Hi, I’m Mel! I’m originally from Oceanside, California, and I grew up eating the kind of So-Cal Mexican food I now get to share with Chattanooga.

I’ve always loved cooking, and after moving to Tennessee, I wanted to bring some of the flavors I grew up with to my new home. That idea became Taco Mel in January 2023.

The name is pretty simple: Mel is short for Melody, and Taco… well, I serve tacos.

What started with a love for cooking has grown into something I’m incredibly proud of. Today, I get to cook for weddings, parties, special events, and pop-ups throughout the Chattanooga area. Whether I’m serving from the taco cart or catering your big day, my goal is the same: great food, plenty of flavor, and a little taste of Southern California right here in Tennessee.