I have many fond memories of bartaco from a few years ago visiting friends and family in Westport. I haven't been able to visit the past few years with covid disruptions so this trip when asked what spot I'd like to hit up, bartaco was high on my list! I visited with my boyfriend and his brother over labor day weekend. We knew it would it be busy so we aimed for a 2pm lunch to miss the bulk of the lunch crowd.
We initially called at 12, but were told we could only call a maximum of 30 minutes in advance of when we wanted a table (no bookings). No issue, so we called again at 1.30 pm to get on the list and then made sure to get there before 2 to keep our place. We get there at 1.55 and are told there will be a 30 to 40 minute wait, which we are fine with.
We go to the bar to order some drinks while we wait. The drinks were all quite decent and the bartender was friendly. We had an old fashioned, caipirinha and margarita, all well made and tasty.
While drinking we check up with the maitre'd on our table as we see quite a few tables open up around 2.20 pm, but she informs us we will have to keep waiting as we haven't waited long enough (odd logic- would think we would just have to wait until a table was free and we are next on list).
Anyways we keep waiting but at 2.45 we are getting quite hungry and go up to ask about our table given it has now been 45 minutes since we've been at the restaurant and over an hour since we were put on the waiting list and there are many open tables that would be the right size for us for the past 20 mins / not really prime lunchtime. We get told to keep waiting and don't get seated until 2.55 pm with no apologies from the maitre'd, and we are just put in a booth (not really worth a 1 hour 25 minute wait).
We had taken a menu from the bar so placed our order immediately as we were seated for a few different tacos, including the lobster taco (secret menu item I'd seen a photo of online), as well as plantain chips, a rice bowl, and some chips, corn and salsa roja.
The salsa roja and corn came out quickly, which was good as it was after 3 pm now. They were both delicious and we finished it fast between the three of us.
Next the tacos (excluding the lobster taco) and rice bowl came out.
The taco fillings seemed very small and the dish was lackluster. They looked nothing like the photos online, maybe the kitchen was running low on taco fillings? The rice bowl looked okay.
After we finished eating those tacos and rice bowl, my boyfriend was going to ask for the bill because he thought we were all done, but as he was getting the waiter they brought my lobster taco, which looked to have less than half the amount of lobster than the one shown on their insta. If I wasn't so hungry I would have taken a photo to share here as it was pathetically small.
My boyfriend then was going to ask for the bill but I reminded him I had ordered plantains as well, which must have been forgotten (not sure how as on the menu you mark what items you want and the waiter verbally confirmed with us too!). We chased the waiter for the plantains, which then came out shortly after ( but really should have come out at or before the tacos / rice bowl). They were tasty but I have a feeling they were bananas, not plantain. Tasted very sweety and not the usual starchy, savory flavour from plantains.
Regardless, was really disappointed with the size of the tacos, the late/forgotten plantain/banana starter, the delayed taco and the service (no apologies for forgetting the plantains or for the significantly longer than expected wait).
I am really upset as I used to love coming here, but after this last experience I am not very convinced it is worth it, especially with the sizeable wait and poor service and underwhelming portions. read more