Cool New Restaurant Features First-Ever Taco Shack on Las Vegas Strip Called “Street Taco”

 CHICAGO – Things are going to really heat up in Las Vegas with the much-anticipated debut of Lettuce Entertain You Enterprise’s El Segundo Sol Taqueria and Margarita Bar which officially opens today.  Featuring the first ever strip-side, “on-the-go” taco shack aptly named Street Taco, the new Sin City hot spot (at Fashion Show Mall across from the Wynn - 3200 Las Vegas Blvd S.) will offer guests the authentic tastes and vibrant flavors of Mexico in a fun and laid back setting. El Segundo Sol will be serving up out-of-this-world signature tacos and Mexican fare, feature a private tequila tasting room and offer a huge selection of beers and margaritas.
 
 “We couldn’t think of a better spot to launch El Segundo Sol than overlooking the greatest real estate in the city – the Las Vegas Strip,” said Chris Meers, Partner, Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises. “El Segundo Sol and Street Taco are two new concepts that capture the flavors, signature dishes and traditional cooking techniques of Mexico – but in a really unique and playful way. We wanted to deliver on an experience that hasn’t been done before in Vegas.”
 
On the Go? ‘Street Taco’ Makes History
A late night taco ‘run’ is sure to get a whole lot more fun in Las Vegas as El Segundo Sol introduces the first-ever, Strip-side taco “shack” often found on the streets of Mexico or East Los Angeles. Millions of locals and visitors strolling the Strip can now stop by Street Taco (directly in front of the restaurant) to enjoy authentic, high quality tacos and other simple Mexican fare served well into the night. Visitors can step up to the “shack” constructed from reclaimed wood and topped with a corrugated roof and sit down at a barstool overlooking the Strip, while perusing the selection of tacos on the menu board (priced from $2.09-$2.29 each). Street Taco will offer all-natural shredded chicken tacos with Pico de Gallo, a slow braised beef brisket taco topped with diced onion and cilantro and an al Pastor (pork) variety topped with chili, radish, white onion and cilantro. Warm, homemade tortilla chips and salsa ($1.95) and guacamole ($2.95) will also be available. Thirsty? Reminiscent of those found streetside in Mexico City, Street Taco will also offer cold beverages including traditional oversized 500ml bottles of Mexican Coca-Cola and 355ml bottles of Mexican Squirt, limón, mandarina and guayaba flavored Jarritos, as well as other sodas.
 
From Tortillas to Tacos, Everything’s Legit
The bright and colorful interior of El Segundo Sol is playful and edgy, providing guests with a modernized experience of Mexico complete with servers sporting Guayaberas (Mexican wedding shirts) and Chuck Taylors, with some sweet music jamming to set the scene. The team at El Segundo Sol likes to have fun, but they certainly don’t mess around when it comes to food. The staple at El Segundo Sol is their signature tacos and they are as authentic as any you might find across the border. Offering ten delicious varieties ranging from all-natural chicken ($14.95) to lobster ($29.95), slow-braised beef short rib ($15.95) to vegetarian ($12.95), there is a taco that will appeal to every taste bud. The restaurant estimates that more than 3,000 tortillas will be made from scratch daily, pressed and griddled fresh-to-order by professional ‘tortilleras’ who have mastered the traditional Mexican technique using a top-of-the-line Comal.
 
While Mother Nature may be unpredictable, El Segundo’s guacamole ‘temp’ shouldn’t be! Presenting guests with a tableside guacamole cart with Del Rey Farms Avocados, homemade tortilla chips and salsa ($8.95), the serrano peppers are rated daily by the kitchen to determine the type of kick that will be offered in its ‘guac’ each and every day.
 
With the belief that everything is better when shared, El Segundo Sol’s ample appetizer offerings encourage just that. Chips & Three Salsas featuring Charred Tomato Salsa, Roasted Tomatillo Salsa & Pico De Gallo ($2.95), Nachos Piled High with melted cheese, guacamole and sour cream ($9.95) and Market Fresh Ceviche prepared daily ($11.95) are amongst the faves. A few of El Segundo’s takes on the classics include the Fried Padron Peppers ($6.95), Chicken Taquitos ($7.95), Homemade Sweet Corn Tamales ($5.95) and Crab Tostadas ($10.95).  Guests will also enjoy traditional Mexican dishes including Fajita Platters, Cheese Crisps (Mexican Pizzas), Quesadillas, Enchiladas, Tostadas and a full array of delicious entrees featuring such items as Chicken Mole ($16.95), Agava-Glazed Salmon ($17.95) and Carne Asada ($18.95), to name a few.
 
