I've only come to this Barrio on Friday nights when they have DJ and dancing after 11pm. I love the atmosphere, dark and loud. The DJ that plays always mixes up the music. There's a little bit of salsa, top 40s, pop, oldies, it's great! It's nice to come here grab a drink and some food and dance the night away.
Review Source:I'd like to give this place a better review, but there's no way I can do that.
I called a day in advance to reserve a table for 14 at 9:30 on a Friday night for my sister's bachelorette party and the hostess was very polite and obliging, which got me excited about continuing our celebration here. We arrived about 5 minutes early and were told it would be a while for our table, sigh. We were able to grab a much smaller table and the hostess helped us put chairs around it and we called it good. After a 15 minute wait, we were anxious to get the drinks rolling and one of the girls talked a guy at the next table to buy the bachelorette a shot, which was hilarious to watch. I finally spotted our waitress and asked if I could buy myself and my sister a martini. She asked if my sister was the bachelorette and I said that she was. Then the waitress said they don't allow "that". I asked what they don't allow, and she said "serving people who are clearly intoxicated". What? I was clearly shocked and asked her, "you think she's drunk right now?" (mind you, my sister's eyes were open, she wasn't on the bar shaking her ass, she was sitting in her chair laughing with her friends) It was now 10pm and it was the first we had even seen of our waitress, and my sister had taken one shot since walking in. I told the waitress to come back when she thought it would be acceptable to serve her a drink, until then I wasn't going to order anything from her. Perhaps we just got unlucky with a terrible waitress and while I wanted to usher everyone to the place next door, this was the one bar my sister really wanted to go to, so we stayed, for too long. We were getting ready to go and all of a sudden the waitress showed up with about 10 drink bills (I think 5 people had ordered drinks, and the last one was ordered over an hour ago) and threw them on the table. Most were claimed and paid but I was stuck paying for some drink that cost $15 (we still don't know who it belonged to) and by "paying for" I mean waiting another 20 minutes for her to run my credit card. It's really too bad we got a waitress who clearly needed to stay home that night-fortunately it didn't ruin the night for my sister but it certainly did for me.
The drinks on the menu were extremely overpriced, even for downtown St. Paul, but when I ordered a dirty martini (directly from the bar and not our waitress), it was only $7.
Been to Barrio in Minneapolis and St. Paul. And it's okay but SOOOO overrated. Â The portions are SO SMALL for the price. Everybody says how great it is, so I went to the Mpls one, nothing special, small, loud, hate how stuff if brought out as it's ready versus all together. So tried the St. Paul one, seems like a larger space but once again, everything else the same. I can think of tons of other places with same quality of food for a lot less or give a lot more. This is a lot of hype and I think marketed successfully to the point where people think it's something really special. Staff is really nice though. Crazy small portions, if you are hungry, you may want to go somewhere else lol.
Review Source:Returned to Barrios in St Paul last night hoping they'd turned things around; but alas, the waitress was overwhelmed, the food expeditor no help whatsoever (like how about some flatware with the small plate?), the  manager promised a reduction when we complained about the service but didn't do it. Overall the staff seems very poorly trained or untrained which is always a disappointment when dining out.
Review Source:Love the concept and the food but the service is so bad that I won't go back. Â I have given them several chances but things keep getting worse. Â Last night we went to Barrio after the Jazzfest. Â We checked in with the hostess and she told us 30 minutes. Â We went to the bar and soon we saw people seating themselves. Â When we checked with the hostess station to find out what was happening they told us that they were just having open seating. Â This is just one mistake of many that I feel compelled to write about.
the last time I was there on a Sunday and they had table tents advertising their Sunday taco bar only to find out that they hadn't done that for the past two weeks.
They need to get it together because I have never been disappointed with the food but....service is part of the package they forgot.  Maybe I will  just find the food truck.
I have been searching for a place to get good Mexican fare since moving back to MN from Arizona a few years ago and finally I have found one! Â I was spoiled for 12 years of real authentic Mexican food while living in the Southwest so you can believe that I was ecstatic when I stumbled into Barrio.
