Ladue Taco opens on Clayton Road in Ladue

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Photography by Kevin A. Roberts

Ladue Taco, a new taco concept will launch at 4 p.m. on Saturday, October 8 behind Companion Café, one of the areas busiest breakfast and lunch restaurants. (The Maryland Heights Companion café recently closed to expand the wholesale bakery facility.) Here's what to know before you go.

The Atmosphere

The 900-square-foot restaurant is located in the former Red-L Pizza/Dottie’s Flour Shop, at 9783 Clayton. Guests enter via a walkway behind Companion, order and pick up from a counter or curbside, and can dine on the 40-seat patio (after Companion closes at 3 p.m.) or elsewhere.

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Photography by Kevin A. Roberts

Photo by George Mahe

The plan was that the restaurant would open with minimal signage. “We’ll use word of mouth, social media, and general media to spread the word,” Allen says. “Companion has a huge following already, so lack of visibility does not worry us. I kind of like the ‘hidden gem’ aspect.

There are no immediate plans to use the street-facing kiosk (which is not connected to the kitchen), but the space will be used in the near future. "There are a lot of possible options," Allen says. "Our plans are to get up and running first before we decide what will work best."  

The Food

Photography by Kevin A. Roberts

Carne asada, one of eight possible taco fillings

The menu—which has been simplified since it was originally conceived—features street tacos with a choice of eight fillings: chicken, ground beef, barbacoa (slow cooked, seasoned beef), carne asada (seasoned, sliced beef), chorizo, shrimp, breaded mahi mahi, and roasted vegetables. “We knew we had a small kitchen, but we didn't know how small it really was until we opened the doors," Silva jokes. "We had things like burritos and fajitas on the menu, but since most people were ordering tacos anyway, for quality and consistency and speed, we decided to focus on that."   

“That said, we will have both corn and flour tortillas available,” Allen adds, “because some of our clientele is used to them and prefers them. And we’ll offer online ordering and delivery as soon as we are able." 

A full range of side dishes is available, as well as a few desserts, plus fresh margaritas (from single serving up to a one-gallon size), Jarritos soft drinks, Mexican beer, and Mexican coke.  

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Photo by George Mahe

The menu at Ladue Taco

The Concept

When Dottie’s recently closed, Allen looked at the space, but it “didn’t make sense for Companion—too many walls to take down, too many obstacles in the way.” Longtime Companion manager Rodrigo Silva, a native of Michoacán, had always dreamed of opening a restaurant, though. “I suggested that now was the time, that he and I do a small place together next door," recalls Allen. "This was 100 percent Rodrigo’s dream and vision. The logistics couldn’t be better and there are no quick-serve Mexican food options nearby.”

But there were two stipulations: “Since we share Companion’s patio and parking, we didn't want to compete for those spaces, so Ladue Taco will be open evening hours only…and [Silva] can never leave me,” she quips.

“We’re all excited about it and the neighborhood is, too. Rodrigo gets to open the restaurant he’s always wanted and Ladue gets a new restaurant concept.” 

Editor's Note: This article has been updated from an earlier version.