Austin Inspired Breakfast Taco Spot, “Taco Heart” is Opening on E. Passyunk Mid-September
Austin Texas is known for many things including the tech and music festival SXSW. However, did you know that Austin is also famous for their breakfast tacos? Well, one Philadelphia chef was so inspired by the Austin breakfast taco scene he decided to bring those flavors to E. Passyunk Avenue with his new restaurant Taco Heart (1001 E. Passyunk Ave.).
Nano Wheedan, who began his career as a busboy at Under The Blue Moon on Germantown Ave., worked his way through the restaurant scene but took a detour to Austin when his music career started to take off. He soon found himself in the Lone Star State working for Home Slice Pizza. “It was at Home Slice that I learned of the power of simple, nostalgic food coupled with compassionate service with an ever-tenacious attention to detail. After 14 years at Home Slice, growing it from 30 employees to 250 employees and growing my career from bartender/manager to the Director of Operations with an ownership stake, I left to come home to Philly ready to start my own spot. I spent the past few years helping Phil Korshak open Korshak Bagels where I am a minority owner,” Wheedan states.
Now back in Philly Nano looks to open his new venture, Taco Heart which is slated to open in mid-September. So what can guests expect? “Fresh flour tortillas made in front of you, house made salsas, friendly faces. The menu is directly based on the hundreds of breakfast taco trucks, joints, restaurants in Austin. Special shout out to San Antonio who really owns the heart of the breakfast taco game,” Wheedan details. “Breakfast tacos are the most ubiquitous food in Austin. They sell them in gas stations, taco trucks, diners, brick and mortar taco joints, and even expensive brunch restaurants. When everything is going crazy, they are something you can rely on. There’s a peace in going to sleep knowing that delicious breakfast tacos will greet you in the morning,” he adds.
That’s right, Taco Heart will be breakfast only and will feature tacos including bacon, egg, & cheese in a tortilla with fresh salsa. “Simple simple simple, familiar food in a new way (at least to Philadelphians),” states Nano.
Taco Heart will be have six counter seats inside and up to seating for 12 outside. “We want people to come hang out and have a byo michelada or margarita, but we expect most people to grab their food on their way to work or their stoop,” explains Nano.
Hours of operation will be Wednesday-Friday 7 am -11 am and Saturday-Sunday 8 am – 12 pm.
