Tacolicious Faces Price Hikes Amid Tariffs
Recent tariff implementations on products imported from Canada and Mexico have led several businesses to adapt in order to mitigate potential economic impacts. One such establishment, Tacolicious, located in San Francisco, has announced a significant increase in the price of its popular guacamole.
Background of Tacolicious
Founded in 2009 as a taco stand at a local farmers market, Tacolicious has grown to establish three locations across the Bay Area. The restaurant gained a loyal customer base, including Bear and Emily Barnes, who have frequented its Marina district location for six years.
Customer Response to Price Increases
The Barneses expressed their support for Tacolicious, acknowledging the challenges that small businesses face in the area. “We see a lot of turnover in this street alone,” said Emily Leaden Barnes. “Having a restaurant like this be around for so long, we were just talking about how it’s one of our favorites to go to for just a random night of the week. We want to keep them open.”
Bear Barnes added, “I think it’s a challenging climate for all businesses, and like anything we can do to help support local businesses like this is super important just to keep the neighborhood thriving.”
Details of the Price Adjustments
In a communication to customers via social media, Tacolicious disclosed the necessity of raising the guacamole price from $13.50 to $16.75 due to the new tariffs imposed by the White House. Jerome Dees, a representative of Tacolicious, stated, “Our hearts are set on providing that value. This is definitely not what we wanted to charge for guacamole, but as a business we also have to make sure we have enough to pay the staff and keep the lights on.”
Additionally, the cost of limes has spiked, which has compelled the restaurant to adjust its margarita recipe, using a lemon/lime base derived from California-grown lemons instead. Dees expressed hope that operations would eventually stabilize, allowing for price reductions and a return to original recipes: “We’re watching it very carefully and that’s why we’ve done the adjustments the way we’ve done them that if this all goes away, we can revert to the menu that we had.”
Community Support and Future Outlook
Despite the price hikes, patrons like Bear and Emily Barnes remain committed to supporting Tacolicious. “Hurts in the short term for us to get the tacos; it’s definitely worth it to support the business,” Bear Barnes remarked, highlighting the restaurant’s importance to the community amidst difficult economic times.
