BarRio Taco & Tequila Bar

What a joke. Came in on a Friday night at 10:00 pm expecting a fun experience, only to discover a DJ set up and sitting at his equipment with no music playing, and the two employees were struggling to serve all of the 12 customers in a timely fashion. After taking our order (5 shots, not too hard) they took a personal phone call and stood around talking to the other customers before pouring our drinks. I’m pretty sure the bartender was drunk (I saw him take three shots within the 30 minutes we were there) and the other employee seemed incompetent. One of the shot glasses we were served was clearly someone’s wedding party favor. I have definitely seen better bars on Bar Rescue! I will not be back, judging by the other reviews our experience was about par for the course.

Food was brutal. Chips were stale, Tacos were bland, all over priced and poorly made. Service was horrendous. Only 3 employees were working and it was difficult to even get our drinks refilled. No wonder here was only one other table being occupied at 730 on a Wednesday night. Stay away. Anywhere else is a better option. You’re welcome.

I would give Barrio 0 stars if I could. We went on a Saturday afternoon and were the only people there. The only server working did not have her liquor license (at a TEQUILA BAR) but she didn’t tell us until AFTER she brought us the drink menu after we asked for it, when we were ordering our drinks 15 minutes later.
The carne asada tacos were so bland, it’s like they didn’t season the steak at all. I had 2 bites and left the rest.
We ordered the salsa flight as well but the server had no idea what that was.
Worst dining out experience I’ve ever had.

Sorry. But the service here is still going downhill. They have some good things but there is a service issue and some serious coordination issues. I’m calling it now. Last 2 visits have been hopeless.
I really had hope for this place but the dream is over. The look of confusion and despair on the bartenders face made this 100% clear to me.

Do yourself and whoever you are with a favor and don’t go here. My first red flag went up when the place was empty at 8:00 on a Saturday night.
Barrio:
+update your website
+you are more of a bar than a restaurant
+your staff was quick to greet our table of 8, but ultimately we walked out because there was no sense of urgency to assist your ONLY customers in the BAR.

The margarita was amazing, and the server/​service was great. The food was not great. The tacos were bland and the queso was nothing special. I would go back for drinks.

Wasn’t very impressed with the food or service. Queso and salsa are good, but I probably won’t recommend to my friends.

Well, I thought it was «Barrio Taco & Tequila Bar» so I think Unilocal gets a poor rating for the inaccurate name. Awesome service and the best steak tacos I have ever had while sober. Everyone is friendly there and the beer selection and food is outstanding.

We came here and waited over 1.5 hours to get food. We were the only ones we arrived and about half full when we left. The food was okay at best, but very small portions. We had to got out for dessert because family was still hungry. Then the server kept messing up our bill over and over. It was still wrong and I was overcharged, but I was ready to leave. Service was so bad, it was like we were being punked.

This place has changed since prior reviews. Staff was helpful and food the tacos were good. I had carne asada, carnitas, fish and chicken tacos. I was pleased.
Salsa and chips were good. The atmosphere took a moment to get use to. Cool place. I want to check it out on a Friday or Saturday. I will definitely come back.

Bummer… Server was really sweet, which is the only reason for the second star. Margaritas were decent too. Food had no contrast of flavors; the descriptions on the menu led to thoughts of sweet and smoky and spicy, but delivered none of that. Carnitas were very dry. The guac was the only thing other than the chips that they used salt in and it was way too much. It was also $ 7 for about 3 – 4 oz. of guac. Pretty disappointed, but I should have known better when we walked in on Friday night and we were 1 of 2 tables. We won’t be back. If you want good guac, tacos, and margaritas with a west coast flair, please go to Bakersfield on Mass Ave. Everything I Barrio was not delivered.

NO BUENO! I’m so bummed to have to write this. The concept of having a place with street tacos on the northside is a really great idea. We like to go out to eat. We like tequila. We like tacos. We had a Groupon, so why not. My mistake for not reading the other Unilocal reviews prior to purchasing said Groupon.
The whole restaurant seems to be more focused on being a night club rather than a taco place. Complete with stage, really bad Latin dance music on repeat, and flashing disco lights. There were probably a total of 4 tables in use. The GM made a point to seat us and introduce himself. Not sure why, but I appreciate the effort. He was a little too enthusiastic of his menu presentation. He asserted himself to tell us what was good and he stated their carnitas were amazing and slow roasted for 10 hours. He stated the steak was tender and juicy. So I got the steak tacos and my date got the carnitas. We also got sides of rice. I need to start off by asking why the tacos were $ 11 for 3? There is a chain burrito/​taco place right next door that has organic veggies and grass fed meat and it’s only $ 5 for 3 amazing tacos. Also the name of the restaurant suggests it would have something to do with tequila. But there was no «tequila menu» or margarita menu or even mention of such. I really wanted a margarita too… but nobody offered one and I don’t order them at restaurants unless they are on special.
Tacos arrive, picture my face turn into a disappointed frown. I was so damn hungry that I ate it. You know that scene in Christmas Vacation where they are all crunching down on the dried out Xmas turkey? That was us and how my tacos tasted is how I imagine that turkey tasted. So hard and dried out. No way in hell those carnitas were slow roasted for 10 hours… maybe deep friend for 10 hours. Steak?! Try charcoal nuggets. Tasted burnt and were very well done. And I’m pretty sure the «rice» was the same rice my mom used to buy in a can in the Mexican aisle at the grocery store.
I hate to be so callous with this review, but I’m really so disappointed. Can someone else take over this place and make it into a real street taco place? Also I should note that there were 2 «chefs» but only 1 cooking because the younger one was involved in a domestic dispute in the bar area and then parking lot. Keeping it classy. I won’t be back and wish I could get my money back.

