Acclaimed eatery South Philly Barbacoa is moving into Triple Bottom Brewing as the brewery’s permanent food partner.
This partnership is ideal for Chef Cristina Martinez because she “really aligns” with brewery owners Tess Hart and her husband, Bill Popwell, making it a “really natural” fit, spokesperson Missael Benalcazar told What Now Philadelphia.
“They were looking for a chef that can be in their place permanently because they had been doing chef residencies for a while. They had already tried the food, and they were really happy with us, so they invited us to be there. It’s the perfect match between beer and tacos,” he said.
This marks South Philly Barbacoa’s third home, joining its flagship location inside Chef Martinez’s Casa Mexico restaurant and its recently opened outpost at Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia through another partnership.
Triple Bottom Brewing’s menu will feature signature tacos, including chicken, carnitas, barbacoa and cochinita pibil, a slow-roasted pork, along with vegan options, all served on Chef Martinez’s signature homemade golden tortillas.
“Chef Cristina really keeps the focus on homemade, organic food—food that needs time to be prepared. Our barbacoa, it takes up to four days to be ready, so we’re preparing barbacoa every day,” Benalcazar said.
Growing up in Capulhuac, Mexico, the chef learned the craft of barbacoa, where it served as a “foundational pillar.”
After moving to Philadelphia and opening South Philly Barbacoa, Martinez received the 2022 James Beard Award for Best Chef: Midwest. She also has been featured on Netflix’s Chef’s Table and has earned numerous accolades from magazines and newspapers.
“Every dish I prepare at South Philly Barbacoa is a tribute to my heritage, to the strength that has allowed me to overcome obstacles, and to the community that has supported me every step of the way,” Chef Martinez wrote on her website.
Benalcazar said the chef looks forward to growing her brand.
“South Philly Barbacoa is a well-known brand in Philly, but there’s many people that have not heard about it yet, so we are looking for more people to get to try the authenticity of Chef Cristina’s food. She’s excited about having the opportunity to meet more people and give them the best quality of food,” he said.
Looking ahead, the team wants to expand its reach through delivery services, grow its catering business and pursue additional partnerships.
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