Look where I am! I'm down at Buzzards Point the new sparkling development wedged between the Wharf and Navy Yard — this is The Point DC. For the month of November the good people of Fish & Fire Group aka Greg Casten are hosting Industry Night in their pretty fabulous property. And I am grateful and excited! So if you don't know the Point is Winner of the Restaurant Development & Design Magazine Award for "Best Restaurant Design," The Point has a glorious outdoor patio ideally situated where the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers join — talk about picturesque and panoramic views. Yes, I have been out and about the last week — did you see me? Little Black Bird - Chef Ryan Moore's and restaurateur Ashok Bajaj's darling wine bar in Tenley Casa Teresa in The Square - Richie Brandenburg and Rubén García's new massive food hall features the delightful restaurant, Casa Teresa It was a celebration of 1000 Hilton Garden Inns at the Hilton Garden Inn in Haymarket, Virginia - do not judge - Chef Joel Valente wowed us at his Red House Tavern On to today's show. So, I met today's guest omg like a really long time ago. Way back in the day, Victor Albisu was the chef at BLT Steak here in DC. This was 18 years ago? DC was in the process of getting it's mojo, and Victor here was at the beginning of that wild wave. Throughout the years, Victor has been behind amazing concepts - Del Campo, Poca Madre and the fast-growing Taco Bamba. It's hard to believe that Taco Bamba started with a taqueria shop out in Falls Church in 2013, and now ten years later, Victor has eleven locations across Northern Virginia, Maryland, and Raleigh, NC, with more coming! We get into all the details ... Plus, stay tuned at the end of the show for the bonus content featuring Victor's run-in with ZZ Top. Guests Social Media Links: Victor Albisu Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tacobamba/ Personal Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/chefvictoralbisu/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/tacobambalandmark Quotes "Maintaining balance is essential, as both negative and excessive positive emotions can equally impact our well-being." - Victor Albisu "Balance is the foundation for both our desire for growth and our commitment to creativity and service. It is the key to our success." - Victor Albisu Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 05:24 – Chef Victor Albisu: Pioneering DC's Vibrant Food Scene 08:42 - From Talented Chefs to Growing Businesses: The Art of Brand Creation 10:19 - Battling with Purpose and Mental Health: Overcoming Struggles in the Industry 15:03 - Jen and Tom: The Supportive Forces Behind Brand Growth 16:16 - Nurturing Success: The Importance of Food Reviews and Industry Support 20:21 - Plaza Latina: A Game-Changing Competition and Negotiation 24:01 - Innovating Tacos: Exploring Authentic and Diverse Flavors 26:54 - Hesitation and The Next Step: Meeting Industry Demands 33:46 - A Perfect Fit: Fast Casual Dining in a Diverse Area 35:20 - Lessons from Taco Bamba: Simplicity, Challenge, and Growth 39:18 - Double Delight: The Gigantic Egg Roll with Leftovers 44:22 - Evolving Palates: Appreciating Sophistication in Dining Preferences 44:57 - Striving for Excellence: Continuous Improvement and Rising Tides 51:01 - Balancing Growth and Service: Essential Elements of Success 52:43 - Gratitude and Paying It Forward: Passing Along the Support 58:23 - Outro Featuring Nycci Nellis https://www.instagram.com/nyccinellis/ https://www.thelistareyouonit.com/ Produced by Heartcast Media http://www.heartcastmedia.com
