Beginning this week, Taco John's patrons will be able to enjoy a new restaurant.

Owners are planning to open the newly constructed building Thursday. The new Taco John's, located adjacent to the old restaurant at 308 Oakland Ave. W., expands the seating capacity from 47 to more than 60. The new restaurant has better ventilation and will remain smoke-free.

"It's a very comfortable atmosphere," said co-owner and manager Tony Diaz, while sitting at a booth in the near-finished restaurant last week.

The store is larger but keeps the same color theme on the outside of the store. The dining area is carpeted and decorated in rich tones of red, green, yellow and blue.

About 90 percent of the equipment in the restaurant is new. More work stations will mean more employees can serve customers, Diaz said. An additional register will be located at the front of the store and another employee will handle the drive-through. The restaurant is planning to hire about eight more employees.

"We are able to work on multiple orders," Diaz said.

Construction on the new restaurant started in February, but Diaz had been planning to construct a new restaurant since he became a partner in July.

Diaz and his wife, Maria, manage the Taco John's in Austin, which has been open since 1975, and also are partners at the Albert Lea location. Their other partners are Jim and Denise Atkinson of Owatonna and Doris and Elden Hill of Northfield and they also own the Owatonna location.

Diaz decided to expand because the restaurant does well in Austin. Taco John's has been able to stay open throughout the construction thanks to an understanding contractor in the Joseph Company.

"(Pete Solie) was so instrumental in helping me out with what I need to have done," said Diaz of the project's supervisor.

Sometime next week, the old building will be torn down to make room for additional parking spaces. Diaz plans to have a grand opening in June.

"We're looking forward to that," Diaz said.

The hours are the same for the new restaurant. Taco John's is open from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Diaz may add hours on the weekends and may eventually add more items to the menu.

"It's been a fun experience," Diaz said of the construction, before smiling and adding. "I'll be happy when it's over."

Cari Quam can be reached at 434-2235 or by e-mail at cari.quam@austindailyherald.com