Adam and Jason Tilford recently announced that Session Taco at the Streets of St. Charles has closed and will reopen as a new concept, Sobremesa (1650 Beale), Spanish for the time that families and friends spend relaxing and talking at the table after a meal. The building measures 7500-square-feet, seats 195 inside, 40 outside, and includes a separate games arcade.
The new concept will feature increased seating for large groups and a broader menu for a wider audience. Session Taco’s final day of service was February 13; Sobremesa is expected to debut in six to eight weeks, in time for Cinco de Mayo. Here’s what we know so far.
The Closure
In a previous interview, Adam hinted that the St. Charles location might evolve into a family-style Mexican restaurant with a broader menu, noting that Session Taco’s limited offerings made it difficult to fully maximize the sizable space. Despite the inauspicious closing date, Tilford describes the move as a planned step in the broader rebranding of the Tilford Restaurant Group.
Reflecting on the past few years, Adam explains the challenges that led to this decision. “In hindsight, [the pandemic] was incredibly difficult for everyone, but when restrictions lifted, business exploded,” he says. “From mid-2022 to mid-2023, there was a huge post-COVID surge. As people returned to dining out, we expanded beyond entertainment districts like Soulard, the Central West End, and the Delmar Loop into suburban markets.”
But that rapid growth came with complications. “We were building these large locations and trying to attract a different demographic,” he says. “At the same time, alcohol consumption was declining, costs and labor were rising, and we were hit with a federal trademark lawsuit that forced us to change our name. That meant rebranding and raising prices. It really was a perfect storm.”
When in-house dining slowed and third-party delivery increased, the pressure mounted. “Dining out started to drop significantly, and delivery kept growing, which eroded our profits even more,” Adam says. “And so it continued through 2025, which was a terrible year for many restaurant operators.”
What’s Next
Adam is candid about the company’s recent efforts. “I’ll be the first to admit that the rebrand didn’t succeed the way we hoped,” he says. “But by the third quarter of 2025, we saw a path forward, which was closing some stores and reimagining others.”
While two Session Taco locations have shuttered in recent months, the group has also introduced new concepts. “We opened Lapez Mod Mex in the Central West End, and it’s doing very well,” he notes. “Now, we’re adding Sobremesa in St. Charles.”
The evolution reflects the group’s broader strategy. “We started as Mission Taco, which became Session Taco, and we opened a lot of them,” he says. “Now, we’re down to three Sessions and two new concepts. At a time when many restaurants are either staying the course or closing, we’re making a deliberate pivot and diversifying. In 2026, we’re focused on the Tilford Restaurant Group as a whole.”
The original Mission Taco Joint name was retired in 2024 after a 10-year run, following a trademark lawsuit filed by Gruma Corp., owner of the Mission tortilla brand. The case prompted a company-wide rebrand to Session Taco.
In an effort to reconnect with longtime fans, the remaining locations—in Soulard, Overland Park, and the Delmar Loop flagship—have been renamed Session Taco Joint and are reviving popular dishes from the original menu.
“We asked guests what they missed most, and many of those items are coming back as part of an OG menu,” Adam says. “That includes the duck taco, barbecued duck, the original braised brisket taco, huitlacoche empanadas, pork belly carnitas with smoky arbol sauce, Mexicali cheese curds, and tortas like the chicken Milanese.”
Late-night happy hours have also returned (“though not quite as late as before,” he notes), and all locations are expected to operate daily.
The Sobremesa Concept
Sobremesa refers to the lingering time spent at the table after a meal—talking, sipping drinks, and enjoying the company of friends and family.
While many cultures share similar customs, only Spanish has a specific word for the practice, underscoring its importance in Latino culture.
The redesigned space will reflect that spirit. High-top tables and barstools will give way to booths, banquettes, and lower seating arrangements. The updated interior will feature warmer colors, new lighting, and refreshed artwork to create a more inviting atmosphere.
“We realized that what St. Charles really needs are spaces for larger groups, like families, office gatherings, and sports teams,” Adam says. “We’re designing Sobremesa to accommodate groups who want to stay awhile, which fits the meaning of the name.”
The menu will still include many of Session Taco’s best-selling tacos and burritos but will expand to feature soups, salads, appetizers, fajitas, enchiladas, and additional entrées, broadening its appeal. The existing arcade area will remain, though it will now be managed by the company that owns the games.
As for further growth, Adam says expansion is not in the cards. “Diversification is our focus,” he says. “We’re done expanding for a while.”
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