I have been to the one in Minneapolis and now Lowertown. Both are great. I love the cool chic atmosphere, it is very warm and inviting. Â The patio is nice as well (when its not raining). Â The crowd is low key if you are there for weeknight happy hour or earlier in the evening on weekends. Â I was a little surprised that it turned "clubby" on Saturday night with a dance floor and cranked up booty-shaking music. Â I would have never expected it! Â It was fun though. Â Everyone was happy having a good time and it wasn't too crowded. Â
The food is amazing and priced very reasonable. Â It makes it very easy to try multiple items on the menu. Â The guacamole is my absolute favorite! Â It is so tasty along with their fresh hot chips and various salsas. Â All the tacos are great too. Â I can't get enough of this place!
Since I can walk home from here, you will probably see me in here a couple times a week! Â My excuse is that it is just too hot to cook at home! Â
Muy Bien!!
I was in Lowertown for a happy hour meeting a couple weeks ago and tried this Barrio location for the first time.
I was surprised it wasn't hopping at happy hour time (though I was starting a bit early), because the deals are just as great as they are in Minneapolis and you can barely find standing space there sometimes. The atmosphere is much more open here than in Minneapolis, but the coolness level of the decor is still very much the same.
I arrived early for the meeting and starving, so I grabbed an adobo grilled chicken taco ($3) and some butternut squash fritters with beer, manchego, ancho honey and smoked Serrano aioli ($4). Both choices were excellent (THE FRITTERS ESPECIALLY---perfect sweet/savory/umami thing going on). The general menu is a bit pricier at dinner, but so reasonably priced during happy hour from 3-6 p.m. The HH food options are many: four different tacos, three entree-light things and three apps.
When my meeting-goer arrived, it was margarita time. On the rocks, claro. I feel that this doesn't require more explanation. They really do make the best margaritas at Barrio.
Lastly, but not leastly... I have to talk about our darling server. She was the highlight of the visit and the reason this review was pushed into five-star territory. She was a sweet older lady who was not only a very good server, but quite literally calling us "mi hija" and "mi hijo." And I quite literally wanted her to adopt us and legally make us her hijos.
I must start off by saying I've never been a religious person.
Oh, how the tables have turned.
It's true; we'd been here before for some late night drinks. We even graced the dance floor with some highly underrated, stylish classics like the 'rump shaker' and the nearly extinct 'trouser trout shuffle'.
But we'd never eaten here... until today, that is.
When we came, we had no idea it was three dollar taco Thursday. After seeing the size of the tacos and the normal prices... I'm glad we did.
We both got the pork and beer battered mahi-mahi tacos as well as the butternut squash fritters and chips and salsa trio.
Our food came out in a completely random order (One taco... chips... two tacos... fritters) but it did keep it interesting.
The pork tacos were -delicious-.
You could clearly taste the cinnamon on the spice rub for the pork but it worked in perfect unison with everything else in the taco. I was surprised at how little I picked up the orange in the pork but I didn't mind it at all.
The fritters were spicy and the accompanying sauces complemented them well. I found myself really liking the serrano aioli and my girlfriend loved the ancho honey. They were -almost- too spicy for her but she persevered.
Neither of us were terribly crazy about the chips themselves. They were unsalted and a touch too thick in my opinion. That being said, the guac was tame but tasty and the green salsa had a very fresh flavor to it. The red stuff? I'd rather lick the underside of an old barnacle.
It tasted very similar to a packet of stale taco seasoning dumped into a blender with some watery tomato sauce. Forgive me, Barrio. I'm sure it's a really involved process to make it.
I had high hopes for the fish tacos. I kept envisioning a fresh, crunchy filet with some interesting tasting slaw and spicy sauce.
They were just okay. The fish was very fresh but the beer batter had gotten soggy and had zero crunch. As a result, the entire thing was one-note in both flavor and texture. I'm glad I gave them a try but I don't think I'd take the bait again.
Our initially ordered meal had drawn to a close. My girlfriend had fallen in desperate love with their red sangria so we planned to linger. I, being still a touch hungry (and not wanting to end the meal on the flat fish taco note) decided to order another taco I had been eyeballing to try.
The pork belly taco.
