Ivan Calderon, founder and chef of Taco Mesa and Taco Rosa, introduces a new concept, Taco Mesa – Tortillería Orgánica & Café in Orange, CA. The new restaurant, opened at the end of April 2017, and provides artisan GMO-free corn masa and tortillas to all his locations. Recognized for pioneering healthy and authentic Mexican cuisine in Orange County, Calderon builds upon 25 years of success with this expansion.
“With this evolution of our brand, we continue to honor our ancestors, our bodies, and the earth,” explains Calderon, who also owns Taco Rosa in Irvine and Newport Beach, in addition to Taco Mesa in Costa Mesa, Mission Viejo, and Ladera Ranch. “We are committed to decolonizing and indigenizing Mexican cuisine by taking it back to its roots, which is why sourcing the GMO-free corn and taking an artisan approach to making masa is such an important step for us.”
A staggering 92% of all corn in the world is genetically modified. In February, Calderon made the switch to GMO-free corn at all six of his locations, but the opening of Taco Mesa – Tortillería Orgánica & Café gives him control over sourcing, along with the creative freedom to mix unique corn masa blends that incorporate superfoods and spices.
Taco Mesa – Tortilleria Orgánica & Café will continue to serve the healthy, authentic Mexican classics that have defined the brand for the last 25 years, but will expand its offerings to include gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options, as well as organic grab-and-go fresh salads, hot entrees, aguas frescas, and organic cold-pressed juices. Taco Mesa – Tortillería Orgánica & Café will also feature an expanded pastelería displaying fresh-baked Mexican pastries including meringues, tres leches, and profiteroles, in addition to innovative pastries using ancient grains and healthier ingredients developed exclusively for the café . Adjacent to the pastry display will be a sleek Modbar espresso station – the first of its kind in Orange County – serving direct trade Stumptown Coffee.
With the capacity to produce 200 dozen tortillas per hour, Calderon intends to wholesale his GMO-free corn products to local retailers and restaurants.
“This evolution is about something much bigger than our brand,” added Calderon. “We want to create a catalyst for change in our industry, both locally and worldwide. We intend to do so by selling our GMO-free corn masa and tortillas to other restaurants and by furthering the evolution of our brand by creating a replicable model that will take GMO-free corn and true Mexican cuisine overseas.”
After 25 years, Calderon continues to set the pace for healthy, authentic, and sustainable Mexican cuisine in Orange County by serving GMO-free corn; sourcing organic greens and edible flowers from hyper-local, eco-friendly farmers including Adam Navidi’s aquaponic Future Foods Farms in Brea, and heirloom produce from Black Sheep Farms in Riverside; and offering sustainably caught wild seafood guided by Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch whenever possible. Committed to authenticity, sustainability, and quality, the ingredients and traditional cooking methods used at Taco Mesa and Taco Rosa are reflective of the brands’ integrity.
Taco Mesa Tortilleria Orgánica & Café is located at 3533 East Chapman Avenue, Orange, CA 92869 and is open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
About Taco Mesa
Founder & chef Ivan Calderon pioneered healthy and authentic Mexican cuisine in Orange County nearly 25 years ago with the opening of the original Taco Mesa in Costa Mesa. The award-winning Mexican eatery has found its niche in Orange County’s diverse culinary landscape by incorporating into its menu ingredients reflecting its intention: hyper-local organic greens, sustainable wild seafood, and GMO-free masa. With a focus on authenticity, the menu at Taco Mesa pays respect to the Mayan, Aztec, and Spanish cuisines and cooking methods that shaped the fundamentals of Mexican cuisine. Since its inception in 1992, Taco Mesa has expanded to additional locations in Orange, Mission Viejo, and Ladera Ranch; Calderon also opened a successful upscale sister concept, Taco Rosa, with locations in Irvine and Newport Beach. For more information, visit www.tacomesa.com or connect with Taco Mesa on Facebook & Instagram.
Find more delicious Orange County Restaurants ANNIVERSARIES
