Came here with a friend for the first time. I liked the option to order from your seat, and pay there. It gave you the opportunity to order as you go along and not feel rushed. Covid procedures were also being followed. The margarita with mezcal was delicious. We ordered ceviche, guacamole, pork belly tacos, steak, oyster and shrimp. I personally did not like that both the ceviche and guac came with big tostada shells. I would've preferred chips, as it made it awkward to share these appetizers. The tacos also were ok, nothing really stood out to me at all about them. I enjoyed the outdoor seating, and the margaritas. The staff was also friendly. Not sure that I would come here again however, because there are tons of taco places that I prefer better. read more

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I have heard a lot about bartaco and since we were in the area, we wanted to check it out. The restaurant has a pretty cool vibe with a really nice patio that was unfortunately too hot to sit on when we were there but would be super cute in the upcoming cooler months! Nonetheless we sat at a table inside and had a server approach us and explained how the process works. My fiancé and I ordered a small chips and guacamole to share but ended up upgrading to a large after we saw the size of a small. We also each got 3 tacos to begin, as they are a la carte, to see how we felt. We ended up ordering another taco at the end as they are somewhat small, and also very delicious. Overall, the tacos were AWESOME. So many great flavors and interesting combinations. I think we might pass on the guacamole next time as it was good, but nothing special, whereas the tacos are definitely special. As an FYI they do not have fountain sodas so you have to buy them by the glass bottle. At the end our server gave us two coins for free tacos should we return. I would say my main complaint was that our server was somewhat stand offish at the beginning and through most of our meal; however, at the end he was a bit more friendly. I was just somewhat put off with his approach, but the tacos being delicious made up for it. read more

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We have been to many bartaco but this one was extra special. Obviously they have good food(my favorite) but what makes this place 'extra' special is the staff. The hospitality is to the next level. They want to make sure everything is just right. Shout out to their bar manager Praveen who personally greeted us, took time to know us and had a great conversation. read more

Bartaco is my favorite restaurant! They accommodate my dietary requirements easily. (gluten free) I'll be back soon. Staff are very polite and efficient. read more

bartaco - Chapel Hill - The manager Pravin and his staff made my birthday celebration quite special. - Tacos Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

TOO LOUD! Staff were pleasant, welcoming, and responsive (when we could hear each other). Spicy chicken verde rice bowl was tasty. Serving size was skimpy, especially as compared to local independent, non-corporate Mexican restaurants. My rating was pulled way down by the extremely high ambient noise level. My friends and I had to lean forward and shout to hear each other. The high music volume (on top of an already fairly loud baseline) pushed the sound level over the top for me. Not only is the noise unpleasant for many patrons, it's a genuine occupational health hazard for employees who are exposed for hours daily. read more

What an absolute treasure. The tacos were awesome. The tuna was like sushi it was so tender. Flafel tacos I had never seen but amazing. As a pescatarian it provided a nice change but the seafood here was amazing. The service was amazing. The atmosphere is very cool and bar-zy. read more

bartaco - Chapel Hill - An array of tacos - Tacos Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Highly recommend this restaurant! Pros: - Light, relaxing atmosphere - Excellent customer service (very attentive, quick, and friendly) - Delicious, flavorful food made with fresh ingredients - Outdoor and indoor seating - Easy ordering system (check off the items you want and write any allergies/preferences at the bottom) - You can replace the taco shells with lettuce wraps - Good music - Extra toilet paper in bathroom (a large pyramid behind the toilet) Cons: - Tacos are brought out all together for the entire table rather than plated separately by person/order - The menu is not very descriptive - Lots of space on the sides of bathroom stall doors that you can easily see through We decided to eat dinner here before going to see a movie. It was beautiful out so we requested an outdoor table. We waited at the bar for a table in the shade to be ready and were seated about 5 minutes later. I really enjoyed the ordering system and inserting a card on a stand to notify the waitstaff that you needed something. All of the employees we interacted with were excellent. As soon as we needed something or had questions, someone was at our table helping us. We mentioned to our server that we were there celebrating a birthday and they brought out a complimentary tequila shot. This was unexpected and very generous of them. Each food item we ordered was made with fresh, flavorful ingredients. I tried a variety of tacos and especially liked the swordfish. I do wish they would separate the tacos before delivering them to the table. Instead they deliver your table's tacos mixed up on the tray. We forget which ones we ordered by the time the food arrived so it took a while to determine whose was whose. I am not sure if they serve them this way due to how they have their kitchen set up or what. When you go, just remember which tacos you ordered and be clear if you have any allergies! For the drinks, I did not like the paloma fresca, but I would recommend the smoke on the water. Overall, we had a great meal here and would return here again! read more

