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D.C.’s Dedicated Taco Bamba Is Here

The former lunch counter is now Penn Quarter’s newest restaurant

A mural at the newly redesigned Taco Bamba in Penn Quarter features the D.C. flag.
Rey Lopez/Eater DC

It took five years, but restaurateur Victor Albisu has finally delivered D.C.’s first full-time Taco Bamba restaurant. The updated version of his cult taqueria — which features new menu items, specialty cocktails, and playful art on the walls — is scheduled to begin serving customers on Friday, April 6 in Penn Quarter.

Albisu opened the original casual Mexican eatery a few years ago in Falls Church, Virginia, and has been adding location across Northern Virginia ever since. He brought the cult enterprise to now-defunct Del Campo late last year as a pop-up, but has since decided to split that former restaurant into this now-permanent Taco Bamba and forthcoming fine dining Mexican restaurant, Poca Madre.

Albisu brought in design firm Swatchroom to redo the former Del Campo space. The latest touches to Taco Bamba’s 76-seat restaurant (40 in the main dining room, 36 at the bar) include: putting up plywood walls and corrugated metal; mixing in faux campaign posters and how-to sheets displaying wrestling moves with prints for shows from iconic punk rock bands and go-go artists; and incorporating the D.C. flag into a mural of a giant hand holding up a taco at the main bar.

The street art adorning the new Taco Bamba.
Rey Lopez/Eater DC

The former lounge at Del Campo has been replaced with tables, benches, and chairs to accommodate more Taco Bamba diners.
Rey Lopez/Eater DC

The Taco Bamba in Penn Quarter is projected to operate from 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Thursday, from 8:30 a.m to 11 p.m. on Friday, from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday, beginning Monday, April 9.

Status: Scheduled to open at 11 a.m. on April 6. 777 Eye Street NW; website.

Scroll down to view some of the featured menu offerings:

A brisket-stuffed chile with nacho cheese and ranch sauce at the new Taco Bamba.
Rey Lopez/Eater DC

The boricua taco at Taco Bamba features pork, plantain crema, and habanero.
Rey Lopez/Eater DC

The calabaza taco at Taco Bamba features squash, brown butter, almonds, and hot peppers.
Rey Lopez/Eater DC

The cup o’ Bamba at Taco Bamba includes rice, beans, fried egg, cheese, and choice of meat.
Rey Lopez/Eater DC

Taco Bamba - Penn Quarter

777 I Street Northwest, Washington , DC 20001 Visit Website