Photo by Rachel Slade
Photo by Rachel Slade
Photo by Rachel SladeEarth-friendly Latin fusion joint takes taste buds on a trip
Seven years ago in a Planet at the intersection of Hwy. 114 and Kimball Avenue in Southlake, Texans and Californians began battling it out to earn the love of hungry customers. Beef brisket, barbecue sauce and shredded cheese met grilled fajita steak, roasted garlic and guacamole in a field of crinkled tin foil, and when the steam cleared, both had made it to the top of the menu. See, at this Planet, the Texans and Californians — along with Jamaicans and Surfer Babes — are signature flavors to be found in tacos, galactic burritos and salads.
"I have a love and passion for Mexican food done differently," said Bill Campbell, a co-owner of Planet Burrito. "This isn't your typical Tex-Mex restaurant."
Campbell opened Planet Burrito in Southlake at the end of 2005 along with his father, William, and his uncle, Bob. The three have worked together for years, running corporate and vacation travel businesses. The inspiration came from Bill, who grew up in Texas but lived in California for a decade as an Air Force pilot.
"Growing up in Texas, I loved Tex-Mex," he said, "but when I lived in California, I loved the burrito stands you'd find there. And when I was flying with students all over the place as an instructor pilot, it seemed like the students really liked to go to burrito places."
