Meet Brett Chiavari | Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Brett Chiavari and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brett, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
While working as Assistant Food and Beverage Manager at a country club in Orlando, I got my first taste of fish tacos, and compeltely fell in love! That was the first spark that led to the creation of BC Tacos. I started to play around with different recipes, and different things that I would want to eat in tacos, and it just completely snowballed. Led to me cooking tacos for friends and family, making different salsas and eating at different taco spots for inspiration. From the initial spark, it was two and half years later where I knew that I was ready to pursue this dream of mine. So one day I woke up, quit my job in Orlando and moved down to South Florida (where I was initially from, Coral Springs to be exact) to open up a gourmet taco truck, and BC Tacos was born. I moved down in December of 2010 and we did our first food truck event in May 2011.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We take pride in our mantra of showing our guests that tacos don’t have to be “authentic” or “tex-mex” to be considered tacos. We have always looked at the tortilla as our plate, and take pride in the ingredients and the cooking that goes in that tortilla. We have southern inspired tacos, like our Shrimp & Grits tacos and bbq puled pork with coleslaw and corn. We have some international inspired tacos like our Pork Belly Banh Mi and Fried Curried Tofu. And modern american specialities like our Steakhouse taco with grilled filet, creamed spinach, béarnaise aioli and fried onions. Fried avocado tacos, braised beef short rib, three different fish tacos and plenty more. We have been in business for almost ten years, starting with our food truck in May 2011. We have definitely had our fair share of ups and downs. But for us, its always trying to look ahead and see whats next. We started out as a food truck with a Monday thru Friday lunch spot, to coming into the year big into musical festival and event circuit. We did (up until the Pandemic) do countless music festivals, all over Florida, throughout the year. We had contracts with Hard Rock Stadium and Coral Sky Amphitheater in West Palm, for all their concerts. With the cafe, the same thing applies. When the pandemic shut down our indoor dining, we went into survival mode and how can we get through this. We started a taco family meal package which ballooned into 15 different family meal menus, which kept us busy for four months with the same staff. Pay attention to the industry, keep an eye on social media for fun trends and pay attention to what your customers want and are asking for. That is how our former weekend only Fried Chicken & Waffle Sliders, became a permanent fixture, and now one of the most popular menu items on our menu.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oh man, what a question. Things have definitely evolved if you would have asked me this question 3 or 4 years ago. Now with a 16 month old daughter, Stella, things are definitely a little different. In no particular order of plans some of the highlights and around the time, November/December. Wynwood is also a must show to any of our friends coming down. We always manage to eat our way through the neighborhood…stops at 1-800 Lucky, the mojito bar, of course Salty Donut, Fireman Dereks and a tour and photo ops of the Wynwood Walls. There would definitely be a breakfast/brunch at Josh’s Deli, who’s one of my favorite people in the entire industry. Dinner at Blackbrick Midtown Chinese by Richard Hales. One of the first people I met in the food truck industry and someone who I’ve always had a great relationship with over the last ten years. Obviously being great friends of mine, there would be a couple visits to BC Cafe for tacos and brunch. A trip up to WPB to Grand View Public, which has always been my wife and I’s favorite food hall. And taking up a comedy show at the PB Improv. We would also make sure to take them to visit my wife, Shelbey’s, bakery in Wilton Manors, PAC Pastries. A fun day trip down to Biscayne National Park in Homestead, to do a boat tour or paddle boat tour. My family and I are die hard Miami Heat Fans, so if there is a game, we would definitely be checking that out. Then if the christmas lights are going at Tradewinds Park in Coconut Creek, we would take them there…its a tradition my wife and I have always done since we started dating 7 years ago, and one we started last year with Stella for the first time. I think that would keep us all pretty busy 😉

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Definitely my family and friends. My dad has been an executive chef for 30+ years and really guided me through the planning process and launching of the food truck. He handles a lot of the behind the scenes parts of the business, works in our restaurant in Davie, one or two days a week, and does all the baking for the restaurant. My wife, Shelbey, who has been with me for about 75% of my journey. She has always been so supportive of my dreams and aspirations and is a big motivator for me. She has worked on the truck and the restaurant for me and is there whenever I need her. My daughter, Stella, even though she’s only been around for less than a year and half of the business, she makes it all worth while and definitely knows how to make any rough day so much better. My sister, Kelsey, who left her teaching career a little over two years ago, to come on board with me full time as the cafe general manager. Another supportive woman in my life who constantly encourages and supports my, sometimes insane, ideas. My mom, Laurie, and brother in law, Cody, who help out and support whenever they are asked. And can’t forget about all my friends who endured countless taste testings and really pushed me to pursue the dream and those that are still as supportive as ever almost ten years later: Evan, Dave, Jeff, Brooke, Chelsea, Josh, Devon, Matt, Stephanie, Ashley and anyone else I forgot, you know who you are.

Website: www.bctacos.com
Instagram: @bc_tacos
Twitter: @BCTaco
Facebook: /BCTacos