TGI Friday’s no more: Here’s a look inside the new Local Taco restaurant in Hamburg
When national chain TGI Friday’s closed its last location in Lexington in May 2020, a Lexington restaurant owner saw an opportunity, even with the COVID pandemic still ongoing.
So a year ago, Kevin Lewis began making plans to expand into a very visible corner of the popular Hamburg Pavilion shopping center near Interstate 75. He’d hoped to open last fall but the ongoing pandemic has meant shortages and construction delays.
Now the second location of his Local Taco Lexington is about the open and LexGo Eat! got a sneak peek at the new restaurant 1916 Pavilion Way. Lewis hopes to open by mid-June.
The original Local Taco Lexington opened on Limestone near the University of Kentucky campus in 2011 and remains a popular dining spot. Like that version, the Hamburg Local Taco Lexington will feature an eclectic menu with lots of flavor.
Local Taco menu
“Everything we serve is made fresh from scratch,” Lewis said. Including the house-made tortillas and the salsas, made from tomatoes he grows on his farm. It’s all certified Angus beef, fresh chicken, house-smoked brisket and fresh produce, he said.
The Local Taco menu offers typical Mexican restaurant fare such as tacos, enchiladas and quesadillas but with big twists.
Such as the BBQ Taco made with smoked pork butt and jalapeno cole slaw or the Southern Fried Chicken Taco with buttermilk fried chicken tender strips and honey-lime mayo.
Vegetarian options also are available, including the Mushroom & Spinach Enchilada topped with black bean salsa and zucchini slaw or the Triple Crown Cheese Enchilada with chihuahua, jack and smoked provolone cheese topped with pico de gallo.
The new location is larger, with more parking and a covered patio. And a bigger kitchen for more catering, Lewis said.
And it has a wide-open feel, with 10 full-sized garage doors that can open for cross-breezes in warm weather.
Like the UK campus-area location, the Hamburg Local Taco also will serve a brunch menu on weekends from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. that includes breakfast tacos, sweet potato hash, roasted poblano cheese grits and more.
The restaurant has a full bar with two frozen margarita machines and 10 taps for domestic and imported beers.
Local Taco Lexington, Hamburg
Where: 1916 Pavilion Way
Hours: Monday-Thursday 1-10 p.m., Friday 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-11 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Brunch 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Online: Localtacolex.com
