Something to talk about: Birria tacos, more on menu at new Jacksonville Beach restaurant

A pair of cousins have something to talk about.

Franchise co-owners Jason Malih and Elias Ishak have opened the first Talkin' Tacos in Northeast Florida at Jacksonville Beach. Another will follow soon at St. Johns Town Center in Jacksonville.

The fast-casual Mexican concept is known for its "chef-driven menu" featuring fresh-from-scratch beef Birria — showcased in a grilled cheese sandwich, ramen bowls, tacos and burritos — as well as Carne Asada, Southwest Chicken, Caribbean steak tacos and more.

Based in South Florida, the restaurant began as a food truck three years ago and has expanded to six brick-and-mortar restaurants statewide, including Jacksonville Beach at 1300 Beach Blvd., in Beach Plaza shopping center, next to Southern Swells Brewing Co.

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The new 2,250-square-foot restaurant boasting a large patio and bar with countertop seating replaces The Mini Bar Donuts + Coffee, which closed in February after five years.

Meanwhile, buildout is underway on a second area Talkin' Tacos at 4853 Big Island Drive in Town Center Plaza adjacent to St. Johns Town Center. More locations are planned in the future, Malih told the Times-Union.

"We have multiple [Talkin' Tacos] in the works and our Town Center location should be open around the end of the year," he said of the upcoming 1,812-square-foot restaurant, which will be next to the newly opened Mayday Ice Cream and upcoming DOS Coffee & Wine.

Deciding to bring the concept to the Jacksonville area essentially was a no-brainer, said Malih, who along with Ishak are experienced businessmen. They run multiple JC's Fresh Seafood restaurants as well as smoke shops in the area.

Personal preference and a "need" for Talkin' Tacos, Malih said, contributed to their decision to become franchisees of the concept that features eye-catching hand-painted murals and neon signs.

“There’s a huge void for a unique Mexican restaurant that not only infuses a Miami vibe into the experience, but the service is also quick without compromising on quality," he said, noting "there's nothing like us in the area."

The quality of the food sealed the deal.

"I couldn’t find a better-tasting taco than ours," said Malih, adding the way Talkin' Tacos decorates its restaurants "is very unique and colorful and something I feel Jacksonville lacks."

On the menu at Talkin' Taco

Topping the menu is the beef Birria, which is braised for 12 hours daily during the cooking process, according to Talkin' Tacos officials. Customer favorites include the following:

• Beef Birria Tacos ($14.99): Three Birria tacos with Oaxaca cheese, onions and cilantro served with consommé

• Birria Ramen Bowl ($11.99): Ramen noodles, Birria, consommé, onions and cilantro

• Birria Grilled Cheese ($14.99): Birria on Texas toast with cheese, onions, and cilantro, served with fries and tomato basil soup

• Carne Asada Tacos ($14.99): Three grilled steak tacos with salsa verde, onions and cilantro

• Rice Bowls ($13.99): Mexican rice, refried beans, lettuce, Pico de Gallo and Avocado Ranch dressing. Birria, chicken or steak available for an upcharge

• Caribbean Steak Tacos ($14.99): Three marinated steak tacos with sliced plantains and cojita cheese

Homemade salsas along with quesadillas, burritos, guacamole and chips round out the savory menu.

Desserts include Tres Leche Cake and Dulce de Leche Cheesecake ($5.49 per slice). Homemade specialty beverages such as horchata and multiple lemonades are available as well as Mexican sodas and other soft drinks.

Gluten-free and vegan options are available, according to the Talkin' Tacos website.

South Florida entrepreneurs and childhood best friends, Mohammad Farraj and Omar Al-Massalkhi founded Talkin' Tacos in amid the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. As the concept's popularity grew, they opened the first brick-and-mortar restaurant in Miramar in 2021. The second restaurant followed in Miami’s Brickell neighborhood later that year and another in Miami's Wynwood neighborhood in October 2022. Talkin' Tacos also has locations in Wellington and Coral Springs, its website shows.

Talkin’ Tacos is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Sunday. The restaurant features self-serve kiosks where customers can place their orders, eliminating the cashier position and allowing for faster service, Talkin' Tacos said in a news release.

Teresa Stepzinski is the dining reporter for the Times-Union. Follow her on Twitter @TeresaStepz or reach her via email at tstepzinski@jacksonville.com.

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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Talkin' Tacos, known for Birria tacos and more, opens in Jacksonville