America’s Taco Shop launches location in Melrose District

🌮 America’s Taco Shop is back in Phoenix with a new outpost in the former Melrose Kitchen space on the northwest corner of Seventh and Glenrosa avenues marking the once-celebrated brand’s second active Valley location.

The carne asada specialist opened its doors in 2008 and, under founders America Corrales and Terry Bortin, expanded rapidly across the Phoenix area before catching the attention of Scottsdale-based franchise giant Kahala, the company behind Cold Stone Creamery and other familiar names.

But growth came with growing pains. Over the following years, the brand weathered a multi-location raid tied to employee identity-theft allegations, the loss of liquor licenses at several stores, and tens of thousands of dollars in tax liens.

Now, after years of consolidation, America’s Taco Shop appears to be staking a fresh claim in Phoenix.

Open 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday.