December 18th, 2009
Fire shuts down Herbert's Taco Hut

Herbert’s Taco Hut on Riverside Drive will need about a week to recover from a Friday afternoon fire. Photo by Andy Sevilla.

By ANDY SEVILLA
Associate Editor

An investigation continues into the cause of a fire that has paralyzed business at a highly frequented San Marcos restaurant.

San Marcos Fire Marshall Ken Bell said a fire broke out at Herbert’s Taco Hut and at Herbert’s grocery store on Riverside Drive at about 1:30 p.m. on Friday. Bell said two employees at the restaurant witnessed smoke peering through a wall in the kitchen area, where the fire is suspected to have started. Bell said the fire made its way into the attic, though, he said, structural damage was not apparent.

Investigators are at the scene, but a cause has not yet been determined.

Dora Rizk, the restaurant’s owner, said there were approximately 50 people in the restaurant and all were safely evacuated. Rizk said she expects to be back in business in about a week, after repairs are finalized.

“We’re going to rebuild it, and get everything going again,” Rizk said.

Said Bell, “They should be back in business fairly quick. They have the process down to get everything in order.”

Bell said there were no reported injuries.

Bell said damage was “moderate,” though Rizk said the kitchen area will need the most attention.

Rizk said the grocery store was opened in 1972 and the restaurant followed suit in 1976.