Casa Del Barco

I am not a huge guacamole fan but their Bacon guacamole is must every time I come here. You also can’t beat $ 5 margaritas on Mondays!

This place is wonderful. The service was excellent. The décor is out of this world. It is an awesome place if you are a vegetarian as they have epic cauliflower tacos and mushroom tacos. My husband had a carne asada special that had brussels sprouts. Delicious. We also found a great bottle of Malbec for $ 30.

Such a cool spot to have a chill dinner with cocktails and convo.
My friends and I came here for dinner last night and had a great experience. Two had been previously and knew that it was a solid option. The building is so interesting. Situated literally on the Canal Walk, I had passed it several times while running. Having originally been a Reynolds manufacturing building, much of the architectural features have been retained while funky but tasteful decorations have been added, such as light fixtures made from Tequila bottles. The atmosphere alone would tempt me to come back just for drinks.
I thought the food was good, but not a game changer. They tout it as «refined» Mexican; it is a slightly more interesting version of a standard Mexican dive that comes with a bigger price tag. I had the chicken tacos. The chicken was tender and plentiful and the two different salsas and queso sauce added a nice flavor combo.
My friends all enjoyed themselves. I think we all ended up clearing our plates. I’m unfortunately not a tequila drinker, but apparently they have the largest tequila selection in VA. Our bartender/​server was great, and helped me make my vodka selection. Overall solid choice, and I will be back if for nothing else the bar experience!

We found this place on the OT (OpenTable) after searching for a brunch place to start an all-​day walking tour of Richmond (our first time visiting) on a Saturday. Unfortunately, OT did not specify that brunch is only available on Sundays (unlike DC… pfffff)…but the lunch menu more than made up for that slight snag.
The significantly better half of mine got the «local mushroom» tacos with yucca fries while I got the barbacoa tacos (also with yucca). The plate seemed a bit small but the tacos were rich with flavor and very filling (not sure if the tortilla was corn or flour… tasted like corn but had the consistency of flour). Chips and (somewhat spicy) salsa was included.
Loved the aesthetics of the interior (didn’t seem too artificial) and the location was great — right on the canal and within easy walking distance to the State Capitol. Service was attentive and friendly though we were the only patrons on an early February Saturday at 11:30−12:30 (though Richmond overall was rather empty).
HH specials looked great and there were projection screens available throughout — definitely a fun-​looking place to hang out in.

Stopped by for the first time with 3 friends and I must say I was impressed with the atmosphere and general look of the place. We sat, and a waitress came right over and we ordered drinks. About 3 – 4 min later chips and salsa arrives. Pretty decent salsa, nice and hot. Really chunky. The waitress comes back and ask are we ready to order. We do and I ask about my beer. 10 min later, thirsty, parched, and perturbed I go to the bar and literally got a beer in 1 min. How so fast? The place had 6 tables, on a Friday, at 8:00… Come on now! Tighten up. Our drinks arrived 4 – 5 min after I got my own beer. But maybe she’s just having a off night, the food will make up for it right? Right? Wrong. Chicken tacos bland and chicken was dry. Tacos were small and served on flour tortillas. (Flour??) I had 4 yucca fries… 4.
Casa del Barco, you won’t survive with just an awesome tequila selection. Bigger portions or lower prices would serve you well.

Happy hour!!: Monday-​Friday 3−7pm, $ 3 drafts of Pacifico, Dos Equis Amber & PBR, $ 4 craft drafts, $ 4.50 Del Barco margs, $ 3.50 well drinks, $ 3 off all wine on tap, ½ price tacos and empanadas.
Small but good margaritas. Good services. Clean establishment. Happy hour prices are good. Dinner/​normal prices are high! Get to happy hour to get in tacos and drinks ! Cheers Amigo

Great food and drinks at a reasonable price. Definitely not your average Mexican restaurant. It’s got a fun vibe and is good for large groups of people. Parking is a little tricky, so if you live nearby then take an Über.

I love the look and feel of this restaurant. On this visit it was restaurant week so I ordered off of the fixed menu (although the regular menu options were still available). It’s always good to give back to charity during restaurant week, right! I ordered a soup that isn’t normally on the menu so I’m not going to review it other than to say it was delicious and had a great presentation.
I loved my salmon tacos. They are awesome if you are looking for a somewhat healthier option and you get 4 bite sized portions. I LOVE bite size portions and it was the perfect mix of fish with a slight citrus taste and yummy avocado. That is much more my speed than a gigantic burrito. I took my desert home which was some chocolatey goodness that isn’t normally on their menu.
Overall, this place has really fun drinks and is a comfortable atmosphere to hang out with friends. We had good service too, score! Awesome downtown happy hour spot. Love the patio!

