Chronic Taco opens downtown Spokane location

Holiday shopping doesn’t usually come with a side of guac, but this year may be the exception.

Chronic Tacos, a fast-casual Mexican food restaurant, opened its doors Wednesday in downtown Spokane and already was doing brisk business during its first lunch hour.

Dan Ciscel, one of the franchise owners of the Spokane location, was sitting down to a meal of fish tacos as the kitchen and counter staff hustled.

The first day, he said, was passing with little trouble, except for an uncooperative ice machine.

“That’s why you do soft openings,” he said.

Located across Main Avenue from the Parkade, and between the Carhartt store and Rocky Rococo pizzeria in the Bennett Block, Chronic Tacos continues dining and retail’s eastward march from the shopping core centered around River Park Square.

The California-based chain has nearly 50 locations in North America, mostly in its home state. Others have opened in Alabama, North Carolina, Florida, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii and Canada. This will be its first location in Eastern Washington and the second statewide, following a recent store opening in Lakewood.

The menu features a variety of Mexican food common in other similar restaurants.

Ciscel, who owns five Jersey Mike’s Subs restaurants in his native Southern California, said he was inspired to open a restaurant in the Inland Northwest after spending about six weeks a year here visiting his parents. He hoped for a sub shop, but when that wasn’t possible, shifted quickly to Chronic Tacos.

“My parents, they were missing their tacos,” he said. “They never could get a good taco.”

According to the restaurant’s website, the founders, Randy Wyner and Dan Biello, wanted to create “a taco shop with great Mexican food and a vibe inspired by their Southern California roots.” In 2002, the pair opened their first location “with a little help from some third-generation family recipes.”

In 2010, Jason Acuña, a professional skateboarder and star of the TV series “Jackass,” opened his own Chronic Tacos franchise in Redondo Beach, California, and has become something of a spokesman for the chain.

Ciscel and Acuña are childhood friends. Acuña, who is also known as “Wee Man,” will be in town for the restaurant’s grand opening in mid-January.

“Wee Man is going to come out and do an appearance,” Ciscel said.

Ciscel’s partner in the business, Scott Wurpzbacher, and his wife moved to Spokane about four months ago to oversee day-to-day operations.

The restaurant currently has seating for about 30 people, with plans to have a patio come spring. It is open 10 a.m.-9 p.m. seven days a week.