August Construction Solutions collaborated with award-winning James Beard nominated chef, Victor Albisu to build the first Taco Bamba outside of the Washington, DC metro area. Located in Raleigh, North Carolina’s prominent Ridgewood Plaza, this outpost of the well-loved taco and Mexican street food restaurant is the first free-standing location. ACS was involved in the entire process, including the demolition and rebuild of the shell building and then the complete upfit and adaptation of the space for Taco Bamba. This later stage work included the management of the construction of the interior dining room and outside deck and the incorporation of all new plumbing and electrical systems to accommodate the restaurant’s needs.

The dining concept behind Taco Bamba is an elevated taqueria. The overall aesthetic is a mixture of industrial and rustic.  There are exposed ceilings and metal and steel accents contrasted with Ambrosia Maple wood elements, including a rich, custom-made bar top and steel shelving by local custom artisans, Raleigh Reclaimed. The 2,800 total square footage is broken down into an interior dining room, bar area and generous elevated outdoor deck, which is perched over an expansive green lawn. To enhance the dining experience, a transparent paneled roofing was used over the deck to allow sunlight to flood the space without allowing UV rays to penetrate.

As with each Taco Bamba locale, the goal was to incorporate local details into the design of the restaurant, while maintaining the signature black and red artwork.

Architect
New City Design Group

Size
2,850 Square Feet