I'm honestly lost for words, Chef Victor Albisu knew what he was doing when he dropped this on Wade Ave. This is a new establishment but man the service was on point. Loved the interior, setup and music choice. Last but never least this food is TOP NOTCH!! Unsure of safe place to get a bite to eat and good drinks. Stop by Taco Bamba, hoping I can get a few more nicer days in my home state to have a seat on the patio with some good food and drinks. Thank You Taco Bamba Staff !! read more

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So I just started a new job in town and it happens to be 2 minutes away from Taco Bamba. My boss took me there on my first day and wow! From the outdoor seating, to the salsa bar, to the creativity in tacos, it was such a cool experience. I had to get a carne asada taco, one of them had to be simple. It had steak, cilantro, and onion on a corn tortilla, nothing fancy needed. I was so impressed with the steak, the meat wasn't too small or too stringy. You could see it was actually cooked medium rare, not just to the point of being done. The Queen Bee with the spicy fried chicken, house slaw, hot honey, pickled onions, etc was an awesome blend of flavors. And I loved the Sweet Baby Jesus with Cheerwine bacon carnitas, pickled fresnos, crispy onions, crispy pork skins, etc etc. I don't know how they came up with these combinations, and yes, it's a lot of ingredients, but they are amazing tacos that you can't find at just any taqueria. The chips were fine too, just a little salt, thin cut and hot. They also have a small, but nice bar, I just hope they have Casamigo Reposado. I'll definitely be coming back, I want to try more! read more

Very tasty, very well thought of, very large (a taco is as big as 2, easily), fairly priced - what's not to like with this gourmet take on mexican classics. read more

Super confused by all the good reviews. From the horrible setup where you order right by the salsa bar/ fountain drinks to the abysmal tortilla chips, this experience was not for me. As for ambiance if you love flies, you are in luck. They will join you inside for your meal. The only bright spot was the queso but dipping the styrofoam old chips into it was not ideal. Both of my specialty tacos completely lacked in flavor. Not returning... read more

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Fresh, Flavorful, Great Value Team was very nice and friendly. Great Vibes with really great Cocktails! read more

I wish there were more stars to give. My favorite taco place in Raleigh and there are lots of good options. Their breakfast is underrated and there isn't a bad item on the menu. Bar and outdoor seating are great. Try the Jeffrey! read more

We had great service from Nancy and took her recommendations on what to eat. She did not disappoint!

My husband and I dined in here for dinner and had a good experience. I started off with a beer then had a margarita. For food it was the queso and chips, mexican street corn and tacos to split. We chose a taco bamba, al paca, pescado and queen bee. The food and margarita were both really good. read more

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I've been here a few times now, and it is one of my favorite places for tacos. I love the al pastor taco. This time I also tried the birria taco, which was good. It's nice how all the meats are priced the same for the traditional tacos, and they put plenty of meat in them. I like the chips and queso, but the amount you get for the price is so small compared to other taco places in Raleigh. The queso does have a good flavor and some spiciness. I just wish you got more. The staff are super nice and even had us try some of the pork before ordering. If you're looking for a new taco spot to try don't miss out on this place! read more

Taco Bamba Raleigh - Al pastor and birria tacos with chips and queso - Tacos Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

We love some other taco options in Raleigh, but this is quickly becoming our favorite. Nice portions, good value, friendly staff and great sauces. read more

If you're looking for authentic Mexican food, this ain't it. Mostly they serve tacos with some variations and a few side dishes. They do not have any combination plates or entrees, everything is "a la carte." Most menu items are about $4-$5, so if you want a couple of tacos and a rice and bean side it's going to be around $15 with tax, not including any tip. The food was just bland and uninteresting. The soft tacos were double wrapped yet still ended up soggy. One concerning thing, while washing my hands in the restroom, the faucet barely had any flow and the water was cold. It made me wonder how the employees wash their own hands well enough after using the restroom without any hot water and good water flow. This was my first time to Taco Bamba, I won't be going back or recommending it to anyone. Raleigh has an abundance of really good Mexican restaurants, go to one of those instead for a better value and about the same price per meal. Or, if you're into chain restaurants, Alpaca grill is a way better option with good entrees. read more

