Fast food revolucion

El Taco, a Mexican restaurant in Nelson, is owned by father-daughter team, Gil and Justine Langevin.

1 of 2Gil and Justine Langevin, father and daughter, are the owners of El Taco in Nelson. — Photo courtesy Justine Langevin

2 of 2Gil Langevin checks out the new White Rock location. — Photo courtesy Justine Langevin

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No, that's no spelling mistake, it is Spanish for revolution—and revolution is what makes El Taco in Nelson tick.

Ask owners Justine and Gil Langevin, a father-daughter team, about this when you are next in Nelson, and they will fill you in. Or you might catch them in White Rock or downtown Vancouver at their Lower Mainland El Taco restaurants.

“We are very passionate about revolutionizing the fast food industry,” said Justine. “No more childhood obesity or other health issues that come from eating processed foods.”

“El Taco … welcome to the fast food revolucion” is the Langevins' ethos for business.

“We spell revolucion in Spanish to help keep it ours,” said Justine.

“We take pride in the quality and flavour of our food,” said Gil. “We claim to be leading a fast food revolution, where you don't have to sacrifice flavour and nutrition in order to get your food fast and affordable.”

The Langevins' is a local success story. Justine and her father started a small taco stand in Nelson in 2004 with $5,000 each. They have always been passionate about food and Mexican culture, and when they got together to brainstorm ideas, El Taco was the result. Within four months, they had to expand their space.

“Eight years later we have three restaurants and will do over a million dollars in sales this year,” said Gil. “We are now ready to start franchising and are looking at Cranbrook. Invermere, Golden, Revelstoke and Kamloops as potential areas for an El Taco.”

Both Justine and her dad have travelled in Mexico. Justine's first trip was as a toddler with her parents. Her home away from home is a rustic beach village near Puerto Vallarta. She said she lived there seasonally and met many wonderful women, who taught her valuable Mexican cooking techniques. Justine said for the Langevins, this means slow cooking, organic if or when possible and local when available.

“We are in the process of going through a nutritional analysis of all our food,” said Justine.

She said that they believe the customer should have dietary options—whether it be wheat-free or no spice—and said they want to invigorate their clients so that they leave satisfied.

The Langevins are now looking to expand and are offering franchises. Justine said they want to make them available for people who share their passion for good food and culture. Details of the franchise package are available online.

A family type of place

Another nice thing from El Taco is that your first meal as a new mom is free, and the Nelson eatery has a play area for kids. Justine and her husband, Ruben Lorenzo, have two children, Mattea and Lazlo, so the restaurants are very family friendly. Ruben, also involved in the business, hails from Mexico and loves being in the kitchen and sharing his family's recipes.

Check out El Taco's website.