Biz Buzz: New taco shop opens drive-thru location after starting as food truck
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Do you want to know what’s happening on the eastern Idaho business scene? We’ve got you covered.
Here is a rundown of this week’s business news across the valley.
BIZ BRIEF
IDAHO FALLS
New taco shack offers expanded menu options
IDAHO FALLS – There’s a new drive-thru taco stand in front of Albertson’s and Goodwill on 17th street in Idaho Falls. Tacos Izcalli opened several weeks ago inside the former Java Express location.
Julio Ortiz, the owner of the taco shop, tells EastIdahoNews.com the operation began inside a trailer in Rexburg in 2004. He moved the business to Idaho Falls in 2014, but when the Java Express location became vacant, he saw an opportunity for a more permanent location.
“The main idea (from the beginning) was to do something bigger, but I just wanted to start with this and see how it does,” Ortiz says.
The menu includes tacos, quesadillas, burritos, and tortas.
“We have something called a Gringo taco, which is a flour tortilla with beef or chicken and whatever you want on it — cheese, lettuce, tomato, sour cream, etc.,” says Ortiz.
Ortiz says he still runs a taco trailer at 725 W. Broadway, but with the new location, they’ve expanded their menu.
“We added breakfast burritos. We added Carne Asada fries, which are more popular here in town. We have some plates with rice and beans. We (also) added (a specialty drink) that lots of people requested,” says Ortiz. “Our menu doubled from our previous location since we can do more here.”
Natalia, Ortiz’ daughter who works with him at the business, says their shrimp tacos and Carne Asada fries are really popular right now.
Prices of a menu item range from $5 to $9, depending on whether it’s a single item or meal order.
“Give us a chance and try us out. We know that once you try it, you’re going to love our food,” Ortiz says.
Tacos Izcalli is located at 530 E. 17th Street. Its hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.
BIZ BITS
Shoshone-Bannock Casino Hotel announces opening date
FORT HALL – In 2017, the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes broke ground on the 85,463 square foot casino addition connected to the west side of the Shoshone-Bannock Hotel and Events Center, called Casino Expansion Phase II. The much-anticipated property will open Feb. 13 at 11 a.m. with an opening ceremony and official ribbon cutting. There will be a grand opening celebration the following week, Saturday, Feb. 23.
Bingham Memorial Hospital opens new geriatric unit
BLACKFOOT – Bingham Memorial Hospital hosted a ribbon cutting Tuesday for their brand-new, 3,500 square foot geriatric psychiatric unit. Mark Baker, a spokesman for Bingham Memorial Hospital, tells EastIdahoNews.com the construction of this building has been in the works for about two years after the region lost this much-needed service for seniors. READ THE FULL STORY HERRE.
New Museum of Idaho Exhibit opening Friday
IDAHO FALLS – The Museum of Idaho’s newest traveling exhibit, Archimedes: Science and Innovations, will open to the public on Friday, January 25. The highly interactive exhibit celebrates the work and legacy of Archimedes, a Greek mathematician whose inventions revolutionized the ancient world. You’re invited to tour the exhibit from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 200 N. Eastern Ave. in Idaho Falls.
Local dentists providing free dental care for kids in need Feb. 1
REXBURG – This February, dentists throughout eastern Idaho will give free dental care to uninsured children in need. The 2019 Give Kids a Smile day is happening Friday, Feb. 1. The free dental day is for kids ages 3 to 18 who do not have dental insurance, CHIP or a current Idaho Smiles (Medicaid) card. Children must have a parent or legal guardian accompany them to the dental office to allow consent for service and provide a current medical history. Please click here for more information and a complete list of participating offices.
BIZ BUGS
DATA BREACHES
How scammers get your information
The following is a news release from the Better Business Bureau.
Getting a call or email from scammers seems to be commonplace these days. For many, the question is, how do these people get my number or email? There are so many ways these scammers get your information, but one popular way is through data breaches.
After these breaches, the Better Business Bureau has heard reports of consumers receiving calls of con artists pretending to be from the retailer, your bank, or your credit card issuer, telling you that your card was compromised and suggesting actions to “fix” the problem. If you know you have been a victim of one of these breaches, the BBB cautions you to be aware of the calls you receive and suggests you even reach out to your bank and credit card companies yourself.
While a breach is an illegal way for hackers to get your information, there are legal ways they can go about it as well. There are many public records that are available at the federal, state, county and city levels, including census data, property information, criminal records, bankruptcies and tax liens. Private companies can pull together all this information on you and sell it to anyone, and it’s 100 percent legal.
The biggest thing you can do is to guard your information. The BBB wants people to think of your personal information like money: value and protect it.
Be careful what sites you visit and be sure you are on a legitimate site before entering personal information. Also think of the information you are putting out on social media, whether it’s your birthday, your address, or even things you like that can all be used to target you.
When you do answer a scam call, those on the other end are listening for clues of how to lure you in. They are trying to determine what age group you fall in, whether you have kids, pets, live in the city… anything they can use to target you. The BBB advises you to just hang up because the longer you are on the call increases your chances of receiving more calls.
For more information on how to protect yourself and your personal information go to bbb.org.
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