NoVA-area diners will get a rare chance to taste food from the first-ever Michelin-starred taqueria, El Califa de León. The Mexico City restaurant will have a limited-time pop-up in collaboration with another taqueria, Tacombi, in Bethesda and Arlington starting this week.
El Califia de León has been open in Mexico City since 1968, with a simple menu of only four tacos — Bisteck (beef steak), Costilla (beef rib), Gaonera (thin-sliced beef filet), and Chuleta (pork chop). The restaurant earned one Michelin star in the inaugural Mexico guide, making it the first taqueria to earn the recognition.
Tacombi is a taco chain that began in the Yucatán and now has 20 shops in the U.S., serving tacos, quesadillas, burritos, and more. Tacombi founder Dario Wolos worked with El Califa de León owner Mario Hernandez Alonso to bring the tacos to the U.S. for the first time, making stops in Chicago and Miami before making it to the DMV area.
The collaboration between El Califa de León and Tacombi will be at Tacombi’s Bethesda restaurant on December 10, where El Califia de León’s four tacos and two salsas made by Alonso will be available from a taco stand–style setting. They’ll be available the next day, December 11, at Tacombi’s Arlington location.
“We are honored to partner with El Califa de León and share their tradition with our guests across Tacombi,” said Wolos.
After the pop-up events, a selection of the tacos will be available at both locations from December 12 to 26. The tortillas are made in-house by Vista Hermosa, Tacombi’s proprietary brand, and the meat is sourced from Pat LaFrieda Meat Purveyors.
Tacombi Bethesda: 4749 Bethesda Ave., Bethesda
Tacombi Arlington: 1550 Crystal Dr., Arlington
Feature image courtesy Tacombi
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