Hold your hot sauce: Del Taco restaurants still coming to Hampton Roads

Following some delays, franchisee Steve Kissel said plans are still underway to bring the first Del Taco restaurants to Hampton Roads.

Kissel said he hopes to break ground on the first building in the second quarter of this year in Chesapeake. The second location will be in the Town Center area of Virginia Beach.

Kissel didn’t disclose the addresses for either restaurant as their final approvals are pending.

“We had some delays, but it’s still happening and will be coming to fruition,” he said. “We’re hopeful to put a shovel in the ground here in the next three to four months.”

He also said the business has locations in mind for half of the other eight units within Hampton Roads, but has not moved forward on them yet.

The Chesapeake location should open between September and the end of the year, he said. Virginia Beach should follow by the spring of 2024.

Founded 58 years ago, the Southern California-based fast food restaurant specializing in American-style Mexican cuisine was bought by Jack in the Box in the first quarter of 2022.

“We’re hopeful to be selling some tacos this year,” Kissel said.

Sandra J. Pennecke, 757-652-5836, sandra.pennecke@insidebiz.com