Lexington taco restaurant known for Flamin’ Hot Cheeto street corn closes
A popular Lexington taco restaurant near the University of Kentucky campus is gone after less than five years.
Bandido Taqueria Mexicana, a Louisville-based chain, has closed their location at 535 S. Upper St. in the CenterCourt complex a block from UK.
The restaurant, which served Southern California-style street tacos as well as their signature elotes, Mexican street corn encrusted with Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, closed at the end of February, according to owner Gerard Ochoa.
Ochoa said the restaurant’s lease ended.
The restaurant opened in September 2020 with great fanfare, with local fans lining up rather than driving to Louisville for the freshly made food.
Bandido Taqueria Mexicana was also known for its Wildcat Burrito —a huge forearm-sized burrito made from two overlapping flour tortillas stuffed with beans, rice, salsa fresca, guacamole, sour cream, lettuce, cheese and French fries.
The menu also featured tacos and quesadillas, all made fresh.
The restaurant spot in the CenterCourt building is listed for lease as a 2,668-square-foot turn-key restaurant surrounded by dining and retail, with high foot-traffic and on-site parking.