"Great tacos/ tortas near NCSU" Came here on a rainy Friday evening right around 5:30pm. I was worried it'd be packed, but there was a table free, and the line wasn't too long. The restaurant is very casual-- a bar at one end and a counter for ordering at another. They have a pretty extensive menu, so worth glancing at it before going. My son and I ordered torta tradicionals (I had barbacoa, he had some kind of lamb), and my wife got tacos (spicy shroom and one other). Note: you do NOT get chips with your order, so if you want them, order them separately. We did so in part to try out the salsa bar on the side. The tortas were very good. The avocado and jalapenos in them were just right, too. My son was happy with his as well. My wife's spicy shroom was much spicier than she had planned, so she wasn't crazy about it. I had a bite, and it was indeed spicy-- I didn't love the flavor either. But I was still very happy with my dish. The salsas didn't quite match the labeling. The verde was fine. The chile arbol labeled as "HOT" was not really that hot at all-- I was surprised at that label, especially given how truly spicy the shroom taco was. And one of the others (I forget which) tasted almost like barbecue sauce. What impressed me the most, though, was the good customer service. This comes off as almost a fast-food sort of place, in that you order at a counter and sit at a table, so I didn't expect any attention after receiving my food. But instead, folks working there checked on us multiple times, asked if we liked the food or needed anything, etc. Pricing was fair-- I'd not go so far as to call it "cheap", but it's fair for the quality and quantity of food one is receiving. Similar price to, say, Gym Tacos nearby. Overall, I'd go back -- it was good. Give it a try if you're in the area! read more

Listen, close every other Mexican restaurant but this one and La Victoria. When I say service, food, owners, everything is IMPECCABLE...boyyy do I mean it. I had the wonderful opportunity to come and try the tasting menu and really get a sit down talk and dining experience with the Taco Bamba team. I got to try Bamba ceviche, potato esquites salad for course 1, bec empanada and American dream empanada for course 2 , clean style (cabbage instead of tortilla) jeneral and cape fear cat fish for course 3, taserface and spicy shroom taco for course 4, and finally churros and rubias for course 5. Needless to say I was in a food coma at the end of this meal. Like leaving thanksgiving dinner waddle. I ate and loved EVERYTHING. In course one the experience started strong with of the freshest ceviche I have ever tasted. I mean every flavor complimented the others so well. Now I am not a fan of potato salad, I feel it's always too warm or too cold or too mayo-ey lol. This was a smoky perfectly cooked potato salad that out ranks anything I have tried before. I need a catering order for get togethers moving forward. The potatoes were perfectly cooked without overly mushy or undercooked which is a science. This was paired with Pink Patera drink which I literally drank as a flavored seltzer it was so smooth. For second course I had empanadas. The American dream was my favorite with the juicy pork that had tons of flavor. I also liked the bec one but not a big bacon fan. The flaky buttery crust aids as a perfectly supportive flavor pocket that truly is like a flavor party in your mouth. Before the next course we had our first mezcal shot that was so smooth and my favorite drink of the night. The tuna and catfish clean style was probably my favorite of entire experience. The catfish was perfectly seasoned and had no salt overload that I am used to having. The breading wasn't overwhelming and so perfectly complimented the catfish that it truly was mouth watering. The jeneral had some sushi grade tuna that was beautifully flavorful. At this point I was stuffed and still in awe at every bite. The last course before dessert was a brisket and a mushroom taco. That again were just amazing. I loved the churros with the dulce de lece because there was a slight vanilla flavor as well that was just pure and fresh. The fiery pineapple margarita was so refreshing and truly delicious with distinctions of fresh ingredients. Everything was very clean and I truly have no complaints. I cannot wait to come again. read more

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I swung by for a late lunch and really enjoyed my experience. Ordering in the line is easy and they will bring your food out to you! Staff were friendly and upbeat. There's ample seating especially outdoors. The menu is massive and offers so much more than just tacos. They are a franchise but the new Raleigh location offers a few Raleigh only menu items which is a fun touch. I tried the Cape Fear Catfish and Al Pastor tacos and my husband had the torta bamba, which is possibly the largest sandwich I've ever seen. We also shared some chips and queso. I thought the queso was delicious, it was just mildly spicy. Catfish taco was so juicy, definitely has some kick, and really tasty. The al pastor has actual pineapples in it and is less juicy so it benefits greatly from one of the salsas on top. I preferred the al pastor but that's just personal preference. My husbands torta was so massive he joked that it was enough for 4 servings! It was packed with multiple meats and more. I just had a few bites of it but thought it was pretty yummy. Unfortunately I don't live near this location but if they were closer to Apex I'd probably be here all the time! read more

