's Carry Out! They have very tasty Mexican food. Open Mon-Fri. I will be making your recipe because I LOVE TACO TICO!
I grew up eating Lupe's, still crave the "specials". What I really want is the recipe to make the cheese dip all the Mexican recipes served in Newton!!
Thanks so much for posting this! I have been lost for over 30 years when they were taken away from us. I was planning on making a trip but now I cant pull up their website. Do you know what's going on with that?
Very similar. I hate to say it, but the public school taco meat in Iowa probably had more of a taco meat flavor with more spices than Taco Tico. The meat at Taco Tico is it's own thing. Super tasty, but if you didn't grow up with it, you probably won't like it the first time you try it as an adult.
Hi. Great video. However, I just went to the Tacotico website and found the list of ingredients for their taco meat. They actually sell their meat frozen via UPS or USPS! Ingredient List (In Order By Weight): Beef, Water, TVP, Tomato Puree, Salt, Dehydrated Onion, Dehydrated Garlic, Sugar, Paprika, Oats, Vinegar, Spices (they don’t list but is probably chili powder and black pepper). So you will want to revise your recipe and make another video. You are our only hope to get the proportions correct.
Thanks for providing the list of ingredients. I added tomato paste, garlic powder, and paprika to the batch I just made and it's just what I was looking for.
There were once 3 Taco Ticos in the Texarkana Texas, Arkansas area. They are now all gone. It isn't Mexican Food or even Tex-Mex.......a kind of Kansas version of Tex-Mex. An acquired taste for sure. I certainly acquired it.
You did a pretty good job! I worked for the Foleys at the corporate training store on Douglas in Wichita for a few years in the 80's as a training manager. I trained managers on how to run a Taco Tico. I left Wichita a long time ago but I have noticed that many of the stores have closed now so your efforts will be appreciated by people that know what a Sancho actually is. Taco Tico had a unique taste and the Foley brothers worked to get it just right. The texture you describe was for more than one reason. The soy based protein absorbed the seasoning well and distributed it evenly throughout the meat and since a metal spatula was used to apply it to buns and shells, it had to spread and not fall apart. As more stores close, this recipe will come in handy for those of us that remember the taste. I miss working there but I have good memories.
Worked as a Asst. Manager myself in the 80's
Thank you for dedicating years of your life and for doing all this hard work! I miss Taco Tico. Will you PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE imitate their enchilada sauce? I am missing it something FIERCE. THANK YOU again. 🥰❤👏🙌
Hi! I have just come across this recipe and successfully made it for dinner. I grew up in Wichita, and miss those nostalgic days of Taco Tico (and Taco John). Who knew the real secret ingredient was oatmeal?! Thanks so much for this video.
There's a Taco Tico in Augusta on 7th street (Kellogg) and it's as good as it ever was. If you've never had Taco J's it's great too, there's one in Haysville.
Thanks for posting this, I can't wait to try it! I used to live in a town in southern Kansas and Taco Tico is still there, I used to work there from '98-'01. I live in Minnesota now and the closest one to me is in Mason City, IA. That one is probably the best Taco Tico restaurant I've ever had.
I live in Mason City and eat there at least once a week. I have been to three over the years, but this one is by far the best!
@Master Chief Independence?
@@lillucky8409 no I lived in Arkansas City
Mason City is where I fell in love with these burgers! Lived at the trailer park close by.
I too lived in Southeast Kansas. Man, Taco Tico was a treat on the days my mother didn’t want to cook or traveling to meet my father in different railroad yards. These were the days so thank you for sharing this recipe. I’m making this tonight!
Yeah there is one in Louisville. It was there for a while and then went away. It was on the south eastern part of the city. They re-opened the last year I lived in Louisville and there was a 2 mile long line to get into the parking lot. LOL! The thing is, even after the opening I was never able to get into the place.
My first taste of Mexican food was at a Taco Tico when I was about 4 years old (49 now). I had a Sancho...then another. It was unlike any food I had ever tried at the time. TT has long since vanished from the Indiana area, but I have thought about it many times over the years. One day it popped into my head so I got online and started looking...and found this recipe. I followed it to the letter, and as soon as I put in all the spices, a wave of memories came back to me. It was the taste I had been craving. All I can say is thank you for this recipe. It may have saved my sanity. Only true TT fans will know what I mean.
