Taco Lovers Unite! #TacoGear

::Momma Disclosure:: This is a compensated post. All opinions expressed are true and my own. 

When I was first asked to review shirts about tacos, I knew I couldn't say no. Then I saw the Jesus Loves Tacos shirt on the Taco Gear website, and I was absolutely sure I couldn't say no. Plus there is one thing I love more than tacos and that is working with young Texas entrepreneurs. Supporting them and their pursuit of what they love.  Oh, and did I mention tacos? 

Side story, my dad's name is Jesus and yes, he really does love tacos. But, that's not why I wanted this shirt, or maybe, just a bit. He will probably think this shirt is about him. 

Gerald reached out to me and all I could think was I must go eat Tacos and I must bring Ariana of 3twentysix along. And, so we did. We both selected our favorite shirt from the Taco Gear website and then waited anxiously for them to arrive.  

::A little about Gerald and his story::

Photo Credit: Dustin Ashcraft

 Gerald, what is the name of your company and the creative behind it all?- 

"Taco Gear is the name of my company. We create taco apparel for taco lovers!

I've been a graphic designer for the last 10 years and a taco lover for life, working with businesses agencies and startups, creating and developing brands, advertisements and more.

My experience over the last 10 years has given me the ability to launch my own clothing/apparel line. This is something I have wanted to do for a very long time, and I am thrilled to have finally had the opportunity."

What was the driving force behind your brand?-

"I always knew I wanted to start my own business (apparel mostly), but never really knew what kind or what style. I've always collected and worn all types of t-shirts and appreciated the unique designs they had. I knew the market was flooded with so many companies selling their own graphic tees, so that was never really in my mind as something I would want to jump into. 

When I say I am a taco lover, I really mean it. Like many I know, I can and do eat tacos almost every day for breakfast lunch and dinner, and I usually do. 

One day, I was looking for a taco t-shirt. I wanted something simple that was designed well. I remember thinking, 

"I'm sure there's something cool out there that someone has created." 

It's so easy in today's market to launch a shirt design or online e-commerce business. I was very surprised to find that there were not very many options out there. The few options I found were mostly overdone jokes or badly designed. 

Then it hit me like a ton of bricks! I should design my own! My experience as a designer and lifelong taco lover have given me every single tool I need to launch my own taco apparel company.

I knew when I started, that I wanted to focus on taco related apparel only. The thought of Mexican / Spanish culture designs did cross my mind, but I knew there were already companies out there designing some amazing apparel in this area. So the decision to focus on tacos only, became even easier, and it's been so much fun!"

Want  to snag your own sweet JESUS LOVES TACOS t-shirt? 

Here is how....

Use code: houstontaco at checkout to get 10% off your first order!
Expires 9/21/2016 (end of summer)or Enter below to win one!!! 

Finally, what inspires you most and allows you to be creative?-

"Creativity can come from anywhere and at anytime, at least for me. I can be inspired to create a new design or slogan from anything really. It's because of this that I always write everything down. To quote Field Notes,

 "I'm not writing it down to remember it later, I'm writing it down to remember it now."

 As far as where I do most of my designing and creating, it's usually at a large desk in our living room either watching tv (listening really), or listening to music."

Do you want to follow, shop or just say hello?

Website: http://www.tacogear.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tacocreative

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tacocreative/

Tumblr: http://www.tacocreative.tumblr.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geraldrflores

Anyone is free to contact me via my social media networks or email me at gerald@tacocreative.com

Youtube: 

Also, could not forget, big thanks to my wild child and our blogger assistant for this collab, Cam. 
She loves tacos too. 

ENTER TO WIN:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

::Taco Cabana:: FREE Chicken Fajita Taco

::Momma Disclosure:: This is a compensated post. All information provided by PR/Media rep. 

To celebrate the launch of Taco Cabana’s month-long fundraiser, Taco Treat, to benefit the Warrior and Family Support Center, the brand will offer guests one FREE Chicken Fajita Taco from 5-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 6.

Throughout October, Taco Cabana guests can help raise money for the WFSC, an organization that provides essential programs and services to seriously wounded U.S. veterans and their families, by purchasing $1 coupon books. The coupon booklets include five free bean and cheese taco coupons and a bonus coupon from Coca-Cola, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the organization.

More information can be found in the press release below: 

TACO CABANA^® HOSTS FIFTH ANNUAL TACO TREAT FUNDRAISER THIS MONTH

Proceeds from treat books sold in October support wounded vets; free tacos on Oct. 6

SAN ANTONIO (Oct. 1, 2015) – Taco Cabana celebrates the return of its annual Taco Treat fundraiser in October that benefits the Warrior and Family Support Center (WFSC). The WFSC provides essential programs and services to seriously wounded U.S. veterans and their families during treatment, recovery and rehabilitation at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio.

