South Philly Barbacoa Switches Back to Weekends-Only

This week, Bon Appétit turned the national spotlight onto South Philly Barbacoa, naming it one of the best new restaurants, and one of the top three tacos, in the entire country — huge accolades for Ben Miller and Cristina Martinez's humble shop on 11th and Morris Streets. Miller even got some air time on Fox 29 when he gave Alex Holley and Mike Jerrick a taste of their lamb tacos and chicken tortas (watch the segment below).

And those tortas are damn-good. For close to a year, Martinez has been baking her torta bread from scratch every week, Tuesdays through Thursdays, stuffing them full of pork meatballs slathered in salsa verde, chorizo and potato, or whatever she feels like cooking for the day. But those sandwiches, as good as they are, are coming off the menu.

Miller told Eater yesterday evening that, starting on September 1, they'll stick to weekends-only (Friday 9 a.m. to sell-out; Saturday and Sunday, 5 a.m. to sell-out) lamb barbacoa, pancita tacos and consome, plus whatever specials they've got up their sleeves. Tortas will be reserved for special functions.

The reason is simply a better standard of living. "More time to enjoy life! Visit my grandmother!" said Miller, which is a good enough reason as any.