Amigos is a fast-food Mexican restaurant chain founded in Lincoln, Nebraska. The first location opened at 5500 'O' Street on June 17, 1980. Currently, there are 30 Amigos restaurants in multiple cities. [1] One of two regional restaurant chains that serves "Cheese Frenchees", a regional delicacy invented in Lincoln in the 1950s. [2]
Roger and Jan Moore opened the first Amigos in 1980, and continue to run most of the restaurants today. Initially they intended to purchase an existing franchise, but ultimately decided to try their own concept. After conducting a market study in Lincoln, Nebraska, they determined the market would sustain a Mexican restaurant, and they chose the name "Amigos" in part to avoid using the word Taco in the name, and also their hope was to reflect friendly service and atmosphere. [3]
Business at the first location exceeded expectations, and they soon opened a second location on Webb Road in Grand Island, Nebraska. The Webb Road location is now the longest-operating Amigos anywhere [4] as the original location in Lincoln closed permanently in 2013. [5]
A second Lincoln location was added in 1984. [3]
Amigos is still selling favorite items that were on the original 1980 menu; including the original Soft Taco, Enchilada, Crisp Meat Burrito, Crispos, Mexi Fries, Taco Salad, and Nachos. [1]
According to Roger and Jan Moore, crisp meat burritos and soft tacos have always been their most popular items. [3]
From the King's Classic menu, the Lincoln-original sandwich called a "Cheese Frenchee" is served, based on the original King's Food Host recipe from the 1950s. [6] The Cheese Frenchee was invented in Lincoln at King's Food Host, and can still be found around Nebraska at Amigos, as well as a restaurant chain called Don & Millie's. [7] No one knows why exactly it got the name "Frenchee", but some think it may be because of its resemblance to a Croque Monsieur. [2]
Beginning in 1996, the restaurants began co-branding to expand and differentiate their menus. [3]
Midwestern cuisine is a regional cuisine of the American Midwest. It draws its culinary roots most significantly from the cuisines of Central, Northern and Eastern Europe, and Indigenous cuisine of the Americas, and is influenced by regionally and locally grown foodstuffs and cultural diversity.
A taco is a traditional Mexican food consisting of a small hand-sized corn- or wheat-based tortilla topped with a filling. The tortilla is then folded around the filling and eaten by hand. A taco can be made with a variety of fillings, including beef, pork, chicken, seafood, beans, vegetables, and cheese, allowing for great versatility and variety. They are often garnished with various condiments, such as salsa, guacamole, or sour cream, and vegetables, such as lettuce, onion, tomatoes, and chiles. Tacos are a common form of antojitos, or Mexican street food, which have spread around the world.
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The breakfast burrito, sometimes referred to as a breakfast wrap outside of the American Southwest, is a variety of American breakfast composed of breakfast items wrapped inside a flour tortilla burrito. This style was invented and popularized in several regional American cuisines, most notably originating in New Mexican cuisine, and expanding beyond Southwestern cuisine and neighboring Tex-Mex. Southwestern-style breakfast burritos may include any combination of scrambled eggs, potatoes, cheese, peppers, salsa, onions, chorizo, bacon, or sour cream. In other variations of breakfast burritos, more ingredients such as tomatoes, cheese, ham, and other fresh products can be added.
A value menu is a group of menu items at a fast food restaurant that are designed to be the least expensive items available. In the US, the items are usually priced between $0.99 and $2.99. The portion size, and number of items included with the food, are typically related to the price.
Zantigo is an American fast food restaurant chain serving Mexican food. It began operation in 1969 in Minneapolis, Minnesota as Zapata. With over 80 locations at its peak, Zantigo was sold to Taco Bell in 1986. Zantigo was re-established a decade later under new ownership in the Twin Cities market.
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A burrito is a dish in Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine that took form in Ciudad Juárez, consisting of a flour tortilla wrapped into a sealed cylindrical shape around various ingredients. The tortilla is sometimes lightly grilled or steamed to soften it, make it more pliable, and allow it to adhere to itself. Burritos are often eaten by hand, as their tight wrapping keeps the ingredients together. Burritos can also be served "wet", i.e., covered in a savory and spicy sauce, when they would be eaten with a fork and knife.
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Salsarita's Fresh Mexican Grill is a chain of fast casual Tex Mex restaurants in the United States serving Mexican-style cuisine. Restaurant service consists of: dine-in, take-out, online ordering, 3rd Party Delivery with some locations offering Drive Thru options. The company is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, and operates over 80 company-owned and franchised restaurants throughout United States.