We still have a Taco Tico in Claremore,OK
I'm here now
THANKS for posting this! Where did you live during your Taco Tico days? I grew up on a farm near Parsons, KS. Taco Tico was my FAVORITE place to eat when I was a kid. When I travel, I make sure I take a route that gets me near a Taco Tico. I recently bought a gallon of their hot sauce.... it's sooo good, one could slap a calf nipple on the jug and go to town on it! I've been wanting a copycat recipe of the sauce so I could CAN it. Still looking. Anyway..... Thanks again for posting this. I really like your channel. I subscribed, and featured your channel on mine.
I was born and raised in Parsons. Left when I was a teenager, however, Taco Tico was also my favorite place to eat as a kid. Haven't been back to Parsons in a while, but glad to see this copycat version of the meat. Going to give my family a real treat tonight by fixing this...thanks for sharing 🥰🤩💕
I grew up in Kansas and there was a Taco Tico 63 miles from where I lived but my cousin and I would drive that just to go to Taco Tico. I now live in California and when I say Taco Tico out here people have no idea what I am talking about. Sure miss Taco Tico taco burgers!!!
tacotico.us/shop?olsPage=products%2Ffrozen-taco-meat-8-1lb-bags
We had them here in Orlando but now they are all closed.
There are several of them still in Kansas. I just had some today. YUM!
Lisa Maori’s which part I’m from Newton ks
@Amee415 did you ever get any? I always have some in my freezer. You can also buy their sauce by the gallon. I always have enchilada sauce and mild on hand as well.
us kansans love our taco tico. the topeka stores have literally been saved from the brink of closure!
OMG! I grew up on these in Springfield, MO as a kid in the early 70's.
These and burgers from Red's were the greatest!
THANK YOU!
Hi there thank you so much for posting this. Not sure if you already know this or not but I just discovered myself that taco tico is selling their frozen meat and their enchilada sauce online now!
For Taco Tico experience was in Garden City, Kansas in the 1970’s. They have a sort of cult following.
If you saw locations closed then reopened, it’s likely they were closed by the state for not paying sales tax. This happened several times. Now they are no longer franchised and are privately owned so maybe they grow and improve because some locations were pretty run down. Tasty food though and nothing like it.
The stretching the meat out is likely something that we see a lot in Kansas, particularly with German American areas. During the Great Depression German Americans adapted very well as they already had recipes to stretch meat like stippgrütze and many more. My grandfather told me that as a child in the Dustbowl he had something like this for breakfast often. So stretching meat isn’t disgusting, it’s a part of American history especially in the central states with mostly rural areas.
Lol are at the one on Taylor all the time, it had the fireplace built into the center of the dining area, awesome place!
First saw a Taco Tico in Tuscaloosa Alabama, about 18 years ago.Tried and loved the tacoburgers.
Never saw another one in Alabama. Don't know if they are still there but will cook some taco tico meat today.
Taco TIco is the BEST. I worked there 35 years ago and have loved their meat ever since. It is a shame that the corporation did not support their franchisees well enough. They coulda been a contenda! But if the news is true that there are new owners, perhaps they will push the brand. There used to be hundreds of Taco Ticos and there could be again!
Taco Tico is a midwest/southeast thing. Richard Christie from the Howard Stern Show is always talking about Taco Tico. I grew up in a town that has one so I love it.
I grew up in Liberal, Ks and we moved away. I drove trucks living in Lincoln, Ne and went to Ft Dodge and Mason City a lot so I always filled up my truck fridge and freezer. I’m now in the Philippines but coming back soon looking forward to eating TT again.
I’ve been using this recipe for years. I’m from Odessa, Texas. We have a restaurant called Taco Villa. This recipe is spot on! When I here you speak of people coming back home and needing to go there, they have similar fans.
This is one of my projects for today. I haven't had taco tico in years but crave it all the time! Thank you so much!!!!!Now I just need the enchilada sauce recipe for the ultimate feast!!
