Mo Assi opened Crush Taco a year ago in Frisco, using his long career in the steakhouse and fine dining industry in Dallas to bring a gourmet taqueria to the suburbs.
Assi said he always wanted to open his own restaurant.
“I had so many ideas for different types of restaurants, and that’s where I started,” Assi said. “I thought about different concepts and what was needed in Frisco and the surrounding areas.”
While the restaurant’s main menu item is the taco, not all of them are styled like a traditional Mexican taco, Assi said. He said he uses influences from all types of cuisines to create his dishes. They include Mediterranean, Latin American, Asian and even Southern cuisines.
“Crush Taco is an inspiration of my whole career, places I’ve traveled, chefs I’ve worked with and restaurants I’ve cooked in,” Assi said. “It’s all a mashup of my experience, and people can come here knowing they can try something different and new every time.”
The menu includes caramelized cauliflower tacos, cornflake crusted shrimp tacos, falafel tacos and buttermilk fried chicken tacos. Other menu items include chorizo fries, street corn, a salad bowl and a rice bowl. Crush Taco has also started to offer breakfast tacos.
“We use the tortilla as the vessel or base for our cuisine,” Assi said. “We’re constantly innovating and we’re constantly tasting new food. I want to push the envelope a bit and have people try something they’ve never tried before.”
There are also gluten-free options on the menu, and Assi said he is able to accommodate customers who may have different food sensitivities.
Assi said the goal for Crush Taco is to grow the brand and to grow the concept. Assi said he would like to work on opening a second Crush Taco as early as next year outside of Frisco.
“For Crush Taco, I would love to take the brand to the next level and see it all over the Metroplex,” he said. “I love being part of the community and Frisco, and I can see Prosper, Celina and even Sherman in the mix. It’s about giving local communities a cool restaurant to go to and having great food there.”
11445 Dallas Parkway, Ste. 230, Frisco
469-579-4094
www.crushtaco.com
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 7 a.m.-10 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 8 a.m.-10 p.m.
