Rusty Taco is coming to Bowlski's in the historic Lakewood Theater

Tacos and bowling will soon share a roof in East Dallas. Rusty Taco, the Dallas-based taqueria chain, is opening a location inside Bowlski's at the historic Lakewood Theater, 1825 Abrams Pkwy., under a new franchise agreement with the bowling venue's owners.

Bowlski's was founded by husband and wife Craig and Jennifer Spivey. They opened the original in Colorado's Aspen Valley in 2016. In 2019 they turned the Lakewood Theater into a second Bowlski's, with 10 bowling lanes, food and craft beer. CW33 has reported that the theater was built in 1938 and sat empty for several years before the family restored it. The Spiveys live in Lakewood. They felt the venue needed a place to eat, and they had already brought in a DoubleDave's pizza location.

This will be the couple's first Rusty Taco, but Craig Spivey has history with the brand. He first met founder Rusty Fenton in 2010. In 2017 he worked with Rusty Taco again while he was at US Foods, where the taco concept was one of his accounts. "Rusty Taco is a perfect fit for us, and we're excited to build up both brands together," Spivey said in a release.

The Dallas location is set to open in late fall 2026. A second Rusty Taco is planned for the Aspen Valley Bowlski's in early 2027. The deal is part of a wider push by Gala Capital Partners, which bought the chain in 2022, to put Rusty Taco in places like airports and entertainment venues. The brand has about 28 locations in eight states, including six in Dallas-Fort Worth, and one of them is its well-known spot at 4802 Greenville Ave.

This story is based on original reporting by CultureMap Dallas, with additional details from Fast Casual and CW33.