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Banzito’s Tacos is leaving Lincoln Dec. 30 to partner with Knee Deep Brewing in Auburn, a move the owners say brings them closer to their future Sacramento Cantina.
LINCOLN, Calif. — Banzito’s Tacos will close its Lincoln Boulevard location on Dec. 30, ending a short but meaningful chapter for the business in the Lincoln community.
The team announced the closure in a Facebook post, thanking residents for “welcoming us with open arms” and calling their time at 98 Lincoln Boulevard ‘an incredible experience.’
Owner Adam Saldaña said operational or staffing problems didn’t drive the decision but instead it was a strategic shift toward the company’s long-term goal of operating a full Banzito’s Cantina in Sacramento.
Before explaining the reasoning, he clarified that the move is not tied to internal challenges.
“Ending our stay isn’t due to any major operational issues. We’ve built an amazing team over the past few years that’s grown into a family. This closure is merely a strategic decision,” Saldaña said.
According to Saldaña, an opportunity recently arose that advances their long-held plan to open a Sacramento-based cantina, a vision the team has been building toward since the brand first launched.
“We have an opportunity to grow and move closer to our long-term plan of opening a Cantina in Sacramento, and this requires us to shift our focus and resources,” Saldaña said.
Banzito’s began operating in the Lincoln space in early July. Saldaña said the team selected the location despite higher lease rates because they were drawn to the area’s strong sense of community.
“Our customers in Lincoln welcomed us with warmth and excitement, and that made the experience really meaningful for us,” Saldaña said.
He also noted that the food truck landscape has shifted during their time at the site, saying several food trucks that had been nearby moved on, eventually leaving Banzito’s as the last remaining one on that stretch of Lincoln Boulevard.
“That shift in the landscape gave us a lot to think about as we evaluated what would be best for our team and our long-term goals,” Saldaña said.
Since announcing the closure, Saldaña said the community’s response has been overwhelmingly positive.
He said many people expressed disappointment that the truck is leaving Lincoln, but excitement quickly followed as customers learned about what the business is preparing to launch next.
The news teased in the business’s Facebook post is a new partnership with Knee Deep Brewing Co., a well-known Northern California craft brewery.
Saldaña said the partnership will give Banzito’s a new home base at Knee Deep’s Auburn location on New Airport Road and will allow the team to expand its offerings in a way that supports its long-term strategy.
“This partnership is a genuine step toward the vision we’ve been building since day one, and we couldn’t be more content and excited for what’s ahead.
Banzito’s plans to introduce a cantina-style atmosphere at the brewery’s site, featuring indoor and outdoor seating, its signature Latin-inspired flowers and beer pairings are designed to complement the menu.
The team expects to launch at Knee Deep in early January. Saldaña confirmed that Banzito’s will remain in Placer County as it transitions to Auburn, while a brick-and-mortar cantina remains the ultimate goal.
“We’re being smart about the timing. The restaurant industry is full of examples where brands expand too fast and end up losing the very things that made people love them in the first place,” Saldaña said.
He said the team is focused on building a strong foundation so that a future cantina feels like a valid extension of what customers already know.
The business has grown significantly since its beginnings as a small pop-up tent at local markets and events. Saldaña said the brand’s rapid rise came from a focus on premium ingredients, handcrafted sauces and bold Latin-inspired flavors that resonated with customers.
Over the years, Banzito’s has expanded into a whole food truck operation with catering services and has collaborated with the Sacramento Kings, A’s and other major local organizations.
“Along the way, we’ve been blessed with some incredible opportunities, including two releases of Banzito-themed NBA shoes, the most recent of which was released just weeks ago through the Steph Curry brand and De’Aaron Fox,” Saldaña said.
Banzito’s chose Dec. 30 as its final day in Lincoln because that date marks the natural end of its lease. Saldaña said the team wanted time to prepare for the transition to Knee Deep and ensure everything is in place for the early launch.
He said the business’s mission as it moves forward is to continue building something the community can believe in.
“It’s passion, it’s culture, it’s community, and it’s a story that everyone feels proud to be part of as it unfolds,” Saldaña said.
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