Amazing authentic tacos, salsa and queso. They even had REAL tortillas, I haven’t had those since my visits to Texas. I went in for a late lunch and had the best, attentive service I’ve ever had. Even the manager came over, sat down and had a conversation with me about the restaurant, how long it’s been open, the happenings and the vision. I will definitely be going back, telling my friends and taking my clients there.

I want to give this place a chance to be successful because there is a definite need for a good taco joint on the north side of town.
There are plenty of tacos and tequilas available so the name does not lie. The tacos are in the $ 3 to $ 4 range so nothing new there. The taquito was pretty good. Fried well and served with guacamole. Presented pretty artfully. I also tried the ghost pepper queso. I’m pretty sure the queso was straight out of a jar and wasn’t hot at all. On to the tacos. They’re just not very good. The ground beef had hardly any seasoning at all. The skirt steak tacos weren’t any better. There are a lot of different bottled hot sauces on the table and these definitely needed them. The biggest sin of all, however, were the tortillas. These were definitely straight out of a plastic bag. They were stale and cold and falling apart. Each taco had 2 tortillas, and they still broke apart in my hand and spilled meat onto my plate (actually a basket).
They really nickel and dime you by charging $ 3 for chips and salsa. They also charge you for anything you add to your tacos (sour cream, cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, etc.). You order your tacos in two or threes, but they have to all be the same (no changes). 2 tacos will be $ 7 – 9 and 3 will run you $ 9 – 11. $ 2 extra for a side of rice or beans. $ 1 for a side of salsa.
Service was kind of blah. Friendly enough, but not polished at all. The bartender didn’t know what was in the taquito. He asked the cooks and they didn’t know either. Finally, the manager knew. I was the only customer there and he didn’t keep an eye on my beer glass so I was dry a couple of times (he was doing dishes about 6 feet away from me). They were out of one of the drafts and one of the bottled beers. They definitely have quite a selection of tequila, but I didn’t try any of them.
The space itself is actually quite nice. Don’t let the strip mall location fool you. The owner definitely put some money into this place. It’s being sold as a sort of restaurant/​bar/​live music venue (which is fine).
If you think of this as a music venue with decent food and drinks, then it might be OK. But as a strictly food/​drink destination, I’m not sure it can survive on that alone.
It just lacks the vibe and laidback cool of the taco place on Mass Ave or the hipster/​punk kitsch of the one in Fountain Square. And I can get better tacos at the Mexican grocery store.

We went there for Dinner with a group of 4 and we all agreed it was the worst restaurant experience of our lives. 1 hour to get drinks, 1.5 hours to get food not to mention they were out of what I ordered (didn’t find out until 1 hour 20 min) Manager tried to give us shots instead of our food as an apology but told us the kitchen was backed up (they were dead). HORRIBLE.
Also a suggestion, if you are going to have ‘Tequila Bar’ in your name you might want to have some drinks on the menu.

A group from the office went there for lunch today. This place is right around the corner from my office, so I was really hoping it would be great. First off they charge $ 3 for unlimited chips and salsa. If they are going to be charging for chips and salsa it better be homemade and amazing. It was far from homemade or amazing, basically poured straight from a jar with a sprinkle of cilantro on it.
The tacos looked good on the menu and you can get them in two’s or three’s, but you can not get a mix and match. Fortunately there were three of us so we each ordered three different types and shared (Pollo, carnitas, chorizo). The carnitas were dry and bland. Not sure how you can dry out carnitas but they figured out how. The pollo had some good flavors but was also dry. The Chorizo was the best of the three but that is not saying much.
This a taco and tequila bar so you would think they would also make amazing margaritas. Guess again, pre-​mix margarita mix and some well tequila and sour mix.
They also need to work on their service. We went at lunch on a friday and there was only one server. The place can probably seat around 100 people, and there were only 12 people in the place. Even with one waitress having 4 tables the service was really lacking.
I was really hoping this would be a great taco place, but if they do not get their act together then I give this place about a year before the doors close. Come on man you’re in the Keystone area with a bunch of great places to eat. The quality of the food needs to be a LOT better. Unless they can turn it around neither I or my coworkers with be returning.

