Taco Bamba Ballston
“Pivot” is an official buzzword of 2020 (at least one of the few that’s fit for print), and Victor Albisu did just that when he tabled plans for an egg-centric concept, Huevos, opting instead to bring a fifth location of his wildly popular taqueria to Ballston. The offerings include tried-and-true taco faves (carnitas, al pastor) as well as creative variations like the El Rico Pollo (Inca cola-glazed chicken with serrano chili sauce and aji Amarillo mayo) and the vegetarian Salim Abu Aziz (shawarma-spiced zucchini, eggplant, sumac, onion, grilled halloumi and chipotle yogurt in warm pita). They’ve got margarita mixes to go, too. Opened: Aug. 20. // 4000 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Ballston)
Bob & Edith’s Diner
A local institution run by the Bolton family for 50 years, B&E’s now has a fifth spot serving up omelets, pancakes, waffles, sandwiches and other belly-filling diner fare, 24/7. The newest Arlington location on Lee Highway has special significance to owner Greg Bolton. “My dad worked at this very location 65 years ago, before he opened the first Bob & Edith’s Diner,” he says. “I worked at this location when I was 17, and now my kids and grandkids will own the location where their grandfather once worked.” Opened Aug. 31. // 5050 Lee Highway in Arlington
Union Kitchen
The “food business accelerator” that’s helped catapult hundreds of homegrown start-up brands (Compass Coffee among them) onto a national stage now has a market and café in Ballston Quarter—it’s first location outside of the District proper. Hungry customers will find shelves stocked with more than 200 made-in-D.C. food and beverage products, plus a counter serving creative breakfast and lunch sandwiches, healthy bowls, snacks and more. Opened Aug. 3. // 4102 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Ballston)
Smokecraft Modern Barbecue
Barbecue is the main attraction at this Clarendon newcomer by award-winning pitmaster and restaurateur Andrew Darneille, where the options include smoked pork-belly burnt ends, wagyu brisket, ribs, wings, cedar-planked salmon and smoked crab cakes—not to mention smoked cocktails (try the “Smoke on the Water,” made with rye whiskey, spiced simple syrup and bitters, smoked in a glass with wood chips) and smoked desserts (including key lime pie, chocolate-cherry bread pudding and cedar-planked s’mores). Notice a theme? Opened July 31. // 1015 N. Highland St. Arlington (Clarendon)