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Located right next to the Silverspot Movie Theater. It's a nice way to either start the night before a nice movie or wind down afterward. With both outdoor and indoor seating, there's a spot for anyone. Their menu ordering system is very unique. You scan the code that is located at each of the individual tables and you will digitally select every item that you desire. While there is a small learning curve for beginners, once you figure it out, you'll realize that the system is actually very User Friendly. They have an assortment of different tacos as well as rice bowls and even poke. I decided to go with the Duck Birria w/ Broth, an individual Duck Taco, and the Pineapple Express mixed drink. I'm a sucker for anything Birria. Whenever I see it on the menu, I just know that I have to have it. The Duck Birria w/ Broth was delicious! It comes with a duck quesadilla that is cut 4 ways and the Birria Broth. The quesadilla was amazing alone and even better dipped into the broth itself. So convincingly good that my friend ordered one for himself after seeing me enjoy mine. The individual duck taco was a little bigger than my palm and also very very enjoyable. I dipped it into the Birria Broth too for an elevated experience. And finally, the Pineapple Express was a refreshing palette cleanser as I ate the food. Overall it was a great experience and definitely recommend giving this place a try! read more

bartaco - Chapel Hill - Pineapple Express - Tacos Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

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Three new comments: 1) When there is a long wait on a busy night, children should not be taking up seats at the bar. 2) Heaters outside would expand your seating area tremendously; and it's such a nice outdoor area. 3) The margarita making station is *on* the bar, and the grapefruit they swirl the top of the glass on, followed by the salt, was right in front of us. If we sneezed or coughed - ugh. See photo. read more

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I was trying to pin point the cuisine of this place -- decor is very short-side like with a modern twist. Like sailboats and blue hues and such. After looking at the menu I was still stumped -- Asian Latin fusion? When we asked the waiter (who was amazing), he explained the style is "Coastal" .... interesting but Ok! During lunch they have a taco deal which is pretty good, but they limit you on what tacos you can choose so I opted out. Tacos - all 3 were tasty, no real complaints here. Favorite being the miso cod special! Really good, served in like a squid ink tortilla (?) and loved that peanut sauce with it. It's a specialty item and they have different ones everyday so make sure to ask! I would pass on the cucumber salad, nothing special and not a ton of flavor. The elotes were okay, pretty standard. I really liked the variety of sauces available at the table!! Favorite being the spicy one of course. read more

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Three of us arrived at Bartaco for dinner on a Friday evening. It was lively and the restaurant was full but we were told the wait was only ten to fifteen minutes. We were seated within that timeframe and had a great meal. I eat gluten free and the server made sure I knew what I could order safely. There were so many choices. The fish tacos were my favorite but the shrimp was tasty as well. My husband loved the tuna. The music was fun and upbeat. We will definitely return. read more

Perfect presentation and taste. We are fighting about top three best taco. Pork belly, duck, tuna, shrimp, Baja fish or mushrooms. No bad choice. People are amazing. Beer selection fantastic. Would be a weekly visit if I lived here. Even got to chat up the chef. read more

I loved bar taco! The food was delicious! I loved there yummy tacos! The service here was super fast everybody was super nice!! The food can really quick like a few minuets. I liked the boat theamed restaurant. The lighting was good and music good too! I 100% recommend coming to bar taco one day!!! read more

Had such a nice lunch at Bartaco! Been here plenty of times, but I can say service was the best it's ever been. Food was speedy & delicious. Jennifer & Mickey were so cute & sweet. Overall a beautiful meal & experience. read more

bartaco - Chapel Hill - GivingTaco + Chili Lime Shrimp Taco + Spiced Chicken Verde Taco & Spicy Cucumber Salad - Tacos Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

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Perfect Mexicali food... And drinks are to die for! Management will do anything to make your night go well. Fish tacos are great and their rice bowels are a nice break from the ordinary. read more

bartaco - Chapel Hill - Tacos Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

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The Food, the ambiance and the service is well worth the wait. Yes if you don't call in advance or book on line you may have to wait depending on day and time. We have become so familiar that the upfront house staff knows my husband by first name. It's great for a date and or family dinner. read more

This was one of my favorite places to eat in Chapel Hill. There was both indoor and outdoor seating with virtual ordering through your phone. The service was speedy despite there being a full house, and the food was incredible. They have a large variety of tacos, as well as a good range of choices for your vegetarian friends. My favorite was the fried oyster and the ahi tuna tacos, and my vegetarian friend's was the cauliflower and oyster mushroom. We also ordered a sweet tea which came to us in a giant jug! I don't know if that's just a Southern thing, but I was happily surprised. Overall, very delicious and worth it! read more

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This place is wonderful! The whole vibe when you come in is great, with perfect customer service and let me not forget about the food. If you wish to have one of the best tacos in Chapel Hill then you got the right place. Come in with your fam on a Saturday night and have a wonderful time. Carnitas Tacos Chicken Chorizo Tacos read more

Mediocre tacos, nachos, and dessert but nice ambience especially the outside seating. Street corn was the BOMB.

