Modesto taco truck owner chooses new name under threat of trademark lawsuit
The owner of a popular taco truck, once called Flaco’s Tacos, has chosen a new name for it after receiving a cease-and-desist order from a Chicago restaurant.
Going forward, Rafael Calvillo’s taco truck will be called Tacomatic, he announced Saturday.
Nearly three months ago, Calvillo was informed that he had until Jan. 1 to go through a costly rebranding or further action would be taken by another Flaco’s Tacos over 2,000 miles away.
Since Chicago’s Flaco’s Tacos has owned a trademark for the name since 2009, Calvillo decided not to fight the order.
A submission form created by The Modesto Bee in partnership with Calvillo generated over 280 name suggestions. Hundreds more suggestions were collected on The Bee’s and Flaco’s Tacos social media accounts.
“The support was crazy from the community,” Calvillo said during the name reveal event Saturday.
Calvillo said he originally had a different name picked out, but “Tacomatic” came to him the day before the big reveal — and he liked it.
He previously told The Bee he wanted a name that would be recognizable, as he has plans to expand. Calvillo said he can see “Tacomatic” being on billboards along the freeway.
“We’re going big, and we’re gonna kill it,” he said.
Tacomatic is open at 2716 Coffee Road daily between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m.
This story was originally published December 13, 2025 at 5:14 PM.
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