Volume 48, Number 2
[dropcap size=big]E[/dropcap]clectic design meets Mexican-inspired cuisine at Tacofino’s new Taco Bar. Founders Kaeli Robinsong and Jason Sussman launched the Tacofino Cantina food truck in 2009, and their love of street food has since grown with the opening of three restaurants and four food trucks serving Vancouver, Tofino and Victoria, B.C.
In January, the duo opened the 3,000-sq.-ft. Taco Bar inside a restored heritage building in Gastown, featuring an 80-seat dining room, patio and counter serving grab-and-go burritos. Inspired by Tofino’s laid-back beach vibe, Vancouver-based designer Shiloh Sukkau hung handmade lights and installed imported beige and light-brown tile and cement
breeze blocks.
Bartenders at the 20-seat bar serve bevvies, such as the Margarita-Fino with lime- and orange-infused El Jimador tequila, Cointreau, Fino sherry, fresh lime juice and a vanilla-salted rim ($10) to complement imported cerveza and wine.
Starters such as guac and homemade chips and dip ($12) make way for traditional Mexican pork-belly dishes such as Chicharróns, topped with yucca root and slaw ($12) or tacos stuffed with red chorizo, crispy kale, avocado-jalapeño crema and pickled onions ($6).
