Mission Taco Joint Opening in East Crossroads Next Week, Taste of San Francisco MexiCali Street Food

You can thank the U.S. Coast Guard for the new Mission Taco Joint that’s scheduled to open this Monday at 409 E. 18th St. in the East Crossroads.

Jason and Adam Tilford, the brothers who founded the St. Louis-based chain, grew up moving up and down the California coast following their dad’s Coast Guard career.

It was the Mission District of San Francisco that inspired their approach to food.

“The Mission District is know for its taquerias and murals,” said Matt Turner, the manager of the new Kansas City operation. “It’s a MexiCali street food approach.”

Mission Taco Joint’s food truck.

Turner was taking a break from getting the restaurant ready for its opening next week. New tables were out, and the bar was being stocked. This is the first venture outside of the St. Louis area for the restaurant, and the fifth Mission Taco Joint to open overall.

Turner said Mission Taco Joint was attracted to its new Crossroads location by its next door neighbor, International Tap House, which just opened in June. I-tap also is based in St. Louis, and a similar pairing is found there.

The manager said Mission Taco Joint prides itself on using the highest quality ingredients and keeping things fresh, from the juice mixers used in its cocktails to food it serves. He said it inspires both staff and customers.

“We want it to be the freshest, best, highest quality,” he said. “It gets the staff into it as well as our customers.”

Mission Taco Joint is opening next door to the new International Tap House at 18th and Oak.