Trendy Pan-Latin Taqueria Bartaco Is Coming to Mt. Vernon Triangle

Beach-y Latin street food chain Bartaco has secured a space for its first location inside D.C. lines.

The brand, which says it draws inspiration from coastal cultures in Southern California, Brazil, and Uruguay, is building a restaurant 1025 Fifth Street NW in Mt. Vernon Triangle, a representative confirms. Busboys & Poets had a 10-year run at the prominent corner location before moving halfway up the block in 2018. Bartaco will join a diverse restaurant row on K Street NW that includes options for Indian bowls (Rasa), Italian (Alta Strada), Korean (Mandu), and Ethiopian-influenced burgers (Mélange).

Bartaco’s local presence currently includes a trio of Northern Virginia locations in Ballston, the Mosaic district in Fairfax, and Reston. The burgeoning brand maintains 21 locations in all across 11 states, largely up and down the East Coast. Bartaco and sister brand Barcelona Wine Bar were acquired in 2019 by private equity firm L Catterton as part of a deal for Del Frisco’s.

The brand’s tacos include fillings such as Argentine chorizo, sesame soy ribeye, and chile lime shrimp. make their way into an assortment of brown rice bowls. There are also rice bowls and “non-taco” options like guacamole, gazpacho, fried plantains, and duck birria. A new limited time taco bids adieu to soft shell crab season through October 3. The crispy soft shell blue crab taco is dredged in buttermilk and coated in a masa batter, then served with a sweet charred corn pico with a roasted poblano sauce.

Bartaco pivoted during the pandemic with pouched cocktails and reheat-and-eat family packs for four with all the trimmings to assemble tacos at home. Drinks include fresh-squeezed juices, margaritas, and local canned beers.

• K Street’s Moneymaking Busboys and Poets Is Moving — About 120 Yards [EDC]