You are absolutely right! The first thing I would do upon arriving to my hometown after seeing mom was to go to Taco Tico. I would also stop by on my way out. Unfortunately, our locations closed a year ago. I miss my Taco Tico...Taco burgers, beef enchiladas, combo burrito, tacos, refried beans, the sauce, and crustos.
OMG, dude. So damn good! I pulsed the slurry in the food processor to get it smooth. So good. I just ate 2 taco burgers and I'm gonna go back for more in a bit. Thank you for your hard work!
Do you remember the red sauce with the black specks in it? I don't remember if it was the "hot" sauce or the "volcano" sauce, but it had, to me, a pronounced "black pepper" flavor. It did not taste like it had chiles or capsaicin as the "heat" source, just pepper. It was unique and totally delish, and by far my fav. I would kill to get my hands on some - even a packet that had the ingredients listed. In the Tico I went to, it was mostly served up in squirt bottles. Loved the enchilada sauce too.
Adding the water to the ground beef at the start is in the right direction. To grind the meat into the desired finely ground form, get a normal hand held potato masher, and mash it as it cooks. The Dollar Tree sells a Betty Crocker plastic masher that should work very well for what you want.
I made the meat tonight. It wad fantastic. The texture was disgustingly great! I have googled liking for sauce recipe and never found one. If you ever get the chance maybe try to tackle that. Thanks so much for sharing the meat recipe. The taco tico in my town closed about 6 months ago and I've been lost ever since
Agreed on the sauces! I loved getting an order of their nachos and ladel'ing on that beautiful hot sauce from the condiment bar. I live in Northwest Arkansas, and they closed up the Rogers Arkansas Taco Tico a couple of weeks after I moved here about 10 years ago before I could go there. 😞
Every time I go to the closest one (in Kenner, LA), I always get the Pizzadio , minus the olives.
The only thing I notice is that it’s missing that neon orange tint to the grease... I wonder if paprika is an ingredient
True. SInce I made this video they have started selling the meat online. When they did that they had to put a label on it saying what is in it. Listed as an ingredient is tomato puree. I've added some to the batches and I've seen that orange color come through. Try that out.
I absolutely love Taco Tico and was heartbroken when they closed them down in and around my area. I prefer it 100% over taco bell any day of the week!!! They had the best enchiladas and I loved their taco burger. I always got the refried beans with extra cheese because it was a one of a kind taste.
Tico was always the best! In 63 years I have eaten at a Taco Bell maybe 3 times, under duress after the first time.. Taco Bell always tastes dog-foody.
I agree 100%. TacoTico was in Orlando FL back in the day ('70-'80s?) and is sorely missed. Gonna try this for sure.
Thank god for this site. My wife and I live in Liberal Ks,& we both grew up on Taco Tico. We are desperately trying to find the enchilada sauce recipe. Do u know what it is,or where we can find it. Thanks.
I used to love going to Taco Tico for the taco burgers, and to play the Tron arcade game they had inside. The taco burgers were closer to barbecue to me than taco seasoned meat, sort of something in between, but it was good! They probably still used real meat back then, just like most of the other restaurants before the Jack in the Box incident that scared them all into using something less potentially dangerous.
What fixings did they put on the taco burgers? Pretty sure shredded lettuce and??
shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, sour cream
@@tvluvr7792 It had fine shredded cheddar cheese as well.
It did not have lettuce, toms, or sour cream back in day. Just meat and fine shredded cheddar cheese. Someone please correct me if I am wrong.
Fort Dodge and Mason City have Taco Tico. Seriously, thank you so much for watching and commenting, but if you aren't a TT fan, you will not like this recipe.
Mason City Taco Tico's kept me from going hungry back in the day! Used to get a bag full!
So glad I found this, we were traveling and found a taco tico, ummmm so good.
Really miss the ones that closed in our hometown and while we were enjoying our Sunday.89 cent tacos from the drive through ugh! since COVID closed so many dining rooms, I thought what if someone mastered this weird creation...yep, you did it!
We tried it last night, Finally a smearable meat lol
We always thought it was possibly refried beans mixed in with that.
