Updated on April 6, 2024 by Julie McCool
Taco Bamba offers superior taco deliciousness in four Northern Virginia locations, and another spot in DC. The popular Mexican chain was created by Chef Victor Albisu, who has a long history of successful restaurants in the Washington DC region.
We're always on the lookout for the best places to get tasty tacos in Northern Virginia, and Taco Bamba hits the spot.
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Chef Albisu opened his original Falls Church taco takeout spot in the same strip mall as his mother's Latin grocery. His taqueria menu elevates the standards, and adds more exotic options to the usual taco list.
We have sampled a mix of tacos on our visits to the Falls Church and Vienna locations. Every dish we have tried packs tons of flavor.
The Arabe (upper left in pic), with grilled chicken, ancho mayo, cucumber pico, and chipotle yogurt is really good, and we see a lot of them coming off the line for other diners. The Arabe comes on a thicker tortilla, making it especially filling.
The squid ink aioli in the Black Pearl (middle) added a nice contrast to the fried tilapia, but we found this the least interesting of the tacos we tried. Our favorite was the Camaron a la Diabla (bottom) with spicy shrimp and poblano sauce.
Our friend found the Spicy Shroom (upper right) almost too spicy, which sounds just right to us. She also enjoyed the Pulpo, with grilled octopus, grilled guac, and chili d’arbol- sesame sauce.
Taco Bamba Locations
The original Bamba is a bare bones, takeout-oriented spot in Falls Church. A newer location in Vienna offers more indoor seating, a small bar, and an outdoor patio. The Fairfax outlet is located in a strip mall near the George Mason campus. And a fourth NoVA restaurant is close to the Springfield Town Center. Taco Bamba menus vary by location, so it is worth sampling them all. You'll find menus for each location on the Taco Bamba website.
Find more great restaurants in our guide 25 Tasty Options for Northern Virginia Outdoor Dining.
The interior of Taco Bamba Falls Church is bright but bare, with stools along the walls but no table seating. Many diners grab take-out orders, while others vie for stools or standing room along the wall counters. There are a few outdoor tables that would be a good option on a nice day. The Fairfax Bamba has a similar tight space with seating along the wall.
Head to Springfield or Vienna to enjoy your tacos in a larger space, with more seating and the same fantastic flavors.
Are you a fish taco lover? Check out the McCool Travel guide to Amazing Fish Tacos in the USA.
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