Is Dallas-Based Velvet Taco Opening Along Washington Avenue?

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• Shutted bar, The Rig at 4819 Washington Ave, may become new home to Dallas-based Velvet Taco. Photo by Jakeisha Wilmore
• Shutted bar, The Rig at 4819 Washington Ave, may become new home to Dallas-based Velvet Taco. Photo by Jakeisha Wilmore
• Velvet Taco in Dallas Photo credit: Velvet Taco/Facebook
• Velvet Taco menu Photo credit: Velvet Taco/Facebook
• Photo credit: Rebecca Dale Photogrpahy/Flickr
• Fish n' Chips Taco, Grilled Mediterranean Flank Taco and Tikka Chicken Taco Photo credit: Taylormariebrowns/Tumblr
• Crisp Tots & Local Egg (chili butter, cheddar cheese, herbed goat cheese, avocado crema sauce, bacon, micro greens) Photo credit: Velvet Taco/Facebook

Rumor has it a Dallas import will soon call 4819 Washington Avenue home. A tipster shares Velvet Taco is poised to expand to Houston, occupying the space of former bar, The Rig — which was previously a nightclub venue called The Manor on Washington. Earlier this year, Dallas Business Journal cited the taco shop's interest in Houston noting Velvet Taco was actively looking for a location.

If there's one thing Houston doesn't need more of, it's another typical taco restaurant, but Velvet Taco isn't your ordinary shop. It also shouldn't be compared to Torchy's Taco and alleged taco bible thieves Texas Taco Co. and Lone Star Taco Co. If the rumors are true, the Dallas-based restaurant Velvet Taco will likely be a potential competitor for Julia Sharaby and David Grossman's Fusion Taco in Downtown, whose menu integrates Indian, Tex-Mex, Mexican and Mediterranean inspired fillings onto a tortilla — same as the North Texas chain.

A glance over the menu shows six proteins offered (chicken, pork, beef, fish, veggie, and egg) each with several varieties of tacos. A sample of a few of the interesting options with untraditional fillings include: Roti Chicken BLT (herbed goat cheese, lettuce, tomato, duck bacon, avocado, basil crema on corn tortilla); Fried Paneer (tomato chutney, thai basil, tikka sauce, raita crema on flour tortilla); Cuban Pig (gruyere cheese, slow roasted pulled pork, shaved ham, peppered bacon, grain mustard, house-brined pickle on a crisp flour tortilla).

According to their website, Velvet Taco makes its own tortillas, slow roast its own corn and basically makes everything from scratch, "which makes [their] food taste really awesome." Apparently the people of Dallas and Fort Worth agree. The taco shop has been written about often, lauded for their WTF (weekly taco features) tacos and has landed on several Eater Dallas Heatmaps.

If Velvet Taco opens in Houston, a huge plus will be the restaurant's late hours. The Dallas and Fort Worth locations open until 1 a.m. and another 3 a.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays; whereas Fusion Taco closes early on the weekends.

Velvet Taco would be a welcome addition to Houston, but with the string of closures along upper Washington Avenue and the declining nightlife, it's uncertain how it will fair at its rumored location.

Fork It Over Restaurants, the parent company of Velvet Taco has yet to confirm or deny their intentions for Houston. Once a comment has been provided, the post will be updated with further information.

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