One of my better meals in North Carolina. I'm guessing they get busy during school season because...what kind of small restaurant would spend the kind of money on a app which allows people to get on the waiting list or order togo??? Service was fast and friendly. Put up a sign on your table whenever you need the server. Simple enough. Ambience was great inside..kinda dark, kinda noisy, semi comfy booths on the sides. They serve up tacos, non-taco items like salsa & chips, elatos, an extensive kids menu, and rice bowls. Some items are a bit "fusion" & quirky I must say. Items were reasonably priced for what you get. We ordered: *Cauliflower Taco-Not much flavor but unique. Has the cauliflower crunch. Good to try once. *Tuna Tatako-Green leafy taco with large chunks of tuna...delicious. *Glazed Pork Belly-Slightly sweet & flavorful. Like BBQ sauce. *Sesame RiBeye-Delicious~juicy. *Carnita-I'm from Cali...good carnita tacos are everywhere soo... *Elote aka grilled corn-Not as much "topping" as I would like, but nonetheless good. Beggars can't be choosers. *Small Guac-GET THISSSS! So fresh! I regret not getting the salsa dish as well. Chips are crispy as heck. *Churro w/ chocolate dip- Good for sharing, nothing too special. Wish the churros were less "hard". Anyway, we filled out their survey, got 2 buttons to redeem a taco next time. Very cute concept. Wouldn't mind eating there again! read more

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4.5 really. Service was good and people here are friendly. Great ambiance, but it's usually pretty loud if you can't handle that. Of the food we tried: Great tacos: Pork belly & Duck Good tacos: spiced chicken, Baja fish, Average: Ribeye, Chorizo Bad: cauliflower, just a soggy mess. Guac here was super yummy but the red salsa was kinda meh. Coconut sorbet was super yummy and flavorful. churros were good and tres leches was solid, not great. read more

For awhile it seemed the Falafel Tacos were gone from the menu and that's my favorite item at Bartaco (and maybe my favorite (vegetarian) tacos anywhere) - but today we ordered takeout because they're back! We did the taco kit of 8 tacos to go - I prefer the lettuce and my husband prefers the tortilla (pictured) so we subbed half for lettuce (surcharge for lettuce). These are so flavorful and spicy in the best way. If I were to order again, I'd probably order the tacos pre-made (not sure but I think they do a better job filling them). Still delicious. They included instructions on the best way to assemble them at home. We also ordered a jar of Key Lime Pie, and it was awesome. Staff was super friendly, originally forgot a couple items being super busy but called us immediately to let us know. I think it's a little pricier than I'd prefer to pay regularly for the amount of food, but for us it's a great "splurge" place. I think the environment (both indoor and outdoor) is part of the charm too as we have experienced in the past, but during covid we are sticking to take-out. Hoping the falafel tacos stay forever this time! read more

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Sat at the bar for 10 minutes without any acknowledgment. People sitting down after us were waited on but no one even came by to clear off dirty glasses that's been sitting there. Left and went next door to Hawkers. 5 out 5 there though read more

After my last less than perfect visit, Mark from bartaco reached out to me and assured me that the experience I had was by far an outlier and to try them again. Albeit skeptical, I happened to be in the area and decided to try once more. I was very pleasantly surprised this time around and was very glad I gave them a second chance. This was a complete 180 from my first time. Two of us came and ordered the duck, rock shrimp, redfish, sesame ribeye, baja fish, and glazed pork; the exact same tacos I had tried last time. This time around, the baja fish and glazed pork were the clear winners. The glazed pork was a good combination of sweet and salty, with a crisp skin on the outside and smooth texture on the inside. The baja fish came out super fresh and was really hot and crunchy. The rock shrimp and duck were as good as last time, and the ribeye and redfish weren't bad at all either. I was very impressed at how Mark took the time to reach out to me, showing clear dedication to the business. The waitress I had was extremely nice as well, checking up on us the perfect amount to make sure our meal was excellent. Will definitely come again! read more

bartaco - Chapel Hill - Tacos Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

