El Califa de León ended its participation in a pop-up that opened in University Park in the Dallas area on Oct. 16, 2025, arguing the standards promised for its operation in North Texas were not met.
“The decision follows multiple instances in which the agreed-upon conditions, particularly around space, quality, and raw materials, were not met,” said Rodrigo Rivera, representative of El Califa de León and Authentic Taco Holdings, LLC, in a new release. “As stewards of one of Mexico’s most recognized culinary brands, we felt it necessary to take this step to uphold our standards and reputation.”
Chef Mario Saldaña prepares tacos for an El Califa de León taquería pop-up, while Mario Hernandez, the owner, supervises the operation, on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, in University Park. El Califa de León is located in Mexico City and is the only Michelin-starred taquería in the world.
Elías Valverde II / Staff Photographer
El Califa de León is a taqueria in Mexico City, and it is the only taco shop in the world to hold a Michelin star. Since Oct. 16, it had been in Dallas offering its tacos at a pop-up in University Park, in collaboration with GrinGo LLC, a company that owns an app that functions as a digital concierge for Mexico travel.
Restaurant News
Related
The planned opening date was Oct. 15, but the day before, the pop-up experienced problems with a gas leak and subsequently faced issues with city inspections and permits from the city of University Park, resulting in its operation being postponed until Oct. 16.
Due to a lack of permits, preparations began in the kitchen of D.L. Mack’s, a restaurant next door to the pop-up location and tacos were served in the back parking lot, while dozens of people waited in line for hours.
The pop-up was scheduled to last until October 28.
Dozens of people wait in line outside an El Califa de León taquería pop-up, Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, in University Park. El Califa de León is located in Mexico City and is the only Michelin-starred taquería in the world.
Elías Valverde II / Staff Photographer
“We want to distance ourselves from any activity or menu they offer and apologize for all the inconveniences caused,” reads a statement from El Califa on social media.
This event has attracted hundreds of people, many of whom said they waited in line for hours to try the famous tacos.
“We remain deeply appreciative of the support shown by the Dallas community and look forward to welcoming guests soon at our upcoming U.S. locations,” said Rivera.