Bartaco – Mexican
Stepping into this sun-drenched coastal escape feels like a permanent vacation, where white-washed wood and woven textures create a breezy, laid-back sanctuary for social dining. The air hums with the energy of a seaside retreat as guests clink hand-shaken margaritas and savor vibrant, street-style tacos that burst with the bright, bold flavors of the shore.
222, Summer Street, Stamford, CT, 06901 +1-203-323-8226 https://bartaco.com/location/stamford/Rating: 4.4/5 (1212 reviews)
Cuisine: Mexican
Price range: $$
Dietary options: dairy-free, gluten-free, halal, high-protein, low-carb, vegan, vegetarian, heart-healthy, low-fat, low-sodium, mediterranean, paleo, pescatarian, plant-based, whole30, anti-inflammatory, dash-sodium-reduced, gerd, high-fiber, low-cholesterol, south-beach, aip, alkaline, raw-food, renal, tlc, volumetrics, zone, juice-cleanse, lectin-free, macrobiotic, sesame-free, soy-free
Diet fit at Bartaco
Dairy-Free at Bartaco
Bartaco in Stamford has 13 dairy-free-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Seared Chorizo, Mojo Pork Carnitas and Carne Asada. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Gluten-Free at Bartaco
Bartaco in Stamford has 7 gluten-free-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Seared Chorizo, Mojo Pork Carnitas and Carne Asada. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Halal at Bartaco
Bartaco in Stamford has 29 halal-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Chopped Salad, Street Corn and Ahi Tuna + Crispy Rice Bowl. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
High-Protein at Bartaco
Bartaco in Stamford has 4 high-protein-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Chopped Salad, Esquites and Cauliflower. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Low-Carb at Bartaco
Bartaco in Stamford has 1 low-carb-tagged dish on its current menu, including Mushroom. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Vegan at Bartaco
Bartaco in Stamford has 9 vegan-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Mediterranean Cauliflower Bowl, Cucumber Salad and Guac + Chips. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Vegetarian at Bartaco
Bartaco in Stamford has 18 vegetarian-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Chopped Salad, Street Corn and Mediterranean Cauliflower Bowl. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Heart-Healthy at Bartaco
Bartaco in Stamford has 7 heart-healthy-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Street Corn, Tres Leches and Kimchi. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
How tags work: Dish-level menu analysis by Chefi's rule-based diet engine with AI assistance; nutrition values are estimated from ingredients unless marked verified. Allergen and certification claims are never inferred.
What to order at Bartaco
| Dish | Net carbs | Protein |
|---|---|---|
| Kale Caesar | 36 g | 91.7 g |
| Chopped Salad | 1.4 g | 62.3 g |
| Roasted Half Chicken | 29.3 g | 41.8 g |
| Esquites | 25.9 g | 26.7 g |
| Baja Fish | 34.8 g | 25.5 g |
| Cauliflower | 22.3 g | 19.5 g |
| Chicken Verde | 9 g | 18.1 g |
| Steak w/ Cheese Taco | 13 g | 14.7 g |
| Kimchi | 37.1 g | 11.5 g |
| Seasonal Rustic Beans | 21.9 g | 10.7 g |
| Roasted Brussels Sprouts | 9.4 g | 8.5 g |
| Mushroom | 10.7 g | 8.1 g |
Nutrition values are estimated from ingredients.
Currently closed
Hours
- Sunday - Thursday
- 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM
- Friday - Saturday
- 11:00 AM - 12:00 AM
What diners are saying
Diners have mixed experiences but consistently praise the fresh, flavorful food, highlighting standout items like the tacos, esquites, and a memorable key lime pie. While some guests celebrate the thoughtful and amazing service—particularly noting helpful staff during bad weather—others report significant lapses, including missing orders and inattentive waitstaff. The atmosphere is described as vibrant but potentially loud, with fair prices, though some patrons encountered technical issues with ordering systems.
