By Flavor & The Menu
May 6, 2021

Brad Bergaus

“Fried chicken is a major topic of conversation in the restaurant industry right now,” says Brad Bergaus, Corporate Chef and Director of Menu Innovation for “West-Mex” fast casual Taco John’s. The chain’s contribution is the Jalapeño-Ranch Fried Chicken Taco, in test at limited locations ahead of a summer rollout. Bergaus expects the handheld to be a game changer. “We’ve heard positive comments across the board, expressing love for the flavor, spice and crunch,” he says.

“We wanted to go into the game strong by utilizing quality pieces of breaded chicken,” says Bergaus. The taco features jalapeño-ranch, lettuce and all-natural cheddar, wrapped in a flour tortilla. “The jalapeño-ranch offers a nice kick that pairs well with the seasoning on the chicken,” he says.