Carlos Medina
Carlos turned his grandmother's taco cabana recipes into a culinary legacy. With 20+ years in the kitchen, his passion for bold, authentic flavors is the soul of Cabana Taco.
Cabana Taco was born from a simple dream: bring the soul of authentic taco cabana cooking to the streets of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Founded in 2009 by the Medina family — lifelong lovers of Mexican street food — our restaurant started as a small roadside stand on Montgomery Blvd.
What began with three tables and a homemade salsa recipe passed down through generations quickly became a community staple. Our tacocabana-inspired menu celebrates the bold, layered flavors of traditional Mexican cuisine — using only the freshest local produce, hand-ground spices, and slow-cooked proteins.
Today, Cabana Taco serves hundreds of families every week, and our commitment remains unchanged: every dish is made with love, every guest is treated like family, and every bite carries the story of where we came from.
We exist to make authentic taco cabana cuisine accessible, affordable, and unforgettable for every guest who walks through our doors.
To serve authentic, freshly prepared Mexican food that nourishes the body, warms the heart, and connects people through the power of great taste.
To become the most beloved taco cabana destination in the Southwest — a place where tradition meets innovation on every plate.
Every ingredient is sourced fresh each morning. No shortcuts, no frozen shortcuts — just honest food made the old-fashioned way, every day.
We invest in our neighborhood — from local suppliers to school fundraisers — because Cabana Taco is more than a restaurant; it's a community hub.
From a humble roadside stand to a beloved Albuquerque institution — here's how the tacocabana dream unfolded over the years.
The Medina family opens a small roadside stand on Montgomery Blvd with a folding table, a propane grill, and their grandmother's secret salsa recipe. Lines form within the first week.
After three years of a packed food truck, Cabana Taco opens its first permanent location at 8330 Montgomery Blvd NE. The dining room seats 40 and fills up every night.
Demand for Cabana Taco at local events, weddings, and corporate gatherings leads to the launch of our full-service catering division, bringing taco cabana flavor directly to your celebration.
Cabana Taco earns "Best Mexican Restaurant in Albuquerque" from the Albuquerque Journal Readers' Choice Awards — voted by the community we serve every day.
We bring Cabana Taco to your doorstep with the launch of online ordering and delivery, making authentic taco cabana cuisine available across Albuquerque with just a few clicks.
Cabana Taco opens its doors to franchise partners, inviting passionate food lovers across the United States to bring the tacocabana experience to new communities nationwide.
Every dish at Cabana Taco tells the story of our family heritage and culinary passion.
We believe food should ignite joy. Every recipe is tested, refined, and perfected until it brings that first-bite smile — every single time.
We source locally whenever possible and prep everything fresh each morning. Our kitchen does not do freezer shortcuts — ever.
Our table is open to everyone. We celebrate diversity through food, welcoming guests of all backgrounds with warmth and genuine hospitality.
We minimize waste, use eco-friendly packaging, and support local farmers — because great food and a healthy planet go hand in hand.
Passionate cooks, welcoming hosts, and food lovers — the Cabana Taco team is the heart behind every taco cabana dish we serve.
Carlos turned his grandmother's taco cabana recipes into a culinary legacy. With 20+ years in the kitchen, his passion for bold, authentic flavors is the soul of Cabana Taco.
Sofia is the operational heartbeat of Cabana Taco. From guest experience to supplier relationships, her warmth and sharp eye for detail keeps everything running perfectly.
A culinary school graduate with a love for tacocabana street food traditions, Marco brings innovation to the kitchen while keeping every dish true to its authentic roots.
Lucia orchestrates every catering event with flawless precision and genuine enthusiasm. From small family gatherings to large corporate events, she makes every occasion special.
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