Korea Taqueria is set to open its third location at the University of Pennsylvania’s Franklin’s Table Food Hall, marking a significant step in the brand’s rapid growth. Founded by food truck operators Alexander Sherack and Rene Lopez, this new site comes after the success of their first brick-and-mortar restaurant in South Philadelphia, launched in 2023, and a second location in Fishtown, opened earlier this year.
The decision to expand to the university campus follows a surge in popularity among students. “I actually have been running a restaurant there called Paper Mill. It was at the five-year mark. We were like, ‘Let’s go all in on Korea Taqueria.’ It’s doing really well right now, and a lot of students have been asking us to open on campus, so we decided to do it,” Sherack stated in an interview with What Now Philadelphia.
Menu and Concept Changes
The new location will feature a menu that retains the beloved offerings of Korea Taqueria, while introducing a different atmosphere. Sherack explained, “This one is going to be a little different in a sense that it’s more of a bowls, burritos, and salads space, kind of like Chipotle-style. We’re working in a smaller footprint, but it’s still going to have our delicious proteins like signature slow-cooked beef and gochujang chicken.”
Signature burritos are wrapped in a flour tortilla and filled with sesame white rice, black beans, cheese, sour cream, corn, pico de gallo, and cilantro. For those preferring bowls, options will include a base of sesame white rice or romaine lettuce, topped with black beans, cucumber kimchi slaw, pickled onion, corn, cilantro, toasted sesame seeds, and a choice of protein and sauce.
Community Connection and Future Plans
Sherack expressed enthusiasm about bringing Korea Taqueria to the University City area, stating, “University City has a special place in my heart because that’s where I started my food truck and also have done Paper Mill for the last five years. We’ve also done a lot of work with University of Pennsylvania, University of Pennsylvania hospitals, CHOP, and Drexel University. It’s going to be nice to bring this and kind of refresh the space.”
The team anticipates opening the new location in January 2024, although an official date has yet to be announced. For updates, customers can visit the Korea Taqueria website and follow their social media channels on Instagram.
