The rise of the FRENCH taco: How fast-food trend which started near Lyon in 2000s is now taking London – and the world – by storm (and it’s got very little to do with Mexican food)

It's the latest food trend to take social media by storm, with dozens of TikTokers now documenting its rise in British cities.

The French taco has been a hit across the Channel for more than two decades, but only now is it launching a challenge to the UK's line-up of established fast food restaurants.

Not to be confused with the Mexican delicacy, the French taco is a sticky treat that is driving young influencers wild, scrambling to get their recommendations from outlets in London and Manchester.

Among those hoping to muscle their way into the busy takeaway market are brothers Zack and Momo Nasro, who run Moozak's on the capital's busy Kensington High Street.

Speaking from behind a counter in Medz Corner, Zack, 27, insists that business has been buzzing since it opened two months ago.

But what exactly is a French taco and why is it proving so popular?

Zack Nasro, 27, from Moozak's in Medz Corner, Kensington High Street, has big plans to expand his restaurant around the world

A close-up of one of Moozak's French tacos, packed with meat and a delicious homemade cheese sauce

'The best way to explain it is that it's a mix between a burger and a shawarma,' Zack told MailOnline.

One of the most popular items on Moozak's menu, Zack says, is the lamb specialty, which combines spicy halal minced meat with crispy chicken, fries, mozzarella, crispy onions and a delicious homemade cheese sauce, all wrapped and grilled in a tortilla.

Despite its name, the snack is vastly different from the traditional Mexican taco.

Some theories have it that the suburbs of Lyon in the early 2000s are when the French taco was first invented.

Zack had his first taste of Morocco at the age of 19 and was hooked from the first bite. He decided to make one adjustment to the recipe; less sauce because 'no one wants to eat under the mess'.

'That's what sets us apart from others. The way they do it in France is overloaded with cheese and mayonnaise.

'We try to reduce the amount of cheese and sauces. People don't want things to get messy.'

He describes the taste as follows: 'It's like an explosion of flavors and at first you go into a bit of shock and then all the flavors come out one by one and you feel them all.'

Zack wants to open a new outlet every six months and after conquering London and Britain with his brother by his side, he plans to go all over the world.

Moozak's isn't the only French taco restaurant with big plans, as more and more are popping up in the capital.

The counter at Moozak's shows off some of the dishes on offer. Customers can choose their own fillings and sauces, or opt for one of the special boxes

Zack (left) next to his brother Momo, 26, behind the counter. They want to open a new restaurant every six months and hope to see their chain pop up all over the world

Hop on the Piccadilly Line from Earl's Court and an hour's tube ride north is The Taco House in Green Lane, Harringay.

Owner Saleem Rantell, 26, has spent around £100,000 renovating the building to create a Japanese-inspired restaurant where people can climb a ladder and sit above other diners.

It's one of the main topics of conversation when people come to visit, besides the food.

Like Moozak, Saleem sees himself sitting alongside the likes of Taco Bell in the crowded fast-food market and has plans to franchise the company.

'Many people in Britain were not familiar with it [French tacos] but when they try, they find themselves obsessed,” he says.

“I think it's a combination of a few things. Firstly, we import all our sauces and in the UK they have never tasted anything like the combination of our homemade cheese sauce.

“It's like everything in one meal… an explosion of flavors in one meal.”

Saleem is the brainchild behind the company he set up two years ago with the financial support of his silent business partner.

The Taco House in Harringay was launched two years ago and 26-year-old owner Saleem Rantell wants to compete with the likes of Taco Bell

All Moroccan and Algerian sauces are imported and the combination with the homemade cheese sauce is like no one has ever experienced before, says Saleem

Saleem spent £100,000 to completely renovate the restaurant into Japanese-inspired seating where diners climb ladders to sit above other people

That includes all the names of the dishes on the menu, from the Paris-inspired Eiffel Taco (cordon bleu, ground beef, turkey slices, black olives and Moroccan sauce) to the Philly Cheese Taco (diced steak, ground beef, cheddar cheese), caramelized onions, peppers and Algerian sauce).

“We've had positive feedback and the quantity is quite filling and we often let people take some of it home in a takeaway box,” he says.

'The Moroccan and Algerian sauces have unique flavors; not too spicy and not too spicy.'

As for Taco Bell, Saleem has the chain firmly in his sights and believes The Taco House has more than enough to rival the Mexican-American restaurant.

Food lovers are raving about the French taco on social media, with videos popping up on TikTok from Manchester to London of them waxing lyrical after taking their first bite.

One of these was from London Foodee, who was impressed by the 'delicious feast' at The Taco House and described it as a 'must-check-out destination for foodies'.

'These guys have perfected the art of making French tacos, a delicious twist on the classic Mexican dish. “Imagine a warm, grilled flour tortilla encasing a combination of chips, cheese sauce, gravy and a variety of delicious fillings,” he wrote.

Saleem has seen other restaurants adopt the new trend, not that it bothers him much.

“More and more places are selling French tacos now,” he says. “I think I've seen three or four restaurants put it on the menu because it's quite simple to make and very filling… when made right.”