There’s about to be a new taco in town, as an opening date approaches for Alabama’s first Tijuana Flats location.

As previously reported, the Orlando-based restaurant chain is focused on expansion throughout the Southeast and has been offering incentives to new franchisees. The chain currently has about 125 stores in Florida, Indiana, Virginia, North Carolina and Illinois.

A store coming to Mobile has posted job openings, and a company official confirmed it will be the first Tijuana Flats in the state. It’ll be located at 283 McGregor Ave, just off Airport Boulevard.

“We’re hoping to get open by the end of September or the first of October,” said Jamie Cecil, VP for development and franchise operations at Tijuana Flats.

Cecil said that timetable, and the simple fact that a location has been nailed down, puts Mobile in the lead for the state. The franchisee involved plans to open three stores in the area and is scouting locations for the other two, Cecil said.

In Huntsville, meanwhile, another franchisee also is scouting locations but has not yet closed on any, Cecil said. Birmingham also has been mentioned as a city of interest, but there’s nothing definite to report there yet, he said.

Tijuana Flats is a fast-casual chain with a menu that includes wings, salads, tacos, burritos, nachos and other “Tex-Mex for all” staples. Cecil said one of the company’s strengths is that everything is made in-house daily, including chips, guacamole and salsa.

The chain also is known for offering a spectrum of sauce choices, including its signature line “Smack My Ass and Call Me Sally” hot sauces. The sauce bar in stores ranges from mild options to some “that will leave a mark,” Cecil said.

Cecil said details about the store’s opening will be released in coming weeks. For more information on the company, visit www.tijuanaflats.com.