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Came back again (I admit, it took me a while to pick a low-risk occasion to come back) and had a wonderful dinner experience that was much more of what I experienced the first two times I visited, rather than the botched dinner experience that happened in my previous review. The pork belly tacos were crispy and flavorful, and the baja fish was fantastic as well. This time I also tried their mixed juices (~$3 each), and would recommend getting those. Excellent food and service. My only suggestion is to find a way to label the different tacos when they come out all together on a tray so that it's easier to make sure the right taco goes to the right person. Also, it may be helpful to have a copy of the food ordered at the table. read more

We enjoy going there for dinner on weekdays. The food is consistently good, the drinks are nice and the ambiance great. Last time we tried the poke bowl which we really liked. Service is also fast and friendly. read more

More trendy than quality. A bit overpriced and small portions. They try to justify it by saying it's like "tapas".

The restaurant itself and the setting is very nice, and the service here is good, the only issue was the price for the amount of food. The portion sizes were small, and I found it a bit overpriced. But other than that I had a good experience and the food tasted good. read more

Party of 3 on a Saturday. You order yourself on your phone using a QR code. They bring food and drinks to the table. So the waitress was at our table a grand total of 3 times dropping off food and drinks. No other interaction. The problem I have with this place is they automatically charge a 20% tip to your bill. Prices are already high for the food. The food is good. Having said that, customers, not the restaurant, should be deciding what tip to leave based on the quality of the service. This is a limited service restaurant. Won't be going back because of their tipping policy. read more

Brooke took excellent care of us this afternoon! Beautiful patio weather, and the service was excellent!! Server named Amir was also extremely helpful, and drinks were top tier!! read more

bartaco - Chapel Hill - duck taco: AMAZING - Tacos Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Adorable space. Bartaco is located in a strip mall with ample parking and also located next to a movie theatre as well! We tried their margaritas and Paloma for drinks. I enjoyed the tart and fruity Paloma and the margarita was refreshing but didn't have as much tequila as expected. Ordering is all via their website so this can be a little confusing at first. They have wonderful indoor and outdoor seating. Their tacos are small so be prepared to order a few. The duck taco had fantastic texture and was cooked in a lot of wonderful flavor. The pork belly was really soft and succulent with great softness. The fish taco was crispy but needed more acid. The falafel was delicious but just so small that the ratio of outside crunchiness to inside softness seemed off to me. Overall I really enjoyed the vibe and the outdoor seating and drinks! read more

bartaco - Chapel Hill - Tacos Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Expect to wait awhile on the weekend and Friday. Call ahead before you leave and you can put your name in. The food's very good, the drinks are very good, and the overall vibe of the restaurant is very good and everything's consistent. I do not like at all that they are making you order and pay from your phone still. read more

I haven't eaten at bartaco in several years, so I was excited to stop by for a quick bite before a movie at nearby Silverspot. (I highly recommend this if you plan to catch a movie) Bartaco is located at university mall, so there is plenty of parking and space. Currently they are doing online/app ordering to your table, and service is fairly quick. While the food looked good and was fine, everything was very salty and I didn't really enjoy it. I do recommend you check it out when you are nearby but wouldn't tell you to go out of your way to do it. read more

The first Bartaco I went to was in Asheville. We were rather enamored by the beautiful light installations, the chill but classy vibe, and warm lighting, and bartenders juicing lemon after lemon at the bar using their industrial juicer machines, and the general hustle and bustle. To our surprise, Bartaco opened in Chapel Hill a few years ago here! I love that Bartaco and Silverspot have really made University Place a nice place to hang out in a Chapel Hill. We needed it. This location is very similar to the first location with some more Southern design elements and art maybe? Look up at the ceiling! The lights here are awesome. Between two people, I think 2-3 tacos a person is good. Their flavors and meats range from traditional Mexican to hipster healthy. I like the pork belly and carnitas! The raw tuna one and fried rock shrimp ones are not particularly great to be worth $3.50 each. For starters, chips, guacamole, and salsas are a good bet, but the corn fritters are a heavier appetizer but interesting too! I find that the portions are smaller and prices on par or on the higher end for similar findings, so I would choose Bartaco more for ambience or convenience before a theater movie if you have plans. The highlight of Bartaco is that they do use freshly squeezed fruit in their drinks though! read more

bartaco - Chapel Hill - Tuna on butter lettuce (see review for thoughts) - Tacos Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

