How Many Taquerias Can D.C. Realistically Support?

The flood of taquerias pouring into the DMV continues, with local outfit Metropolitan Hospitality Group (MHG) shipping its debut casual Mexican restaurant, Él Bebe, to Navy Yard.

Él Bebe is now scheduled to move into the space (99 M Street NW) originally reserved for MHG’s budding beer bar chain, Open Road. The 3,300-square-foot taco and tequila haven is slated to serve lunch, happy hour, dinner, and brunch alongside the forthcoming Circa that’s been years in the making. Both restaurants are now projected to open in “late 2018.”

Metropolitan Hospitality Group [Official rendering]

The opening menu or Él Bebe hasn’t been finalized, but management envisions serving gourmet tacos layered with everything from fish to pork belly, as well as tequila and mezcal drinks, and specialty cocktails. It will join a rapidly expanding roster of neighboring restaurants that make their money by wrapping things in tortillas and plying patrons with boozy drinks — including the new two-story Mission (opening this weekend) as well as standbys Agua 301 and Takorean.

Taco shops have been sprouting up all over the city in recent months. Recent additions include: Rosario’s Tacos and Tequila in Adams Morgan; the new Taco Bamba in Penn Quarter; tag team Mexican spots TTT and Buena Vida in Silver Spring; and Polynesian-style Tiki Taco in Dupont Circle. And more are on the way, including an expanded TTT/Buena Vida headed to Arlington, and additional Surfside stands destined for Tenleytown and the Wharf.

• Navy Yard’s New Mexican Bar Gets Its Own DC Brau Beer [EDC]
• Planned Navy Yard Beer Bar Is No More [EDC]
• Largest Circa to Date Debuts in Chinatown on February 21 [EDC]
• Dupont’s Original Circa Is Closing December 31 [EDC]
• Local Beer and Burger Haven Doubles Its Expansion Plans for 2018 [EDC]
• D.C. Is Getting Another Circa, This Time in Navy Yard [EDC]