The locally owned Chando’s Tacos is opening a location in East Sacramento, marking another step in an ambitious expansion plan by the chain’s founder.
Lisandro “Chando” Madrigal, the founder of Chando’s Enterprises, confirmed he’s replacing Opa! Opa! at 5644 J St. in East Sacramento. It will be a Chando’s Tacos restaurant, as opposed to the cantina format Madrigal has in Midtown Sacramento and El Dorado Hills. The approximately 2,600-square-foot restaurant could open in April, he said.
It will follow the opening of a long-anticipated Chando’s Tacos location in Citrus Heights, which is expected to debut soon, Madrigal said.
Between the East Sacramento and Citrus Heights restaurants, Madrigal expects to hire 30 to 50 new workers. That’s on top of the more than 200 people Chando’s Enterprises currently employs, he said.
In addition to the upcoming restaurants, his business includes four Chando’s Tacos locations, two cantina sites, three food trucks and a food preparation facility. He’s eyeing additional expansion, focusing on the Chando’s Tacos concept in particular. “I’m going to put the pedal to the metal,” he said, describing his growth plans.
He said future restaurants could include Elk Grove, where he lives. “People have been requesting that for years,” Madrigal said.
The upcoming East Sacramento site will include many familiar elements, but it will also have a new feature. A concept from Madrigal called Xolo’s Mexican Munchies will occupy a spot adjacent to the main restaurant. It will serve Mexican “junk food,” such as churros and nachos, he said. East Sacramento will be a testing ground for the quick-service concept, which he expects to expand to other locations, with the existing Roseville restaurant likely next in line.
He said he was attracted to the East Sacramento site largely because of its neighborhood feel, and its proximity to places such as California State University Sacramento. Last year, the operator of Opa! Opa! announced plans to relocate from East Sacramento to Midtown.
“Midtown is coming soon at 20th and J streets,” according to a Thursday Facebook post from Opa! Opa!
Meanwhile, Madrigal said he’s grateful for the local support he’s received since his early days of backyard catering. “It’s an absolute honor,” he said. “I still kind of pinch myself.”
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