Minnesota Spotlight: Barrio

Barrio is a popular and vibrant Latin cuisine restaurant and tequila bar with multiple locations in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota.¹

🌶️ What Makes Barrio Unique?

Barrio sets itself apart in the Minnesota dining scene with a focus on:

• Authentic, Scratch-Made Latin Cuisine: They pride themselves on creating dishes from scratch with bold, big flavors.²

   

• Extensive Tequila and Mezcal Selection: The bar boasts over 100 varieties of tequila and mezcal, appealing to both casual drinkers and aficionados.³

   

• Signature Cocktails: They feature 10 house margarita variations, including their signature Trinity margarita.⁴

   

• Vibrant Atmosphere: The environment is described as casual, vibrant, and with a unique energy that combines the best parts of a mom-and-pop Mexican restaurant with a nightlife element, making it “edgier, fresher, and more innovative” according to local media.⁵

   

📜 History in Minnesota

• Established: Barrio has been a fixture in the Twin Cities since 2008, establishing itself as a go-to spot for Latin flavors and good times.⁶

   

• Locations: Barrio operates at several locations, including its prominent spot in downtown Minneapolis on Nicollet Mall and another at the MSP Airport (Terminal 2).⁷ A St. Paul location was also mentioned in customer feedback.

   

⭐️ Customer Feedback Highlights

Customer reviews generally praise Barrio for:

• Amazing Food: Described as having great food and big flavors.

• Incredible Bartenders: The staff, particularly the bartenders, are often highlighted as super friendly and helpful.⁸

   

• High-Quality Ingredients: The restaurant is noted for serving a level of Mexican food that goes beyond the typical “taco stand Mexican.”⁹

   

🌮 Highlight Menu Items

Barrio’s menu features a range of Latin-inspired dishes and specialties.¹⁰ Some notable items include:

• Appetizers:

  • Made-to-Order Guacamole: A customer favorite, often prepared fresh.¹¹

     

  • Queso Fundido: A popular small plate.¹²

     

• Tacos & Entrees (A la Carte & Plates):

  • Tacos: Options include Pork Carnitas, Grilled Chicken, Mahi Mahi, and Gringo Tacos.¹³

     

  • Enchiladas: Such as Chicken Enchiladas Al Pastor.¹⁴

     

  • Tostadas¹⁵

     

• Signature Drinks:

  • The Trinity Margarita: Their flagship cocktail (Campo Bravo Plata, Cointreau, and lime juice).¹⁶

     

  • Barrio Margarita

  • Macho Camacho

📅 Significant Events

While specific, individual public events are not detailed in the general history, Barrio is known for:

• Happy Hour: They offer daily Happy Hour specials, including their namesake margarita at a special price, which functions as a regular, significant event for patrons.

• Patio Season: The Minneapolis location on Nicollet Mall is a popular spot during spring and summer, providing an important social experience with tacos and tequila al fresco on their beautiful patio.¹⁷

   

📍 Location and Contact Information

Please note that this information is primarily for the main downtown Minneapolis location on Nicollet Mall, which is the most prominently featured Barrio in Minnesota.