The Jersey Shore-based food truck Tacoholics first revved its engine in 2016. Original co-owners – and childhood friends – Nicholas DeAngelo, Robert Bruno and Louis Raccuglia shared a mutual love of tacos. As friends and business partners, they put all their energy into creating their own distinctive menu. Now, Tacoholics boasts quality ingredients and sauces as one of The Best New Jersey Food Trucks.
No longer just a food truck, Tacoholics includes five brick-and-mortar locations, including a seasonal location in Manasquan. (You’ll also find them in Toms River, Brick, Point Pleasant, and Red Bank.) Along the way, the business picked up two more partners, Steven Bruno and Ryan Gazarek. Together they work tirelessly to improve the Tacoholics truck and brand.
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The truck’s menu features fan-favorite tacos with all the fixings and specialty sauces. Meanwhile, the restaurants offer an expanded menu with build-your-own tacos, burritos, bowls, salads, quesadillas, and nachos.
Best of NJ spoke with co-owner Nick DeAngelo to discuss the Tacoholics truck, restaurant, and all they offer.
The Best New Jersey Food Trucks: Tacoholics Interview
Best of NJ: Did you guys grow up together?
Nick DeAngelo: As of 2021, there are actually now five partners. Initially, as we refer to ourselves as “The Founding Fathers,” it started with me, Rob Bruno and Lou Raccuglia. Lou was in my sixth-grade class, and I also met Rob in sixth grade on the wrestling team. I am not 100 percent sure, but I think Lou and Rob also went to elementary school together. Lou and I remained friends throughout high school and into college; and we all started to hang out together as a group toward the end of college. Steve and Ryan—our other two partners—are three years younger than us. Steve is Rob’s younger brother, and Ryan is one of his best friends. They were our first full-time employees, and with all their hard work have become our partners.
BONJ: What made you guys get into the food trucking business?
Nick: In 2015, Rob, Lou, and I went on a trip to Florida right after college. We realized that during our short time down there, we had actually been eating tacos every single day. Being broke and fresh out of college, we felt that a taco truck was something we could create; and eventually transition to more stores. Unfortunately, it wasn’t that easy. The banks all laughed at us and essentially told us our idea wasn’t going to work.
We were relentless though and continued to put our foot on the gas; and were finally able to make a deal with a contact from one of my friends from college. (Shoutout to Jordan!) His now-father-in-law cut us a deal where he sold us the truck and we were to pay him monthly until it was paid off. Rob was able to somehow get approved for a $10,000 credit card, and boom; we wrapped the truck, and Tacoholics was born. We were playing with fire and had absolutely no startup capital, but our attitude and mentality never changed. It took us all but three weeks to pull a line that seemed to be never ending. Right place, right name, right time, right food! Everybody loves tacos!
BONJ: What roles do each of you play for Tacoholics?
Nick: Everyone wears many hats in this business, so it’s hard to pinpoint a few roles for each person. You will catch Rob in our Brick store; Lou in our Point Pleasant store; Ryan in Toms River; and me and Steve everywhere. You will also catch one of us five always on the truck when you see it out. That is our favorite place to be, because it’s where everything started!
BONJ: Tell us what customers can expect when they order one of your tacos.
Nick: Our recommended way is “Truck Style,” and you’ll get an explosion of flavor and an addiction to our food. Make sure you get a specialty sauce as well—that is what makes our food what it is; and it always hurts our feelings when people don’t try a sauce. They just elevate our food in so many ways and are recommended for a reason!
BONJ: What are some of your guests’ favorite tacos from the truck?
Nick: It depends on which day you ask that! The Bang Shrimp is our overall best seller. The Southwest Beef is a game changer, and the Honey Chipotle and Crack BBQ have been a staple since day one. Coconut Shrimp and Fried Avocado are heavy favorites. General Tso has won a few awards, and the Buffalo will never disappoint. I apologize—I just named our entire truck menu. Too hard to pick just one!
BONJ: At what point did Tacoholics start taking off?
Nick: We honestly feel that we have not even scratched the surface of our business taking off. For anyone who is interested in becoming an entrepreneur, remember this one lesson: invest in your people! They are the ones who make your product amazing. One person cannot do it all! Our staff is the reason why our business is continually able to propel forward.
BONJ: Do your restaurants offer a wider selection of menu items?
Nick: Yes! The truck only offers tacos, and sometimes chips and salsa. Our stores are a little different, we offer steak, grilled shrimp, and tofu. We also offer burritos, burrito bowls, salads, quesadillas, guac, and queso.
BONJ: What kind of catering options does Tacoholics offer?
Nick: Our food truck catering consists of us coming to you for a few hours and serving you the best tacos you’ll ever have. The only thing you have to bring is yourself! We do a lot of weddings, wedding after parties, birthdays, and private work events.
The store caterings we offer are Taco Bars, we supply the ingredients and you build them on your own; as well as Burrito Boxes, where we can pre roll any types of burritos you want. All orders come with chips and salsa. If you are in range for catering, we will also deliver directly to you! I advise you to fill out our Food Truck/Catering form on our website if you have any questions.
BONJ: Where can guests typically find your truck during the spring and summer?
Nick: We are booking up a ton of private events now. But we have Tacopalooza in Chester and Sewell, and the NJ Taco Festival in Sussex; in addition to the Meadowlands Racetrack, BaconFest, and many more.
To learn more about Tacoholics, click here to visit their website.
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All Photos: © Patrick Lombardi / Best of NJ