We did however decide to not put the vegetable protein in there and it’s still to us seemed just like our expectations were hoping for.
Thank man!
My whole Coffeyville Kansas childhood. My big sister was the manger. Good eating. The only way I make my taco meat.
As of 2023-12-28, the internet says that the Coffeyville Kansas location is closed. 😞
We have only one Taco Tico left in Topeka, KS and I'm desperate to find the recipe so I can make sanchos myself in case they, too, close down. Thanks so much for this! I'm going to try it ASAP!
You must be talking about the one at 17th and Fairlawn. I was in Topeka for a funeral four years ago, and made it a point to get a sack full of Sancho's. The only significant change to the building was a drive-thru.
@@fredthegraycatt That's the one! I haven't been there in awhile but your mention of their sanchos has sparked a craving. Happy New Year to you!
Grew up with Taco Tico - and you're right - we always want it when we can! Luckily I still live in a town that has it. But I wish you wouldn't say gross, disgusting, etc. in your video - just make the meat and sing its praises! No disgusting comments or apologies needed for us Taco Tico foodies.
I'll try to figure one one. The volcano sauce may be hard because I don't think my taco tico has it.
I have come to love this recipe. Where I grew up in west Texas, there was a similar place called Taco Villa. This recipe is spot on. Well, except for their red sauce they add but it's still pretty darn close. I use the original recipe from 2009, but use garlic/onion powders instead of salts. Otherwise it's the same. Thanks for this recipe, I've been searching for it for literally years.
+dcholmes1969 Awesome! Glad you like it!
I'm pretty interested in historical recipes. I'm gonna have to look into that. One of my favorite chocolate cakes comes from WW2 and doesn't use eggs.
We used to have a Taco Tico in Anderson, IN. I miss the taco burgers.
Hey neighbor! Yeah we had one up by Arby's at the Mounds Mall and one on 53rd Street. My Grandfather was Sicilian and owned Andy's Pizzeria and my mom worked there. We would bring our Sanchos and Enchiladas in his shop and eat before mom had to clock in. My Grandfather was raise hell about eating the stuff. Oh, the memories. Now, we're stuck with Taco Bell. My cousin just took a trip and texted me and said he found a Taco Tico. I also miss the enchiladas from Taco Grande, but their not near as good as I remember Taco Tico.
I loved the taco tico taco burger!!! Yum!
I LOVED Taco Tico back in the early 80’s. I went to one a few years ago somewhere in Arkansas and it just didn’t seem the same. You can boil the hamburger meat until brown or brown it in an Instant Pot on a rack and get that same texture.
I have not been to Taco Tico since my nearest location is nearly 130 miles from me. When I get the chance, I want to try your meat seasoning recipe, and your Taco Tico refried beans recipe just like you make it. I will make homemade flour tortillas ahead of time for the occasion also. By the way, does Taco Tico have cinnamon churros or a cinnamon coated fried flour tortilla chips for a dessert menu item?
There is a taco tico in Metairie Louisiana. My boys and I just had it last week. I'm going to make the meat tonight and use it with the sauce we took home. ❤️
I just made this and I can't say it taste exactly the same, but I think that is due to my own errors. I didn't have plain vinegar so I used apple cider vinegar. Also...when the meat started to cook and wasn't getting that reddish color, I freaked out and dumped in some paprika and a little extra chili powder. I'm going to have to give this another go, because all the taco ticos within 100 mile radius of me have closed. Thanks for cracking the code to the taco tico meat. Looking forward to see you crack some more famous recipes.
Did an experiment and added 1 tsp of Korean chili powder in addition to the regular chili powder and it kicked this already great recipe to perfect!
Thanks so much for your work!
BTW, if you have a dollar tree store in your area they carry a taco sauce called Gaspara's that's very close to the Taco Tico sauce.
Sancho with mild green chili sauce my fav...Parsons Kansas
I so much appreciate what you went thru to get this right. You nailed it. I used to look forward to these at least once a week when they had the 5 burger special. Made these last year and was awesome remembering. Might break it out for the superbowl this year. Have you tried freezing this at all?
