The Pup 'N' Taco Story

My father, along with other family, friends and relatives, owned, operated, and managed Pup ‘N’ Taco restaurants in Southern California, Albuquerque, and Denver. My brothers and sister and I all worked in them at various times during our teens and 20s. My mom, of course, helped out too, and it wasn’t uncommon for all of us to enjoy a Pup ‘N’ Taco dinner even after having worked there all day! Even my own kids and wife, in the early 80s, frequently enjoyed Pup ‘N’ Taco meals whenever we could stop in.

Originally, prices were a mere 15 cents for the town’s best chili dog or taco. In the early days, the main Pup ‘N’ Taco outdoor sign featured a huge “15 cents” logo that far outshined the actual name of our business. Anyway, burritos, tostadas, pastrami sandwiches, taco burgers and the “Texas Tomato Burger” were all big sellers. For your thirst we featured RC Cola, root beer, orange and our own fabulous cherry and grape flavored “slush” drinks – as a kid I continuously sampled them all!! Read more >