My review is based on a Latin Dancing night weeks after BarRio opened. I really want to like them, but they need to look at a lot of things to improve their business. I came with friends for a girl’s birthday. She & her boyfriend really played up how awesome it was going to be – great drinks, big dance floor, and sweet music. Meh to it all.
We arrived around 11p under the impression that the DJ would start spinning around ¹¹¹⁵⁄₁₁₃₀. Not the case — there was a 3-​piece alternative/​indie band playing until about 1215. Totally didn’t make sense for them to be playing at BarRio, it seemed very awkward.
While we waited we had a few drinks. I was hoping for a fresh marg, but it was just premix from Meijer, tequila and some sour mix, all for $ 4. I powered thru just to be nice. Stick to the bottled beer and basic drinks. One of my girls and I got hungry, but they only serve small [overpriced] finger foods past 11, didn’t seem worth it. Unfortunately the Subway next door [yes] isn’t open late either.
Once the DJ started spinning, the music and dancing was good. However at random times there were times were it was just a handful of people on the small dancefloor and lots of people watching.

There is a lot of good Mexican food in the Carmel/​Fishers area, unfortunately this isn’t it. Not sure what they are shooting for, but we were hoping for some good, reasonably priced Mexican food within walking distance of the office. Instead what we found was an overpriced ala cart menu and food that was mediocre at best. Two carnitas tacos — $ 7 bucks. Side of beans — $ 2. Coke — $ 2. Chips and salsa, extra. Three of us for lunch — $ 43 without tip. We checked for specials, but all that was offered was on wine, which doesn’t make much sense for lunch in a location that serves a professional office park. Hopefully their business model will make more sense to an after hours crowd.

So I was here last night for what some people were saying was the grand opening. Boy does this place need to shape up quick if it is going to make it. I was with a group of about 12 that came to see a friend who was the DJ.
When I showed up around 11, there was a band just finishing up that sounded good, but did not really fit with the whole Mexican theme. Also, what is with the name Bar Rio? Is this supposed to be Mexican or Brazilian? Everything points to Mexican.
Between the 12 of us, we ordered quite a few things like the Queso, Guacamole, several Tacos and this peanut butter and banana Chimichanga thing.
The tacos were decent, but in no way compared to places like Bakersfield. On top of that, they were all 8 – 10 $ for 2 tacos that were slightly bigger than a street taco, but smaller than a full taco. The Queso was good, but nothing really amazing. The Guacamole tasted good but not sure if it was freshly made, I hope it was. The tortilla chips they bring out I believe they fry fresh in their kitchen. The problem is, both batches we received were WAY over cooked and dripping in grease. Gross!
The Salsa had some really good heat to it, I think the salsa was my favorite thing here.
The Dessert Chimichanga had a banana in it and coated inside with peanut butter. It was not very good. I really was hoping it would be, because I am a sucker for desserts. The chimichanga shell was so tough that when you go to cut it, the banana explodes everywhere making this a sloppy mess that you may as well spoon into your mouth versus cutting.
Lastly, the house margarita. I hate to sound so negative, but wow… this is a joke. It tastes like pure mix with some cointreau on top. It was atrocious! I imagine it is pre-​mixed and the sour mix is rising to the top when they pour it out.
At around 12:30, our friend we came for began DJing, and while I love a good DJ… this place just doesn’t fit. There is a small area up front in case people wanted to dance, and the rest of the place is tables which would make sense… if the kitchen didn’t close at 12!!! So this place is open until 3, yet the kitchen closes at midnight. So people are supposed to come to the middle of nowhere 96^th street for a small bar with restaurant tables everywhere to drink 5 $ coronas and bad margaritas?
If the owners read this, please make some changes quick. As when I talked to everyone in our group last night, everyone agreed this place isn’t going to make it.
Hopefully things change soon.

What an amazing meal. Chefski has out done himself with the menu at Barrio Indy. From the salsa flight and the mixture of flavors and heat to the Guac it is over the top. The Queso with the Ghost Pepper is addictive. I had the carne Asada and carnitas tacos so better than That other place on Mass Ave. Followed up by the peanut butter banana Changa was unbelievable. All the tastes and flavors bested all the other taco joints in Indy. If you haven’t tried Barrio Taco & Tequila Bar yet you aren’t even livin!!! Get here and take flavor to the next level!