What do you have against this chain, Boise? Meridian’s closed? A new restaurant opened?

We all have at least one fast-food guilty pleasure.

(No? Stop reading and go sword swallow another carrot.)

My weakness is Taco John’s.

When I was a kid, my mom used to grab a sackful of tacos for my brother and me on Taco Tuesdays — two for 99 cents! — and we’d walk across the street, sit in a shady park and feast.

Years later, I still lust for Taco John’s. Even if I hardly ever indulge, I sleep better knowing that if I’m overwhelmed by a sudden craving for familiar, pedestrian Tex-Mex, I have the ability to satisfy the urge.

Just one problem. Yesterday, a panicked text message flashed across my phone from a buddy: “Wtf? Taco johns closed?” A quick internet search yielded horror. The Taco John’s at 1410 W. McMillan Road in Meridian is gone. It’s been reincarnated as a Gandolfo’s New York Delicatessen.

To underscore how rarely that I actually scarf down Potato Oles, Taco John’s closed months ago — March 31, a spokesperson confirmed via email.

A few days ago, Gandolfo’s opened.

This leaves the entire state with four Taco John’s — our nearest being in lucky Mountain Home.

Look, Boise, I get it: You probably don’t care. You just want In-N-Out Burger in Idaho. Good luck with that.

Nevertheless, I’m starting to wonder if the odds of California’s beloved burger chain opening in Boise are better than a Taco John’s opening inside city limits.

Taco John’s opened the Meridian store in 2016. Before that, there was one in Nampa. It went belly up in 2014.

Like, what do you have against Taco John’s, Treasure Valley? Why can’t one survive long-term here?

Will Idaho’s capital city ever revel in its own Taco John’s? (Actually, Taco John’s has operated in Boise — many years ago.)

Brooks Speirs, the company’s vice president of franchise development, said the chain is looking at expanding into Boise. “We would be looking for local franchise owners to develop our new stand-alone prototype,” he said via email. “... We made some major changes to the brand in 2019 – new look, new marketing agency and new menu additions.”

Anybody want to start a local franchise with me?

In the meantime, we’ll have to get by on deli sandwiches.

Just be aware: Only the drive-thru is open at Gandolfo’s. The lobby should follow suit in a couple of weeks, according to the store’s Facebook page.

As bummed as I am about Taco John’s, I wish the best to the Gandolfo’s franchise owners. Restaurants are a tough racket — particularly nowadays.

Besides, that Rockefeller Reuben does look tasty — especially if it had a side of Potato Oles.

This story was originally published September 18, 2020 at 2:27 PM.