44 Years Ago
The September 25, 1980 Golden Transcript announced the upcoming Grand Opening for the Taco John’s at 23rd and Ford Streets. This was actually a re-opening. Taco John’s opened in January of 1977. It was a new building at that time, having a replaced the decades-old Oriental Service Station.
The new restaurant was so successful that the owners decided to expand their building to make it three times as big. The ad includes small photos of the empty lot in 1976, the original Taco John’s store in 1976, and the new and improved building in 1980.
Taco John’s closed their Golden store some time in the 1990s. It was replaced for a year or two by a restaurant called “Taco Mesa.” After that, Golden Frames & Gifts moved in and remained there for about a decade.
Bonfire Burritos bought the building in 2019 and has attracted a devoted, almost cult-like following.
Many thanks to the Golden Rotary Club for sponsoring Golden History Moments for the month of September.
