Drop the Bamba

Taco Bamba opening at Willow Lawn June 4, offering year of free tacos to first 100 guests.

Taco Bamba taqueria is set to open its first Richmond location in Willow Lawn Shopping Center on Tuesday, June 4. Doors will open at 9 a.m. and the first 100 guests to order in-person will receive a free taco each week for a year.

The Willow Lawn location spans 2,400 square feet with table and bar seating in addition to a seasonal patio, and the design will include a Richmond-themed mural along with unique artwork.

Helmed by James Beard award nominee Chef Victor Albisu, the menu features nontraditional tacos, taquitos, empanadas, and quesadillas such as the Scott’s Addition (made with local beer-braised brisket, sweet potato fries, caramelized onion and white barbecue sauce in a corn tortilla) and the Chirley Maclaine (a torta with avocado, cucumber, onions, and garlic herb cream cheese). You can check out the entire menu here.

The taco chain has locations in Maryland, District of Columbia, Northern Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee, and offers a full bar program with drinks such as the I Know The Owner, made with amaro Montenegro, cola reduction, cigar bitters, and either whiskey or mezcal, and The Pink Eye, made with tequila and grapefruit juice with aperol and lime.

Albisu chose Richmond as the 15th location for his business because he has traveled here often, his children play tennis here frequently, and growing up, his family regularly visited. He picks locations by how an area feels versus looking at its demographics, and he feels that RVA is a natural fit. “I love Richmond,” he says. “There’s a great chef scene here and I want to contribute to the city, and for me, that is the greatest honor.”

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