Mike Rypka: Torchy's Tacos

Eat It, Virginia!

Torchy's Tacos will open its second Richmond-area restaurant in February. The new location, in the recently-built Carytown Exchange shopping center, is not far from where the Austin, Texas-based taco chain's CEO and founder came into this world.

"I was born at Richmond Memorial Hospital," Torchy's Tacos boss Mike Rypka told Scott and Robey on the Eat It, Virginia podcast. "We lived off of Monument Avenue. My mom and dad used to work for the Richmond newspaper. They were both journalists. My dad was a photographer. My mom was a journalist."

While the family moved to Northern Virginia about five years later, Rypka said he had "crazy memories" of his time in Richmond.

Fortunately for Torchy's fans, Rypka found his way into the kitchen where a variety of experiences led him to start a taco truck in Texas. After a few years, Rypka's idea grew from a truck to a single restaurant to now more than 100 Torchy's Tacos across the U.S.

The Short Pump location opened in January and a Midlothian location will join the Carytown spot later this year.

Learn more about Rypka's journey from Richmond to Texas Taco King on this episode of Eat It, Virginia.

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