Business & Tech

Barrio Tacos & Tequila Closes Its Doors

The gourmet Mexican and tequila restaurant, located next door to the Palladium 12 Theater, served its last tacos on Feb. 23.

Birmingham's Mexican dining options continue to shrink after Barrio Tacos & Tequila officially closed its doors in late February.

Located at 203 Hamilton Row, the Mexican restaurant specializing in gourmet tacos posted a sign reading "We Are Temporarily Closed" on their doors beginning Feb. 24. The restaurant owners later said they wouldn't be reopening.

"We made the decision to close because, with the high overhead and the changing dining landscape in Birmingham, we just felt it was something we had to do," Tracy Wilson, general manager of the Dali Restaurant Group, told Downtown Birmingham/Bloomfield earlier this week.

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Besides Barrio, the Dali Restaurant Group also owns Birmingham's Hamilton Room and Chen Chow Brasserie, all of which are located in the same block surrounding the Palladium 12 Theatre.

"We are very sorry to see Barrio close in their location at the corner of Hamilton and Ferndale," Birmingham's Principal Shopping District Director John Heiney said. "We have heard from managment that they intend to put all of their resources into their other property, Chen Chow."

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"We will continue to stay in touch with the property owners and will work with them in any way possible to help find outstanding businesses for their building," he added.

Barrio opened in Birmingham in summer 2011 in the spot formerly occupied by the Quattro Pizzeria & Wine Bar. Named after the Spanish word for "neighborhood," the owners said Barrio was meant to a fun spot for all kinds of diners.

In fact, Metro Parent magazine even said in December 2011 that while Barrio seems more parent- than kid-friendly, the restaurant was a "great choice" for families.

"This is a casual, fun restaurant — not an upscale restaurant," Eric Doelle, founder of the Dali Group, told Patch in 2011 when Barrio opened. "That's why our wait staff is in T-shirts and jeans." 

Barrio, though, was definitely known for its food. Adventurous lunch and dinner selections include salmon Veracruzana (oregano, tomatoes, olives or capers), oyster nachos and campechana ceviche (grilled shrimp, mango avocado, capers, tomato broth).

This is the second major hit to Birmingham's Mexican dining scene in only a few months. Zumba Mexican Grille, located at 163 W. Maple Rd., closed in early January.

What do you think of Barrio closing? Will you miss it? Were you a fan?


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