It has been a while since I have posted on the blog but this review was worth breaking my self-imposed silence for. Barrio Comida has been a miss since it vacated its temporary home on Newcastle’s Quayside two years ago but has now found a permanent home with stunning views in Durham. I was very excited to visit and see what was on the menu, especially for vegans.
Located on Church Street, the views Barrio has over the Durham are impressive. We were seated in a prime spot beside the window to take full advantage of the lit up Cathedral as we perused the menu.
On offer are traditional tacos which heavily feature meat and fish, although there are two vegetarian options available that can be veganised on request. There’s also a large selection of cocktails and Mezcal, but I stuck to the soft stuff as I had the car.
Ordering is done via a card, much in a similar vein to Bao Bar, and the staff were well versed to make recommendations. My friend chose Carnitas and Birria, while I opted for Frijol and the Vegetariano minus the queso.
I couldn’t start off my experience without Totopos and Guacamole, the absolute best guac I’ve ever had (and I’m vegan, so I’ve eaten A LOT!). The Chicharron also got the thumbs up from my friend. So far, so good. All of this was to be hoped for after our experiences in Newcastle.
The tacos were also top-notch, with my friend raving about the Birria in particular. Served with a bowl of consomme made with lamb bones, he said it really added to the depth of the dish. The tray of salsa is a great touch and allowed us to try different heat combinations with our main courses.
Black beans formed the base of both of my dishes. Frijol was topped with avocado while Vegetariano had sweet potato. Both benefited from a good douse of fresh lime and Salsa Verde to enhance the flavour.
With queues for tables as we were leaving on its opening night, I can see Barrio Comida’s brand of laid-back dining making a huge mark on the dining scene in Durham. It is also reasonably priced, with 2 tacos ranging from £6 to £7.50. Our meal was just over £40, drinks included. We’re looking forward to a return visit.. if we can get a table!
Thanks for reading,
Pip x
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