Torchy's Tacos Now Open in Rice Village

Houston's second location of Austin-import Torchy's Tacos opened today in Rice Village at 7:00 a.m. Diners looking to get their fill of a Mr. Pink or a Dirty Sanchez but have struggled to find parking at the location on Shepherd Drive can expect a similar level of frustration from the new spot, which takes over the former Collina's/Gugliani's spot.

Chronicle critic Alison Cook earned a James Beard Award nomination in part for her zero-star review of Torchy's last year. She described the restaurant's decor as follows: "The rather grim industrial dining room, with its hard surfaces and downbeat colors, is about as welcoming as a day room in a low-security Club Fed." No word on whether the atmosphere's been improved at the new location.

· Torchy's Tacos [Official Site]
· Torchy's Tacos' Magic Gets Lost in Translation [29-95]