About Us

The name Papi Grande was born in Port Aransas, Texas while Luis Lara and Amber Gunn were cruising the beach on a golf cart. Their favorite song, Big Poppa by Notorious B.I.G., came on, and the phrase “I love it when you call me Papi Grande” stuck. From that moment, Tacos Papi Grande was born.

Luis Lara brought over 30 years of experience in the restaurant industry and a deep love for tacos, while Amber Gunn contributed her accounting and real estate background, as well as her entrepreneurial experience. Together, they built Tacos Papi Grande into a well known taco catering and food truck business based in New Braunfels, Texas, serving the Hill Country and surrounding areas from Austin to San Antonio.

In early 2024, Luis was presented with an amazing opportunity he could not pass up. Following this transition, Amber carried the business forward and expanded its reach through catering, community events, and retail products. Tacos Papi Grande is proudly female owned and run, with Amber leading the brand into its next chapter. Under her leadership, the business grew beyond the food truck with the launch of the Lock & Load Birria Seasoning Kit and the all new Season All, allowing customers to bring Papi Grande flavor home while expanding catering services throughout the region.

Tacos Papi Grande specializes in beef birria made with chuck roast, chicken birria made with breast meat, asada steak tacos, and al pastor marinated pork with pineapple. The menu also includes quesadillas, nachos, ramen, and Texas toast grilled cheese. Known for bold flavor and great energy, the food truck and catering experience is a whole vibe in itself and designed to be as fun as it is delicious.

In November 2024, Tacos Papi Grande became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Team members are paid well, and a portion of sales is reinvested back into the community to support single parent families in need, creating impact far beyond the plate. We call our menu items "feel good tacos". 

Today, Tacos Papi Grande operates a food truck in New Braunfels and provides taco catering and churro catering for weddings, corporate events, birthdays, graduations, and private parties throughout New Braunfels, Gruene, Austin, San Antonio, and nearby Hill Country communities. Weekly schedules and event bookings are available through the website (tacospapigrande.com) and on social media at @tacospapigrande. Who's your PAPI???