The idea for the Taco Shack took shape for Benefield while growing up in California
Mia Stainsby
Sun
Daved Benefield (left) and Noah Cantor show some of the tacos that are available at the Taco Shack on Cornwall. Photograph by : Ward Perrin, Vancouver Sun
If the guy making your tacos looks like he could tackle a Volkswagen Beetle, that would be Daved Benefield, who, until recently, was a defensive end for the Saskatchewan Roughriders, and before that, the B.C. Lions.
In fact, this little patch of Cornwall Avenue has got gridiron action goin’ on. Noah Cantor of the Toronto Argonauts is involved not only in Taco Shack, but in the next-door Vera’s Burgers. (Cantor and partner Gerald Tritt have been opening up Vera’s Burgers like men possessed. The seventh will be opening on Main Street soon.)
Taco Shack was Benefield’s idea. He feasted on tacos as a kid in California, and all the way through university. “It was a religion with him,” says partner Tritt. “You practice [football] and you have tacos. He’s the chief cook and bottle washer.” Taco Shack has become something of a Lions’ den, attracting players like Brent Johnson and Javier Glatt from the team.
Like the taco trucks he’s used to, Benefield kept this place simple. Really simple. There’s chicken, steak or fish tacos — three for $6.89. Or, you can opt for a quesadilla or a mitt-ful of burrito, also $6.89 each. That’s it. That’s the menu.
The tortillas taste nice and fresh and that’s because they’re made every day, from scratch.
Simple, simple, simple. You roll up your sleeves and dig in. I added another step: splatter sauce on clothing.
The popular little place has had lineups since they opened in July. It’s open every day from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and in January, Taco Shack will be swapping places with Flying Wedge Pizza, at 1915 Cornwall, a couple doors east.
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TACO SHACK
1935 Cornwall St., 604-239-5102
© The Vancouver Sun 2006
