The Garces Group looked to Washington, DC-based CORE to create Philadelphia’s beach-inspired Buena Onda taco joint—the group’s first foray into a quickservice model. The beach-inspired eatery boasts subtle structural elements, color blocking, and warm natural materials.

The clean interior is spatially defined with textured volumes, such as lattice-patterned concrete masonry units (CMU) that create a decorative backdrop for the menu board and point of sale, as well as distinguish the various spaces.

Inspired by Mexican palapas, a structure over the bar bears whitewashed wood slats with a dark lattice framework, which is mirrored in an S-shaped partition that divides the areas.

The partition shelters a bar-height counter and two banquettes upholstered in a periwinkle material and punctuated by Acapulco chairs—a style that was deconstructed to create the delicate black ceiling lights.

Light wood tabletops are adorned with a white painted lattice pattern that resembles the various CMUs.

While textural wall hangings add a layer of interest over white raked-plaster walls, an ocean-inspired epoxy coats the seating area’s counter to make guests feel like they’re looking through blue water.