Students and staff—and really anybody—can order a taco or two (or three or 10).
Chef, author, and humanitarian José Andrés is bringing his celebrity signature to Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.
Butterfly Tacos y Tortas opened on January 27, 2020, in the university’s Levering Hall. Operated by the university’s food service partner, Bon Appetit Management Company, it’s open for lunch on Monday through Friday. The menu, inspired by the street food culture of Mexico City, features tacos hongos, salads, and sandwiches (or tortas). Grab-and-go items are also available.
Butterfly at Johns Hopkins is a fast-casual version of Andrés’ full-service Oyamel Cocina Mexicano in Washington, D.C. The name is taken from Oyamel’s logo, which is named for the millions of monarch butterflies that migrate south to Mexico over the winter. The butterflies usually appear around Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), and it’s believed that they bear the spirits of departed loved ones.
Johns Hopkins is Andrés’ third university location, following Beefsteak at Northwestern University and Beefsteak food truck at Florida International University. There will also be a Butterfly at Audi Field, home to D.C. United, the city’s Major League soccer team.
Courtesy of Johns Hopkins Dining's Facebook
From fine dining and food trucks to fast-casual and vegetarian-focused menus, Andrés’ company ThinkFoodGroup owns and operates more than 30 restaurants in cities such as Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Miami Beach, Orlando, Washington, D.C., and New York City.
In addition to culinary success, Andrés has a variety of significant titles and accomplishments to his name, including:
- Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in 2020 and 2018
- James Beard Foundation Outstanding Chef
- James Beard Foundation Humanitarian of the Year
- 2015 National Humanities Medal
- 2019 Nobel Peace Prize nominee
Originally from Spain, Andrés is the only chef with a two-star Michelin restaurant and four Bib Gourmand. A Bib Gourmand is awarded by Michelin for serving “quality food at a good value.” His books include Tapas: A Taste of Spain in America in 2005, Vegetables Unleashed: A Cookbook in 2019 and We Fed an Island: The True Story of Rebuilding Puerto Rico, One Meal at a Time in 2018.
Andrés started his nonprofit World Central Kitchen to help bring food and supplies to people affected by natural disasters. In 2017, he set up in Puerto Rico to help victims of Hurricane Maria, and, more recently, after the January 2020 earthquakes, where he delivered water and served more than 12,000 meals.
Have you tried any of José Andrés’ restaurants? Let us know what you think of Butterfly Tacos y Tortas!