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I visited Taco Bamba during their soft opening and was absolutely blown away by the awesome menu, prompt service, and crave-worthy flavors. The space is brand new and pristine, with nice inside and outside options. High-end casual spot where you order up at the counter then they bring your food to you. Didn't get to try a drink from the bar, but the drinks look well-crafted and fun. The menu has so many enticing options, it'll take me several trips before I get the lay of the land, but I fully intend on coming back many more times to try everything out. $5 for a signature taco might seem steep on the menu, but when it arrives, you'll see it's completely justified; they are huge, inspired and chock-full of awesome homemade ingredients. Some are super funky, others are a little more standard, but they absolutely hit the spot. I tried the Taco Bamba, the Queen Bee, and the lamb birria mulitas. I'd recommend each, especially the mulitas if you're down to send it. The chips and guacamole were great, the elote was a little messy but super tasty, and the churros were a perfect way to end the meal. I'm already planning on coming back soon to try a torta and maybe some other tacos. The team seemed passionate and eager to deliver an elevated experience, and I'm super happy to have Taco Bamba in Raleigh. read more

Taco Bamba Raleigh - Taco Bamba - Tacos Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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The food was delicious!! The Mexican Street Corn was one of the best I've had! The fries are a must! The Taco Bamba was my fav but barbacoa was also delicious! You don't really expect a lot of service at a counter type place but that's not the case here! It was crowded when we came in so I grabbed a table as soon as one opened and a sweet lady came and cleaned the table fully to make sure it was clean for us when we got our food and she also cleared our plates for us! Such a great experience! read more

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This spot recently opened and we've already been here twice. Convenient location on our way out of Raleigh, casual, lots of parking and honestly good for groups. There's always a bunch of kids everywhere. Great covered patio! Easy ordering at the counter and then they bring out your drinks to your table and yell your order number for you to go get your food. We've pretty much liked all the tacos we've tried so far - our favorites are the Al Paca and the seared tuna one that comes in lettuce. The "new" style tacos seem to be waaaay bigger than the traditional style ones. Guac is okay, but margs are great! read more

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Haven't had a bad meal here yet. The tacos are made well, sauces are varied and range from mild to spicy. Pork rinds with spices is a great side. Only issue for me- pozole was not as good as I had hoped. read more

Decided to finally try the new taco place that I always pass. Ordered 2 tacos - the Taco Bamba and a grilled chicken. Both were delish! The Taco Bamba one was a little spicy so beware! The grilled chicken was simple but yummy! The fresh salsa bar was fun and the outdoor seating was super nice. There is also bar seating available. You order at the counter and they bring your tacos to the table. Friendly team and short wait! read more

I am on a Keto diet. The Clean tacos are served on a cabbage leaf. Great food and still Keto.

I just had my first experience at Taco Bamba and I must stay it was amazing. Unfortunately, it started off rough because my food did not come out in a timely manner but the general manager, Jaff, went absolutely above and beyond for me. He is truly one the most kind and thoughtful people I have met in the food industry. They remade my food, offered any tacos of my choice, a full refund, and a cute tote bag. He really turned what could have been a bad experience into an amazing one. I will definitely be coming back here!!! read more

We stopped here for lunch while shopping at Fleet Feet. This place is the BOMB!!! The atmosphere is nice! Food was top notch, tasty quesadillas and tacos! You order at the front register so no need for service! They have a nice bar inside, seating inside and out on a real nice patio. The menu is over-whelming! It took us a few to figure out what we wanted to eat! Two tacos with tingo chicken, quesadilla with tingo chicken also. We also tried the Mexican street corn, OFF THE CHARTS!!! Highly recommend!!! The food was prepared fresh and hot. Good flavors! Definitely will be back to try it out again!!! read more

The tacos are amazing . I had the catfish and the spicy mushroom tacos with Horchata .