When it came to me, it just looked tempting. The chunks of pork belly were beautifully seared, the pickled red onions were fiery bright and the avocado was nice and ripe.
I took a bite.
The ground shook violently and the roof gave way to reveal the most stunning view of the heavens anyone on earth has ever witnessed.
I heard trumpets melodiously belting out the tunes of the gods and I fell blind to the intensity of the light bathing the room. When I finally regained my sight, my eyes could hardly believe what unfolded before me.
Jesus, Zeus, Vishnu, Buddha, The Flying Spaghetti Monster, Allah and Kevin Bacon were all holding hands/noodles and singing the most heartfelt version of Sweet Dreams (sorry, Eurythmics) ever conceived.
I sat there, paralyzed with wonder, and began to mouth the words along with them in careless abandon until my girlfriend threw an ice cube at my eye when people started to stare.
That was it. That was my moment in the sun.
The onions were sweet and subtly tart--just enough to cut through the richness of the belly--and the avocado just added another layer of creamy decadence. The pork belly couldn't have possibly been seared off better and I'm almost certain I'd have eaten it if someone served it to me stuffed in a cat carcass.
Everyone that spoke to us who worked here (about five people) ended up being so nice it actually altered our initially blah mood.
... They're gonna have to buy more pork belly on Thursdays and I'm going to need stretchier pants.
This place has a very friendly staff and very attentive. The food here is pretty good and packs lots of flavors. the only thing that i had that was a bit of a let down was the spicy shrimp ceveche which was ok but could be better. the drinks here are smaller than usual but they are well mixed. this place can get expensive but it was worth the experience.
Review Source:My wife and I have been a hear a few times over the last year. Â We keep coming back because we're always very happy with the food, service and atmosphere. Â We stopped in last Saturday night while spending the afternoon at the ArtCrawl. Â The weather was perfect and we were able to get a seat inside the restaurant right near the exterior opening. Â They actually have two sliding glass walls at the exterior face of the restaurant. Â These were open because the weather was so nice. Â We were inside but it was just like being outside. Â We really enoyed this. Â
Others have commented on the atmoshere so I want say much more about this beyond the fact that we like it. Â It's a bit edgy but it goes well with the whole theme of the restaurant. Â What we like the most is that the food here that it's always made with fresh ingredients and it's more of a traditional Mexican style food vs. the typical Americanized Mexican food you find at 95% of all Mexican restaurants in the US. Â
We both had the tacos which are always deliciious. Â They have a few different types but there all so good. Â We also always get the chips and salsa trio. Â The corn chips appeared to be made fresh and the salsas are awesome. Â I will say though their hot sauce is really quite hot but it also has great flavor.
Finally analysis: Â it's a cool restaurant with great Mexican food. Â They also make some great drinks and are known for their Tequila. Â You should go if you're in the Lowertown St. Paul area, or just make the trek.
Lots of good stuff here. Â For starters, the food is well conceived and delicious. Â Ingredients are fresh, and dishes are well-crafted. Â I've tried most of the small plates at this point. Â The beet salad and skewered shrimp are particular standouts. Â Less impressed with the fritter things, as they can be greasy sometimes ...but then the last time we had them they were light and crispy and friggin delicious, so there you have it. Â Tacos are excellent- small nibbles of perfectly balanced flavors. Â I'm still enthralled with the small plates and tacos, have yet to venture to the entrees. Â Have seen them pass by on their way to other tables, tho, and it's just a matter of time before i give it a go. Â Not sure what people are bitching about with the guac- it's very fresh and mild- but you can add lime, salsa, etc, to season to your taste.
The drinks are good overall. Â I like a traditional margarita, so the house marg is my fave. Â I've tried the blood orange thing, and find that a bit too sweet/fruity for my taste. Â the house is a good balance of sweet/sour/boozy that keeps me coming back for more. Â Other drinks also veered to the sweet side. Â There are many many tequila choices... I've only barely scratched the surface.
I've been there half a dozen times, and have found the service to be uniformly friendly and competent. Â Other reviews simply do not comport with my experience. Â Ambiance is fun and funky. Â Can be a little loud and hard to hear when it's busy, but overall an excellent spot for a drink after work, or dinner with friends. Â I hear they have a rocking trivia night during the week, but haven't made it to date.
