The Taco Spot does Taco Tuesday senior living style

By Robin Gibson

On Tuesday, April 28th,the Taco Spoton Ashley River Road prepared roughly 70 taco-inspired meals for the residents and staff atBrookdale Senior Livingin West Ashley. The event marked the special occasion known as Taco Tuesday, a cultural phenomenon widely celebrated in American households and restaurants every week.

Spearheaded by my wife, Jennifer Singleton, whose mother, Vivian, resides at Brookdale, the gesture was meant to spread a little cheer during these strange COVID-19 times, show some appreciation for workers on the front lines, and boost local business. 

All three objectives were met with flying colors. 

“It was real good, I’m telling you. The tacos were big and the staff and everybody had some. We were all so excited, wearing our sombreros and dancing with our arms a little bit. My tickle box got turned over. I got so tickled, and just laughed and laughed,” my mother-in-law said with pure joy in her voice.

Brookdale’s Executive Director Kate Daugherty concurred, driving home emphatically, “THEY LOVED IT! And so did we. Best taco salad I’ve ever had! Thank you SO much!”

Brookdale is virus free

Long-term care facilities such as nursing homes and assisted living communities have been particularly problematic during the pandemic, often serving as hotspots for the spread of the virus.

Fortunately, Brookdale, whose early response focused on prevention is documentedhere,has not experienced an outbreak.

Areportreleased by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control the same day as the Taco Tuesday celebration confirms that the community has avoided any virus-related problems or deaths. 

DHEC is closely monitoring the problem quoting its Physician, Dr. Brannon Traxler, as continuing “to work with facilities and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to provide recommendations and guidance for best practices in controlling the spread of this disease.”

Because of the risk, Governor Henry McMaster stopped visitation back in March, making it impossible for family members to visit loved ones. And residents who leave a community for necessary doctor visits like my mother-in-law has had to do must quarantine for fourteen days upon return and dine alone alone further dampening spirits.

That prompted Jennifer to act. She wanted to lift the mood of not only her mother but the other residents and workers, too, who are risking their lives each day to show up and care for them.

This coupled with a desire to support our friend’s restaurant spurred the idea for a Taco Tuesday celebration.

Answering the call

At 1301 B Ashley River Road, the Taco Spot is open daily. With a $25 minimum order, they’ll even deliver. No stranger to catering, owner Jason Vaughan, known as JV to family and friends, has even provided craft service to several local film productions, sometimes answering set calls as early as 4 a.m.

With to-go and catering processes down, fulfulling the large order for Brookdale was a breeze. His response? Overwhelmingly positive, just like the love for his tacos.

“We are so happy to have been a part of Taco Tuesday for the staff and residents of Brookdale!” he said. “Thank you for thinking of us.” 

No, JV. Thank you. A little bit of normalcy goes a long and a good taco goes even further.