This profile is in active compilation — some details are awaiting a cited source.

Taco Republic is a Kansas City-born street-style taqueria at Corinth Square in Prairie Village, Kansas — slow-cooked, smoked, and braised “street-style” tacos with margaritas in a stylish bar setting. The brand started in 2013 in Westwood and is owned by Kansas City-based W. VinZant Restaurants (Whitney VinZant), which acquired it in 2019. The original Westwood location closed in 2023; the Prairie Village restaurant remains open.

Description

Taco Republic is a laid-back, original-style taqueria serving “street-style” tacos inspired by the flavors of Mexican streets and marketplaces, with meats that are slow-cooked, smoked, and braised for freshness and flavor.1 The Prairie Village restaurant sits at Corinth Square (4100 W. 83rd Street), in a former Arby’s building, and pairs its taco menu with a full bar and margaritas in a stylish, relaxed setting.23 The brand was a runner-up for best tacos in Kansas City in the 2015 Feast 50.4

Ownership and history

Taco Republic opened as a full-service restaurant in 2013 at 500 County Line Road in Westwood (Kansas City, Kansas), after running as a food truck in the parking lot of a former gas station on the same site.45 It was developed by Bread & Butter Concepts.6 In February 2019, restaurateur Whitney VinZant — owner of Louie’s Wine Dive — purchased both Taco Republic and BRGR Kitchen + Bar from Bread & Butter Concepts.6

VinZant is the founder, CEO, and president of Kansas City-based W. VinZant Restaurants, a restaurant group with a portfolio spanning Kansas City and Des Moines (concepts include Gram & Dun, Va Bene, BRGR, and Louie’s Wine Dive).7 He is a Wake Forest University business/finance graduate and a sommelier; his first concept, Louie’s Wine Dive, opened in Des Moines.7

The Prairie Village location at Corinth Square opened June 10, 2021, in the former Arby’s space.28 The original Westwood (County Line Road) location closed for good in February 2023 when the company chose not to renew its lease; employees were offered jobs at the Prairie Village location, which remained open.5

Sources

Disputes

None at this time.

Footnotes

  1. Taco Republic — Hours & Location (Prairie Village). https://www.eattacorepublic.com/location/taco-republic-prairie-village/ — asserts: address 4100 W. 83rd Street, Prairie Village, KS 66208; phone (913) 490-4411; hours; currently operating. ↩

  2. Johnson County Post, “Taco Republic heading to Prairie Village’s Corinth Square” (Sept 8, 2020). https://johnsoncountypost.com/2020/09/08/taco-republic-food-chain-heading-to-prairie-villages-corinth-square-100685/ — asserts: PV location at Corinth Square, former Arby’s; address 4100 W. 83rd Street. ↩ ↩2

  3. MetroWire Media, “New Taco Republic opens in Prairie Village’s Corinth Square.” http://www.metrowiremedia.com/news/new-taco-republic-opens-in-prairie-villages-corinth-square — asserts: Corinth Square location opened; setting and concept. ↩

  4. Feast Magazine, “Tacos: Taco Republic” (Feast 50, 2015). https://www.feastmagazine.com/feast-50/tacos-taco-republic/article_4259e58c-272f-11e5-9750-db15fa5ad076.html — asserts: brand founded 2013, street-style tacos, food-truck origins, 2015 Feast 50 runner-up. ↩ ↩2

  5. Johnson County Post, “Taco Republic on County Line Road in KCK closed for good” (Feb 23, 2023). https://johnsoncountypost.com/2023/02/23/joco-notes-taco-republic-closed-194452/ — asserts: County Line/Westwood location opened 2013, closed Feb 4, 2023; PV location (opened 2021) remains open; employees offered PV jobs. ↩ ↩2

  6. Feast Magazine, “Bread & Butter Concepts Sells BRGR Kitchen + Bar and Taco Republic to Louie’s Wine Dive Owner” (Feb 2019). https://www.feastmagazine.com/travel/kansas-city/bread-butter-concepts-sells-brgr-kitchen-bar-and-taco-republic-to-louies-wine-dive-owner/article_6589e614-349c-11e9-ac80-7f8572c96d30.html — asserts: Whitney VinZant (Louie’s Wine Dive owner) acquired Taco Republic and BRGR from Bread & Butter Concepts in 2019. ↩ ↩2

  7. W. VinZant Restaurants — official site. https://wvinzantrestaurants.com/ — asserts: VinZant is founder/CEO/president of KC-based group; Wake Forest grad, sommelier; portfolio includes Taco Republic, BRGR, Louie’s Wine Dive (first concept, Des Moines), Gram & Dun, Va Bene; KC and Des Moines markets. ↩ ↩2

  8. Johnson County Post, “Prairie Village Taco Republic opens June 10, will give first 50 guests free tacos for a year” (June 8, 2021). https://johnsoncountypost.com/2021/06/08/taco-republic-prairie-village-124103/ — asserts: PV location opened June 10, 2021. ↩

See also

  • Registry
  • Owner-And-History-Research-Toolchain
Categories
  • Kansas City–owned
  • Mexican
  • Prairie Village Ks