Sandy's State Street retail strip has a new taco spot. The Smoked Taco, a Utah chain that smokes its meats in-house, opened its eighth location at 26 W. 11400 South, near the northwest corner of 11400 South and State Street by Scheels.

The opening, first reported by The Salt Lake Tribune on Saturday, August 1, adds another restaurant to a corridor already anchored by Costco, Buffalo Wild Wings, Pizzeria Limone, and Habit Burger.

Co-founders Jeff McFadden and Gary Hanson launched The Smoked Taco as a food truck in March 2021, bringing more than 35 years of combined professional BBQ experience to a concept that pairs slow-smoked barbecue with Mexican street-taco flavors. The first brick-and-mortar followed in American Fork by August 2021.

"Using high-quality meat as the cornerstone for our tacos makes all the difference," McFadden said in a February 2024 press release announcing a separate location at Valley Grove in Pleasant Grove. "In fact, using only the best ingredients throughout the cooking process is what separates our tacos from others, and keeps customers coming back."

The brand has since changed hands.

McFadden confirmed on LinkedIn that he sold The Smoked Taco to new ownership, though the buyer has not been publicly identified. The Sandy location opened under that new ownership.

The menu centers on signature tacos built with brisket, tri-tip steak, pulled pork, smoked chicken, and seasoned shrimp. Options include The Gringo (brisket with candied jalapeños, fried onion, and cotija), The Fleeing Californian (tri-tip with roasted corn, pico de gallo, and guacamole), and The Smoking Pastor (pulled pork with pastor sauce and fresh lime). Sides run from smoked meat nachos and churro fries to smoked corn elote and loaded queso.

The chain won a Best of State Award in April 2025. Sandy marks its eighth Utah location, joining American Fork, Bountiful, Murray, Pleasant Grove, Riverdale, Saratoga Springs, and St. George.

The Sandy restaurant is open seven days a week, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., according to the chain's online ordering page.

The opening comes as dining investment along State Street continues to grow. The Sandy Planning Commission approved a preliminary site plan for an Outback Steakhouse and Bonefish Grille at 11114 S. State St. in June 2026, according to commission records, about three blocks north of The Smoked Taco's new home.