Menu
Tacos
Choice of 4-inch corn tortilla or bibb lettuce shell, topped with cilantro
- Retro Chicken Tinga: Pulled dark meat chicken in a smoky + spicy morita chile tinga sauce w/ pickled red onion + cilantro Dietary tags: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Whole30, Paleo, Anti-Inflammatory, AIP, Lectin-Free, Soy Free
- Mojo Pork Carnitas: Crispy + juicy shredded pork, seared w/ tangy, sweet, spicy mojo sauce, topped w/ tomatillo sauce, onion, cilantro Dietary tags: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Whole30, Paleo, Soy Free
- Chicken Verde: Chile + herb marinade w/ aguacate salsa Dietary tags: High-Fiber
- Yucatán Shrimp: Red recado marinaded shrimp over a roasted plantain habanero purée, topped with/ a crisp + tangy cabbage slaw + cilantro Dietary tags: Halal, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Alkaline, Soy Free
- Pork Belly: Spicy arbol chili sauce Dietary tags: Low-Sodium, Renal
- Sesame Ribeye: Sweet sesame-soy glaze marinade w/ spicy kimchi
- Ahi Tuna Tatako: Ancho-crusted tuna + asian slaw on a bibb lettuce shell Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian
- Roasted Duck: Tamarind glaze + caramelized onions
- Carne Asada: Citrus marinated + seared steak tips topped with/ bright, tangy avocado salsa, onion + cilantro Dietary tags: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Whole30, Paleo, Soy Free
- Seared Chorizo: Argentinian-style spiced ground pork w/ sweet onion + cilantro + smoky red chimichurri sauce Dietary tags: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Whole30, Paleo, Soy Free
- Mushroom: Herb marinated + roasted wild mushrooms w/ roasted poblano chile sauce + queso fresco Dietary tags: Low-Carb, Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach
- Baja Fish: Spicy tempura-battered cod w/ chipotle slaw Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian
- Cauliflower: Roasted cauliflower placed on a chickpea hummus topped w/ pistachio chimichurri + fresh pomegranate seeds Dietary tags: High-Protein, Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Alkaline, Macrobiotic
- Crispy Oyster: Fried oysters served over remoulade sauce, topped with crisp + tangy lemon parsley slaw Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts: Honey chipotle-glazed brussels sprouts w/ curried carrot purée, pickled onions + smokey candied pepitas Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Renal
Not Tacos
Starters, salads, and small plates
- Guac + Chips: Hand-mashed avocado, lime juice, serrano chiles, onions, cilantro Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Juice-Cleanse, Soy Free, Sesame Free
- Salsa Roja + Chips: House-made red salsa with chips Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Plant-Based
- Salsa Verde + Chips: House-made green salsa with chips Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian
- Duck Birria: Shredded duck + oaxaca + cotija cheeses in a crispy corn tortilla w/ birria-style duck broth Dietary tags: Low-Sodium
- Roasted Half Chicken: Garlic-herb half chicken w/ peruvian-style green chile sauce Dietary tags: Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, TLC
- Ceviche: Cod + shrimp w/ avocado, onion, tomato, fresh serrano + cayenne Dietary tags: Halal, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Raw-Food, Alkaline
- Tuna Poke: Raw tuna, onion, radish, crispy ginger + avocado w/ poke dressing, toasted sesame seeds + pickled cucumber Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian, Anti-Inflammatory, Low-Cholesterol, Macrobiotic
- Plantains: Fried plantains tossed in salt + cayenne pepper Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Plant-Based
- Chopped Salad: Chopped romaine, pickled carrots, crushed tortilla chips, queso fresco, cilantro, avocado, cilantro-lime vinaigrette Dietary tags: High-Protein, Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian
- Kale Caesar: Kale salad tossed with a lemony caesar dressing, topped with cotija cheese + toasted gluten free breadcrumbs Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian, High-Fiber
- Pork Posole: Rich pork stew simmered w/ mild guajillo chilis, hominy, garlic, topped w/ cabbage, jalapeño, lime, onion, cilantro
- Chicken Tortilla Soup: Rustic chicken tortilla soup w/ corn, roasted poblano, topped w/ oaxaca cheese, tortilla chips, cilantro Dietary tags: Low-Sodium
- Retro Pork Tamale: Roasted pork + tangy tomatillo salsa steamed in soft corn masa dough wrapped in a corn husk
Sides
Perfect accompaniments
- Esquites: Sweet corn kernels w/ cotija cheese, creamy + tangy sauce, cayenne pepper Dietary tags: High-Protein, Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian
- Street Corn: On the cob w/ cotija cheese, creamy + tangy sauce, cayenne pepper Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, GERD-Friendly, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC
- Seasonal Rustic Beans: Creamy, slow cooked pinto beans w/ queso fresco, jalapeño + cilantro, served with tortillas Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Anti-Inflammatory
- Cucumber Salad: Garlic, red pepper flakes, rice wine vinegar Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Dairy-Free, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Renal
- Kimchi: Spicy korean-style side w/ nappa cabbage, carrot + green onion Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, High-Fiber, TLC
Rice Bowls
Hearty bowls with steamed brown rice
