New 'taco fusion grill' opening in Wheaton

A new taco place is coming to Wheaton this summer, but it won't be serving up traditional Mexican fare.

“We call it taco fusion grill,” said Julie VanBuren, who owns the business, called Fire It Up!, with her husband, Rick. “Our menu is pretty simple, but we do everything quality. It's meant to have a small, focused menu so we can get out a really good product.”

Fire It Up! started as a food truck in 2011. The couple attended many events throughout the suburbs in warmer months and gathered a large following before deciding to open a brick-and-mortar location two years ago in Naperville.

The VanBurens hope their new location at 1060 College Ave., near the College Avenue Metra station, will be ready for business in mid-July.

“It was the next step,” Julie said. “Both my husband and I are absolutely thrilled and really excited about this place. This location and just the whole feel of the inside of this restaurant is everything we always imagined.”

The taco shell, she said, just serves as a vehicle for the menu, which features “fused” foods from different cultures.

Some unique offerings include a cheeseburger taco, a barbecue pork taco, a bacon, lettuce and tomato taco and a portabella mushroom taco. One indulgent taco on the menu, called the gringo, is deep-fried.

The tacos can be served on a flour or corn tortilla or lettuce wrap. There also are starters, salads, sides and desserts on the menu and options for vegetarians, vegans and gluten-free diners.

“Everything we do is organic and local wherever possible,” Julie said, adding that the customers are often people who are willing to pay a little more for quality food.

A Fire It Up! hot sauce that is brought to every table and explained to customers is made in-house, along with all the sauces featured on dishes.

Drinks are limited, but include beer from Solemn Oath in Naperville and Two Brothers in Warrenville and freshly squeezed sangrias and margaritas made with spirits from Tailwinds distillery in Plainfield.

“Even down to our drinks we're sourcing locally,” Julie said.

There are limited time tacos featured on the menu about once a month, such as a corned beef taco for St. Patrick's Day and a Greek taco for Father's Day. There also are specials throughout the week and an $8 lunch special that includes two tacos and a side.

For information on Fire It Up! or updates on the new location, visit fireituptacos.com.