Texas taco chain makes Triangle debut soon. When the new restaurant will open
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Velvet Taco, a Dallas chain, will open its first Raleigh location Feb. 16.
- Menu emphasizes globally-inspired taco fillings, with most priced between $4 and $6.
- North Hills gains another taco option amid broader Texas-brand expansion in the Triangle.
The Texas invasion into the Triangle’s dining scene continues.
Velvet Taco, a Dallas-based taco chain, is opening its first Raleigh restaurant next month.
The company has two existing locations, both in Charlotte, and the North Hills store will be the first in central North Carolina.
Velvet Taco was founded in the Lone Star State, yes, but unlike the state’s other food chains that have expanded outside Texas’ borders, Velvet Taco doesn’t lean into Tex-Mex.
Former CEO Clay Dover described North Hills as the “ideal” location for Velvet Taco’s “boundary-pushing culinary vision” in a May 2025 news release.
“As we strategically expand nationwide, this vibrant Raleigh location embodies exactly what we seek — a dynamic community hungry for bold, global flavors,” Dover said. “Our mission has always been to shatter expectations of what a taco can be.”
Velvet Taco menu
Staying far from grilled chicken and steak on corn or flour, Velvet Taco offers unusual takes on tacos.
The Spicy Tikka Chicken taco is stuffed with crisp tenders, spicy tikka sauce, buttered cilantro basmati rice, crema and Thai basil. The Korean Fried Rice taco has pulled pork, gochujang egg fried rice, red chile aioli, pickled red onion, jalapeños, grilled pineapple and cilantro. There are also vegetarian options — beer-battered cauliflower, fried paneer and Nashville hot tofu.
Most tacos are available for $4-$6 each.
Velvet Taco’s unique flavors extend into the add-ons, too. The fast-casual restaurant serves blue corn chips with guacamole or queso, but also makes Red Curry Coconut Queso ($6) and Elote Guac, which combines guacamole with the popular Mexican street food.
Instead of churros, sopapillas or tres leches for dessert, Velvet Taco serves red velvet cake for about $4 a slice.
On the cocktail menu, customers will find staples including margaritas — frozen or on the rocks — and ranch water ($8-$9).
Velvet Taco’s first Triangle location
Velvet Taco is moving into the former World of Beer at 4208 Six Forks Road in the Park District of North Hills.
It is expected to open Monday, Feb. 16, a public relations representative who works with Velvet Taco confirmed to The News & Observer in an email.
Velvet Taco will be the second taco-focused restaurant at North Hills, joining Bartaco in the Main District.
Barking Dog, a pet-friendly restaurant and bar, is the latest dining concept to open at North Hills. Two other eateries have been announced: Standard, anticipating a summer debut, and Benchwarmers Bagels, in the spring.
Texas comes to the Triangle
Austin-based Torchy’s Tacos arrived in Raleigh — and in North Carolina — in 2021. The restaurant joined the Wegmans-anchored Midtown East shopping center at the corner of Six Forks and Wake Forest roads.
Another Texas favorite, Whataburger, is also building a restaurant at that intersection. It’s expected to open this spring.
Wake County’s first Whataburger will open in Wake Forest in early March.
This story was originally published January 27, 2026 at 11:35 AM with the headline "Texas taco chain makes Triangle debut soon. When the new restaurant will open."
