Korea Taqueria is set to launch its third location inside the University of Pennsylvania’s Franklin’s Table Food Hall, marking a significant step in the brand’s rapid expansion. Owners Alexander Sherack and Rene Lopez, who initially operated a food truck, have successfully transitioned into brick-and-mortar establishments, with the first opening in South Philadelphia in 2023 and a second location in Fishtown earlier this year. The decision to open on campus comes as the restaurant has gained popularity among students and local residents.
“I actually have been running a restaurant there called Paper Mill. It was at the five-year mark. We were like, ‘Let’s go all in on Korea Taqueria.’ It’s doing really well right now, and a lot of students have been asking us to open on campus, so we decided to do it,” Sherack shared in an interview.
New Offerings for a Campus Crowd
The upcoming location will feature a menu that retains popular dishes while introducing a new dining experience. “This one is going to be a little different in a sense that it’s more of a bowls, burritos, and salads space, kind of like Chipotle-style,” Sherack explained. Despite operating in a smaller space, the new venue will continue to serve fan-favorites, including signature slow-cooked beef and gochujang chicken.
Customers can expect burritos wrapped in a flour tortilla, filled with sesame white rice, black beans, cheese, sour cream, corn, pico de gallo, and cilantro. Bowl options will allow for customization, featuring either sesame white rice or romaine lettuce, topped with black beans, cucumber kimchi slaw, pickled onion, corn, cilantro, and a choice of protein and sauce.
Community Connection and Future Plans
A longtime resident of University City, Sherack expressed enthusiasm about returning to the area. “I’m excited about bringing it to another part of the city. University City has a special place in my heart because that’s where I started my food truck and also have done Paper Mill for the last five years. We’ve also done a lot of work with the University of Pennsylvania, University of Pennsylvania hospitals, CHOP, and Drexel University. It’s going to be nice to bring this and kind of refresh the space,” he stated.
The team aims to open the new Korea Taqueria location in January 2024, although they have yet to announce an official opening date. For updates and further information, patrons can visit their website or follow the brand on Instagram.
