Mike Scotto knew he was onto something five years ago when Tony’s Tacos opened in Floral Park. The "Italian cantina" steadily expanded to Huntington and Franklin Square before adding a 4,000-square-foot restaurant in Garden City last year. Next up: Four more locations coming through 2026, including the brand's first in NYC. 

Scotto said the first new location is slated to open by the end of October at the vast Queens Center’s food court in Elmhurst. Tony's Tacos will also open in 2026 at The Shops at SunVet in Holbrook as well as at Green Acres Mall in Valley Stream, the latter is a 3,800-square-foot space that offers both indoor and outdoor seating. The fourth new location, opening in the summer of 2026, has permits pending approval.

Scotto came to the United States from Italy in 1988 and trained alongside Umberto Corteo — of Umberto’s — rising to the rank of executive chef. He tried his first taco at the age of 29, and while he wasn’t impressed, he could see the appeal, and the seed was planted for what would become Scotto's fusion invention. Tony’s Tacos’ "tortilla" is made with 00 Italian flour, no yeast, and is toasted in garlic and oil. Scotto stuffs them with ingredients like rotisserie chicken, sausage and broccoli rabe, meatballs and, of course, chicken Parm.

The concept was just wacky enough to stick ... and take off. Scotto continues to look forward.

"We're booked out for 2026, but we're looking for national expansion in 2027 and 2028. We wanted to explore the New York and Queens area," he said. "If that goes well, we’re looking to expand farther into the city, then Florida."

Tony’s Tacos: 262 Jericho Tpke., Floral Park, 516-519-8998; 677 Hempstead Tpke., Franklin Square, 516-407-3500; 281 Main St., Huntington, 631-547-5000 and 118 Seventh St., Garden City, 516-998-1803; More info: tonystaco.com