Bartaco, a national brand, opened a location at Hilldale Mall in February and quickly became a popular destination, judging by the long wait times. But it’s no surprise based on the tasty fare and fun vibe that await diners.
The tacos are tiny, but the wait staff does warn you that they’re “street-food sized,” about 2-3 bites per taco. That means you’re going to order 3-5, depending on your appetite. You can get tacos in a corn tortilla or bibb lettuce for an additional 25 cents.
I tried three of the 12 variations:
- The chorizo chicken ($2.50) is served in delicious crumbles and smothered in a creamy and bright tomatillo and avocado salsa.
- The plump rock shrimp ($3.50) is lightly breaded but is still crunchy. The thin remoulade sauce adds some tanginess.
- You’ll note how the pork belly ($3.50) is served simply with pickled onions to let the tender pork belly shine. Mine was still good despite missing the spicy arbol chili sauce (it took almost 30 min. for my order to come, and I didn’t want to send it back).
- Other taco toppings are less traditional, including portobello with queso fresco ($2.50) and seared swordfish ($3.50).
The “not taco” section of the menu has some appetizers, soups and salads. I ordered the chicken empanadas (two for $7). They’re golden-fried and not as thick as other empanadas, so you taste more of the insides than the shell. Those insides are packed with a soupy blend of roasted chicken, potatoes and other ingredients that make it resemble a chicken pot pie. Unique and enjoyable, for sure.
Among the selection of rice bowls, I settled on the roasted duck ($8.50). The duck is absolutely amazing. It’s made confit to be super tender, then it’s pulled apart and lightly sauteed to get a little crispiness. The bowl is made even more delicious with the accompanying tamarind sauce, which was savory and had a hint of heat. Plus, it gave flavor to the ample amount of rice and the sliced veggies
If you’re waiting for a table, at least you have a lively bar (and a living room-type area) at your disposal. Twelve specialty cocktails are front and center on the drink menu. The pricey seasonal Caipirinha ($11) has just the right amount of sweetness thanks to the pomegranate, though it does mask the cachaca.
Bartaco is open every day for lunch and dinner.
