Jefe's Street Tacos & More Opens Brick and Mortar

Jefe’s Street Tacos & More Opens a Brick-and-Mortar

Following his dream, Sammy Silva has turned his food truck into a brick-and-mortar restaurant, expanding the menu for its loyal customers.

Menu items from Jefe’s Street Tacos & More

Menu items from Jefe’s Street Tacos & More | Photo by Benjamin Zaragosa

In 2017, Sammy Silva introduced Jefe’s Street Tacos & More to Corpus Christi through a vibrant food truck that quickly became beloved. After six years of culinary adventures on wheels, he has taken a significant step and realized a long-held dream by opening a brick-and-mortar location.

Once the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the plans for the restaurant were stalled, but as usual, our wonderful community came through and the food truck saw a surge in popularity as people sought out convenient and delicious options, reinforcing Silva’s confidence in expanding his business. The new restaurant not only provides a permanent home for Jefe’s but also addresses the limitations faced by the food truck. 

“With the brick-and-mortar, we have more space and can offer a bigger menu,” Silva explained. “We can also include new items we couldn’t in the food truck due to space limitations and time constraints.” 

Jefe’s Street Tacos & More is known for its titular menu item, but the new restaurant now caters to a wide range of tastes: Diners will still find classics like quesadillas, tacos, corn cups and asada fries, plus welcome additions packing a flavorful punch. 

The return of the El Gordo burger, featuring a sweet sourdough grilled bun enveloping an eight-ounce all-beef patty topped with fresh onions, tomatoes, lettuce, pickles and smothered with the signature Jefe sauce, promises a delicious bite—well, several, especially served with a side of crispy fries. 

Other innovative menu items include the quesitaco, with homemade corn tortillas fried tostada-style and transformed into crispy, sandwich-style quesadillas, and the Papa Asada, a loaded baked potato filled with melted Monterrey jack cheese, carne asada, onion, cilantro, butter and sour cream. 

Silva’s training as a chef also allows for creative experimentation, and bulgogi, teriyaki and even smoked birria tacos are on the menu’s horizon. 

Heather Garcia, Silva’s fiancée, brings her baking expertise to the table, crafting delightful desserts like Tres Leches and sopapillas, with plans to introduce homemade pan dulce and a variety of other cake flavors, providing a sweet ending to an already flavor-packed meal. 

Sammy Silva, owner of Jefe's Street Tacos & More
Sammy Silva | Photo by Benjamin Zaragosa

Opening a restaurant comes with its own set of challenges, and Silva noted the differences in logistics between running a food truck and a restaurant. “In a food truck, you can move to where the people are, but with the restaurant, you have to attract people to your location,” he said. Fortunately, the community’s support has been overwhelming, helping to build a loyal customer base.

Silva’s vision doesn’t stop here—he plans to expand the brand through franchising, targeting areas like Calallen and Portland, where the food truck has already established a strong following and the restaurant will be welcomed. 

Jefe’s Street Tacos & More is more than just a place to eat; it’s a testament to Silva’s dedication and passion for culinary excellence and a love of the community. 

Jefe’s is open Tuesday-Thursday 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.-11 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m.-3 p.m. 

4301 S. Alameda St.  |  @jefesstreettacos


Check out our recent print story on some unique and delicious eats you can grill right at home.