Tacombi Bethesda collaborates with Chef Ashish Alfred on limited-time Chicken Tikka Masala taco

Restaurateur and chef Ashish Alfred has successfully fused Indian flavors with burgers and fries at his new Good Ducking Burger at 7929 Norfolk Avenue in Bethesda. Why not tacos next? Alfred has collaborated with Tacombi chef Carmen Miranda to create a Chicken Tikka Masala taco, which will be available only at the Bethesda Tacombi location at 4749 Bethesda Avenue from the evening of October 26 until Thanksgiving 2023. 

The fusion taco will present a Vista Hermosa corn tortilla loaded with garam masala, ginger, and butter chicken sauce, topped with cotija cheese. "This partnership is an example of how both Tacombi and The Alfred Restaurant Group are committed to the people, neighborhoods, and organizations that have and continue to support them, and are now bringing something new and exciting to the community of Bethesda," Tacombi said in a statement this morning.

Tacombi to open today in Bethesda

The wait has been long, but Bethesda may finally get its first taste of what New York magazine termed the Big Apple's "absolute best taco." Tacombi will be open today, May 24, 2022, at 4749 Bethesda Avenue, a company spokesperson said. While the weather may not be optimal for outdoor dining today, you will get a chance to take in the Mexican aesthetic of the restaurant's indoor dining area. Tacombi started as a VW bus taco truck in Playa del Carmen, Mexico in 2005.

Tacombi delays Bethesda opening to early summer

It's been a little over 13 months since we learned New York magazine's choice for "New York City's absolute best taco" would be coming to downtown Bethesda. But despite the appearance of a completed interior, and signage glowing in the night, a grand opening continues to elude Tacombi at 4749 Bethesda Avenue. The latest target opening date of March 2022 came and went. Now a spokesperson for the chain says that the company expects the Bethesda location to open early this summer.

Inside the future restaurant, tables and chairs are now arranged in the dining room. The interior aesthetic is definitely reminiscent of establishments you would encounter in parts of Mexico. "Buena Bethesdita," a sign reads, above a welcome in Spanish and a palm tree. With Frank Pepe now open at Montgomery Mall, Tacombi is probably the most-anticipated Bethesda restaurant debut on the radar right now.

More lighted signage at Tacombi, as clock ticks down on March opening in Bethesda (Photos)

Additional lighted signage was installed outside Tacombi at 4749 Bethesda Avenue this past weekend. It features a cheerful, welcoming pineapple character, who doesn't look the least bit worried that the restaurant's target of a March opening is two days from being missed. What is in all those boxes that are stacked up in there? Pineapple Guy isn't talking. Can they beat the deadline? Stay tuned!

The lights are on at Tacombi in Bethesda (Photos)

The sign at Tacombi was lit for the first time last night at 4749 Bethesda Avenue. Stringed bulbs that had been installed under the canopy awhile back also made their debut Thursday night. Tacombi is expected to open this month in the JBG Smith-developed building it shares with a Chase bank branch. The tacqueria, which got its start as a VW bus taco truck in Mexico, more recently was proclaimed to sell "New York's absolute best taco" by New York magazine.

Tacombi aiming for March opening in Bethesda

After many months of little-to-no activity at the future Tacombi at 4749 Bethesda Avenue, the company says it is now planning to open the fast casual tacqueria in March. The Bethesda location is currently still hiring staff. While the interior looks completed from a construction standpoint, more kitchen equipment needs to be installed, and the dining room isn't yet ready for seating guests. But if all goes according to schedule, New York City's "absolute best taco" (according to New York magazine) will face off against neighbors Fish Taco, Chaia and Mexicue in a taco battle royale starting next month.

Larger sign installed at Tacombi in Bethesda

Construction on the interior of Tacombi at 4749 Bethesda Avenue has stalled out since October 2021. But a new, larger sign was installed over the storefront last Thursday. It looks like this one may actually light up. We're now nearing one year since I broke the story about New York's "absolute best taco" coming to Bethesda, and we still don't have an opening date.

Tacombi Bethesda update (Photos)

Here's a look at the progress at Tacombi at 4749 Bethesda Avenue, as the restaurant gets closer to opening day. It hasn't advanced as far as I expected in nearly a month since my last update. Many things look the same as they did in late October. They are now hiring for all positions, however.

Sneak peek inside Tacombi in Bethesda (Photos)

The window screens are gone at Tacombi, the fast casual taco restaurant opening soon at 4749 Bethesda Avenue, and we are getting our first look inside. Visible are tiled walls and counters, and a retro Mexican aesthetic to the interior architectural details and signage. New York magazine declared Tacombi's taco the Big Apple's "absolute best," and Bethesda is close to judging that accolade for itself.

Signage installed at Tacombi in Bethesda

Permanent signage has been installed at Tacombi, opening soon at 4749 Bethesda Avenue. The windows are still covered at the restaurant, which New York magazine declared serves the Big Apple's "absolute best" taco. Tacombi will square off against neighbor Fish Taco, the recently-opened Chaia, and the coming-soon Mexicue, all within one block.

Tacombi construction update (Photos)

Construction is advancing inside the future Tacombi at 4749 Bethesda Avenue. The purveyors of what New York magazine declared "New York's absolute best taco" are opening their first location outside of the Big Apple here. You can see tile has been installed, but some cinderblocks remain exposed.

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