Torchy's Tacos is marking its 20th anniversary with a value bundle designed to drive traffic and reward loyal guests. The Taco Two-Step deal—two signature tacos, chips and salsa, and a fountain drink starting at $9.95—is available now for a limited time across the chain's more than 115 U.S. locations.

The move is a clear signal that fast-casual operators are doubling down on perceived value without discounting their core product. Rather than shrinking portions or swapping in lower-cost components, Torchy's is leaning on its scratch-made identity to anchor the offer. "Value never means cutting corners," said Paul Macaluso, CEO of Torchy's Tacos. "Every Taco Two-Step is built with scratch-made salsas, house-pressed tortillas and fresh ingredients."

The Menu Lineup

The Taco Two-Step draws from four of the chain's fan-favorite SKUs: the Trailer Park (fried chicken, green chiles, pico de gallo, poblano sauce on flour); the Green Chile Pork (carnitas, cotija, tomatillo salsa on corn); the Chicken Fajita (marinated grilled chicken, grilled peppers and onions, tomatillo salsa on flour); and the Avocado, a vegetarian option featuring fried or fresh avocado, refried pinto beans and poblano sauce on corn. The selection spans protein types and tortilla formats, giving operators a broad appeal across dayparts.

For fast-casual restaurant operators watching value-engineering strategies, the architecture of the deal is worth noting: Torchy's is bundling high-margin beverages and a shareable side item with its core entrée, a structure that can lift average check while maintaining a competitive entry price point.

Beyond the Bundle

The birthday campaign extends well past the combo deal. On August 1, Torchy's introduces the Muay Thai as its Taco of the Month for August—a crispy fried shrimp taco coated in panang curry sauce and topped with cabbage slaw, fajita peppers, a chile-lime cucumber spear, peanuts, green onion, Thai basil and lime. The LTO reflects the brand's ongoing strategy of using monthly rotating tacos to generate social buzz and repeat visits, a tactic that has become a key loyalty driver in the fast-casual segment.

The chain is also releasing a limited-edition Torchy's-branded Monopoly game featuring brand-inspired properties and menu references. The game will be gifted to select Rewards members and made available for purchase while supplies last—a merchandise play that reinforces community identity and extends brand exposure beyond the restaurant.

Founder Mike Rypka reflected on the milestone: "Twenty years ago, Torchy's was one food trailer, a red Vespa and a belief that tacos could be anything but ordinary." The Austin-born brand has since expanded to more than 115 locations nationally while maintaining its scratch-made positioning. As inflation-weary guests continue to scrutinize dining value, the Taco Two-Step arrives at a moment when fast-casual chains across the industry are competing fiercely on the price-to-quality ratio.

Written by Michael Politz, Author of Guide to Restaurant Success: The Proven Process for Starting Any Restaurant Business From Scratch to Success (ISBN: 978-1-119-66896-1), Founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, the leading online magazine and resource in the industry. Designer of the Bluetooth logo and recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine's "Top 40 Under 40" for founding American Wholesale Floral, Politz is also the Co-founder of the Proof Awards and the CPG Awards and a partner in numerous consumer brands across the food and beverage sector.