I'm definitely a tequila girl and I was in tequila heaven! Stopped by for a quick one on a Friday night where it was bustling with a diverse crowd of all sorts. Getting a table was tough to get, but once we sat down our server was excellent. There was a DJ playing computer music if that's your taste but overall I would definitely stop by here again and bring friends from out of town to enjoy!
Review Source:Over and over I have been told that if you want good Tequila you have to head to Barrio. Being in the area already for a concert I directed my group to Barrio to see what the buzz was all about, and I can honestly say that people have understated how awesome this place is!
Our drink order was promptly taken which was nice, but the waitress had to come back three times as the beer that my brother ordered each time was no longer on the menu. The lack of knowledge on the beers available was somewhat surprising, meh, it happens. When my drink came out I was SUPER pleased with it! It was a margarita of sorts, but it was spicy with a nice cool down of fruity goodness! I've never had peppers in my drinks before like that, but I would definitely drink that again!
The food... Oh how I LOVED the food here! My brother got an assortment of tacos off their ala carte menu, and I got the Tostadas with their seasoned chicken. Both of our meals were mouthwateringly delicious!!!
My only fault with mine was there was not nearly enough habanero in my mango habanero salsa, but I suppose not everyone likes it as spicy as I do haha.
All said, I will definitely be back, and will greatly look forward to stopping in to the Minneapolis location as well!
We went here for Happy Hour one early evening and the food was delicious, but what will make me come back, is the service. Â Our server was phenomenal!! Â She was attentive, made sure we understood the menu, made suggestions, and even showed us a picture of her dog! Â This, only after we told her we had a dog of course but hey, we do live in Lowertown, where pets are like children!
The guacamole and salsa was divine but I have to admit with one other yelper that the chips were way salty!!! Â I get the old trick of pumping salt into the HH food to make you drink more but these chips take it to a new level....
We had carnitas and tempura shrimp tacos which were beautifully presented and very tasty! Â I was sad they did not carry my fave adult beverage, Angry Orchard but that will not keep me from coming back.
I've been meaning to write this review for months.
Gold stars for:
* Quality food (corn chowder, squash blossom fritters, guacamole, salsa trio, and a made-to-order veg quesadilla were all spicy and delectable)
* Intriguing drinks (I had some sort of blackberry mojito that was to-die-for!)
* Knowing how to handle a crowd (I went with about 15 people, and our server handled us with ease--even asked us how we wanted to split checks!)
* Comfortable atmosphere (tall wood slab tables, open floor plan, and low lights--rustic chic ftw)
Still needs more vegetarian options, but next time I'm in Minnesota, this can't-believe-it's-a-chain restaurant will without a doubt be revisited.
Barrio is a cool watering hole on Mears Park here in Lowertown. Â
Offering Mexican fare in tapa-sized portions, Barrio is a consistently good place to enjoy some draughts, margaritas or shooters...and some decent food as well.
Like the Bulldog (next door), Barrio's noise volume can be high, but its a fun place and a winner with friends.
Pork carnitas taco are good.
I like Carolyn M's rating of Food, Drinks, Atmosphere and Service so I'm copying it. Â Besides we agree on street tacos.
Service - 10! Ate at the bar and Shauna (our bartender) the best! Â Waited on us and yakked it up in addition to taking care of others.
Food - tacos barbacoa - now as a Coloradan, I have been able to take lots of heat. Â Â Â Â These did me in - so a 5/10 rating. Â Couldn't finish them and that's saying something.
Atmosphere - 9 - great, copper hammered bar, lots o tequila and Shauna gave us a primer on tequila.
Drinks - well, hard to screw up.
The place is a fun stop off; we were there mid afternoon but I hear the place is wide open on weekend nights. Â It's a pretty good destination bar for an out of towner.
I have to say, I was pretty ecstatic about finding a new spot in Lowertown. Â As we passed Barrio, I noticed the lovely interior decorating and the chill atmosphere. Â The Bulldog was packed and we ventured right out and into Barrio. Â The DJ's music was a wonderful mix of music that I grew up with and the crowd was wonderfully diverse.