Let me start off by saying, I went to this location twice in one day! First, I went around 12:30p for lunch with my best friend. We sat at the bar, the bartender was nice, attentive, and very helpful. I ordered 2 catfish tacos, 1 Queen Bee, and 1 Alpaca- the food was so great that I came back later that night with my boyfriend. On the second visit we sat at the bar, I had 1 catfish taco, 1 smashburger, and 1 shrimp and grits; again, the tacos were great. We also shared some chips and guacamole while my boyfriend ordered 1 Queen Bee, 1 Arabe, 1 smashburger, and 1 taco bamba. This place had a great atmosphere and the food is amazing; however, I will not be returning because I almost fell out of my seat when I saw a roach climbing across the bar top. The bartender was startled and requested help from another staff member who was unsuccessful at killing the bug. I left very disappointed. read more

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Great menu- great food- great value. Stopped here this afternoon for a late lunch. I ordered the dirty birria taco and the dirty fish taco. "Dirty" means with fixings such as cabbage, pickled onions, cheese, crema. Not knowing how large the tacos would be I only ordered two and that was plenty. Two tacos -$10. You order and pay at the counter and they come to your table a few minutes later with your order. Both inside and outside seating. Full bar, though all I had was water on a Monday afternoon with lots of driving yet to do today. Next time I'm in Raleigh I'll visit again and try something else. I'm sure it will be fantastic. read more

Tacos are always great here. I get carne asada which cost a dollar more but the meat is sliced thick. The meat was so juicy that the juice was dripping out the end with every bite. Their rice and beans are great as well. Their salsa bar is always clean and stocked. The place is always clean when I go in, haven't been here during diner or bar rush though. The staff is always really nice and helpful. The aesthetic is also great. As the wall says, "Prepare Your Mouth..." for deliciousness! read more

Taco Bamba Raleigh - Tacos Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

I love the outdoor setting. The food was fast and delicious. The empanada was amazing & crispy and the dipping sauce was also really good I ended up dipping my chicharrones in the sauce. The spicy chicharrones wasn't that spicy but they still came out piping hot and yummy. One of my favorite parts about the whole experiences. Now on to the tacos it was a lot going on on bout those tacos. I like the Queen bee the best out of the two. But next time I will definitely try a more traditional taco. Because there definitely will be a next time. read more

Taco Bamba Raleigh - The american dream empanada , Queen Bee and the sweet baby Jesus - Tacos Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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I had a very positive impression of Taco Bamba after eating at the Herndon, VA location last year while traveling for business, so I was excited to try the location in Raleigh. Unfortunately, my experience at the Raleigh location was a disappointment. I tried three tacos: barbacoa, birria, and spicy mushroom. While the fillings for all three tacos had been clearly sitting around for a while and served up as orders came in, the barbacoa and the birria suffered the most from this treatment and ended up dry and rather flavorless, despite being served soaked in juices. The serving size was very generous so when combined with the overly juicy servings the ungrilled corn tortillas basically disintegrated, so I ended up having to eat much of the tacos with a fork. The spicy mushroom taco, which I'd previously tried in Herndon, fared better. Although definitely not cooked to order, it was spicy with the pepitas giving it a bit more texture. The serving side was also not so over the top, so the tortillas didn't disintegrate which which let me eat it like a taco. My dining companion tried the sope and found it dry, doughy and not very flavorful. The $4.50 side of rice and beans was mostly rice with the refried beans being very dense and heavy, but with little flavor. Other than the new, modern location on Wade Avenue and the pleasant staff obviously trying to please, I was thoroughly unimpressed with this Taco Bamba. The taco truck just down the road serves a better product at a substantially lower price. read more

WINNER WINNER TACO DINNER!! ok don't judge me but this place is a winner! They have an extensive menu so try to look in advance! We tried the Al pastor-- full of flavor, queen bee delicious but spicy, chicken tinga quesadilla my two year old devoured! Rice and beans are flavorful as well! Adult beverages are good but not the reason to come here!! You come for the food!! I'll be back to try more! read more

Taco Bamba Raleigh - Tacos Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Best Birria i have had. It was the traditional way with slow roasted lamb. Much better and different taste. I honesty wanted one of everything on the menu. We also got some warm churros that was the perfect dessert after. It all looked amazing and if what we had is any indication of how good it is we will be back! We stopped in after Amy friend had eye surgery. We sat at the bar and had a couple drinks while we waited. I had a Moscow Mule and friend had . They were so good. The bartender was nice and friendly. We came in before the rush so it was quiet and not crowded at all. read more

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Good eats at a reasonable price. Had 2 tacos and an order of black beans and rice. Tacos were really good as was the black bean and rice. They have a small salsa bar with decent options. Menu is huge with lots of options. They have a nice bar with a nice patio setup. Didn't sit outside because it was cold but the patio looks like it would be perfect in a month or two for a few drinks and dinner. read more

The best food I have ever had. Top to bottom flavors were on point. Everything I ordered was different in its own. 15/10!!!

