Midtown Lunch

Buena Onda opened in the Art Museum area, filling the need for quality, quick food for neighbors and Barnes Museum patrons. A more casual concept in the Garces empire, Buena Onda does counter ordering only. Baja inspired tacos and quesadillas, made with made to order tortillas, along with sides of soup, salad, and guacamole are all you will find on the menu.  And to drink; tamarind or hibiscus juice,  wine, beer, or margaritas, including a frozen prickly pear I was sad I couldn’t try. But I didn’t pass up the sample of K38 beer on tap, available to all those of age who walk through the doors.

The main draw is the fish tacos- it says so on their awning. They come either “signature batter fried” or tequila lime glazed. Either choice is $3.50- which is steep for one, normal sized taco. I picked the fish of the day- perch- and had them fry it.  I was once again reminded that the Garces team knows how to fry some fish.  The fish tacos comes with red cabbage slaw and a spicy chipotle remoulade.  I also enjoyed the tender shreds of pork carnitas, which comes with a pineapple and jicama slaw.

Buena Onda fills orders fast. And while tacos are normally a messy thing to order for take-out, they have worked out a stellar (and recyclable) take out system to keep your lunch upright.

THE + (What somebody who likes this place would say)

• Free beer
• Quick and quality tacos

THE – (What somebody who doesn’t like this place would say)

• Pricey tacos

Buena Onda, 1901 Callowhill, 215 302 3530