A brief history of King Taco
 
Before the opening of his first restaurant, thoughts of a business were just talked about over tacos, burritos, and arroz con pollo during an afternoon picnic with his wife, Maria, in 1969. Raul O. Martinez, Sr. lit the barbecue and shortly after, a group of young soccer players hurried over to see what smelled so good. Raul and Maria sold all the food they had prepared that day. Soon after, the family purchased an ice cream truck that was converted into a "restaurant on wheels". On a hot summer's night in 1974, Raul, his father and his wife Maria parked outside of an East Los Angeles bar and sold $70 dollars worth of tacos. The next night they doubled their sales, and six months later they opened the first King Taco location.
 
As the business grew, the family opened King Taco # 2 and additional locations made their presence in Commerce, two locations in El Monte, Baldwin Park and even a Pasadena location which is located outside the traditional Latino target market. Additional locations quickly popped up in the Los Angeles area to appeal mainly to the Latino population. About 80 percent of King Taco's patrons are Latino.To date there are 21 locations throughout Los Angeles county. The owner's son, Raul D. Martinez Jr. came on as Vice President in 1992, and his other son Luis is Vice President of Operations. They have created marketing sponsorships with the Toyota Long Beach Grand Prix and the Rose Bowl. Building a relationship purely by word of mouth is what King Taco has done.
 
King Taco has very loyal customers like Marco Bhimani a Web Author from East Los Angeles, "I eat here at least four times a week" he says. Sometimes when Marco gets off work late his favorite location on Third Street in East LA is packed with others who love King Taco, "Even at 3am it's busy on weekdays", he says. "I love it! I've been a customer since 1996, when I first ate at the El Monte location on Peck Road in El Monte. Taco Bell could never come close."
 
The company's growth has been steady since the development of the first restaurant. With a high standard of quality and service, King Taco Restaurants are viewed as, not only a successful business but a community partner.
 
 
President/Owner: Raul O. Martinez Sr.
Vice President: Raul D. Martinez Jr.
Vice President of Operations: Luis Martinez
King Taco's Mission: To help people appreciate authentic Mexican food.
Year Founded: 1974
Locations: 21 to date