I haven't tried freezing it but Tico will send you frozen meat.
Indeed, Taco Tico meat does have a very unique and original flavor. Their hot sauce also has a one of a kind flavor and is a very good compliment to any menu item. I live in the wonderful capital city of Topeka Kansas. Topeka is blessed with not only one, but two operational Taco Tico restaurants! Topeka is also the home of Westboro Baptist Church. You're welcome.
If you choose to visit one of our Tico's, visit the N. Topeka Blvd. location. I have my reasons. If you've never had Taco Tico, you must try the beef enchiladas! My personal favorite!
BTW they sell packaged frozen Taco Tico meat by the pound here as well!
I have no idea what the renowned local Topeka Kansas hate group "Westboro Baptist Church" has to do with Taco Tico, but as of 2023-12-28 a search for Taco Tico locations in Topeka Kansas shows these three locations: 1) 3200 SW Topeka Blvd 2) 2102 NW Topeka Blvd 3) 5222 W. 17th At Fairlawn
@@fredthegraycatt The 3200 SW Topeka Blvd location has not existed for at least 10 years. So long in fact that I had completely forgotten about them. As for the WBC comment, a joke, just as all Taco Tico lovin Topekan's considered them to be.
I came across a rambling "old memories" comment on one of the articles about the Kansas restaurants closing, and that person knew them back to the days of their founding. The meat DOES, according to that person, have both TVP AND oatmeal as filler/extenders. I think you have pretty much nailed it here. I LOVED Taco Tico, like many people, mostly for the "meat" and the sauces. You wouldn't happen to have created a recipe for their hot sauce, the red one with the black specks, would you? ;)
I second that on the sauces!
For the record, after talking to a guy that worked there in the late 70's early 80's, he said they used oat flour, not out meal.
Judging by how busy the Taco Tico is at the Mason City, Iowa location does give me good confidence that they will be open in the future. The drive-thru line is almost always wrapped around the building and nearly to the street. And no, it is not because of slow service because you will get through the line very quickly. It's definitely a local iconic restaurant to eat at, and I love their fantastic extra-hot sauce! LONG LIVE TACO TICO!!!!
Tico in river shitty makes me cheat the bed
I love the fact that you went to extremes to figure out this gordian knot of a recipe! 😂 Native Kansan, but work takes me far from the world were delicious, smeary Taco Tico meat is available. Gonna try this immediately. TY! If i can find a good Dunkin Carmel Craze Coffee copycat next, I can finally eat like a king again! Bravo 👏
Where does the trademark orange grease stains on the wrapper come from?
Any idea how to make Taco Tico Sauce? Or where to buy it in bulk? I was going to stop by Taco Tico in Topeka on my way home this weekend but from what I remember, it doesn't come in packets that I can hoard easily.
You can buy their sauces in bulk now. You can also purchase one pound of their famous meat and they'll even ship it to you.
Rory Rierson Go to the one in Duncan, Oklahoma. We got 10lbs of meat from them
Yes there is one in Fort Dodge. The one in the video is in Fort Dodge. A lot of people used to destroy Taco Tico after weigh in. It was sort of a tradition. :)
Just came across this. I ate 2 Sancho Supremes EVERY DAY for year in college at Western Kentucky University because I was the typical student with very little money. NEVER got sick of it!! Cant wait to try this...THANKS!! 😜
Thanks for commenting! I'm going to check it out!
Where I come from...a small town that lost its Taco Tico yeeears ago....you are a legend my friend.
This was so long ago but did you try adding plain paprika for color and minuscule taste.
LOL! Thanks a ton for watching and commenting.
This must be Ft. Dodge IA. Thanks for posting this!
Thank goodness Taco Tico is back!!!
I'm from Kansas and we're still going hard with the Taco Tico here.
averageiowaguy: When you make the Taco Tico copycat tacos, what do you and your family use for sauce? Do you have a Taco Tico sauce cloned recipe? Have you found a name brand sauce with a similar taste to Taco Tico's? Or do you just use whatever you have on hand? Taco Tico's sauce was unique to Taco Tico in its flavor and I, for one, loved it. No matter how good the copycat meat recipe is, without the sauce to top it off, it's missing something. What a shame that no one anywhere has figured out a copycat recipe for any of the Taco Tico sauces.
