Fresh, Fast, and Flavorful: How Taco Maya’s Vibrant Flavors Drove Chicago Buzz

Introduction

When Taco Maya set out to amplify its authentic, fast-casual Mexican dining experience, the mission was clear. They didn’t just want to showcase tacos and burritos—they wanted to highlight vibrant flavors, fresh ingredients, and a welcoming atmosphere that would turn first-time visitors into loyal fans across Chicago.

Traditional promotions wouldn’t cut it. Taco Maya needed a strategy that would capture the colorful essence of their food while sparking excitement online and driving foot traffic to their multiple locations.

The Opportunity

Taco Maya has carved out a reputation for fresh, made-in-house Mexican cuisine that blends authenticity with modern, health-conscious dining. With a menu that includes premium margaritas, vibrant tacos, and hearty burritos, Taco Maya needed to showcase what sets them apart in Chicago’s bustling food scene.

The goal was to drive awareness and traffic by transforming Taco Maya’s vibrant menu and fun atmosphere into engaging, shareable moments that would reach local audiences and create real-world impact.

Taco Maya partnered with Relish to elevate its brand presence, turning every taco into a scroll-stopping reason for Chicagoans to visit.

The Strategy

Relish understood that Taco Maya’s food was its greatest marketing tool—colorful, fresh, and visually irresistible. The focus was on content that would showcase Taco Maya’s quality, freshness, and vibrant dining experience.

The campaign focused on four key moves:

• Partner with local voices: Relish activated Chicago creators who celebrate authentic flavors and hidden neighborhood gems.
• Create moments worth sharing: Influencers captured vibrant tacos, colorful burritos, and the fresh ingredients that set Taco Maya apart, pairing it with the fun, laid-back dining environment.
• Highlight freshness and variety: Content emphasized Taco Maya’s commitment to fresh juice margaritas, vegetarian options on dedicated grills, and quality ingredients in every dish.
• Handle the details: Relish managed outreach, scheduling, and rollout, ensuring the campaign launched at optimal times for traffic and engagement.

The goal was simple: turn Taco Maya into a must-visit destination for taco lovers and foodies across Chicago.

The Results

The Taco Maya campaign delivered impressive, measurable outcomes:

• 14 creator posts showcasing vibrant tacos, burritos, margaritas, and dining experiences
• 35,801 local views, expanding Taco Maya’s reach across Chicago’s foodie audience
• 1,960 engagements, including comments, saves, likes, and shares
• 5.47% engagement rate, surpassing food and beverage industry benchmarks

The campaign significantly increased local awareness, with creators reporting high follower interest, questions about menu items, and direct requests for location details.

Taco Maya strengthened its position as a go-to spot for fresh, authentic Mexican cuisine in Chicago, driving immediate foot traffic and building momentum for continued growth.

Why It Matters

In a competitive dining market, it takes more than great food to build buzz. It requires human-powered, authentic storytelling that translates scroll-stopping content into visits and loyalty.

With Relish, brands like Taco Maya turn their best dishes into cultural moments that people want to experience and share.

By combining creator-led visuals with strategic rollout, Relish helps restaurants like Taco Maya convert online excitement into real-world visits, strengthening customer relationships and driving sustainable growth.

Ready to turn your next campaign into a real-world success story?