Tony’s Tacos is expanding yet again — owner Mike Scotto has signed leases to open five more outposts of his Italian-inspired taqueria across Long Island, including Levittown and Babylon, by the end of 2026.
As Newsday previously reported, Scotto signed a trio of shopping center locations at the Queens Center, which opens next month, as well as Holbrook’s Shops at Sun Vet and the Green Acres Mall in Valley Stream. Now comes plans for eateries at the Levittown Mews shopping center on Hempstead Turnpike, as well as in Babylon on Deer Park Avenue that’s slated to open in the fall.
Scotto’s first site opened in Floral Park in 2019 as a stand-alone concept, then came expansion to Franklin Square, Huntington and Garden City, all walkable villages that brought foot traffic. The new mall locations are strategic to increase the brand’s visibility, Scotto said.
Tony Taco’s in Huntington is a prime spot for foot traffic. The chain is adding more Long Island locations this year. Credit: Brian Cirillo/Tony’s Tacos
“When you sign a lease with the Queens Center, people can go there for Foot Locker — for millions of reasons — and then they find you,” he said.
All of the new locations, including Levittown, will be around 4,000 square feet.
Scotto came to the United States from Italy in 2014 and trained alongside Umberto Corteo — of the Umberto’s Italian restaurant group — rising to executive chef. He tried his first taco at the age of 29, and while he wasn’t impressed, he could see the appeal. That planted the seed for what would become Scotto’s fusion invention. Tony’s Tacos’ “tortilla” is made with 00 Italian flour, no yeast, and is toasted in garlic and oil. Scotto stuffs them with ingredients like rotisserie chicken, sausage and broccoli rabe, meatballs and, of course, chicken Parm.
On Jan. 20, the brand is also launching a combination meal including one taco, one side and a drink. Also coming: more kiosks for quicker self-service ordering.
“I started with one location a year. And now we’re doing five locations a year,” Scotto said. “It scares me a little bit, but it’s the same headache — one or five.”
Tony’s Tacos: 262 Jericho Tpke., Floral Park, 516-519-8998; 677 Hempstead Tpke., Franklin Square, 516-407-3500; 281 Main St., Huntington, 631-547-5000; and 118 Seventh St., Garden City, 516-998-1803; tonystaco.com
A global freelancer who has checked her suitcase to raise her young daughter on her native Long Island, Marie Elena will always make time for good mezcal, even better tacos and killer conversation. Preferably, in a corner bar seat. She can be found on Instagram at @mariesworldeats.