The Secret (and Semi-Opened) Taco Bar in the Hutongs

Posted: August 28th, 2012 | | | Apothecary, Enoterra, hutong, Kupa Studios, Mexican food, Modo, Mosto, Mr. Taco Man, SuSu, tacos, The Taco Bar | No Comments »

The Taco Bar is now OPEN!! (well, sort of…)

I know it's cruel how I've been taunting you all with photos from The Taco Bar's test kitchen the past few months, but it's finally happening and the million dollar question is whether or not The Taco Bar is actually open?!

The answer: umm….sort of.

The Taco Bar is open five days a week (Wednesday through Sunday) with limited hours and reservations are required for tables that are 8 or more.

So for now, The Taco Bar is semi-open, but really only open to friends. I know it sounds a bit exclusive, but consider this a soft-opening trial period where they're still sorting out kinks here and there and they don't want to open to the mass public until everything is completely ready. Beijing is home to some seriously harsh and uncompromising critics who have been known to spread false rumors so it's perfectly understandable that he only wants to initially open his doors to friends that he trusts to give direct constructive criticism (rather than blasting online) in the first few months of operations.

For any of you who are desperate to try this place out NOW, I propose a solution:

I have every intention of organizing plenty more foodie dinners here in the very near future so of you can leave a comment at the bottom of this post, then I'll contact you via email and let you know when to clear your schedule and join me for some taco fun.

If you haven't seen my previous posts here and here with photos from tastings in The Taco Bar's Test Kitchen, here is my review of The Taco Bar in full-force, in its beautiful new space hidden deep in the hutongs.

The space is designed by Kupa Studios, the same team behind the humble, yet smart designs of Susu Vietnamese Restaurant, Apothecary Bar, Modo and Mosto Restaurants, Enoterra Bar, and other fine Beijing establishments. You can see the familiar rooftop handiwork in The Taco Bar and I especially like the contrast of red brick and wood pillars. A massive blackboard takes up an entire wall with The Taco Menu on the side nearer the kitchen and fun, quirky, artsy drawings by taco customers on the right side.

LumDimSum Snapshots of The Taco Bar:

The Taco Bar Kitchen

The Taco Bar Menu & Blackboard Art

Entremes (Sides) by The Taco Bar (RMB 16 each):

Totopos – fried to order tortilla chips, salsa roja

Frijoles negros – slow simmered black beans, cumin, cinnamon, white onion, cilantro

Maiz – roasted corn and chile salsa, cilantro, lime

While you begin your meal with fresh tortilla chips, dips, and sides to share, I also recommend sharing a bottle of The Taco Bar's signature white sangria (RMB 35 for a cup/RMB 129 for bottle) which is made with white wine, rum, and seasonal fruits.

If you're one who prefers their drinks not-so-sweet, the boys in my foodie group unanimously agreed the Chelada (RMB 20) was a winner – it's a tall can of Pabst Blue Ribbon tall boy, chile lime salt.

As much as I love the sangria and could down a whole bottle myself, my favorite drink is La Paloma (RMB 40 per cup or RMB 139 per bottle), a mix of Agavales Tequilia, fresh lime juice, salt, and grapefruit soda. I generally detest tequila in all shapes and forms, but the grapefruit soda really smooths out the harsh bite tequila is famous for.

Now…for the main attraction (drum roll) – The TACOS!!

Although the menu will no doubt expand, they are currently offering up 6 taco options and customers have the choice to mix and match any combo of three for only RMB 38 (per trio of tacos).

While you might want to jump the gun (like I did) and order all six, I guarantee you'll be stuffed after 4 or 5. I ambitiously ordered all six but ended up splitting all 6 tacos and sharing half of each and I was good after 6 halves (3 full).

We were a table of 11 (5 guys and 6 girls) and there wasn't one person who ate 6 tacos. I'm not saying it's not possible, but considering how many side dishes we also ordered (and I reminded them all to also save room for dessert), there wasn't anyone who ate more than they originally anticipated they could.

Six Taco Options by The Taco Bar

(Mix and Match any Set of Three Tacos for Only RMB 38)

Carnitas Taco by The Taco Bar:

Roasted pork shoulder, pickled red onion, cilantro, lime

Lengua (Slow Braised Beef) Taco by The Taco Bar:

Braised beef, tomato, white onion, grated cherry radish, cilantro, lime

Chorizo Taco by The Taco Bar:

House made chorizo, potato, white onion, cilantro, lime

Vegetarian Egg and Potato Taco by The Taco Bar:

Scrambled eggs and potatoes, white onion, cilantro, lime

Pescado Taco by The Taco Bar:

Tempura flashed tilapia, roasted garlic-lime slaw, garlic aioli, tomato, cilantro, lime

Hongos Taco by The Taco Bar:

Tempura flashed seasonal mushroom, roasted garlic-lime slaw, garlic aioli, tomato, cilantro, lime

Pastel de Elote Dessert by The Taco Bar (RMB 18):

Fresh corn pound cake, rum syrup, honey, chili powder

The Taco Bar Spread

As you can see from all these photos, we made our way through every single item on their menu! But I've just found out that made-to-order guacamole is coming soon. Price for 1 avocado guac is RMB 30 and 2 avocados will be RMB 48.

I am pleased to say that The Taco Bar makes me look good. This batch of foodie friends have not been to any of The Taco Bar's test tastings in their first private kitchen so they were all new eyes and new taste buds, ready to form their first impressions of The Taco Bar and by the end of the night, they were all thanking me for the awesome recommendation and introduction. I have no doubt they will be spreading the word and bringing their own foodie friends back for more of these delicious tacos.

After each of us devoured 3-6 tacos, several orders of entremes (side dishes), dessert to share and bottles of sangria + a few rounds of Chelada/La Paloma, we each threw down about RMB 120. What a deal.

Overall, my foodie friends were head-over-heels for the Pescado Taco, Lengua Tacos, Carnitas Tacos and the Pastel de Elote dessert.

I owe the mysterious Mr. Taco Man a bow of gratitude as he is the one who deserves all the credit and praise. I look forward to spreading the taco love with more foodie friends so holler at me if you want a piece of this Hutong Taco Bar.

Mr. Taco Man Strikes a Gangsta Pose

Happy Taco Friends

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