Tres.
Three brothers, three beers to choose from, and a first—three vertical grills cooking up al pastor, carneasada and polloasada. But at the end of the day it is relationships first, and then the restaurant, said Ray Hallak. This is after opening up his new location Tres Taqueria, formally, Tres Hermanos, with his co-founders and brothers Sam and Saad.
Tres.
Three brothers, three beers to choose from, and a first—three vertical grills cooking up al pastor, carneasada and polloasada. But at the end of the day it is relationships first, and then the restaurant, said Ray Hallak. This is after opening up his new location Tres Taqueria, formally, Tres Hermanos, with his co-founders and brothers Sam and Saad.
Already the number one “taco shop” in El Cajon on Yelp, within a month and a half of its ribbon cutting (and having to start over with reviews) it is number one again. Hallak said it is continuing a legacy and good things are happening.
“I tend to be a personable person and when you exude that, it comes back,” he said. “It’s heartfelt and I really feel like we are part of the community.”
His father had the vision to purchase the land next to Tres Hermanos, wanting to preserve the family restaurant from other conflicts of interest, as a business. Hallak said during the process, they realized they had something special. They hired an authentic Mexican chef, loved what it became, creating a foundation to move forward. “So I’m really honoring his legacy in purchasing that property to ensure there was nothing there that would harm us as a business,” he said.
At this location, what is really a driving point for Tres Taqueria is the new taqueria bar.
“You will not see anything like it in the country,” he said. “I literally created it from nothing and something that will set the curve for other taco shops to mimic. You’ll never see three vertical broilers in front of you at another taco bar cooking fresh traditional al pastor, and cutting carneasada and polloasada. This is unheard of, even in Mexico. It’s an honor to be the first, it’s an honor to have it in East County, and it’s humbling that something that you thought of that works.”
He said there are plenty of taco shops out there, but what differentiates Tres Taqueria is that the food is fantastic, and authentic with California flair.
“We’re not catering like the other taco shops into creating American food,” he said. “Everything here is authentic. You can add any ingredient you want, but the food stands on its own without all the added ingredients that most tacos shops cater to.”
In a discussion of what to name the restaurant, with Kelly M. Daley, who designed the modern trendy ambiance, she said, “Tres,” and that is where the vertical broiler came in.
“Three of everything,” he said. “And if I open other places in the future, I would like to parlay it to that, simply Tres. It would honor my two younger brothers and the concept.”
Hallak said his heart is really near and dear to schizophrenia. Before he knew what it was, he said he thought those people were drug addicts. That is where the Assisted Restaurants Meals Program appeared, he said.
“They aren’t,” he said. “I’m always hurt as how I was to them when I didn’t know. Now, these people come in to eat and they pay nothing. Now they put a smile on my face when they come in. It helps them, and it helps me. It’s a program that eventually pays me for food that I provide to the disable, homeless and senior citizens. I am the only approved Mexican restaurant in the county.”
He said that sense of community, great food, family, and friends are the measure of success of Tres Taqueria. Already known for its signature dishes, the Shrimp Burrito and the Cubana Torta, its Machaca Burrito is currently in the running for 91x Radio’s “Best Breakfast Burrito Challenge.”
“So something good is still happening,” he said. “Truly, this place is an extension of my father. It is an honor to fulfill his legacy of who he was as a man. He was a huge part of the community. Everyone knew him, and everyone called him ‘Pops.’ It is great to be a part of the same community that he was. And my mom cutting the ribbon—was perfect. It couldn’t be better.”
Tres Taqueria is located at 101 West Washington Avenue in El Cajon. You can find out more about Tres on Facebook, Instagram or visit www.440taco.com.