The food was pretty great as well! Â I have not tasted steak cooked well done, so done well! Â It's hard to find that balance without someone cooking it through and spoiling it, but I will definitely be coming back on Friday nights.
This place only got 2 stars because it had a good drink selection and it was reasonably  priced. The food was ok. I would expect more mexican food for a tequila bar but well some of the things made were just strange. I ordered a Quesadilla and it came with some strange dressing that was just like ranch dressing
They give you tons of salsa when you get order chips and salsa. The only issue is you get like a half hand full of chips and most of them are broken.
The night we went there was a DJ and it had the be the worse DJ every the guy was almost never at his post and only 2 drunk old people were on the dance floor. I think they would of done better with just putting on the radio.
Overall this is not a bad place to go because of tequila and whiskey selection. This is a great people watching spot/
Barrio, you have so much potential. When you first opened I was ecstatic. No longer did I have to venture out of Saint Paul to find real high end Mexican style street food. I adored your enchiladas. I swooned over your shrimp. I drank your delicious margaritas and mojitos. I sat in your "vault" and felt oh so cool. We declared you our new "regular" place to go.
And then your service started to fall off. Your servers became completely uncoordinated. Food arrived cold or not at all. You clearly decided to focus on profit by means of alcohol, rather than stick to your foodie roots.
I have hope that you will come roaring back. Until then, adios.
In St. Paul, this place was one of the few joints hopping on a Fri night. Â I came in for sustenance. Â I was running with an empty belly and wanted to fill up before checking out salsa dancing at nearby Faces. Â
What I remember most about this joint is the server. Â I wish I remembered her name because she warrants mention. Â She was super nice, and she took care of my solo self amidst all the peeps partying on a Friday....Minnesota style.
What else, well, they were playin' some cool old school hip hop. Â They later switched to a live DJ who spun some cool jams like a vinyl-ian artist. Â
All the while, I medicated with an orange juice (I needed the vitamin C....I did this even though my server said it the OJ was fountain and not that great). Â
Luckily this place had an after hours menu. Â From it, I ordered an enchilada and a pork taco. Â The latter was definitely the star. Â I should have ordered three of them, and called it good. Â
I was a little under the weather, so no alcohol for me, but it is worth noting that there are 165+ tequilas here, and from what I gathered, 16 taps of beer. Â
Oh, and they also have lucho libre masks. Â Definitely a good thing.
I mean, if you can't get guacamole right, Â there's definitely a problem. Â Portion size, decent I guess considering it was eight bucks, but way too salty, not enough lime, cilantro, or onion. Â
A nice abstract art centerpiece of tortilla chips that our waitress dropped onto the table when setting down the basket. Â I don't mind crumbs on the table that have been caused by my own sloppy eating, but I sorta think that when a waitress makes a mess of our table he or she may consider cleaning it up, rather than awkwardly looking down at it and then walking away.
Alas, Â when the food is great I tend to wave off the sub-par service, but it just really wasn't great at all, Â so......so many other places I'd rather go to for tacos.
It's a beautiful day in the Barrio, would you be mine? Could you be mine?
I don't know what neighborhood Barrio is based on, but I want to be there. Somewhere warm. A place where the tequila flows like wine.
Gathered some amigos midday and took advantage of restaurant week today. Had a great experience, and the staff was excellent. Started with the guac (a must) and chips. And rounded it out with some adobo chicken tacos. Real deal tacos too. We're talking small, double tortillas, served with limes and stuffed.
Lunch is definitely the time to be here. Others around us took advantage of the $10 taco bar; officially now on my to-do list.
Grab some friends, work up an appetite and spend time in your local Barrio.
Our last stop on a Friday night 30th bday bash.... Good looking crowd, decent dance music, speedy and polite service from the bartenders. Â We had a great time! Â
The tequila selection looked fantastic, though I couldn't get TOO crazy with tequila, it had already been a LONGGGG night. Â Still, my Patron XO on the rocks was a generous pour and delicious. Â Prices weren't bad either.
