D.C.’s Dedicated Taco Bamba Is Here

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.

Rey Lopez/Eater DC

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:

Rey Lopez/Eater DC

Rey Lopez/Eater DC

Rey Lopez/Eater DC

Rey Lopez/Eater DC

• D.C.’s Now Permanent Taco Bamba Opens April 6 [EDC]
• Restaurateur Victor Albisu Is Replacing Del Campo With Two Mexican Restaurants [EDC]
• Penn Quarter’s Taco Bamba Is Staying Put [EDC]
• A Look Inside Chef-Driven Taqueria Taco Bamba [EDC]