LOCAL EATS: BARBON ASADERO

IT’S A HARD JOB, BUT SOMEONE’S GOTTA DO IT!

And I’m grateful it’s me!!! Actually though, I was having a hard time deciding who/what to feature this week. All contenders on my list were pulling me in equal measure, so I took it to the people—aka Instagram. Which is funny because I don’t think most of them even realize that there’s this whole letter that goes along with the Instagram page. We’ll have to save the discussion about the social media identity crisis for another day.

The people though, they came through:

BARBON ASADERO IT IS

And I was extremely happy about this because if you’ve been around here a while, you know: I ❤️ MEXICAN FOOD!

While the results were steadily and increasingly leaning toward Barbon Asadero, I started making plans to visit. I wanted to go on Monday night but there were no open tables when I went to make a reservation. I’m not sure reservations are required and if you’re set on going on a certain date at a certain time, I’d call them and inquire as to availability. Don’t trust the app.

Since Monday wasn’t available, I set about my next plan, which was better because… Olé, the next day was…

TACO TUESDAY

For as much as I love tacos, I should be the Queen of the Taco Tuesday Scene. I’m working on getting better about that… but, truth be told, this was my first ever Taco Tuesday outing since living in Arizona. For this visit, I dragged Mr. Buzz away from studying and convinced him to go with me. Besides, we need to get used to doing these kind of things again—we’re soon-to-be empty hivers.

Back to the food… and my idea of fun.

RESERVATION’S AT 7

I quickly realized why maybe we don’t get out much: there’s a lot of back-and-forth about “the best time” to go. After being married as long was we have, I should know this but since, we’ll, we don’t get out much, I forget.

So I make the reservation and then send Mr. Buzz a series of text reminders about the menu, the time, and when we have to leave the house. Just the kind of spontaneity my teetering-on-a-Type B-minus personality thrives on. Ha! Also—I don’t like being late.

When Tuesday rolls around, we leave the house five minutes ahead of schedule (no way!!!), head downtown just in time to watch the sunset over the fields, and only lightly tiff about where to park. I tell him where to go. His idea is probably better (he’s got great instincts), but I have my reasons. [He learns after dinner I wanted to peek into the windows of the now-defunct Screws & Sparkles. Sigh. I miss the energy that shop brought to downtown. But, alas, the next chapter is unfolding for Sophia and The Buzz is watching! ❤️ ]

We slide into the front door at 7:01 PM and are greeted by one of my favorite people I’ve met since starting The Buzz.

SAY HELLO TO ISAI MARTINEZ

I had the pleasure of meeting Isai back in November 2024, when I featured his first restaurant, Tacos Barbon, in Issue No. 11. (You can read that here —and find out what barbon means if you’re curious about the name.)

His story—his family’s story—is incredibly inspiring. What he’s built in 5 years is mind-blowing. The short story is, until 2020, Isai worked in the field of architecture… until the pandemic changed everything.

At that point, having nothing to lose, he and his wife went all in on their dream of owning a food business. What started as a food cart, became a food truck, and then the addition of a restaurant, Tacos Barbon (in May 2020) and then another restaurant, Barbon Asadero (in January 2025).

Here’s the kicker: he’s done all this with no prior restaurant experience!

In addition to all that, he’s just a genuinely cool fella! If you’ve met him, you know what I mean. And, if you haven’t—odds are you’ll see him at one of his restaurants because, well, he works his tail off. And, enjoys it, from what he’s told me.

His story has kept me going when the going gets tough—because if you’re building something from scratch, “hard” becomes part of daily life. I asked him about what it was like way back in the beginning, ‘when it was hard.’ His humble response? “It’s still hard, just a different kind of hard.”

I tucked those words in my pocket and will hang onto that…just like I have as I watch his story progress. There a few visionaries here in Buckeye that turn to (mentally at least), when I need to be reminded to believe in what’s possible. Isai is one of them.

SPEAKING OF ARCHITECTURE

With his background in architecture, it’s no wonder that Isai’s restaurants are so beautiful. Everything—at both locations I’ve visited—is done just right. From the lighting, to the layout, to the music, which I notice the night we were there was perfect for the meal and the ambiance. No detail is overlooked.

And all of it sets the stage for…

THE FOOD

You know me—I always look at the menu beforehand and I had planned on getting tacos. Except, as soon we sat down and I glanced at the menu, ‘Birria Nachos’ jumped off the page and changed my mind.

When they arrived—I eat with my eyes—I immediately notice the cheese and thought, uh-oh. It reminded me of concession stand cheese sauce, which I do not like.

Well… I was wrong.

This is not like that kind of cheese. AT ALL. This is incredible. Rich, creamy, warm, melty, and flavorful. Real cheese. The entire dish was soooo good! The ratio of chips, birria, cheese, toppings & guac? Perfect. As always. Isai rules layering flavors!

And also, this is a lot of food! It’s listed on the menu as an appetizer, but I ordered it as my entrée. Even with Mr. Buzz swiping half the chips, it was still more than enough food for me.

Our waitress (thank for your patience, Alise) had her hands full Mr. Buzz’s complex taco order (no this, no that, this on the side). He ended up getting the following tacos which he ranked in order of his preference:

1. Birria - Juicy, not greasy! This was his first timing having birria and I’m happy to see he likes it because it’s always my favorite too;

2. Pastor - Flavor explosion! This pushed the edges of his food-comfort-zone and opened him up to new horizons. It was fun to watch actually. This is the perfect example of what Isai does with food—the layers of flavor that hit one after the other.

3. Potato - Comes with cheese grilled on the outside of the tortilla; and

4. Fish - He got it grilled (instead of battered & fried).

Another thing we both love, is the chipotle sauce! I want it on everything! I’m saucy! Mr. Buzz usually isn’t so it was also fun to see how much he liked it too! Look at us adventuring!

THE TAB

We couldn’t believe we had this incredible meal for under $45! In looking at the receipt now, I see we weren’t charged for the Dos Equis. If that was intentional, thank you! If it wasn’t, you know where to find me.

THE DETAILS

📍 Location 

 ⏰ Hours 

📲 Find Them Online:

Instagram + Website 

GETTING THERE

Barbon Asadero is located in the Ware Building in downtown Buckeye. Parking is easy: either on the street directly in front, the parking spots on 4th Street (my preference) or behind the building. From our house in Verrado, I allow for 25 minutes to get downtown. There are a lot of stop signs and stop lights between here and there.

FINAL THOUGHTS

This is my favorite place to have a sit-down meal in downtown Buckeye. I love that they have superior food and reasonable pricing, top notch ingredients and an overall wonderful dining experience. It actually is an experience!

And, they serve brunch on the weekends!

What are you waiting for?! Go visit Isia and tell him The Buzz sent ya!

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Publication Disclaimer: Everything included here is accurate to the best of my knowledge at the time of publication. It is always best to double-check links to be sure event information hasn’t changed if you plan on attending something.

©️ 2024 The Buckeye Buzz | All content and information set forth above was curated, cultivated & then created by Vanessa Kinsey for The Buckeye Buzz and is the intellectual property of this publication. It is protected under US copyright law, including but not limited to “The Digital Millennium Copyright Act.” Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or duplication of any material, in whole or in part, without express written authorization & consent, is strictly prohibited by law and may result in legal action. Violators will be subject to prosecution to the fullest extent of the law.