Many Texans consider tacos an essential part of the regional diet, and restaurant owner Lincoln Ward has built a business around it. A desire for good food and innovation prompted Ward and his wife Lyndsay to open Pacific Coast Tacos in Sugar Land in November 2017, serving a provincial staple in a way that is thoroughly unique to the area—from the tortilla to the fillings. Ward, who also opened Rouxpour in the city’s Town Square, has worked in the restaurant industry since he was 17 years old. “In the land of refried beans and melted cheese, we figured there was an opportunity to introduce something a little bit more forward-thinking, more progressive, [and] health-conscious driven,” Ward said. “They say ‘Fresh-Mex’ instead of ‘Tex-Mex.’” Menu items include brown rice and black beans— healthier alternatives to white or Spanish rice and refried beans, he said. The menu also incorporates recipes like Thai chili chicken taco, which features the cardamom spice, peanut sauce and Thai chilis. Many of the dishes were inspired by flavors and cuisine common to the Pacific seaboard, including regions of California, Mexico and East Asia, Ward said. The Korean beef, Pacific octopus and grilled fish tacos are some of the most popular items, and customers can also try the Hawaiian-style poke bowl. A point of pride is the restaurant’s commitment to fresh ingredients, he said. Tortillas are prepared from scratch and are made of flour, corn or jicama. “Jicama is a clean root vegetable that we bring in fresh,” Ward said. “Imagine a pliable, flavorless radish that’s got the water and crunch content of a water chestnut. It’s the perfect vehicle for a taco.” The entire concept of the Pacific Coast Tacos—unique as it is—has garnered a lot of positive attention, Ward said, who hopes to open two more locations by the end of 2019. “I think the adventurous palate that you’re starting to see these days appreciates an establishment that’s not afraid to step outside of bounds and maybe do something that’s a little more progressive or challenging,” Ward said.

Pacific Coast Tacos

1525 Lake Pointe Parkway, Ste. 600, Sugar Land 281-980-0403 www.pacificcoasttacos.com Hours: Mon.-Thu. 7:30 a.m.-10 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 8:30 a.m.-11 p.m., Sun. 8:30 a.m.- 9 p.m.