Tacos, Cheers & App Points: How Taco Machin Drove Buzz in Bonita

Introduction

When Taco Machin set out to turn its vibrant taco experience into a local sensation in Bonita, CA, the mission was clear. They didn’t just want to showcase tacos—they wanted to make every plate, bite, and atmosphere shot an invitation for locals to visit, taste, and come back for more.

Standard ads wouldn’t cut it. Taco Machin needed a strategy that would capture its authentic Mexican flavors, fun atmosphere, and new app rewards to drive real excitement and foot traffic.

The Opportunity

Taco Machin has quickly become a neighborhood gem in Bonita, known for its authentic tacos, delicious appetizers, and welcoming, lively atmosphere. With a mission to stand out in San Diego County’s competitive taco scene, Taco Machin needed to show why its tacos were worth the drive—and worth sharing.

To do it, they partnered with Relish to bring their food to life through creator storytelling and local buzz that would drive awareness and visits, while promoting their app rewards for repeat loyalty.

The Strategy

Relish knew Taco Machin’s greatest strengths were its authentic flavors, colorful plates, and community vibe—perfect for content that gets people hungry and ready to visit.

The campaign focused on four key moves:

• Partner with local voices: Relish activated San Diego creators who know good tacos and love spotlighting neighborhood finds.
• Create moments worth sharing: Influencers captured the best of Taco Machin’s tacos, appetizers, and drinks, with real reactions that made followers want to taste for themselves.
• Promote the app: Content included easy calls-to-action to download Taco Machin’s app for bonus points, turning first visits into repeat loyalty.
• Handle the details: Relish managed creator outreach, scheduling, and rollouts to keep posts flowing during peak dining windows.

The goal was simple: make Taco Machin the must-try local spot for taco lovers in Bonita and beyond.

The Results

The Taco Machin campaign delivered flavorful results:

• 11 creator posts highlighting tacos, drinks, and the vibrant Bonita atmosphere
• 70,463 local views, driving awareness and interest across San Diego County
• 3,542 engagements, including comments, shares, and saves
• 5.03% engagement rate, beating typical benchmarks for restaurant campaigns

The campaign helped Taco Machin boost local buzz, drive immediate visits, and encourage app downloads to keep guests coming back for more.

Why It Matters

Standing out in a taco-loving region like San Diego means going beyond great food—it takes authentic, shareable stories that make people crave the experience before they ever walk through the door.

With Relish, brands like Taco Machin turn everyday meals into cultural moments that get people to visit, taste, post—and come back.

By combining creator storytelling with strategic rollout, Relish helps neighborhood favorites become local legends with momentum that lasts.

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