Last checked Oct 6, 2026
Authentic Taco Holdings LLC (U.S. operating company for El Califa de León)califadeleon.comAuthentic Taco Holdings LLC (U.S. operating company for El Califa de León) is not currently listed as private-equity-owned.
Ownership & Acquisition History
No evidence found that Authentic Taco Holdings LLC is currently controlled by a private equity firm; available reporting describes it as the family business’s U.S. operating entity with individual/family shareholders.
Notes
- Authentic Taco Holdings LLC is identified as the U.S. operating entity for El Califa de León (media coverage and podcast description).
- A Univision article quotes Mario Hernández (owner of the Mexico City business) as a shareholder (‘accionista’) of Authentic Taco Holdings, suggesting individual/family ownership rather than PE control.
- Trademark records show Authentic Taco Holdings LLC as the owner of EL CALIFA DE LEON marks (supporting the company’s operational/brand-control role), but do not indicate any PE sponsor/parent.
- No reliable sources located in this research indicate a current controlling private equity owner, sponsor, or PE-backed platform parent for Authentic Taco Holdings LLC.
- Logo URL could not be reliably identified as a direct official logo image (only general site images were easily retrievable within this research).
Sources
- El Califa de Leon, New York's Best Tacos | El Califa de León
califadeleon.com (official site) - Official web presence; footer shows © 2026 Authentic Taco Holdings LLC and indicates the trademarks are registered to Authentic Taco Holdings LLC.
- La taquería con estrella Michelin El Califa de León se retira antes de tiempo de Dallas
Univision Dallas Ft. Worth (KUVN) - Identifies José Andrés Hernández as CEO of Authentic Taco Holdings and quotes Mario Hernández as owner in Mexico and a shareholder of Authentic Taco Holdings; also describes the origin/location and long history of the taquería.
- 785: El Califa de León, The First-Ever Taqueria to Receive a Michelin Star, Doesn’t Think Michelin Is Its Legacy
Listen Notes (podcast episode listing) - States El Califa de León is a family-run taqueria opened by butcher Juan Hernández González in 1968 and that José Andrés Hernández is CEO of the U.S.-based operating company Authentic Taco Holdings.
- Michelin-starred taqueria closes Dallas pop-up early over quality concerns
CBS Texas - Describes El Califa de León operating in the U.S. as Authentic Taco Holdings, LLC.
- AUTHENTIC TACO HOLDINGS LLC Trademarks (EL CALIFA DE LEON)
Justia Trademarks - Shows trademarks owned by Authentic Taco Holdings LLC, supporting that the entity holds/controls brand IP in the U.S.
- https://thepatentplace.com/iplibrary/trademark/98636559/
Web search - Consulted by the research agent
- https://dallas.culturemap.com/news/restaurants-bars/el-califa-de-leon-popup/
Web search - Consulted by the research agent
- https://www.reddit.com/r/Dallas/comments/1ocpqch/owners_of_worlds_only_michelinstarred_taco_shop/
Web search - Consulted by the research agent
- https://sunholdings.net/portfolio/
Web search - Consulted by the research agent
- https://sunholdings.net/taco-bueno/
Web search - Consulted by the research agent
- https://www.reddit.com/r/dallasfood/comments/1ocprzy
Web search - Consulted by the research agent
- https://kitchenchecked.com/ca/rancho-cucamonga/
Web search - Consulted by the research agent
Ownership FAQ
Is Authentic Taco Holdings LLC (U.S. operating company for El Califa de León) owned by private equity?
No. Authentic Taco Holdings LLC (U.S. operating company for El Califa de León) does not currently appear to be private-equity-owned.
Who owns Authentic Taco Holdings LLC (U.S. operating company for El Califa de León)?
Privately held (family-owned/controlled operating company; no current private equity sponsor identified).
When was Authentic Taco Holdings LLC (U.S. operating company for El Califa de León) last checked?
This page was last checked on Oct 6, 2026.