The Tijuana-based restaurant is taking over the Heroes Comics shop that closed in 2023<\/a>, next door to Rocket Dog Brats and Brew<\/a>.<\/p>\n Construction is underway and Tacos El Franc is expected to open in about 90 days.<\/p>\n What is Tacos El Franc?<\/p>\n Javier Valadez started with a taco cart in Tijuana decades ago. Then came the taqueria that drew customers from both sides of the United States-Mexico border.<\/p>\n Now it has the Gaslamp location and another just south of San Diego.<\/p>\n The restaurant was featured in Netflix\u2019s Taco Chronicles.<\/p>\n The Tijuana location was recognized by the Michelin Guide<\/a> in 2024 and 2025. It didn\u2019t win any stars, or even Michelin\u2019s Bib Gourmand award. It just means that Michelin inspectors recommend the food there.<\/p>\n And don\u2019t let the Michelin label fool you \u2014 this is no fancy place with snooty waiters or astronomical prices.<\/p>\n It\u2019s street food. The Tijuana taqueria has open walls, a covered roof and a Costco down the street.<\/p>\n Says the Michelin website: \u201cGrab a table, then place your order from one of the pleasant apron-clad ladies circulating throughout the room. There are different stations cooking specific items, and the sounds of sizzling and chopping rise above the cacophony.\u201d<\/p>\n Tacos El Franc makes the Tijuana taco.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen people mention the Tijuana style, it is a style, but we really are part of the group of pioneers that came up with the Tijuana taco,\u201d claims current owner Roberto Kelly.<\/p>\n Meats are grilled on mesquite charcoal and tacos are served with creamy avocado.<\/p>\n There\u2019s adobada made from pork marinated in smoky red seasoning, carne asada, chicken, suadero (fried beef brisket), tripe, lengua (beef tongue) and beef cabeza (cow\u2019s head meat).<\/p>\n All of it is available on tacos, quesadillas and on french fries cooked in beef tallow. Vegetarian options are available too and everything is gluten free.<\/p>\n Aguas frescas and Mexican coke in glass bottles are available too.<\/p>\n Tacos cost $4.75 each, a price Kelly says is worth it.<\/p>\n \u201cWe would really rather bring up the price of our taco than lower the quality of our taco,\u201d he said. \u201cWe actually go very high-quality on everything we do.\u201d<\/p>\n Spices are from Mexico. Meats are from the U.S. \u2014 a combo he said works well together.<\/p>\n \u201cWe work with American companies,\u201d he said, \u201cbecause we have amazing proteins in the U.S.\u201d<\/p>\n Why Fresno?<\/p>\n Tacos El Franc is in the process of expanding. There\u2019s a big population in Fresno that fits its target customer base, Kelly said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe really, really like Fresno,\u201d he said. \u201cWe\u2019re very close to the farming industry. Where better to go than the epicenter of what made California great.\u201d<\/p>\n The former Heroes Comics spots is getting a major overhaul.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not a remodel \u2014 it\u2019s a reconstruction,\u201d Kelly said.<\/p>\n The building was apparently once a bank and still has a drive-thru. Kelly said the hope is to eventually use it as part of the restaurant.<\/p>\n Related Stories from Fresno Bee<\/p>\n
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