Taco John’s has resumed operations in Fargo, North Dakota, with the opening of a new location on January 5, 2024. Friends Trinity Laughlin and Ella Johnson were among the first customers, eager to satisfy their cravings for the chain’s signature Potato Olés. The duo had been waiting for this moment ever since the last Taco John’s in Fargo closed in June 2023.
Arriving after work at around 20:00, Laughlin and Johnson joined a long line of eager patrons. The drive-thru line nearly reached 45th Street, but the friends remained undeterred, waiting about half an hour for their order of a Six Pack and a Pound, which includes six tacos and a pound of Potato Olés. “A 30-minute wait is nothing for us,” Johnson noted, highlighting their dedication to the brand. Over the past two years, they have traveled more than 1,000 miles to quench their Taco John’s cravings.
Laughlin and Johnson’s journey as Taco John’s enthusiasts began when the previous franchisee shut down its last store. They met while working at Men’s Hair Co. in West Fargo, where Laughlin is a stylist and Johnson serves as a receptionist. Their shared passion for the beauty industry and Taco John’s quickly brought them together, leading to road trips to nearby towns like Wahpeton, North Dakota, and Detroit Lakes, Minnesota.
In a November 2024 article by Forum Communications, the friends revealed their extensive travels, which had become something of a local phenomenon. Their enthusiasm caught the attention of Taco John’s corporate headquarters, resulting in a surprise package of merchandise sent to the two friends. “They sent us packages to our work last January, and it was so cool,” Johnson recalled. Each package included a stainless steel tumbler, a hat, a $50 gift card, and several stickers.
Since receiving the merchandise, Laughlin and Johnson have continued their Taco John’s adventures, making about seven additional trips. So, when they learned that the Pentex Restaurant Group planned to open a new Taco John’s in an existing location in Fargo, their excitement was palpable. “We were extremely happy when we heard about the locations opening in Fargo,” Laughlin said. The friends immediately made plans to visit the new restaurant.
On opening day, they arrived straight after work, eager to indulge in their beloved fast food. “The food was amazing. It was so worth the wait,” Johnson said, who is now also pursuing a cosmetology degree with aspirations of working alongside Laughlin at the salon.
Despite the convenience of having Taco John’s back in Fargo, Johnson expressed that road trips would still be a part of their routine. “We would definitely make more road trips just for the fun of it,” she said, appreciating the change of scenery that accompanies their culinary adventures.
The reopening of Taco John’s has not only brought joy to loyal customers like Laughlin and Johnson but has also revitalized the local fast food scene in Fargo. As they celebrate the return of their favorite meals, the community looks forward to the potential expansion of Taco John’s presence in the area.
