Get ready for a new dimension of fun with your tacos! Mission Taco Joint has just amplified its Streets of St. Charles location, adding a vibrant retro arcade to its premises. Co-owners Adam and Jason Tilford officially opened the doors to this exciting new space on Monday, located right next door to their popular restaurant at 1650 Beale Street.
Step into a world of classic entertainment with the arcade’s impressive lineup. Patrons can now enjoy six pinball machines, test their skills at Skee-Ball, and immerse themselves in 16 different retro arcade games. The arcade features a distinctive shotgun layout, leading guests through a visually engaging space highlighted by a floor-to-ceiling mural crafted by Bill Harness, a former Mission Taco Joint team member. The mural serves as a playful reminder to embrace the “Taco Life.” At the back of the arcade, discover a cabana-style bar serving a selection of draft beers and Mission Taco Joint’s signature margaritas, perfectly complementing your gaming experience. Beyond entertainment, this new arcade space also functions as a private event venue, capable of hosting up to 150 guests.
Mission Taco Joint first ventured into the world of retro arcades in 2020 with their Kirkwood location. This initial arcade was part of the extensive renovation of the 12,000-square-foot space previously occupied by Kirkwood Station Brewery.
“Tacos and arcade games are simply a fantastic combination,” explains Adam Tilford. “The overwhelmingly positive response to our retro arcade in Kirkwood confirmed our belief that this old-school entertainment would be a great addition to our other restaurants wherever space allowed.”
The grand opening of the Streets of St. Charles arcade coincided with National Retro Day on February 27th. To celebrate, Mission Taco Joint offered visitors six complimentary tokens with any adult beverage purchase at the arcade bar during its opening week, through March 5th. For more details, check out the Mission Taco Joint website and their social media channels.
Mission Taco Joint: Expanding Across the Midwest and Beyond
The Streets of St. Charles arcade is just one facet of Mission Taco Joint’s ongoing growth. The popular eatery now boasts seven locations across St. Louis and Kansas City. Their expansion continues with a new restaurant currently under construction in Leawood, Kansas, marking their first venture outside of Missouri. Looking further ahead, Mission Taco Joint has plans for another location in West County, details of which are yet to be announced.
Beyond restaurant expansion, Mission Taco Joint is also entering the retail market. Their MTJ-branded sea-salted, gluten-free tortilla chips are now available in 11-ounce bags at Straub’s Markets and The Annex in Webster Groves. “The chips have always been part of our vision,” Adam shares. “Seeing our products on store shelves is incredibly exciting.” Mission Taco Joint aims to broaden their retail partnerships and further extend their brand reach.
Despite industry-wide challenges, Mission Taco Joint is focused on stability and progress. Adam notes, “After navigating the constant shifts of the past three years, we are ready to solidify our operations and move forward.” This includes a strong emphasis on employee well-being, with an internal minimum wage of $15 per hour, benefits, and upcoming implementation of a 401K match program.
From Late Nights to Family Fun
Mission Taco Joint, particularly its Delmar Loop location, was once known for its vibrant late-night happy hour scene. However, post-pandemic, this dynamic shifted. “The late-night crowd just didn’t return as it was before,” Adam explains. “We realized it was demanding on our staff, so we’ve transitioned our focus more towards lunch and dinner services.”
Today, a decade and a pandemic later, the atmosphere in Mission Taco Joint locations is characterized more by the cheerful sounds of arcade games than late-night revelry. “We simply loved video games growing up,” Adam reflects. This passion for nostalgic entertainment is now a key ingredient in shaping the future success of Mission Taco Joint.