Perfect for a mid-day pick-me-up (or perhaps just a late start to the day!), El Segundo Sol’s laid-back lunch menu encourages relaxation with comfort items such as Huevos Rancheros featuring over-easy eggs, corn tortillas, black beans, cilantro rice, jack cheese and ranchero sauce ($8.95), Kobe Beef Hot Dog with bacon, guacamole, Pico de Gallo, served with fries ($7.95) and the Green Chili Burger with pepper jack cheese and poblano peppers, served with fries ($11.95). To curb that killer hangover, Aqua Frescas (homemade fresh flavored waters on ice) including Hibiscus ($1.95), Tamarind ($1.95) and Horchata De Almendras (Almond Rice Water, $2.95) will do the trick.
 
El Segundo’s kitchen will be led by Chef Terry Lynch, who is also the Executive Chef of the ever popular Mon Ami Gabi in Las Vegas. Chef Lynch trained at the Cordon Bleu in France and has always possessed a great love for Mexico. He has traveled extensively throughout the country, soaking up all the food, culture, music and art each city has to offer. Lynch will be the first to admit that “soulful food is soulful food, no matter where it comes from – and Mexico has some of the very best!”
 
Prior to joining Lettuce, Lynch achieved tenure as partner and Executive Chef in Northern California’s most successful restaurant company, Real Restaurants where his primary venue was Mustards Grill, known as the first dramatically successful restaurant in Napa Valley.  Lynch also teamed with New York’s most successful restaurateur, Drew Nieporent and his company Myriad Restaurant Group to open The Coach House - a high end destination restaurant on Martha’s Vineyard, as well as served as the Executive Sous at Napa Valley’s famed 5-star resort and restaurant Auberge du Soleil.
 
Forget Champagne…Come Back to the Tequila (Tasting) Room
It’s not as risqué as it sounds! Encased in chicken wire and bordered by boxes shedding light (literally) on some of Mexico’s finest tequilas, El Segundo Sol features a first-of-its-kind Tequila Tasting Room that accommodates up to 14 guests for private dining and to experience its series of tasting flights. The intimate and exclusive space features nearly 100 varieties of tequila tailored to reflect the differences in flavors, complexity, age and geographical locations – including the “El Segundo Flight” featuring Cazadores Blanco, Cazadores Reposado and Cazadores Anejo ($20), “Tres Amigos” featuring Don Eduardo Blanco, Caso Noble Blanco and Corzo Blanco ($19) and “Viva Las Vegas” featuring El Mayor Anejo, Herrudura Anejo and El Jimador Anijo ($20), among other complementary paired varieties. Sangrita, the traditional Mexican non-alcoholic accompaniment that highlights tequila's crisp acidity and cleanses the palate between each peppery sip, accompanies and complements each flight.   Guests not lucky enough to score a spot in El Segundo’s Tequila Tasting Room need not fret – dining room guests are also encouraged to experience the tequila flights at their tables.
 
Get Your Drink On - El Segundo Style
Cans, drafts, bottles, buckets and pitchers – there is no shortage of beverages at El Segundo’s bar. For those looking to tip a few (or many!) back, El Segundo Sol is a watering hole with countless options.  Traditional Mexican draft beers including Dos Equis, Negro Modelo, and Tecate; as well as beers available by the bottle, buckets of six, and for those extra thirsty, 24 oz Tall Boys.  Order a Mojito, Sangria, or an Agave Cooler ($10.95) for a sweet and savory kick – whether you’re up or down on your luck.
 
El Segundo Sol’s signature margaritas are rumored to be the best in Vegas including traditional favorites, as well as unique mouth watering flavors such as Cucumber-Mint and Prickly Pear, served on the rocks or frozen (14oz - $10.95/30oz - $25.95).
 
El Segundo Sol is open for lunch and dinner Mondays through Saturdays from 11:30AM until Midnight and Sundays until 11PM. Street Taco is open Sundays through Thursdays from 11:30AM until 1AM and Fridays and Saturdays until 2AM. Additional information can be found by visiting  www.ElSegundoSol.com.