Tacos are all the rage in the largest city in Oise: “With these, you’re sure to be satisfied”

In the world of street food too, there are fashion phenomena. The “French tacos” is the one of the moment. These wheat pancakes topped with all kinds of meats of different sizes, but also fries and cheese sauce, are now popular with young people and adults.

After the grand opening of the fast food restaurant Flames Tacos in the city center of Beauvais at the beginning of June, here is the other giant of the sector, O’Tacosalso plans to open one of its points of sale in Beauvais (Oise), probably during the summer.

The market leading brand had already settled at the Jeu de Paume in 2018, before closing its doors some time later. She will therefore open her second fast-food restaurant in the department at Place Jeanne-Hachette, after that of Saint-Maximin.

Born in the suburbs of Lyon, the phenomenon of “French tacos” (or French tacos, not to be confused with those from Mexico) is therefore sweeping through the largest city in Oise.

Especially since other taco outlets were already established in the prefecture city, such as the Sun Burgerrue Gambetta, or the restaurant ToroTaillerie Street.

“O’Tacos is a sure bet”

This multiplicity of offers is in any case not to displease these young people, encountered in the streets of Beauvais. Kylian, 17, goes to school at the François Truffaut high school. “O’Tacos is a safe bet,” says the high school student.

Liam, 15, is licking his lips in anticipation. “This is so good! With this, you’re sure to be satisfied.” You’re really not hungry back there! » According to this “specialist”, the choice of sauces is essential if you order a taco. “Novices take ketchup or mayo. I take the Algerian sauce, because it is by far the best.”

Competitors close to each other

This unfeigned enthusiasm contrasts with the fears of the “taco veterans” in Beauvais, who fear this new competition.

At Toro, identified as a kebab-tacos, the orange facade of the number 1 in the sector is scary. Especially since the O’tacos window is visible from their terrace on Place Jeanne-Hachette.

It’s not good for turnover, that’s for sure. Especially since our costs (electricity, gas) have increased considerably this year.

Number 2 in the sector With 88 restaurants in France, the Chamas brand has chosen to move slightly outside the city center. By setting up on rue Jeanne D’Arcthis point of sale will be separated by only 500 meters from its direct competitor.

Its manager is not worried about it, however. Brahim Raouf has relied on other weapons to resist O’Tacos, including digital, marketing and door-to-door sale.

I am not worried, because in terms of value for money, we are very competitive. We have also focused on other areas to develop. We were not interested in setting up in a pedestrian area. Which means that today, we are the number 1 taco place on Uber Eats in Beauvais.

After a big startChamas Tacos relies mainly on the quality of its products to stand out and attract new customers, even if its core target remains the 15-35 ans.

“No more fast food than before”

The downtown manager from Beauvais, Arnaud Decombat, is not worried about the history of Tacos in Beauvais, and tries to reassure. “The Sun Burger, which was a pioneer a few years ago, certainly experienced a small drop in turnover with the arrival of Chamas at the start. But they have since made up for it very well. »

According to him, the number of fast food restaurants in Beauvais has not increased, despite this magnifying glass effect constituted by the successive arrival of numbers one and two in the sector in the city center in just three months. The latter refutes the term “invasion tacos”. “In fact, there are no more fast food outlets in Beauvais than before. Shamas tacos has replaced the Al-Karma sandwich shop. Poko, which made poke bowls, has become a plus-size clothing store. And O’Tacos is setting up in the former MS mode boutique,” ​​he explains.

Arguments that will have difficulty convincing Jiuan, 83 years old and a long-time Beauvais resident. The arrival of O’Tacos inspires the retiree, who knew the city center during its commercial glory, to make this lapidary comment: “Before there were banks everywhere. Now it’s the tacos! »

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