First off I will say ambience is cool. Layout of the restaurant kinda off, immediately when you enter the pick up spot is right in front. To place an order you have to walk all the way around. When you order the menu is very high and not in plain view so you would have to remember what you want. The real reason for my review is that we placed an order which was a total of 10 items. Paid 120bucks and tipped on top. Just to wait over an hr for our to go meal. Like I said the pick up was right by the exit and can see our meal just sitting there as it is passed up by 15 other tickets. Inquired twice to be told was waiting on something. Nothing moving what so ever. In the end meal was finally packed and missed our on an item due to them running out. Now for the taste well, I am originally from Cali and Mexican food is second to none. So this was sub par. Ceviche with coconut lime sauce was wierd. Tacos naw! Only gave 2 star cause the salsa sauce selection was good. Won't go back again! read more

I am on a mission to find the best tacos in the triangle and this place is a top contender!! I've been 3 times thus far and the food is consistent in quality and taste. They have a pretty diverse menu from tacos to sopes so there's something for everyone. Everything is self service unless you sit at the bar. There's also indoor and outdoor seating. The music is very loud so be prepared. It's not as loud outside so my preference is always to be on the patio. Each visit I've tried the traditional tacos--corn tortilla, onions, cilantro. This is my preference for tacos but they also have Tex mex options. The flavor on the traditional tacos is there!! I love that the tacos are simply dressed and packed with so much flavor. The fish taco is my favorite. There's a complimentary salsa bar available as well varying with options at different spice levels. The service is always quick and the staff are great about checking on guests too. I'm looking forward to trying some more menu items including some of their drinks! read more

Taco Bamba Raleigh - Tacos Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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Taco Bamba created Taco El Veganos for the Raleigh Vegan Chef's Challenge this month. The mushroom-walnut chorizo is meaty and spicy. The other toppings make each mouthful a treat: creamy, crunchy, spicy, and fresh. The cashier told me they also have a mushroom taco year round that is vegan if you ask them to leave off the cheese. I hope the el Vegano makes it to their permanent menu. The service was very good, the interior pleasant, and there is patio seating for warmer weather. read more

Taco Bamba Raleigh - Sign describing El Vegano vegan taco with photo and ingredients list - Tacos Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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Best tacos on the east coast. We frequented their northern Virginia locations because they were so tasty and this new Raleigh installment is no exception. The carne asada "dirty" style taco is my current favorite and the beans & rice is a crowd pleaser with young kids. For this location, when you come in the front doors, you have to turn left past the pickup area to get to the cashier/order area. Top notch tacos! read more

Out-of-towners who found this fantastic restaurant when looking for a quick bite before a concert at PNC. I absolutely cannot say enough great things about the food, service and hospitality. Fun menu and we were lucky to have had a bespoke NA mixed drink made especially for us. Very creative menus with a wonderful vibe. I'll go back every visit to Raleigh. read more

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The drinks and the food here are AMAZINGLY!! I also really like their salsa bar. The barstools and the chairs at the table are AWFUL! I mean unbearably awful! When I come here I opt to get a spot at the bar and STAND. I would come way more often if the barstools were not so unbelievably unbearable. I took a star off simply for the terrible seating options. read more

Stopped by Taco Bamba to check it out during its soft open. We came on Friday night so it was lit. The space has seating indoors with a bar, an outdoor patio, as well as a lower level with picnic tables and astroturf lawn. They have an extensive menu with queso, chips, dips, apps, tortas, tacos, quesadillas, etc. There is also a selection of free salsa, although you need to purchase chips. We got the taco bamba, el gringo, cape fear catfish tacos, as well as queso, plus churros. The tacos were well balanced with great flavors and toppings. I also loved the churros, which came with dulce de leche. I definitely want to come back to try the breakfast tacos too. The restaurant has counter service, which is great for a casual meal, but if it's busy I can see it being chaotic. When your order is ready, they call out your number. If you're planning to sit below at the picnic tables, I would recommend waiting on the upper level for your food, because you otherwise might miss your order. I'd also note that the only way to access the lower level is to exit the restaurant and walk all the way around. So make sure to plan ahead to avoid multiple trips back and forth. read more

The new heavy weight taco champion in Raleigh! I was a big fan in northern Virginia and I'm over the moon that they have a foot hold in this market. Now...build the next one in Durham! read more

Taco Bamba Raleigh - Come back 20 times so you can try all the tacos! - Tacos Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina