Taqueria Habanero coming to Bryant Street Market Food Hall (formerly The Bevy Food Hall) with Stall and Craft Cocktail Bar

670 Rhode Island Ave, NE

From a press release:

“MRP Realty, a developer of commercial, residential, industrial and mixed-use real estate along the Southeast corridor, announced today the family behind Taqueria Habanero, the popular Puebla-style restaurant known for bringing authentic Mexican homestyle cooking to the DMV, will open two new locations in early March as the anchor tenant at the recently renamed Bryant Street Market food hall. Formerly The Bevy, the food hall will be a central element of the rapidly burgeoning Bryant Street development in DC’s Edgewood neighborhood.

Taqueria Habanero’s signature tacos Courtesy of Taqueria Habanero

The restaurant group, founded by husband-and-wife team Mirna and Dionicio “Dio” Montero in 2014, will serve up tacos and other traditional cuisine at the Taqueria Habanero stall, the restaurant’s third location, with existing full-service locations in DC’s Columbia Heights and College Park, Maryland. It will also open Bar Alegria, a new 26-seat destination in the center of the food hall, which will serve craft beers and cocktails, organic wines and light bites inspired by spirits and flavors throughout Latin America.

Bar Alegria Rendering courtesy of Grizform Design Architects

Bryant Street Market, originally anticipated as The Bevy, is a multi-stall food hall set in the heart of Bryant Street on the ground floor of The Chase residential building. Celebrating diverse cultural cuisines, MRP is making a concentrated focus with Bryant Street Market to partner with local businesses that further enrich the neighborhood experience and strengthen the connection between varied flavors and shared local roots. 

“The success of our restaurants is a testament to our parents’ hard work and perseverance, their interpretation of the ‘American dream’,” said Yicela Alvarado, the group’s Operations Director and Dio and Mirna’s eldest, who will lead the business’s expansion to Bryant Street. “While my two sisters and I have been helping manage our restaurants for some time, I am particularly excited to take the helm at our new locations, as it symbolizes the next generation officially joining the leadership ranks of our parents. We view the openings at Bryant Street – an engager of community and major destination location in one – as the next phase of growth for our business, incubators for new offerings, and a step closer to achieving our vision for Taqueria Habanero to become a community-builder in our own right.”

“We’re thrilled to welcome Taqueria Habanero and Alegria to Bryant Street Market,” said Zach Wade, principal with MRP Realty. “Beyond providing an authentic and delicious menu, this is an opportunity for us to showcase a vibrant culture and cuisine that will add energy to the neighborhood and will certainly become a staple for both locals and visitors.” 

Taqueria Habanero is known for the aromatic flavors it brings to its fresh green and red salsas, hand-pressed corn tortillas, and taco fillings prepared with traditional spices and herbs. Its food hall location will continue that legacy, with plans to serve breakfast burritos as part of a select morning menu, followed by a pared-down version of its Columbia Heights and College Park menus for lunch and dinner.

Bar Alegria will build on the success of the Habanero family’s Tequila & Mezcal, a community gathering spot serving Mexican eats, mezcal and craft cocktails in Columbia Heights. Alegria’s Beverage Director Jose Cox is a veteran in the DC hospitality industry, with experience in a range of settings, from speakeasy to Michelin-starred restaurant. Cox and the team will bring their passion for sustainable practices to Alegria by taking a no-waste approach to the menu, which will feature ancient, traditional ingredients found in everyday Latine culture. Alegria aims to be a joyful and energetic hub of the community, offering a “Martini Hour” menu as well as group tastings highlighting the folkloric origins of Latin American traditions.

To celebrate the openings, the Habanero family will be holding a series of interactive, public events showcasing Mexico’s rich and vibrant heritage. Details will be forthcoming on a rolling basis.”