STRONGSVILLE, Ohio — The local Taco Wars are heating up.
The Columbus-based chain Condado Tacos has announced it will open a new location in Strongsville this July. It will be the company's 19th restaurant across four different states, and the third in Northeast Ohio.
According to the city, Condado will occupy a 4,000-square-foot portion of the Royalton Collection, the new retail center across the street from SouthPark Mall. The eatery will apparently be able to seat 160 people, with an additional 44 spots available outside on a patio.
First opened in 2014, Condado follows the same build-your-own-taco concept as Barrio and was actually founded by Joe Kahn, a part of Barrio's original ownership group. The relationship between the two chains has been incredibly tense, so much so that Barrio actually sued Condado in 2018 on accusations that Kahn stole ideas to create his own business.
Barrio's attempt to block Condado from coming to Northeast Ohio failed, and the latter chained opened its first local spot at Orange Village's Pinecrest shortly thereafter. Another location later began serving tacos at Crocker Park in Westlake.
Not to be outdone, Barrio will also open its first Strongsville location at the former Molly McGhees Sports Bar on Prospect Road. An official opening date has not yet been announced.