Chronic Tacos Mexican Grill Opens in Clovis

Chronic Tacos Mexican Grill opened its doors Friday, June 2 at the northeast corner of Herndon and Willow avenues in Clovis. (Photo by Ron Sundquist/Clovis Roundup)

Fans of good Mexican food are in luck. On Friday, June 2, Chronic Tacos Mexican Grill celebrated the opening of its new Clovis store. Located at the northeast corner of Herndon and Willow avenues, it promises to be a local favorite.

As testament to the popularity of the cuisine, customers were waiting outside before the scheduled 10 a.m. opening. Some of the guests were familiar with Chronic Tacos from visits to their other locations in Southern California.

“It’s all about the sauce,” said James Showalter of Clovis. “It’s spicy, but with more of a mild spice taste. Their tacos, burritos and carne asada are the best. They’re the perfect size.”

His friend, Nicole Meester, agreed. “I like extra sauce,” she said.

Loyal customers say the made-to-order menu consisting of third generation recipes with garden fresh ingredients, are bursting with flavor. Everything is made in house from scratch, including the fresh Pico de Gallo, salsa and guacamole.

Chronic Tacos Mexican Grill’s carne asada taco. (Photo by Ron Sundquist/Clovis Roundup)

The carne asada, pollo asado and al pastor are marinated for 24 hours in a secret sauce to lock in flavor. The carnitas are slow cooked for three hours until the meat is so tender it falls off the bone.

Seasoned to perfection, fish and shrimp are served sautéed or battered in a delicious Tecate beer batter.

Catyana, from Van Nuys in Southern California, came to train the Clovis staff in the Chronic Tacos way of preparing the food.

“It’s going well,” she said. “[The staff here is] doing a fantastic job.”

Guests can order takeout or dine in the restaurant or outside on the patio. The interior is comfortable and inviting with three large television screens.

“We want to keep a fun vibe,” said Regional Manager Evelyn Reimer. “We have different sports playing on the television screens. There’s music and patio dining. We plan on adding a fire pit outside on the patio.

“Our food is made to order from our third generation recipes and fresh ingredients. All of our sauces are authentic and amazing. We want everyone to feel welcome here.”

A Chronic Tacos employee prepares a burrito during the restaurant’s grand opening in Clovis on Friday, June 2, 2017. (Photo by Ron Sundquist/Clovis Roundup)

Along with tacos, menu items include burritos, tostadas, tortas, taquitos, flautas, salads, various side dishes, beverages and churros. Specials run from Monday to Wednesday. Catering is offered as full-service or as Chronic party meals; both can be customized for extra meat, side dishes, vegetarian or gluten-free.

The first Chronic Tacos was opened in 2002 in Newport Beach, California by Randall L. Wyner and his friend Daniel A. Biello. Their goal was to serve Mexican food that was both fast and fresh and where friends wanted to gather. It was through a close family friend they acquired the authentic multigenerational recipes.

Today there are more than 30 locations in the U.S. and Canada. A store at El Paseo Shopping Center in northwest Fresno is scheduled to open next month.

Chronic Tacos believes in giving back to its local communities. It has contributed to fundraising and campaigning efforts for several different nonprofit organizations, including No Kid Hungry, which aims to eliminate child hunger.

Carole Grosch:
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