I had initially written this place off due to it’s location
since it’s nestled in the pampered apartment living by the canal
and chalked it up to some difficult-​to-​park-​near hipster nonsense.
I was looking for fish tacos for my SO
and read a couple of good reviews and thought what the hell.
It was a Sunday afternoon, so parking wasn’t as bad as usual
(you can snag a free spot on weekends,
and I think there are free ones after 8pm on weekdays;
don’t hold me to that, though).
The food is fantastic.
A surprisingly different flavor offering
I haven’t found in any other Mexican restaurant in the city.
Carrot ginger habanero sauce?
Yassssss queen.
This is my SO’s favorite fish taco in the city.
You can also get corn tortillas (which I would recommend).
I usually get the mushroom anything;
the rice and bean bowls are amazing.
The ambiance may seem confusing.
They have something that looks like the remains of club lighting
coupled with a rustic wood/​industrial look with tons of edison bulbs and live plants on the wall (caution, dirt drop from the vertical garden can occur).
I’ve been there when the music has been all acoustic covers of current songs.
Like super recent. So that was someone’s very recent choice to purchase that.
It can get really crowded and loud, like any place
that would have a bar, large open seating area and patio seating by the canal.
The advantage here is that I still feel like I have a lot of room.
Their seating is ample and spacious,
so you could bring a large party here no problem.
Or you could stretch out in a booth and take a nap after eating;
they’re pretty big.
I haven’t had any desserts here
because I’m usually stuffed from free chips and the entrees.
But I will some day
probably.

Casa Del Barco, down in the Sockhoe Bottom, right on the water with the über hip grafitti emporium and lit up bridges that cross the slow water… The venue is cool too, though reminiscent more of a dark club that a Mexican Restaurant. On a cold fall night, the patio was closed and seating was only inside in the «LARGE ROOM» that was very very very dark. Still cool.
We had chips, Guac (OK), the Mole chicken wings (pretty amazing but teeny). Our table sampled enchiladas, fajitas, the burrito bowl and the Carnitas Tamale special. Everything was good but not grand. My Margarita, the Barco, was meh. So a three star place in a super cool locale, worth trying, but probably won’t bring you back.
If the Barco lost the TVS and lit the tables, perhaps it would become more dining friendly… Just saying’.

Enjoyed a nice scenic dinner of fish and steak tacos outside. The view was nice the service was prompt and very helpful.
The food was simple but very tasty. Quick delivery from the kitchen too.
Hard to find parking nearby. I paid $ 6 and that to me is outrageous in Richmond.
You can walk some of the river walk too after your dinner.

One of my go to places when I have customers in town or starting out the night downtown. Good food, not over priced and great drinks.
I have had bad tequila experiences in my day but a good tequila I have no problem with anytime.
Great concept with the finish a tequila bottle and you decorate for the ceiling. I have 8 bottles on the ceiling now.
Great location on the canal. Great for about any occasion and normally not to crowded (but they do take reservations as well).
Many people don’t know this is the same company as The Boathouse (3 restaurants in Richmond) and Casa Del Barco means «The Boat House».

Food was okay. The prices doesn’t reflect the food quality. The ambience and service was good. The salsa and drinks were tasty.
I would more likely recommend this place for the appetizers and drinks, but there are other places that offer drinks and appetizers for a more reasonable price.

Had a really good meal here the other day. Definitely the best guacamole I have ever had in a restaurant! (we chose the traditional) Creamy and flavorful. Both my friend and I found the salsa to be too spicy.
For entrees, we got chicken tacos and vegetable enchiladas. Both were filling and flavorful, but the vegetables in the enchiladas were on the raw/​crunchy side.
Definitely go if you like a kick in you Mexican food. The red sangria definitely had a strong tequila flavor, so don’t expect it to be a «light and refreshing» sangria. My friend ordered it out right, I never saw where it was listed on the menu, so I don’t know whether this matches their description.
I would love to go back for guac and drinks, and maybe sides.

