Popular Modesto taco truck must change name or be sued. It’s taking suggestions
The owner of a well-known taco truck in Modesto has been told he has until the new year to change its name or risk being sued for trademark infringement.
Flaco’s Tacos, which sits in a food truck court behind Sinclair at 2716 Coffee Road, is the subject of a cease-and-desist order from a restaurant with the same name in Chicago. The restaurant, with three location in the Chicago area, has held the trademark for “Flaco’s Tacos” since 2009, according to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Modesto Flaco’s Tacos owner Rafael Calvillo opened his truck in 2022. He received the order in the mail just over two months ago.
“I was totally like holy s---, what am I gonna do?” Calvillo said. “But I did talk to them, I was communicating, and they gave me until the first of January.”
The name change will cost around $6,000. Calvillo has to rewrap the truck on Coffee Road and a second truck he is opening in the coming weeks at 3300 McHenry Ave.
The name also has to be changed on ordering apps, social media and Google. Calvillo said he anticipates business slowing down until customers get used to the new name.
He said he is not fighting the cease and desist, under the advice of a lawyer, because it would be a “waste of money” due to the restaurant owning the trademark.
Despite the setback, Calvillo said he looks forward to opening his second truck and adding desserts to his menu, including mangonadas, tostilocos and fruit cups.
“We apologize for the inconvenience we’re causing,” Calvillo said. “We are trying to survive ourselves, and nothing is in bad faith.”
Taco truck owner looking for suggestions for new name
How Calvillo came to name his taco truck “Flaco’s Tacos” is pretty straightforward: It happened during a brainstorming session with his family.
“(My son was) like, ‘You’re skinny, why don’t you do flaco?’” he said, adding that he didn’t know the name had been trademarked. “I ran with it.”
Calvillo said if he can find a name that clicks, he’ll make the change before the deadline. That’s where you come in, readers.
In partnership with Calvillo, The Modesto Bee is collecting taco truck name suggestions until Friday, Dec. 5, at 5 p.m. If yours is chosen, you will be notified and the name will be announced in a future article.
The suggestion cannot include the word “flaco” and it should be something “commercial,” Calvillo said, because he plans to open multiple restaurants and wants the name to be recognizable everywhere.
Some of his ideas that haven’t quite stuck with him yet are: World Wide Tacos, Mr. Taco, Fat Tacos, Dos Tacos, Dos Mas Tacos and Damn Good Tacos.
What’s your idea? Fill out our form below, or email dwilliams@modbee.com.
This story was originally published November 25, 2025 at 2:47 PM.
.jpg)