I enjoyed myself enough that I tried out the Barrio in Mpls the next night....
Fun, but not my scene.
Had reservations for Barrio Friday night. We arrived right on time and were seated promptly. Neither of us had been to Barrio, but I had heard some good stuff about the joint. Dining companion promised to take me to a place I got to pick. This has been on my list for a while.
I loved the table - big booth on one side and chairs on the other. We were at a table for 2, so it was a bit cramped.
Took a while for the server to come over and greet us, but that was fine. We were taking it all in and trying to figure out how we would talk to each other.
Take note - not all the drinks on the website are on the actual menu at the restaurant. I can't even find what I had.
I had a tequila drink with lemon, lime, and mint. It was smooth, refreshing and light. Actually reminded me of a lemon drop without the sugar on the rim. Dining Companion had the trinity margarita.
We ordered 3 small plates and a taco for each of us -
Queso with chorizo - great flavor, but a little greasy.
Chicken and bean tostada - nice flavor combinations with the peach. Tasted fresh and took me back to the flavors of Mexico.
Potato sopes - by far the best small plate of the evening. The goat cheese on the inside was a bit tangy yet smooth and tasty.
Mahi Mahi taco - he said it was okay.
Carnitas taco - NO GOOD. The pork was cold and tough and stringy. It didn't have any taste and they really skimped on the Serrano Chile sauce. This was probably the biggest disappointment of the evening.
The server was very nice and helpful, especially with the drink selection. She actually recommended what I had, I'm kicking myself for not writing it down.
Service good, ambiance loud and hip, food passable, but fun.
Would we go back? Only if there was a group who really wanted to go. We experienced it and I'm glad we did, but we didn't love it.
Tequila Bar...I think YES! What makes Barrio so cool?
B=best margaritas in town
A=awesome atmosphere with a goth, punk, yet chic look
R=Room for Read charity fundraiser held there where $1 for every item ordered on the menu was donated to books for children in Southeast Asia
R=Rockin' guac....seriously I don't think I've every had it this good! (sorry mom)
I=interesting menu...try the potato sopes for a rich, goat cheese, potato yet mexican mix
O=only place I've really tried in St. Paul since moving here...but will def go back
Plenty of tequila options (tasty cocktails) and a couple of handfuls of delicious small plates along with a few larger ones are offered. The chips and guacamole are a staple for me.
This place can get packed on weekend nights so make a reservation. Service can be a bit spotty but I've had good service more often than bad.
Monday through Friday they offer a taco buffet for lunch. Soft and hard shell tacos along with several meat options and lots of toppings are available for $10.
ok here is the deal. I have a friend who wanted to get drunk and so did I. we wanted to stay close to home so we sought out lowertown. our initial goal was to hit the bulldog but we found out their happy hour started an hour later than barrio.
we hopped in ordered margaritas and tacos. Â i hated margaritas. I guess I am too used to slushy chain restaurant versions. but this.... this was the best margarita ive had in my life. the mixture of sweet and sour was magnificent and it was not a chain slushy happy hour margarita.
the tacos were delectable. mine had crisp flour taco shell with steak and peppers. his had a hard corn shell with spicy chorizo and potatoes. he loved the spiciness.  we ended the night with queso wrapped in tortillas. we had a blast this entire evening. we went on a Monday. not too crowded. just pure  friends to hang with eachother. no meat market and we will be back again . .
The Lowertown Barrio and I have seen each other enough that I think it's time to make things official by me documenting my objective opinion. Opinions can't be objective you say? Shutup, logic never got anyone anywhere.
First things first - if something is located in Lowertown it's already likely my favorite place for whatever it is its pushing, so well played Barrio.
Moving on to the food, also pretty well done, though not the friendliest on the pocketbook. That said, I have no problem stuffing delicious tacos and tostadas in my face between the hours of 4 to 6 PM in order to take advantage of some reasonably priced eats during happy hour. Should I not be dining during senior citizen hours I recommend the scallop ceviche first and foremost, with honorable mention to their guac, homemade chips and the taco bar and Cubano sandwich during the lunch hour on the weekdays.