This is my favorite video of yours by far
Man I miss taco tico they closed there doors in 1999 but I heard taco tico brother started taco grande. Which we still have. But i moved to colorado and they have neither.
I remember my family going to Taco Tico for taco burgers. They were so delicious! When we moved away from Arkansas City, Kansas in 1971, I was so sad to have missed them. Looking forward to making this recipe.
I hope it turns out like you remember it!
What about Arkalalah
Im in the cult to lmao the line was wrapped around the building down 5 or 6 blocks lol
With steaks it is more likely to be the meat tenderizer bothering you- it has papaya enzyme in it and I am very allergic to papayas. So are several of my good friends. It makes all of us cough hard and sneeze. Usually if meat of any kind has that on it me and my friends are reacting in under five minutes. You might want to check that out.
Thank you for this, my 2 sons and I are big fans of Taco Tico. U
nfortunately we have to drive 60 miles to get to the nearest one. The closest that I was able to get to the Taco Tico sauce was Emerils Enchilada sauce. I think he has 2 versions online but the simple version comes close to Taco Tico, at least to my taste.
Can’t wait to try your recipe - beautiful family you have there as well. I grew up with Taco Tico in Do Da Town, nothing like it here in Texas. Now if we can only determine where they get those course ground taco shells…
I will be sure to check out LaJuanitas. I'm in Storm Lake once a month.
Tortas are a soft spot of mine. I spent 3 months in Garden City Kansas and there was this place called Tapatios or something like that and they had fantastic tortas. I think I'll stop in for a Torta next week.
GC actually used to have a Taco Tico for decades! It moved from the west side to a new building and closed quite promptly after.
I always describe the meat as ground-up slim jim. You definitely had to grow up on it to appreciate the flavor, thank you so much for posting this!
We had one of these in Nashville when I was growing up....LOVED IT but its gone now like all the other good places
Thanks for making this video! Our TT closed 5 or 6 years ago and I can't wait to try this...will be making some tacos and Combo Burritos ;)
Topeka Kansas, 1976 to the late 1980's: There was nothing like a big to-go sack of Taco Tico. Sancho's, taco's, taco burgers, etc., when you and friends have the late night beer munchies. There was a mistake regular Tico customers made only once when doing a Tico run, and that was to put your Tico to-go sack(s) in the car seat. What you quickly wound up with was a grease soaked paper bag that left a big greasy mess on your car seat. That grease soaked bag was part of the attraction/signature of eating Tico. Damn it was good!
I've eaten at the Topeka location as well. It was pretty good.
I made this. I did not see the point of adding the butter, as the 80/20 ground beef I used supplied all the grease needed to replicate the original. I used that same brand of TVP. I used oat flour instead of oatmeal, as persons I know who had worked there back in the late 70's and early 80's said that is what was used. The texture came out perfect. The aroma and taste were quite bland. I wound up adding some taco seasoning to get it to the point of where I thought it was sufficiently replicated to the Taco Tico taste. All that was missing was the Taco Tico sauces, particularly their hot sauce. Thank you for posting this.
Cool! Glad you liked it! I just got to eat a sancho platter a couple weeks ago.
it is authentic, I get steak burrito and 2 tacos usually. You can pound the 2 tacos and half a burrito and save the other half for later! I also like to try the Torta for a change up.
None here in the Milwaukee/Chicago vicinity. Guess I'm taking a roadtrip to Kansas or wherever the nearest one is.🌮
It sure seems like upping the quality and taste by eliminating fillers would be a good thing. Since you are processing the meat in water, you are already assuring even distribution of flavors. It may not be authentic, but sure would have better flavor. I also agree garlic and onion powder are better without salt. Added cumin is also essential. It does tend to to weaken if it is cooked too longer, so it is probably preferable to either add it at the end, or in two dumps - one early and the other late.