During the month of October, all Taco Cabana locations in Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico will sell $1 coupon books, good for five free bean and cheese tacos, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to WFSC. This year, the books include a bonus coupon from Coca-Cola^® good for one free 20-oz. drink with the purchase of any item – bringing the value of the books to more than $7 in return for the $1 donation.

Additionally, from 5-8 p.m., on Tuesday, Oct. 6, each dine-in guest can enjoy one free Chicken Fajita Taco in honor of National Taco Day, while supplies last. No purchase or coupon is necessary to get the free taco.

“The WFSC is near and dear to our hearts at Taco Cabana, given the immense number of U.S. military stationed in Texas and across the region that we proudly serve each day,” said Taco Cabana Chief Operating Officer Todd Coerver. “Since the fundraiser’s inception in 2010, we’ve raised more than $300,000 and with the help of our partner Coca-Cola, we hope for the best year yet.”

The WFSC offers wounded vets and their families a place to gather, relax, receive emotional support and learn to cope with war-related disabilities as individuals, couples and families. The WFSC also provides vital family necessities including diapers, formula and food during times of great need and transition, and it also puts on special summer and winter camps for the children of wounded vets.

“We depend on the ongoing support of the local community to help us provide the necessary programs and services to WFSC members,” said Judith Markelz, Director of the WFSC. “The generosity of our friends and supporters helps the center maintain its goal of helping our war veterans and their families find a home away from home while recovering.”

For hours and other information regarding the Taco Cabana nearest you, please visitwww.tacocabana.com.

About Taco Cabana

Taco Cabana, a subsidiary of Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc., was founded more than 35 years ago in San Antonio and specializes in Mexican-inspired food made fresh by hand, including fajitas, quesadillas, flautas, enchiladas, burritos, tacos, flour tortillas and a selection of made-from-scratch salsas and sauces. Restaurants feature open-display cooking, a selection of beer and tequila margaritas, patio dining and drive-thru windows. As of July 30, 2015, Taco Cabana operates nearly 170 company-owned and franchised restaurants in Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico.

About Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc.

Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc., owns, operates and franchises Pollo Tropical^®, Taco Cabana and Cabana Grill^® restaurant brands. The brands specialize in the operation of fast casual, ethnic restaurants that offer distinct and unique flavors with broad appeal at a compelling value. The brands feature made-from-scratch cooking, fresh salsa bars, drive-thru service and catering. For more information about Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc., visit the corporate website at www.frgi.com.

About the Warrior and Family Support Center

The Warrior and Family Support Center (WFSC) provides coordinated services to wounded warriors, next-of-kin and extended family members, offering a friendly, comfortable environment for military families to reconnect during medical treatment. The only one of its kind in the Army, the WFSC allows wounded warriors and their family members to receive emotional support and answers to their questions, and to extend their rehabilitation away from the hospital. The $5.6 million WFSC facility was built in 2008, funded solely by donations, and is staffed by volunteers. The Center gives families a place to take a break, watch a movie on big-screen TV's, play video games, check email or use the Internet, select a book or magazine to read, make a phone call or just grab a cup of coffee.

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{A Taco Post} :)

The other day I read a post about Tacos ::taco post HERE::!

Then.

I wanted tacos!

A couple of nights later....friends came over and asked if we wanted to go eat some "street tacos"...from a near by taco truck... al carrito de los tacos...nos fuimos! Ha. My Hubby who is totally about me writing about super cool and "cultural" things says to me... you should totally Blog about this... Ha.  I had already thought about it, I tell him! Ha.

So, in our area we go to "Clay Road tacos" the real name is Tacos Arcoiris... they are somewhat near my home but if you ride down HWY 6 in any direction here in Houston....you can probably find more than a hand of full of these yumma tacos de carrito.....previously I would ONLY. ONLY. eat them from a taco truck in North side Houston...where I grew up... but the truck moved and even though others claim to be just as good..they really aren't. Mis favoritos son de cabeza, pastor o de suadero!

We love going but with the kids we usually opt for bring them back home since they are right off the side of a super busy street... check out my son's face in this picture..he said to me.. "Mom, there are cars coming..." HA. He meant off the side of the road...onto the sidewalk into the car wash where this taco truck sits... the waitress is a really straight forward lady who writes it all down and walks off with your order a couple of feet away into the taco truck which now after a couple of years has two cooks.  It's a small truck the works space is tiny and the demand is high. The cooks work their butts off but and the new truck in their parking spot is good proof of their hard earned money night after night.

The taco truck gets really busy, you grab your own drink and now they have extra snacks like Cheetos and Mexican candy..which my kids LOVE. Like I stated in a post before..my kids can't go to Mexico but this is totally an experience that I want them to embrace and love..they ate their taquitos de barbacoa and Cheetos..the best of both worlds and Momma and the Hubby were oh so very happy to number one; have a dinner OUT, literally..with friends and number two we ate such delicious food that totally hit the spot that night!

Did I mention the tacos are only $1.00! Great eat and good deal, for Houston that is!

Taco = Yumma food...

Stay tuned... more food post next week!!!