Nestled amongst Derby Street Shops in Hingham, the newly constructed bartaco offers an inviting and modern take on dining. The outdoor seating, with overhead heaters and lush greenery, adds to the aesthetic appeal. We arrived early in the afternoon, and to our surprise, the restaurant was packed. However, we noticed a distinct difference from the traditional dining approach after being seated. While the staff, including waitresses and waiters, are ready to assist customers, ordering is done only through QR codes. That’s right, there were no menus! It’s a convenient aspect for many, though it does shift away from the traditional dining experience.
We kicked off our meal with drinks—freshly squeezed homemade lemonade and Shirley Temples. While the lemonade was a bit too tart, the Shirley Temples were some of the best we’ve had. The menu has a broad selection of Mexican dishes, perfect for anyone who loves variety.
We ordered the restaurant’s famous chips and guacamole for appetizers, which immediately impressed us. The chips were massive, almost tortilla-sized corn disks, and the guacamole was incredibly fresh and flavorful. We also enjoyed street corn, grilled and coated in mayo with chili spices. It had just the right balance of smokiness and spice.
Unfortunately, the entrees did not quite live up to our expectations. We sampled the chili lime shrimp, sesame ribeye, and pork belly tacos. The shrimp, while fresh, was overwhelmingly spicy, which distracted us from enjoying the other tacos. The ribeye and pork belly tacos were okay but lacked a “wow” factor. The glazed pork belly rice bowl had potential, with the same tender pork from the tacos that was delicious on its own. The contrast between the hot pork and cold vegetables (especially the bell peppers and pickled red onions) made the dish mediocre.
Underwhelming entrees overshadowed bartaco’s fresh ingredients and great starters. While the restaurant’s ambiance and appetizer selection gave us a strong start to our afternoon, the main courses fell short of expectations. The overly spicy shrimp set an off-putting tone for the rest of the tacos and entree experience.
Overall, bartaco shines with its lively and warm atmosphere and unique dining experience, but the entrees’ flavors left our taste buds disappointed. It’s a spot worth visiting for the drinks and appetizers, but the main dishes don’t quite deliver. Our experience earned a 6/10—bartaco has potential, but with some changes to its main dishes, it could rise higher on our list of local favorite restaurants.