The upscale Mexican, all-you-can-eat menu at Buena Vida has been eliminated from the Silver Spring restaurant in favor of offering the casual Tacos, Tortas & Tequila fare, said Ivan Iricanin, founder and CEO of Street Guys Hospitality.
“It was a lot of planning and thinking how to adapt for a new environment,” he said. “My opinion was that in a post-COVID and COVID environment, only people that have very affordable menus, very clean and very approachable menus with operations that does not require high labor in the front and the back of the kitchen can stay afloat and can stay alive.”
The unlimited menu concept will remain, however, the form of weekend brunch offerings at TTT.
The brunch menu is available for $33.99 per person on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m.–4 p.m. at 8407 Ramsey Ave.
Guests can order from a variety of egg dishes, breakfast burritos, quesadillas, brunch tacos, sandwiches, side dishes and dessert crepes.
TT will also offer 25 cents cocktails at brunch, including mimosas, a Bloody Maria, margaritas and sangria.
Buena Vida/TTT opened in May of 2018, with the Buena Vida menu offered on the second floor and TTT on the ground level. A second location opened later in Clarendon; both restaurants now offer only the TTT menu.
“With the rise of digital [ordering] and take out and delivery, TTT is a concept that fits better and travels well,” Iricanin said.
Unless something changes, Iricanin doesn’t see the Buena Vida concept coming back, so the company will concentrate on improving TTT.
For example, there is a plan to add a takeout window in Silver Spring, create a better website, a slightly expanded menu and improved delivery arrangements. There is also a plan to provide entertainment via a virtual DJ program in the next few weeks.
Reservations are available online Monday through Thursday 12 p.m.–10 p.m., Friday 12 p.m.–11 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.–11 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.–10 p.m. Silver Spring’s carryout and delivery options are available seven days a week, from noon–7 p.m. Guests may also call 301.755.6132 to reserve and table or place a pickup order.
The Buena Vida change was first reported by Bethesda Beat.
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