On Tuesday nights, Jackie Lee’s bar in Brightwood, Washington, D.C., becomes a vibrant hub as it hosts Kennedy Street Tacos, operated by Jaren Morrow. This weekly event, which has its roots in a pandemic pop-up, attracts a diverse crowd eager to taste Morrow’s unique takes on Taco Bell classics. His menu includes creative twists such as fried naan chalupas, plantain-stuffed burritos, and deep-fried "fiesta" potatoes.
The atmosphere at Jackie Lee’s is lively, with laughter and conversations filling the room. The bar's co-owners, Nick Schieber, Jason Crafton, and Amanda Kelsey, bustle around taking orders and serving drinks.
Morrow, who works full-time at the InterContinental Hotel on the Southwest Waterfront, showcases his culinary prowess through dishes like a Mexican pizza, which is assembled with care and topped with his special hot sauce. His offerings also include a variety of proteins such as braised beef, chicken, pork, seared shrimp, salmon, and vegan options.
His favorite creation is a burrito with sweet fried plantains, black beans, coconut rice, and a jalapeño hot sauce. Other notable items include a chalupa made from fried naan and a flavorful fiesta potato.
Kennedy Street Tacos operates every Tuesday from 5 to 9 p.m. at Jackie Lee’s, located at 116 Kennedy St. NW. Prices range from $5 for sides to $20 for a Mexican pizza, with a $2 surcharge for shrimp or salmon.
For more information, visit jackieleesdc.com/kennedy-street-tacos.