About us
A Message from our Founder, Chuck
Chuck & Pat Kraus opened their first Taco Via at 75th & Metcalf on Nov. 6th, 1974. In the years that followed, they continued expansion efforts and ultimately owned and operated nine franchised locations throughout the Kansas City area. Four months after opening their first Taco Via the Kraus family began operating the 95th & Antioch store in March of 1975.
Chuck and Pat were blessed to have five children, all of which worked at the different Taco Viá restaurants during their teen and college years. Having their kids working in the store brought the family friendly environment to the business.
After 36 years on 95th street, Valley View Shopping Center where the store was located was demolished and was replaced by a local grocery store and shops. Chuck and Pat knew they needed to find a new home for the beloved classic and saw the opportunity to not be too far from home. They decided to buy the “Blockbuster” building across the street from their previous location. They remodeled the building in 2011 and released part of the building for the Sherwin Williams next door.
During the time that the location was closed it appeared the Taco Via fanbase and family came together in preparation and excitement over the new location! A fan run Facebook page was created during the time remodeling was taking place. The page called, “I love the Taco Via!!!” reached over 4,000 followers and became a community of people with a passion for the beloved classic that is Taco Via.
With much anticipation, the store re-opened in November of 2011 and shattered all sales records thanks to all of those who waited and supported Taco Via during remodeling.
Taco Via on 95th street has continued to be a family run business, in 2011 Chuck and Pat’s oldest granddaughter began working and continuing the family traditions that her grandfather and father began across the street.
Now, Chuck and Pat’s youngest granddaughter has been passed the torch and will begin working at Taco Via in the summer of 2020!
Chuck and Pat are so grateful to the customers that have been coming into Taco Via for the last 45 years, they see each and every one of them as a family and know that without them there would be no Taco Via.
Store History
Chuck & Pat Kraus opened their first Taco Via at 75th & Metcalf on Nov. 6th, 1974. In the years that followed, they continued expansion efforts and ultimately owned and operated nine franchised locations throughout the Kansas City area. Four months after opening their first Taco Via the Kraus family began operating the 95th & Antioch store in March of 1975.
Chuck and Pat were blessed to have five children, all of whom worked at the different Taco Via restaurants during their teen and college years. Having their kids working in the store brought a family-friendly environment to the business.
After 36 years on 95th street, Valley View Shopping Center where the store was located was demolished and was replaced by a local grocery store and shops. Chuck and Pat knew they needed to find a new home for the beloved classic and saw the opportunity to not be too far from home. They decided to buy the “Blockbuster” building across the street from their previous location. They remodeled the building in 2011 and released part of the building for the Sherwin Williams next door.
During the time that the location was closed, it appeared the Taco Via fanbase and family came together in preparation and excitement over the new location! A fan run Facebook page was created during the time remodeling was taking place. The page called, I love the Taco Via!!! reached over 4,000 followers and became a community of people with a passion for the beloved classic that is Taco Via.
With much anticipation, the store re-opened in November of 2011 and shattered all sales records thanks to all of those who waited and supported Taco Via during remodeling.
Taco Via on 95th street has continued to be a family run business, in 2011 Chuck and Pat’s oldest granddaughter began working and continuing the family traditions that her grandfather and father began across the street.
Now, Chuck and Pat’s youngest granddaughter has been passed the torch and will begin working at Taco Via in the summer of 2020!
Chuck and Pat are so grateful to the customers that have been coming into Taco Via for the last 45 years, they see each and every one of them as a family and knows that without them there would be no Taco Viá
Employee Spotlights
Debbie Izard is our most well known and recognized employees. In fact, she worked for the Taco Via parent company several years prior to joining our team. She began working for Taco Via while in high school and continues to be an incredible asset for our company. Although she could retire now, we all hope she never does. She has worked for Taco Via for 52 years, and she knows most of our customers by name. Debbie has been and still is one of the most important components of our success.
Tim Dengel began working with Chuck Kraus when he was 18 years old. He has managed several of the restaurants that Chuck and Pat have owned over many years. Sales have increased at every single location that he has managed, and although he may want to retire after his 50 years of service, we have heard from our Taco Via family that not a single person wants that to happen. So, Tim and his million-dollar smile will be with us far into the future!