Taco Cabana® Brings Iconic Texas Tango Frogs Home To Dallas

Bob "Daddy-O" Wade's art returns to original location in historic neighborhood

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Jun 24, 2014, 08:00 ET

DALLAS, June 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Thirty years after Texas artist Bob "Daddy-O" Wade's famous dancing frogs were removed from the rooftop of a Dallas nightclub, Taco Cabana^® is bringing them back to their original address in the historic Lower Greenville entertainment district.

Taco Cabana, a subsidiary of Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc. (PRNewsFoto/Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc.)

The famous 10-foot "Tango Frogs", named after the '80s nightclub Tango, were removed on June 28, 1984, after a notorious sign ordinance fight with the City of Dallas. Three of the frogs were sold to the Carl's Corner truck stop near Hillsboro, Texas, and for decades stood alongside Interstate 35. On June 27, 2014, Taco Cabana, the San Antonio-based restaurant chain known for authentic, handmade Mexican food, will unveil them atop the restaurant at 1827 Greenville Avenue—where Tango once stood.

"We've always known that our Lower Greenville location is a very special place, and with the revitalization of the neighborhood, the Tango Frogs are the perfect addition," said Taco Cabana COO Todd Coerver, who grew up in Dallas. "The whole city is excited about the frogs' homecoming, and we couldn't be happier to have them on our roof, where they belong."

To celebrate the Tango Frogs' homecoming, Taco Cabana will host an '80s-themed patio party at the restaurant this Thursday, June 26, from 4–9 p.m. The frogs will be available for photo ops on the ground before being hoisted to their rooftop perch that evening. The Tango Frogs reinstallation will be dedicated during a ceremony the following day. Wade will be in attendance.

"I'm proud to collaborate with a forward-thinking company like Taco Cabana that's helping bring the arts back to the Lower Greenville community," said Wade, whose 40-foot-long, 12-foot-high iguana famously topped the roof of the Lone Star Cafe in New York City before the Fort Worth Zoo brought it back to Texas. "I look forward to seeing them back where I originally imagined them, and it's nice to know they were missed so much while they were gone."

The idea to bring the frogs back came from longtime Lower Greenville denizen Ray Elizardo. Last year, Elizardo approached Tim Taft, the CEO of Taco Cabana's parent company, Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc. The two discussed the frogs' cult following and the community's desire to see the Tango Frogs returned home as part of the larger neighborhood renaissance.

"When Ray came to us with the idea of bringing the frogs back to Lower Greenville, it was like he switched on a light—we knew instantly that it was the right thing to do. This community has supported us for many years, and bringing home their Tango Frogs is a way of giving back to them," said Taft. "The frogs not only connect the Taco Cabana location to its history, but also to Fiesta Restaurant Group, whose symbol is the Latin American tree frog. Coerver and Taco Cabana's marketing team immediately began working to bring the frogs back."

The Tango Frogs will be a permanent installation atop the Taco Cabana on Lower Greenville.

About Taco Cabana^®Taco Cabana, a subsidiary of Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: FRGI), was founded more than 35 years ago in San Antonio and specializes in authentic Mexican food, made fresh by hand, including fajitas, quesadillas, flautas, enchiladas, burritos, tacos, flour tortillas and a selection of made-from-scratch salsas and sauces. Restaurants feature open display cooking, a selection of beer and tequila margaritas, patio dining and drive-thru windows. As of Jan. 1, 2014, Taco Cabana operates more than 170 company-owned and franchised restaurants in Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico.

About Fiesta Restaurant Group^®Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc. owns, operates and franchises Pollo Tropical^®, Taco Cabana and Cabana Grill^™ restaurant brands. The brands specialize in the operation of fast-casual, ethnic restaurants that offer distinct and unique flavors with broad appeal at a compelling value. The brands feature made-from-scratch cooking, fresh salsa bars, drive-thru service and catering. For more information about Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc., visit the corporate website at www.frgi.com.

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SOURCE Taco Cabana