Westside Story – Parallel Universe leads me to Tijuana-Taco

By Joe Boyle

Back about 19 hundred and 43 Rocky Vanscyoc and I both came into this world. It was about as tough to be born during 1943, as it was to buy a 1943 automobile. Why?  Because World War II was raging on.

Most of the men with daddy potential were overseas fighting the war.  There were very few babies born during 1943.  That is why our wives consider us to be collector items.

As to 1943 automobiles, Rocky’s and my birth year car, America stopped making cars.  Instead they made tanks and bullets for the war effort.

Fast-forward to 1969 and we see both Rocky and me coming to Lakewood.  We came by different paths, but we came in the same year, nonetheless.

I was a sales representative for Washington Natural Gas Company.  A dear sweet lady, Ms. Emily Arron, a Properties Unlimited Realtor, was helping us look for a duplex to purchase in the Puyallup area.

When we could not find a Puyallup duplex, Emily, who has been gone now for many years, said, “I know you want a Puyallup duplex, but since we can’t find one in Puyallup, I would like to show you a Lakewood duplex.”

We said, “Where is Lakewood?”

We bought the Lakewood duplex and have lived here for 42 years.

Rocky’s story is different.  Rocky was in sunny California working in his dad’s Mobile Station when he captured a position as General Manager for about 30 Tijuana Taco Restaurants on the West Coast.  He was flying in and out of California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona and New Mexico.

Tijuana Taco was a new franchise business.  The owners planned to be the next McDonalds.

Ultimately, the original owners of the franchise concept decided it was not working, so they sold off or closed all their stores.  Rocky and his partner, Dennis Kleweno, became the owners of the Lakewood location.  In about 1973 they hired a manager for the Lakewood store.  Her name was Sharon.  In about 1975 there was a merger.  Rocky, the owner married Sharon, the manager.  They have been together ever since.

Now comes the second generation.  One of Rocky’s and Sharon’s daughters, Kelli Gomez, who grew up in Tijuana Taco, has taken over many of the management duties, along with her husband, Robert Gomez.  They are a great couple too.

Another amazing thing is the fact that many of the employees have been working at Tijuana Taco for years and in some cases, decades.  Because Tijuana Taco is a fun and happy place, many of the employees just never leave.

Now here is the deal.  Tijuana Taco is celebrating 42 years by offering us several menu items at 99 cents on Wednesday August 10, 2011.

It gets even better.  One of my favorite things to do is to eat for free at Tijuana Taco.  No, I am not talking about a “dine and dash”.

I am talking about the Tijuana Taco Stamp Sheet.  Get 5 stamps on any one food item and the next one is on Rocky.  For extra pleasure, I always yell to Rocky,  “Hey, Rocky, I am eating for free.”

Tijuana Taco is not typical fast cardboard food.  Tijuana Taco provides quick service with fresh ingredients prepared with skill and you end up with tasty Mexican food.

There is more.  Every day they have a different special that includes a beverage.

For 42 years Tijuana Taco has been one of my favorite places to eat.

Check it out.  Don’t miss 99-cent day on August 10, 2011.  Tell them Jose sent you.