- Pork Belly + Crispy Rice: Braised pork belly caramelized in sweet arbol chile glaze + sesame bean sprout salad + pickled red onions + crispy rice
- Chicken Verde Bowl: Chile + herb marinated chicken + roasted corn + tortilla chips
- Korean BBQ Ribeye Bowl: Shaved ribeye beef + sweet sesame-soy sauce + spicy kimchi + korean-style spinach + crispy shallots
- Mediterranean Cauliflower Bowl: Roasted cauliflower + chickpea hummus + pistachio chimichurri + honey-harissa glazed carrots + pomegranate seeds Dietary tags: Halal, Low-Sodium
- Ahi Tuna + Crispy Rice Bowl: Ancho-crusted tuna + asian slaw + thai basil vinaigrette + soy glaze + toasted sesame seeds + crispy rice Dietary tags: Halal, Dairy-Free, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium
Desserts
Sweet treats to finish
- Churros: w/ chocolate + vanilla sauces Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium
- Tres Leches: Three-milk soaked vanilla sponge cake w/ whipped cream, caramel sauce + toasted coconut Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, TLC
- Key Lime Pie in a Jar: Key lime custard, graham cracker crust, vanilla whipped cream Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, Soy Free
Kids Menu
For the little ones
- Guacamole + Chips - $6: Kid-sized portion Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium
- Chicken w/ Cheese Taco - $2: Not spicy Dietary tags: Halal, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, TLC
- Steak w/ Cheese Taco - $2: Not spicy Dietary tags: High-Protein, Halal, Anti-Inflammatory
- Roasted Chicken - $3.5: Kid-sized portion Dietary tags: Halal, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Whole30, Paleo, Anti-Inflammatory, High-Fiber, AIP, Lectin-Free, Soy Free
- Corn Wheels - $2: Kid-sized portion Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Macrobiotic
Cocktails
Signature drinks
- bartaco Margarita: libélula joven tequila + combier liqueur d’orange + agave syrup + lime juice Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, Renal, Juice-Cleanse
- Paloma Fresca: libélula joven tequila + grapefruit + lime + peychaud’s bitters + grapefruit bitters + sparkling water Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Lectin-Free
Frequently Asked Questions about Bartaco
- What is the overall customer sentiment about this restaurant?
- Diners report a 4.4/5 rating, praising fresh tacos and esquites while noting inconsistent service and a loud, vibrant atmosphere.
- Does this restaurant have a website or online ordering?
- Bartaco has a website at https://bartaco.com/location/stamford/, and customer reviews mention technical issues, suggesting an online ordering platform.
- What should first-time visitors know about this restaurant?
- Bartaco offers a vibrant, coastal atmosphere with fresh tacos and esquites, though service quality varies despite the 4.4/5 average rating.
- What are the most popular dishes at this restaurant?
- Popular dishes praised by diners include the tacos, esquites, and key lime pie, which are noted for being fresh and flavorful.
- Does this restaurant offer good ambiance?
- Bartaco features a sun-drenched coastal atmosphere with white-washed wood, though reviews describe the vibrant setting as potentially loud.
- Is this restaurant good value for money?
- Diners report fair prices and good value for the moderate ($$) price level, reflected in the 4.4/5 average rating.
- Which diets does this restaurant support based on its menu?
- Bartaco supports gluten-free, keto, vegan, paleo, and dairy-free diets through dishes like ceviche, pork belly, and chicken verde bowls.
- What do customers love most about this restaurant according to reviews?
- With a 4.4/5 rating, customers love the fresh, flavorful food, specifically the tacos, esquites, key lime pie, and thoughtful service.
- How extensive is this restaurant's menu selection?
- Bartaco offers 15 highlighted taco varieties and caters to 35 dietary tags including vegan, keto, gluten-free, and paleo options.
- How can I contact this restaurant?
- You can contact Bartaco by visiting their website at https://bartaco.com/location/stamford/ for all inquiries and location-specific details.
- Is Bartaco dairy-free-friendly?
- Yes. Bartaco has 13 dairy-free-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Seared Chorizo, Mojo Pork Carnitas and Carne Asada.
- What can I eat at Bartaco on a dairy-free diet?
- Seared Chorizo, Mojo Pork Carnitas and Carne Asada carry the dairy-free tag, out of 13 tagged dishes on the current menu. Every dish's diet tags are listed in the menu.
- Does Bartaco have vegan options?
- Yes. 9 dishes are tagged vegan on the current menu, including Mediterranean Cauliflower Bowl and Cucumber Salad.
- Is Bartaco gluten-free?
- 7 dishes are tagged gluten-free on the current menu. Chefi never infers allergen tags from a dish name alone, but a tag is not a certification — confirm preparation with the restaurant if you have celiac disease or a severe sensitivity.
- What is the highest-protein dish at Bartaco?
- Kale Caesar, at roughly 91.7g of protein (estimated from ingredients).
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- Quartiere — Italian
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- Honey Joe's Family Coffeehouse — American
- Barcelona Wine Bar Stamford — Spanish
- Stamford Salads — American
- Riko's Pizza — Italian
- Kotobuki — Japanese
- Flinders Lane — Australian (Note: "Australian" is
- Winfield Street Coffee — American
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