Tijuana-born taco chain Tacos El Gordo is facing an escalating online backlash after viral images purportedly showed signs at one of its restaurants advertising a discount for federal immigration agents who present official credentials, with critics flooding the company’s social media and leaving one-star Google reviews over the promotion.
The restaurant chain, however, is now pushing back against the narrative surrounding the images. In a statement provided to SanDiegoVille, Tacos El Gordo said the images circulating online are “fake and edited,” while confirming that CBP personnel are among a much broader group of law-enforcement officers, first responders and military members who have long received a 15% discount at its restaurants.
The controversy erupted Thursday after Las Vegas social-media outlet Vegas Viral posted images purportedly showing several Spanish-language notices inside the Tacos El Gordo restaurant at 3041 South Las Vegas Boulevard. The most visible signs read “Agentes CBP con credencial” and advertised “15% de descuento en su consumo,” appearing to offer a 15% discount to U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents who present credentials…