Central Florida

Loca Elotes Expanding With Full-Service Restaurant In Port Orange

Birria tacos, elote, and Mexican street snacks headline Loca Elotes’ first sit-down restaurant in Port Orange.

Image from Loca Elotes on Instagram

PORT ORANGE, FL — Loca Elotes, the Mexican street corn brand that began as a food truck, is expanding with a full-service restaurant at The Pavilion at Port Orange.

Owner Dominique Gonzales told Business Debut the restaurant is targeting a mid-January opening at The Pavillion at Port Orange: 5501 S. Williamson Blvd., Suite 915, Port Orange, FL 32128.

What to Expect

The Port Orange location will mark the brand’s fourth overall location and its first full-service restaurant, allowing guests to dine in rather than order counter-style only. The space will offer approximately 20 indoor seats and is located near the movie theater at The Pavilion.

Unlike Loca Elotes’ mall-based locations, this restaurant is designed as a sit-down experience where guests can relax without navigating mall traffic or parking, Gonzales said.

Loca Elotes originally launched as a food truck serving Mexican street-style snacks, including elote, fresh fruit, and strawberries and cream. The Port Orange restaurant represents a new chapter, expanding into a broader food menu that includes tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and loaded fries.

Menu highlights will include birria-based items such as birria tacos, hot Cheetos birria tacos, birria quesadillas, and birria loaded fries, alongside traditional steak and classic Mexican tacos. Gonzales said the menu will balance familiar favorites with popular new items.

“We never really did food like tacos and stuff before, so us doing this now is a whole new adventure for us that we’re excited about,” Gonzales told Business Debut.

The team is also exploring the possibility of offering a full bar. If a full liquor license is not secured, the restaurant plans to offer beer and wine.

Ownership and Growth

Gonzales started Loca Elotes in 2018 after moving back to Florida from Chicago, launching the business as a food truck focused on Mexican street snacks. By 2019, the brand had gained traction, eventually leading to brick-and-mortar locations.

Expansion opportunities came through connections with CBL Properties, including Melissa McAdams, who helped bring Loca Elotes to both Volusia Mall and The Pavilion at Port Orange.

Gonzales credited her partner Jessica Ruiz, her daughter Desiree Garcia, and her staff for supporting the brand’s continued growth.