Rasta Taco® was born on a hot afternoon in Jamaica when Mario “Maji” Melendez, a former clothing designer, found himself scribbling down ideas on a napkin, poolside at a resort. Little did he know that his vacation dream of bringing the flavors of Jamaican jerk chicken to the United States would grow into something much bigger.
What started with a small restaurant in Laguna Beach grew into a popular mobile Mexican-Jamaican-fusion Taco Catering business, bringing Mario’s famous “One Love” concept to weddings, corporate events, parties, and anywhere happiness and tacos can be delivered.
As Rasta Taco® continued to grow, the business expanded beyond tacos, too. Today, Rasta Taco brings its flavors and “One Love” spirit through Taco Catering, while our Laguna Beach restaurant continues to serve guests just steps from the Southern California surf. We also offer Beverage Catering through Rasta Rita and have expanded into the desert with Rasta Rita Cantina, a restaurant and event venue in Joshua Tree.
What began as an idea on a napkin eventually became a restaurant, a catering business, a beverage catering company, and a place in the desert where people can come together to eat, drink, celebrate, and have a good time. And somehow, through all of it, the original idea has stayed the same: bring people together over great food and a good time.
