Meet the Owner
Cody started his restaurant career bussing tables in his hometown of Goliad, Tx when he was 13 years old. The Empresario restaurant was located on the town square and owned by family friends. At $4.25/hr he began his journey in the restaurant biz. At a young age, his parents instilled in him a strong work ethic, and he worked at various jobs throughout high school including a local gas station and another restaurant, The Lost Cajun, in Victoria, Tx., where he washed dished and bussed tables.
After graduating Goliad High School, he went to college for a bachelors degree at Texas State University. Throughout his college years, he continued honing his craft working at various restaurants, but finally settling at Café Josie in downtown Austin, Tx. He graduated TxSt in 2009 (taking the long road), and took over as the owner/operator of Café Josie in 2012.
Over the next few years, he partnered and opened a few other restaurants, but most notably Valentinos Pizza in 2022. In 2023, he took the reigns as the sole owner/operator of this San Marcos institution and stepped away from all the other restaurants he operated to focus exclusively on his two new passions – Valentinos Pizza and raising his kids, Teddy Ray and Charles Paul Taylor, with his lovely wife Hilary Taylor.
"It's an honor and a privilege to have the opportunity to re-open and operate Valentinos Pizza. I recognize the responsibility of honoring the history and legacy of this San Marcos institution and carry forward the hard work and dedication of the previous owners, staff members and regular customers. I am very grateful and humbled to serve this wonderful San Marcos Community."
Cody Taylor, Owner
Press
Valentino's to reopen in downtown San Marcos
Valentino's is set to make its return after closing nearly three years ago in November 2018. The San Marcos staple for pizza, located on the downtown square at 110 N. LBJ Drive, was in business for nearly 40 years and is expected to reopen under new ownership in late 2021...
Beloved San Marcos pizzeria Valentino's gets new life after closing 2 years ago
After quietly closing two years ago, San Marcos' beloved pizza joint Valentino's is set to reopen with the help of two local restaurateurs. Cody Taylor co-founders of Industry, was approached by their landlord to take a crack at reopening the fallen pizza spot in 2020...
Beloved pizza joint making a comeback in San Marcos
SAN MARCOS, Texas - A beloved pizza joint in San Marcos is making a comeback this summer after closing four years ago. Valentino's in the downtown square was once known as the staple for pizza, now the business is getting a fresh start with new owners...
FIRST SLICE: Long-Awaited Opening Of Valentino's Set For Wednesday
The long-awaited moment has arrived. Valentino's Pizza officially opens its doors today to an eager fan base of pizza enthusiasts. You know it's surreal to see something you've worked on for so long – in action. We did some test runs the last couple of nights and everything is working as it should,” said Cody Taylor, co-owner of Valentino's...
Give pizza a chance: Valentino's reopens on The Square
In 2018, Valentino's, a beloved pizza joint on The Square officially closed its doors. As of June, however, the restaurant has reopened and the smell of classic pepperoni pizza brings in old and new customers alike...
7 things to know in Austin food right now: Classic San Marcos pizza joint returns
Movie pitch: a third-generation pizza joint gets reincarnated in its original building in San Marcos. It's true! Valentino's served the community for more than 35 years in a century-old building at 110 North LBJ Dr., before suddenly closing in 2018. The interior has been completely rebuilt, but owner Cody Taylor repurposed what he could and stayed true to the original menu (pizza, salad, subs, wings, and the famous Valentino's cheese breadsticks)...
