TV Restaurants

Is Torchy's Tacos Still Open? Food Paradise Update (Austin, TX)

Food Paradise, Season 11 Austin, Texas

Current status

Open

As of October 2026, Torchy's Tacos is open — confirmed via the restaurant's current website/social account, accessed September 9, 2026.

What the source shows: Re-verify: torchystacos.com still live, footer copyright 2026, online ordering functional and South Congress-area locations listed. Prior open/verified call confirmed. How we decide a status →

What happened after Food Paradise? 2 episodes

Part 1 — Season 11, Episode 8

Torchy's Tacos appeared in the "Wild & Wacky" episode for its chef-driven, non-traditional tacos and green chile queso, nicknamed "Damn Good" by early fans. Founder Mike Rypka, a former executive chef, started the concept out of a food trailer in Austin in 2006 before opening brick-and-mortar locations beginning in 2010; the chain has since grown to more than 125 locations across Texas and neighboring states, according to Torchy's company history.

Part 2 — Season 9, Episode 1

The episode featured Torchy's Tacos, the Austin-born fast-casual chain known for inventive specialty tacos with names like the Trailer Park and green chile queso, alongside a menu of green chile queso and margaritas that set it apart from a typical taco stand. Torchy's began in Austin, Texas, and per Wikipedia, revised 2026-06-16, has grown into a chain of more than 125 locations across multiple states. According to torchystacos.com, checked 2026-09-09 and carrying a 2026 copyright notice, the South Congress Avenue location was actively taking delivery, pickup, curbside, and drive-thru orders that day. A Google Places listing for the same address lists an operational status as of the same check, and no source gathered for this record shows any sign of closure, relocation, or a change in ownership at the original South Congress location.

The episodes Food Paradise

Episode 8
Air date not confirmed
Title: Wild & Wacky · What was featured: Torchy's chef-driven, over-the-top 'Damn Good' specialty tacos
Season 9, Episode 1
Air date not confirmed
Title: Taco-Lanche! · What was featured: Torchy's inventive specialty tacos and salsas in Austin
How Food Paradise restaurants have fared: 27% closed →

Also in Season 11 Food Paradise

Season 11: 73 of 126 still open · 7 renamed, moved or under new owners

All 15 Season 11 episodes →

Nearest restaurants By distance from 1822 S Congress Ave

All 304 TV restaurants in Texas →

Before you go: Businesses change fast. Always confirm directly with the restaurant — call ahead, or check its own current website or social media — before making plans around anything on this page.

Sources we checked 4 references

  1. Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torchy's_Tacos
  2. texashappens.com https://texashappens.com/torchys-tacos-the-texas-taco-takeover/
  3. torchystacos.com https://torchystacos.com/
  4. Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torchy%27s_Tacos
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Record fp-0545 · checked by Cal Marchetti.