Taco Bamba's first Richmond location opens June 4
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Some of the offerings at Taco Bamba's Richmond location. Image: Courtesy of Greg Powers via Taco Bamba
Taco Bamba, the Northern Virginia-based taco chain from James Beard-nominated chef Victor Albisu, hits the Richmond market next week at Willow Lawn.
Why it matters: The taquerias have earned a cult-like following for their famous chef owner, unique-to-each-location menus, and (of course) killer tacos.
The big picture: Albisu, a fine dining chef who cooked at the White House for presidents Obama and Bush, opened the first Taco Bamba in Falls Church in 2013.
- The fast-casual taco joint that also serves up empanadas, quesadillas, tortas and has a full bar quickly became a hit.
- The Richmond location is the group's 15th, and while most outposts are in the broader NoVa and DMV-region, Taco Bamba can also be found in Raleigh and Nashville.
Zoom in: "Richmond has been asking for a Taco Bamba for years ... being able to tap into Richmond's vibrant energy and unique vibe has been really fun," Albisu said in a statement.
- The Richmond elements at Willow Lawn include: A "stylized depiction" of the Richmond skyline on the dining room wall and a black-and-white mural of the restaurant's "Battle Rooster" mascot outside.
On the menu, the locally inspired items ($5 for speciality tacos, $4 for regular tacos, $4-$11 for everything else) include:
- Rich Men — a taco with bbq pork carnitas, bamba smoke slaw, coulis, pickled fresno, cilantro, crispy onion, chicharron in a flour tortilla.
- Scott's Addiction — a taco with local beer-braised brisket, sweet potato fries, caramelized onion, and Richmond white barbecue sauce in a corn tortilla.
- El Pimento empanadas — filled with pimento cheese and roasted jalapeño.
- The Chirley Maclaine — a torta with avocado, cucumber, onions, pepper and garlic herb cream cheese.
If you go: Taco Bamba opens Tuesday, June 4 at 9am and will be open daily thereafter for breakfast, lunch and dinner beginning at 9am.
- The first 100 guests to order in person on Tuesday will get a free taco a week for a year.