And on to the libations - surprisingly, they have a relatively sizeable tap list with some decent selections. If tequila is your thing you need look no further. They also make some tasty cocktails featuring tequila - The Good, The Bad, The Ugly and Enter the Dragon earning top honors in my book.
No complaints about the service, though generally as long as the server doesn't spit in my face (unless they are polite about it) I don't care about service.
Finally, I'm glad to see that they have finally upped the ante a bit with their happy hour - I'm probably going to start cheating on some of my other Lowertown watering holes with Barrio (please keep that on the down-low).
I'm sorry. I took off a star because I'm old and dumb and married with a kid. These traits have led me to become someone who doesn't like to yell to be heard.
Also? They also make me someone who doesn't like to overpay for stuff I have at home - that's why it's 3 stars.
Having said that, it was a fun night with friends here! We came at 10pm and we didn't leave til 1am.
We didn't order much to eat except the chips and guacamole which was really good. Which reviewer spit out the jalapenos? Clearly, a wussy and sheltered set of midwestern taste buds.
I'm not one for mixed drinks - I usually like my booze straight up or just with ice, so I can't comment on that. The service was actually fine for us, I don't remember thinking that our waitress sucked.
Music was loud, but fun. The other patrons were courteous and attractive - although if you're looking for a younger 20's meat market, look elsewhere - the food and drinks here cost too much for a super young crowd to stay long.
If I hadn't already somewhat frivolously taken away 2 stars, I definitely would have taken one down for those creepy dancing marionettes above the door!
Dear Barrio,
You're kind of like that new foreign guy at work who makes really dirty innuendo laced comments to all the ladies but gets away with it because of your sexy mysterious accent.
I've visited your counterpart across the river, but only for drinks. Â And while I agree that place is always asses to elbows, I can't really knock off points for popularity. That would be like hating Ashley Halberg in 5th grade because she always had the best/newest Esprit outfits.
I had girlfriends in town visiting from Chicago and we decided to spend the evening in St. Paul hitting Bulldog for drinks beforehand and Barrio for dinner. Â Because the St. Paul location is cavernous compared to Mpls, reservations weren't an issue. Â We did make them one week out in advance, but even a 2-hour request to move from 7:30 to 8:30 was easily accommodated. Â And we swooped in and got seated without as much as a stutter step.
It's worth noting that the Beer Dabbler event took place in Mears Park for Winter Carnival that afternoon. Â Because of this, I can't be sure what a 'normal' Saturday night crowd is like, but this one was slightly wet and sweaty from standing in the cold drinking beer all day. Â Barrio made a questionable call in deciding to serve all their drinks in plastic glasses because of this. Really? Â Drinking a $25 shot out of a plastic jello shot glass is sort of like making hamburger helper with prime rib. It sort of deflates the experience.
I've never been a waitress and I know its hard work, but I'd love it if you just pretended like you were paying attention.  Pretend like you actually want a tip.  Sometimes I think it's written across me forehead 'I always tip 20% even if you spill my entire entrée in my lap' so you don't work hard for me.  Oh yeah, and if you forget to bring out one of the mahi-mahi tacos (super yummers) don't be all, you only ordered 3. Honey child, please. First - there are 4 of us here, why would we have ordered 3. And secind - I'm the customer and I'm always right.  I expect that attitude when McDonald's effs up my #5 meal, I don't expect if for a $4 taco.
That said, their tacos were unique and fresh and worth $4. Â In addition to the mahi mahi, we also shared the grilled skirt steak and pork carnita tacos and I'd recommend them all. Â
Tequila makes me crazy, so I stuck to beer. Â Had I known I could receive an actual libre mask for buying any shot over $20 (I saw that in a previous review - I didn't see this on the menu and my waitress didn't mention it) I may have tempted fate. Â Instead, I ordered a 'tequlia compadre' to sip on because it sounded so good ($1.50 for a shot of White Grapefruit Cherry Soda - don't mind if I do - we're splitting the check 4 ways right?)
In closing... yes, I'll go back. Â Mainly because I love the much-needed development of trendy bars/restaurants in Mears Park, but also because your tacos are so good I'd let you smack me on ass on my way out. Â Be seeing you.