I got ALL the stuff today to make and going to try it just because. there is a Taco Tico in Claremore, Oklahoma. the place is THE BEST. the owners are AWESOME and put a lot of time and money into the store to keep it thriving. they recently remodeled the building and looks brand new. the interior is super nice too. pretty sure its the cleanest restaurant in town. the employees are the best too. Its SOOO good I make a 63 mile one way trip every week. haha and sometimes twice a week. i'll comment on my try at your recipe and taste test when I get it done.
Awesome! Give it a shot. You can always adjust flavoring to make it more to your liking.
I think the ones that closed were all run by one guy in Kansas if I am reading the news reports right. The one in the video is still open and does a booming business every day.
The locations that closed were all corporate locations. The surviving locations are franchised locations that decided to operate without a corporate structure.
I'll have to watch for that. I have a Fareway in my town.
I would love it if you can post a video making the green chili sauce and enchilada sauce omg sooo good
I grew up visiting the Taco Tico in Prestonsburg, KY. Hell, my Mom even worked for Taco Tico in college in Richmond KY. Please please please...send me the recipes for the things I grew up on...Taco Meat from Taco Tico....their hot sauce recipe...and how they assembled the Taco Burgers that I, as a 10 year old, devoured after a 30 minute drive. :)
Any idea how to replicate the burritos? The ones in OK closed and I live in Japan now but I miss them more than just about anything from the states.
+oklahormoan Try the meat and add whatever burrito ingredients you want. Different franchises seem to do it differently so I can't tell you 100% what to do. Good luck!
there is a Taco Tico in Claremore, Okla. they recently remodeled the building and most likely the cleanest restaurant in town. LOVE that place and travel there 63 miles one way every week
Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that the Taco Tico in FTD? I used to hit that place with vengeance after weigh ins during wrestling!
Now figure out how to clone the enchilada sauce and volcano sauce and I'll be forever grateful! I'm going to attempt your recipe tonight I'll let you know how it goes
Hi...what kind of shredded cheese did Taco Tico put on their tacos?...
finely shredded mild cheddar
hey where do u live or grew up. we had taco tico in corbin ky
If you are ever in Newton Kansas stop at Lupe's Carry Out! They have very tasty Mexican food. Open Mon-Fri. I will be making your recipe because I LOVE TACO TICO!
I grew up eating Lupe's, still crave the "specials". What I really want is the recipe to make the cheese dip all the Mexican recipes served in Newton!!
One of the best posts ever. Deluxe burritos are the bomb
was taco tico in fort dodge iowa?
Thanks so much for posting this! I have been lost for over 30 years when they were taken away from us. I was planning on making a trip but now I cant pull up their website. Do you know what's going on with that?
Looks like the Taco Tico in Fort Dodge Iowa!
David Shaw that's what I said
Very similar. I hate to say it, but the public school taco meat in Iowa probably had more of a taco meat flavor with more spices than Taco Tico. The meat at Taco Tico is it's own thing. Super tasty, but if you didn't grow up with it, you probably won't like it the first time you try it as an adult.
Your missing garlic and corn syrup ;)
Hi. Great video. However, I just went to the Tacotico website and found the list of ingredients for their taco meat. They actually sell their meat frozen via UPS or USPS! Ingredient List (In Order By Weight): Beef, Water, TVP, Tomato Puree, Salt, Dehydrated Onion, Dehydrated Garlic, Sugar, Paprika, Oats, Vinegar, Spices (they don’t list but is probably chili powder and black pepper). So you will want to revise your recipe and make another video. You are our only hope to get the proportions correct.
Thanks for providing the list of ingredients. I added tomato paste, garlic powder, and paprika to the batch I just made and it's just what I was looking for.
@@tvluvr7792 how much tomato paste, garlic powder, and paprika did you add?
There were once 3 Taco Ticos in the Texarkana Texas, Arkansas area. They are now all gone. It isn't Mexican Food or even Tex-Mex.......a kind of Kansas version of Tex-Mex. An acquired taste for sure. I certainly acquired it.
The beans distinguishing flavor is the addition of a little bit of garlic and salt to the beans.
Anyone have a clone sauce recipe?
Mike Debarbieris jr Ortega taco sauce is dead on in my opinion. Try it if you like.