Food was great. I had the Tuna Tacos as they were on special. I would highly recommend

What’s with all the haters? This place serves DELISH tacos, is very spacious, has great décor (and music), and great service. What more are people lookin’ for? My friends and I were visiting from out of town – were going to stop by a taco truck, but apparently it doesn’t show up on Saturday. So we marched over to CDBarco and proceeded to shovel mounds of edible (and drinkable) delights into our gullets.
I had the kimchi tacos and also ordered some bacon/​tomato guac for the table. Both were insanely yum-​tastic. My blackberry marg was also tart and tasty. A+ across the board for this joint!

Since my girlfriend has moved to Manchester, we are starting to frequent the Fan less and less and explore the Bottom more and more. She received a gift card from her work for her performance and attitude, so we decided to check it out. Boy, am I glad we did!
Located on the picturesque Canal Walk in Downtown Richmond, Casa Del Barco is a fun little Mexican inspired restaurant that only serves fresh and locally prepared dishes, most of those items created in house. I had the chorizo tacos, and I can say they rival my favorite ones from Don’t Look Back. They are served with corn, beans and lime crema sauce, and are a tad smaller than I’d like, but you get three. Simply stated, they are delicious and would definitely be ordered again.
Reasonably priced, quick and friendly service and a dressy casual atmosphere. A. Will definitely be visiting again.

It has been more than a year since my spot-​on review. During that time I’ve been back for lunch on three occasions and happy hour on two occasions. Our lunch service was perfectly pleasant all three times. The food however has gone downhill like an avalanche. It is now just the faint shadow of its former glory. The prices are now in the stratosphere with a mind boggling $ 19 dollars for three steak tacos. Let that sink in a little. F*cking tacos people! It should never reach those heights.
When you look up GALL in the dictionary there are two definitions. One is a brazen boldness coupled with impudent assurance and insolence. The second is Casa del Barco’s pricing.
Flank steak retails at $ 7.00 a POUND! RETAILS for $ 7! Where on this PLANET are you getting your meat from?! You know what — who gives a $hit? Whatever the reason is… it’s a bull$hit reason. I’ll talk a dog off a meat wagon before give ground on this point. I can’t fathom a rational excuse for these prices, keyword: rational. I also see the Queso dip has jumped in price an additional buck fifty $ 1.50
It’s almost comical at this point.
I’ll tell you what is comical. Their ‘AVOCADO CAESAR’ described as quote «romaine, chipotle caesar dressing, crispy tortilla and avocado.» What you get is ONE GIANT LEAF of romaine lettuce with dressing drizzled on it. I would have taken a picture but I didn’t want to embarrass my work colleagues.
The pricing doesn’t give ground anywhere on the menu. A bottle of Corona is $ 6, Pacifico on draft is $ 5, and bottle of Miller and Bud are $ 4 — how do you sleep at night? Also, that chocolate peanut butter porter by DuClaw Brewing Company is named SWEET Baby Jesus not «Street» Baby Jesus (fix that online menu). I’m exhausted with this place. Good luck and good night.

A patio that overlooks the canal (read: water view… sort of) … Great happy hour specials… Mexican Food… Margaritas… Seriously, what’s not to love?!
This is not your grandmother’s Mexican restaurant. They step things up for sure. Feel like some chips and guac? They offer three different types — traditional, bacon-​tomato, and mango-​habanero. Maybe a margarita while basking in the sun on the patio? Choose from EIGHT different flavor combinations — I’m not talking cheesy syrupy, Panama City Spring Break concoctions, I’m talking sophisticated flavor profiles including Mango Chile and Blackberry Basil. I’m a personal fan of the El Barco (traditional) and the Blueberry Hibiscus.
As a chicken fajita addict, theirs certainly do not disappoint and, at $ 14.50, they are actually cheaper than a lot of the other Mexican restaurants in town despite the restaurant’s billing as a «high end» Mexican restaurant.
Casa Del Barco’s happy hour is a great opportunity to try some of the food without committing to a full meal. In addition to beer and margarita specials they offer deals on empanadas (love the pork) and tacos (chicken or fish) so long as you’re sitting at the bar or in the bar section. The bar does tend to fill up pretty fast but you can usually snag a spot at one of the high tops.
If you like Mexican, or margaritas, or even just patios, you’ll enjoy Casa Del Barco. Patio weather was made for places like Casa Del Barco.

Service and atmosphere great. Food not so much. Felt like they are going for upscale Mexican, but the food is overpriced and not good. I ordered the rice and bean bowl that came with chorizo. It was bland and chorizo was ground overly fine. Will be back for drinks but not food.