The grand opening of Scott Moore’s new venture, Calico Cactus, A Modern Taco Shop, in St. Augustine, is scheduled for Jan. 14.
The shop is in a former 2,400-square-foot Tijuana Flats at 833 S. Ponce de Leon Blvd., along the San Sebastian River in St. Augustine.
Calico Cactus announced the date on its Facebook page Jan. 6.
“We pride ourselves on building a strong community, and we invite you to be a part of it,” the announcement said.
Moore had expected to open Dec. 17, pending inspections and permits. He said Jan. 2 that “we are close.”
Moore, a co-founder of Maple Street Biscuit Co., developed Calico Cactus to sell soft flour tacos for breakfast and lunch and to operate a barista-staffed coffee bar.
The Calico Cactus tagline is Tacos-Queso-Coffee.
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Inc. paid $36 million in 2019 for Maple Street, which sells breakfast and lunch biscuit sandwiches and other items.
Moore developed the Calico Cactus concept after his commitment and noncompete agreement ended in November 2023 to stay with Maple Street at Cracker Barrel, which is based in Lebanon, Tennessee.
Moore had moved to Tennessee, where Calico Cactus will be based. Each shop will be operated locally.
The website is calicocactus.com.
At the St. Augustine shop, Moore said he is leaving most of the walls intact, but removing other interior decor and putting in millwork, banquettes, tables and chairs and a Corian-brand countertop for a tortilla island visible to customers.
Hours will be 7 a.m.-3 p.m. daily. Moore is hiring 25 full- and part-time employees.
Calico Cactus will be fast-casual, where guests will order at the front counter, take their seats and food will be delivered to the table.
Workers will make the flour tortillas throughout the day. Soft corn tortillas also will be available.
The menu focuses on soft tacos for breakfast and lunch with chips and dips, sides, salads, bowls, kids’ meals and sweet treats.
Moore said the tortillas, salsas and sauces will be made from scratch. A salsa station of mild, medium and hot sauces will allow customers to choose or mix to their tastes.
A barista-staffed coffee bar will feature coffee and tea, espresso drinks and lattes, and agua frescas, limeade and more. Oat milk and almond milk can be subbed into lattes for $1.
Bottles and cans will include Topo Chico, Mexican Coke, Diet Coke, Cheerwine, bottled water, sweet tea and chocolate milk.
Mimosas also are on the menu.
In addition to the barista-made drinks, there is a coffee service where customers can grab a cup and serve themselves.
Calico Cactus will seat 82 people inside and 24 on the patio. There is no drive-thru.
Being along the San Sebastian River, there is land for a deck that Moore said is planned in a second phase.
Parking is on-site at the shopping plaza, which Calico Cactus shares with Jersey Mike’s Subs and Orangetheory Fitness.
The website is calicocactus.com.
The menu has six “brekkie” and five “lunchier” tacos, along with a taco of the week.
Prices start at $3.75 for the M.T.D. (Meet The Day) taco of potato, eggs and Monterey Jack cheese. The Texas Hold ‘Em tops out at $5.25 with beef barbacoa brisket, eggs and Monterey Jack cheese.
Lunch tacos start at $3.75 for the Prairie Dog of refried beans, potato and Monterey Jack. That menu tops at $5.25 for the Fireproof of beef barbacoa brisket, potatoes, poblano pepper and queso.
There will be vegetarian and gluten-free options.
Calico Cactus is starting as a $2 million venture. Moore said he and the Calico Cactus partners, some who were Maple Street investors, set aside that amount to build the first stores and set the potential for franchising.
Moore said the St. Augustine restaurant will cost about $400,000 to complete the build-out.
In addition to St. Augustine, Calico Cactus signed a lease north of Atlanta in Alpharetta, Georgia, for space that could open in January.
A third location is expected.
Moore likes the Orlando and north Atlanta markets. Jacksonville also is in the mix.
He said the investment group wants to start franchising after the third company-owned community store.