CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – After starting off with a New York style hotdog pushcart and learning how to operate a business, James Patterson teamed up with brothers Daniel and Valentin Trujillo to open No Way Jose #1 Taqueria in northeast Clarksville.
The partners first began working together in 2019 and now have multiple locations, but this marked their first in Tennessee.
Early days: Fostering partnership
Patterson told Clarksville Now he first operated the PJ’s New York City Hotdogs and Philly Cheesesteaks food truck in Montgomery County, and that’s how he met the Trujillo brothers, who operated the Dos Margaritas food truck in 2018.
“The brothers watched me grow from the pushcart to a food trailer and began asking me questions about starting a company about a year later,” he said. “We collaborated about my menu items and how it could be improved, and I helped them with the research of starting a company.”
In August 2019, the brothers asked Patterson to help start the No Way Jose food truck.
COVID forces closure of first location
The first brick and mortar location for No Way Jose opened in February 2020 in Cadiz, Kentucky. The location had to be shut down due to COVID, but that didn’t stop Patterson and the Trujillos as they quickly adapted. After adding up all expenses and costs of goods and services, they turned Patterson’s former food truck trailer into No Way Jose’s newest home, which turned out to be a “money-making machine,” he said.
Patterson said that after being in operation for almost five years, the opportunity to come to Clarksville came about due to the opening of No Way Jose on the Pier at Lake Barkley. “This was a true blessing and put us on the path that allowed us to expand into Clarksville,” he said. “We are excited to bring the menu items that our regulars have come to enjoy and request the most to our new home off of Exit 1 inside the Bizzee-Bee Mart.”
Patterson said their mission as a business revolves around providing the best service, at an affordable price, while remaining consistent with the service and quality.
Popular menu items at No Way Jose
Patterson said their regulars love their Birria Taco Platter, which is three large white-corn tortillas, birria meat, cilantro, onions and melted mozzarella cheese, with a side of dipping sauce and rice and beans.
Another popular menu item is the No Way Jose Special: a layer of Mexican rice, sauteed onion, bell peppers, tomatoes, grilled chicken, steak and shrimp. The dish is topped with house-made white queso sauce.
Meats offered at the restaurant on a regular basis include barbacoa, al pastor, carnitas, shrimp, steak, chorizo, trippa, lingua and cachete. No Way Jose also offers a “North of the Border” menu, which honors Patterson’s time spent with PJ’s New York City Hotdogs and Philly Cheesesteaks.
No Way Jose #1 Taqueria is at 3928 Trenton Road, and their hours are 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday-Wednesday, and 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Thursday-Saturday. In addition, the veteran-owned business has a food truck on Peachers Mill Road, and they offer their own delivery and catering services.
For more information, visit the No Way Jose website, or their Facebook page.
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