How it works: write your order down on the order sheet and put the blue bar taco sign up so you're server knows you're ready. The only con is the food comes out family style, so don't forget which dishes you ordered! Drinks: HIGHLY recommend the aguas frescas. These non alcoholic juices are fresh squeezed and packed with flavor. You can add alcohol to these to make your own cocktail. The drink menu is tasty but these are a hidden gem!!! Apps: start with the corn fritters! They're soo cheesy and come with a spicy sauce. The guac + salsas is a great choice for a group but only comes with a few chips - ask for extras. The Tuna Poké is tasty but didn't blow me away, I think I wanted more flavor in the marinade. Tacos: they're on the smaller side (2-3 bites) so I usually order 3-4. My favorites: ahi Tuna, Baja Fish, swordfish, cauliflower flower w spicy sauce, portobello. I've heard the pork belly is great too! And ask about the SECRET TACO of the month Decor: the inside has a clean coastal vibe with white walls and sea themed photos. There's lots of booths and a lively bar to wait for your table or ending a drink. Outside they have the "oyster bar" which is really just a second bar area. They have lots of outdoor tables on the patio and fans to keep it comfortable. read more

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The atmosphere of this place is very fun for a night out. We picked up takeout which was very easy to do - you can order on their website - and I was glad to see vegan items on the menu. The cauliflower bowl was delicious! We tried a few sides as well - highly recommend the salsa verde! The only negative is the portions are quite small so if you are like us and are hungry (we came from the gym) you definitely need to order more than 1 thing! read more

bartaco - Chapel Hill - Cauliflower Bowl - Tacos Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

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What an awesome addition to University Mall! Yes, you're going to have to wait, but at least they have a system that you can check on your phone. In addition, they have cards that alert the waitstaff to when you need something, which I thought was really smart. My fav tacos were the shrimp bahn mi and ribeye. Margs weren't especially great, especially for the price, but there are some other drink options that are cheaper. One person will need somewhere between 2-4 tacos, and maybe a side if you're really hungry. Save room for dessert, the spiced chocolate pudding is incredible. read more

bartaco - Chapel Hill - Mushroom, falafel and shrimp bahn mi - Tacos Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

This place was so, so cute! Came here for lunch and got the $11 special... (3 tacos + a starter soup/salad) PROS: * the tacos were stuffed! the proteins + sauce + vegs were great (I tried the fried baja fish (my fave), pork carnitas (so good. they use condensed milk??) + portobello * got the pork posole (a kind of stew) as my starter. Lots of flavor! * the space is seriously so aesthetic and cute * drink + dessert menus looks great/lots of options. will definitely come back for dinner and try those out CONS: * portions are kinda small, but they are pretty filling and packed with flavor, not very comfort food though * portobello taco didn't really wow me -- just 3 slices of a portobello mushroom? they were tasty, but not as good as the others. I heard the brussel sprout taco was good -- so maybe try that one if you're thinking no meat! OVERALL: will definitely come back to try out more options! really lovely! read more

bartaco - Chapel Hill - Lunch tray $11 (from front to back, portobello, carnitas, and baja fish tacos) + pork posole! yum! - Tacos Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Food is amazing, fresh and delicious. Ambience is great with indoor outdoor seating. Dog and kid friendly

This place was amazing! Trendy, happening, cool decor, delicious food, and the best service ever! We went in for lunch on Sunday and were immediately seated. The way they do things at Bartaco is a little unique, and our server nicely explained things to us. You write your order on a little list on the table, like you're at Which Which or a sushi place or something, and when you've decided what you want you put your order in a little stand on your table so someone knows to come get it asap. Also, they have a little card with a dragonfly on it that you can put in the holder and a server will know to come over and see what you need. We probably ordered too much food for two people, but everything looked so good! We got a small order of the chips and guac, which was delicious and came out super quick. We also ordered an arnold palmer and a ginger mint iced tea- holy crap! We each got a huge carafe and a cup with ice- both drinks were delicious, but not we know they could have been shared. Also, get this- they took them off our bill for "taking too long", which we didn't mind at all! This is what I mean when I say excellent service. For our main courses we tried the Mexican corn, the gazpacho, and 7 different tacos (i told you, we over ordered- I couldn't even eat dinner that night!). Everything was amazing. Even though I don't have any dietary restrictions I was thrilled to see lots of vegetarian and gluten free items on the menu, as I do have friends who this would be important to. Tacos we tried: cauliflower, portobello, baja fish, oyster, shrimp bahn mi, pork belly, and LOBSTER! The lobster was actually the day's "secret taco". I only knew to ask about it because my cousin lives in Atlanta and had said at the Atlanta location they have a secret taco every day. The lobster ended up being one of our favorites. The other favorite was probably the oyster but, man, what a tough choice! I can't wait to go back! I will probably stick to 3 tacos per person, or 2 tacos plus the soup or corn or something. That's a more appropriate serving size for me. :) read more

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