Today we’d like to introduce you to Mo Assi.
Mo, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I have been in the restaurant business for 15 years here in the DFW area. My background includes restaurants such Lawrys, The Prime Rib. Dallas Chop House, The Capital Grille and Perrys Steakhouse.
Mo Assi opened Crush Taco a year ago in Frisco, using his long career in the steakhouse and fine dining industry in Dallas to bring a gourmet taqueria to the suburbs.
I have always wanted to open his own restaurant.
“I had so many ideas for different types of restaurants, and that’s where I started,” “I thought about different concepts and what was needed in Frisco and the surrounding areas.”
While the restaurant’s main menu item is the taco, not all of them are styled like a traditional Mexican taco, Assi said. He said he uses influences from all types of cuisines to create his dishes. They include Mediterranean, Latin American, Asian and even Southern cuisines.
“Crush Taco is an inspiration of my whole career, places I’ve traveled, chefs I’ve worked with and restaurants I’ve cooked in,” Assi said. “It’s all a mashup of my experience, and people can come here knowing they can try something different and new every time.”
The menu includes caramelized cauliflower tacos, cornflake crusted shrimp tacos, falafel tacos and buttermilk fried chicken tacos. Other menu items include chorizo fries, street corn, a salad bowl and a rice bowl. Crush Taco has also started to offer breakfast tacos.
“We use the tortilla as the vessel or base for our cuisine,” Assi said. “We’re constantly innovating and we’re constantly tasting new food. I want to push the envelope a bit and have people try something they’ve never tried before.”
There are also gluten-free options on the menu, and Assi said he is able to accommodate customers who may have different food sensitivities.
Assi said the goal for Crush Taco is to grow the brand and to grow the concept. Assi said he would like to work on opening a second Crush Taco as early as next year outside of Frisco.
“For Crush Taco, I would love to take the brand to the next level and see it all over the Metroplex,” he said. “I love being part of the community and Frisco, and I can see Prosper, Celina and even Sherman in the mix. It’s about giving local communities a cool restaurant to go to and having great food there.”
The above article was put together by the Community Impact paper and really lays out my journey perfectly!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Well, I don’t think there is anyone out there that owns their own business that will tell you it’s been an easy road.
When I opened Crush Taco a little over a year ago, I had no clue what to expect. I mean I had all the experience in the world but this was different… it was mine. We worked hard to deliver a great restaurant with exceptional service to amazing tacos, but the business had to be developed from scratch, from the marketing plan to the standard operating procedures that we use every day. We have come a long way from our day 1 struggles of trying to get everything consistent as far as food and recipes are concerned to the overall flow of service. Today a year later I can happily say Crush Taco has exceeded my expectations.
So, let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Crush Taco story. Tell us more about the business.
Crush Taco, is a modern taco shop here in Frisco. Some of our signature items would include our Cornflake crusted Shrimp taco, Baja Fish Taco, Buffalo Chicken Taco, “Elotes Style” Fried Chicken Taco and of course our Beer Battered Chorizo Fries! We have local/imported beers, Frozen Margaritas, specialty bottled and craft sodas.
I most proud of the company that we have grown into, we were relentless in the pursuit to create a great restaurant that everyone would enjoy, from our staff to the dishes that we put out on a daily basis. I am proud of everyone that had a hand in making Crush Taco a success and that continue to help grow the brand and create an even bigger foot print!
The biggest thing that sets Crush Taco apart, is yeah, we serve great food, but it’s our service and hospitality that keep our regular guests coming back and new diners interested in our company!
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Well, it seems like the harder I work, the luckier I get. We are constantly working on our craft and developing and challenging ourselves, we never settle with mediocrity. and it seems like opportunities keep opening up for us.
Contact Info:
- Address: 11445 Dallas Parkway #230 Frisco, TX 75033
- Website: www.crushtaco.com
- Phone: 469-579-4094
- Email: info@crushtaco.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crushtaco
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crushtaco
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/crushtaco?lang=en
Image Credit:
Nikki Foley (Photographer), Community Impact Newpaper
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