Rike's Tacos, a well-known establishment in the Wiregrass region, is set to receive national recognition as it will be featured on America's Best Restaurants Roadshow. The web-based show's crew will visit the Troy location on October 29 to highlight the restaurant. This spotlight marks a significant milestone for the family-owned business, which has grown from a modest food truck operation into a community staple with multiple locations across the region.
America's Best Restaurants Roadshow travels across the country to showcase locally cherished eateries and the dedicated individuals behind them. The program, which boasts over 20,000 subscribers on YouTube, previously featured other Alabama restaurants, including Front Porch Grill in Millbrook and Pappy's Place in Scottsboro. The show's visit aims to bring wider attention to Rike's Tacos and its journey.
The restaurant's story began eight years ago when Isabel Castillo and her two sons, Anthony and Rike Tzanahua, launched a taco truck outside their home in Ariton. What started as a small, family-run venture has since expanded significantly. The family now operates three brick-and-mortar locations throughout the Wiregrass, while also continuing to take their original food truck to various events across the region.
According to the owners, the recognition from America's Best Restaurants Roadshow is a meaningful achievement. They stated it represents a "great milestone" in their journey, particularly as they are noted as some of the youngest owners to be featured on the program. The family expressed that they always held "big dreams" from a young age, and have accumulated numerous positive experiences, from live television cooking appearances to meeting influential figures, all despite having no prior restaurant experience. Anthony and Rike Tzanahua shared that they began their venture as two young brothers with a dream, working alongside their mother to share the authentic flavors they experienced growing up. They are now able to share their food, family traditions, and story with an even larger audience.
Rike's Tacos offers a distinctive spin on a typical taco truck menu. Patrons can choose between corn or flour tortillas, with a variety of filling options. Beyond tacos, their comprehensive menu includes burritos, quesadillas, and fajitas. For those seeking lighter options or sides, chips and queso and street corn are also available. The restaurant further caters to diverse tastes with a full breakfast and brunch menu, ensuring there is something for everyone, even those who might not typically consider themselves "taco people." The journey, from a food truck parked outside their Ariton home to their current restaurants, has been described by the family as "nothing short of incredible," highlighting the dedication and heart they have poured into their establishments.
The visit from America's Best Restaurants Roadshow aims to bring the story and culinary offerings of Rike's Tacos to a broader national audience, celebrating its growth and impact as a local business in the Wiregrass community. Residents are encouraged to visit the Troy location to experience the food that has garnered this national attention.
