THE STORY
Be a place for the people.
In the 1600s in Western Europe, master craftsmen formed exclusive clubs called Guilds. These gentlemen were considered experts in their field. Once accepted into a Guild, members were able to freely discuss similar interests and intellectual pursuits with like-minded, skilled artisans.
Taco Guild embraces the tradition of the Guild as their culinary craftsmen are experts in creating unforgettable flavors. By embracing the essence of time-honored recipes, they create an experience worthy of the masters.
Walking into the historic building, a sense of nostalgia and old world charm surrounds you. With a focus on sustainability and repurposing, many things within Taco Guild have a past and a true beauty that lives on. Enjoy the original wooden ceiling beams soaring above you, the vividly colored stained glass windows and hand crafted pews. The unexpected tradition awaits.
One generation builds upon the labors of another…
PLATE HARMONY
Expect greatness in imperfection.
Taco Guild has an eclectic mix of upcycled plateware because the restaurant believes it is better to use what is time-tested. With each plate there’s a story, a look, a texture, a new take on traditional fare. The eclectic mix is purposeful and is another way to show the Guild’s dedication to sustainability. A distinctive plate for every masterfully hand-crafted dish imparts plate harmony.
LOCAL FARMS
Live, wholly, in your neighborhood.
The best flavors come from fresh produce and the only way to ensure freshness is to cook with produce just harvested from a local farm. Guild Master Matt Janiec prefers neighborhood farms to source ingredients for his recipes.
One of our favorite farms:
Crooked Sky: Farmer Frank has a lifelong passion for Certified Naturally Grown produce. From old-fashioned sweet corn to hot jalapeño peppers, Farmer Frank and the Crooked Sky Warriors know how to make it grow.
When everyone lifts there is no load.
HISTORY
Hold fast to history.
The Taco Guild building has a rich and well-documented history. Nineteen years before Arizona became the 48th state in the union, the parcel of land was purchased from Mr. and Mrs. George and Edna Smith for $30 to build a church.
At the time of construction in 1893, the church was called Smith’s Chapel and was an evolution of a one-room schoolhouse named Osborn School. When the new church opened one year later, the name changed to Bethel Methodist Church, honoring Mrs. Smith’s home church in Illinois.
It retained that name until 2012 when the property was vacated and deconsecrated. Commemorating the accomplishment, cornerstones were laid in 1893 and 1955, both of which are a part of the redeveloped structure.
We look to the past for inspiration and guidance that we may face the future with courage.
