Tacombi coming to Bethesda

A couple of months after reporting that New York City's favorite cookie bakery is opening a Bethesda Row location, now I've learned that the Big Apple's favorite tacos are not far behind. Tacombi has leased space at JBG Smith's 4749 Bethesda Avenue retail building, which is already home to Chase Bank. This will be the first Tacombi location outside of New York. This is quite a get for JBG, and should quickly erase foggy memories of Dean and Deluca backing out of its plan to be the anchor tenant in that two-story building.

Tacombi claims Mexican authenticity, pointing to its start in 2005 as a VW bus taco truck in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. That bus became two, and their huge success gave the founders the confidence to take to the streets of New York City in 2008. By 2010, their first bricks-and-mortar location opened on Elizabeth Street. Multiplying locations were capped off by an Empire State Building restaurant, and New York magazine declaring their fish taco "the absolute best."

The famous Tacombi fish taco,
named New York City's "absolute best"

Two years ago, their retail fresh taco shell business expanded to select grocery stores across the northeast United States. Now their restaurants will also begin to expand outside of New York, starting with Bethesda.

Tacos are the star of the show at Tacombi, but they also have quesadillas, "burritas," and four starters. Tacombi also serves its own proprietary brand of Mexican coffee, La Antigua, and its own Lupita brand of sodas. Traditional, house-made aguas frescas will also be available. Cocktails and cerveza will suffice for those seeking a stronger refreshment.

The line may stretch out to here on
opening day at Tacombi

Bethesda diners will be anxious to compare New York's "absolute best" fish taco to our homegrown one at Fish Taco, steps away on Woodmont Avenue. Tacombi will bring a hot brand name, and a concept well-suited to 2021's takeout and delivery-oriented dining world, to the Bethesda Row area. 

Taco photos courtesy Tacombi