Taco Bamba To Open In Ballston With Free Taco Promotion

BALLSTON, VA — While the characters in The Lego Movie may have celebrated "Taco Tuesday," that's not much help for hungry Arlingtonians in the real world looking for something good to eat.

Have no fear because Chef Victor Albisu will be helping 100 lucky diners to create their own Taco Tuesday — or any day they choose — for the next 52 weeks with his "Bamba 100" promotion.

Albisu will be opening the fifth location of his popular Taco Bamba restaurant chain Thursday in Ballston. As he has done with previous openings, the award-winning chef will pick 100 guests to receive a card good for one free taco a week for a whole year.

All diners need to do to qualify for the Bamba 100 promotion is to place an online order during the Ballston taqueria's first day. The 100 winners will be chosen via a random drawing.

Located in the View at Liberty Center, the Ballston eatery will offer a bar program, small patio, and a brand-new menu of Nuestros tacos, along with the chain's traditional favorites.

The Ballston menu will offer two taco lists. The first will feature traditional Taco Bamba fare, like carnitas, Chicken Tinga, and al pastor. The second menu, Nuestros, will include original creations from Albisu inspired by the Ballston area and the surrounding neighborhood.

The El Rico Pollo, for example, not only pays homage to the nearby chicken restaurant, it draws on Albisu’s Peruvian heritage. The taco comes stuffed with Peruvian spiced chicken and topped with green chili puree and aji amarillo mayo.

Another Albisu creation, Salim Abu Aziz, honors the Ballston area's Middle Eastern community. A warm pita is wrapped around a filling of shawarma-spiced zucchini with sumac onion, burnt eggplant, grilled halloumi and chipotle yogurt.

For those looking for a more bar-food inspired meal, El Diablo offers fried chicken with buffalo sauce, blue cheese cream and pickles.

“Creating a new menu for each location is always my favorite part of any opening,” Albisu said. “All Taco Bamba locations have their own identity that reflects the neighborhood, and Arlington has such a great culinary tradition of immigrant cuisines. We’ve felt really inspired while creating these dishes.”

For the time being, the 35-seat dining room, which includes a six-seat bar, won't be open for diners. However, customers are encouraged to order ahead and pick up their food by entering the restaurant, which is located at 4000 Wilson Blvd., via the N. Quincy Street entrance.