Love, Holly
I had no idea that this place turns into a suburbanesque nightclub complete with crappy disco lights and 90's pop music. Â Honestly, by about 10 pm, I thought I had somehow been transported to Woodbury or Maple Grove.
I primarily came here for drinks and to catch up with a girlfriend. Â The margaritas were better than I thought they would be. Â The place was loud, crowded, and their seating arrangement made for a high percentage of tables you would rather not be seated at. Â Odd.
I didn't notice anything vegan friendly on the menu except the "made to order" guacamole, so I decided to order that. Â This "made to order" guacamole, in my opinion, was falsely advertised on the menu. Â Nothing about it was made to my order. Â Yes, it appeared to be made fresh in the kitchen, but I was expecting something more like Bar Abilene's guacamole where they make it in front of you and ask you what you want in it. Â It didn't have enough spice or cilantro to satisfy my palette. Â It came with a sad little side dish of runny salsa. Â
I had fun hanging out with a girlfriend here, and enjoyed the margaritas, but I do not see a reason to ever go back. Â I don't mind spending a little more for quality food and great atmosphere, but Barrio fell short in both areas for me. Â I'm totally not impressed.
First visit.
Loved the decor and energy. Though we sat at our table for about 15 minutes and no server. It was kind of busy, so we wrote it off and went to the bar to get drinks. Server comes over while we were ordering at the bar. We finish first round.......Server NEVER comes by. Bartender, Brigit, saves the day. She comes over, buys us a round of tequila shot's, is very friendly and knowledgeable and saves the day. Never did have a server for our table. Brigit the bartender did the job.
If it wouldn't have been for her, I would have given the experience a 2-star rating. Good work Brigit!!!
One friend ordered a cheesy dip with peppers. He said it was good, but too much cheese and not enough peppers.
We were there for cocktails, not food.
I'll give it one more try before I decide if it is worth the prices.
NOTE:. Have your servers AT LEAST acknowledge each table, even if understaffed. Though someone came by once, we never heard from anyone else. Bartenders are for the bar, not for the tables.
Though, Brigit is a rockstar!
Food was great, corn chowder a match to mpls...but goodness sakes the noise level was horrible. Â Not counting the loud group of girls next to us that had no clue what 'inside' voices were, the music alone was way too loud. I think who ever sets the level of music needs to try out every seat, especially the crappy booths in the back
We made reservations, yet they put us in what had to be the worse table in the joint. Service from the waitress was lacking, but I swear we had other employees circling us - for what we have no idea, they just kept coming by staring at our table? Â we just sat down, no we are not leaving. Â
We had hoped to stay...have dinner....a few drinks before heading down to see Kooza. Â We ate quickly just so we could get the heck out of there. Â Maybe if we sat outside at the small row of tables this whole review would be a 5 star, but alas...I am still recovering from the headache of dinner last night. Â
Guess we will be sticking to Mpls to get our Barrio fix
This is the exact same bar as on Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis. It makes a nice 1-2 punch with the Bulldog next door. Finally some real life in Downtown St. Paul.
To settle a dispute with some prior Yelpers, this restaurant is bigger than the Minneapolis one. It is better laid out and much more space. The MPLS location has a second floor, but it is much more cramped in general.
Again, the more i come here, the more I begin to think that the food is in fact overpriced. Maybe I notice how much I'm spending better when I'm in St. Paul. Also, the crowd is much less of a scene. There were a few trendy hipsters in the bar, but it doesn't have the same Nicollet Mall trendy feel that the MPLS location has. There were people in shorts and sandals with t-shirts, maybe this was because they all came directly from the Taste of Minnesota, but I think that in general St. Paul gets a much more laid back crowd.
Disclaimer: the awesome name of this restaurant (barrio's) had no impact on my impression of said restaurant! :-)
... Food was great-awesome presentation (yep, gourmet tacos) /tequila prices vary (some say over priced) I personally consider the high priced tequila as having a "hangover or lack there off In the AM" tax)/good(ish) music/they apparently even serve high life 40s (the Champaign of beers!) for those budget conscious weekends :o) -1 star for not having "true" outdoor seating...(big doors don't count!)
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