El Taco Rico

As much as I used to go to Beltway Plaza and shop in there, I never got any food from there... until now! Taco Tuesday means I have to enjoy some somewhere right?? El Taco Rico has some tables outside of the small restaurant, and there are a few inside. When you walk in, tables are to the left, and the register is to your right. They have a plastic screen up, and you can see their small menu... there are no physical ones, and I had to ask what their taco types were. From anyone just passing by, the place honestly doesn't look like much, and everything looks kind of old.I opted for 3 chicken tacos... which came to $12, I was surprised they were $4 each! Around my way I usualy expect things like tacos to be way cheaper lol. So I was a tad concerned... I went to sit down outside, and when the plate was brought to me (I chose dine-in) my jaw almost dropped when I looked at my plate. The tacos were bigger than I expected and they were loaded with chicken! They brought out 3 bottles of sauce and veggies to put on the tacos too! Presentation and size immediately took my concerns away. When I took a bite... yes. The pulled chicken was tender and I was STUFFED after I finished all 3.

Solid authentic Mexican cuisine. I just got a carne asada taco with cilantro and onion. Five bucks did seem a little pricy for a taco. But it is what it is, I guess. It's a nice little spot inside Beltway Plaza Mall. Clean restaurant and quality food. Good service too; I got my food in a couple minutes.

I love this place... they have the best tacos and quesadillas . Super nice . I saw someone complain about the price but , I'm not complaining, the portions are big and the foods worth the price !Please see what's left of my food .

The shortest version to sum up this review is this...on tacos alone, they're definitely not bad. 4/5 on those...but the service...for ppl they assume to-be NON-HISPANIC or definitely non Spanish-speaking... negative fuggin 3! Been here before when they were relatively empty, w/even more patrons already present/ordering b4/after me, also on a weekend, and my food came right away. Just 3 tacos... super simple. Today however, I watched and waited as multiple Hispanics came after me...and got their food first. Then miraculously, as soon as I go to the register and ask to speak to the boss, one of the women in the kitchen come out acting like she already knew what I was ordering, telling me it was out next. I told him/boss... How did all these people walk in after I did, yet got food b4 me? He tried to claim they were all "call in orders..." Funny....considering ppl who call in orders tend to come in to p/up, to take it away. That's the whole point of calling in. Nobody calls in, to sit down and eat...SIMPLE non complex taqueria orders. These clowns tried to play me. No problem... I don't go where my money is not respected... So I told him to process my refund. Again, miraculously as well...now my food is magically ready.... as they make mention of a refund huh?.Smdh. Funny how it takes no time at all to make 3 simple azz tacos, but apparently it's so lengthy and labor-intensive, that they weren't ready before me complaining about your prejudicial and preferential service! And here's the kicker funnier still... yo habla Espanol tambien puta! so any time I walk into a spot, in all my beautiful Blackness, they make the WRONG assumption that they can talk smack about ppl they think don't understand them. Guess what...that's how you fuck around and get popped in the mouth sayin slick shit to customers who are already hungry, and at this point now irritated because you're mimicking racist behaviors! 0/0....would NOT recommend!

Not the most glamorous setup, by far. No menus, just pictures up on the wall---sans prices. If you're looking to "dine-in", be prepared to eat your meal in darn near darkness with cheap tablecloths and really bad chairs. I had my food to go. Don't let the settings fool you though, because this food is bomb. I was in the mood for Mexican for my lunch break and all I knew nearby that qualified for "Mexican" was Chipotle...I really wanted a change and I desired authenticity, and Yelp lead me to El Taco Rico. I know from experience that it's usually these hole in the wall places that are the best foodie spots, so I went without hesitation.My order took some time to make, which wasn't really a big deal since it is truly made to order, but I was on the lunch break time constraint so it was a little bit nerve-wracking...just some advice for folks trying to get out here on the hurry.I got the Quesadilla. Loaded with chicken and cheese (of course) but also lettuce, jalapeno, bell peppers, onions...everything that made this thing EXTREMELY flavorful. Came with two sauces on the side...had no idea what they were...but they were sooo good! The tortilla was a little crispy, a little soft, a bit of a mix of the two..chicken pieces were shredded and definitely marinated. It was so delicious.I'm definitely a fan after eating here today...especially since their tacos are only $2 each! I can't wait to sample other menu items. I don't care about the apperance of the place as long as I know I can take good, quality food home. I know that whenever I'm in the Greenbelt area and have a craving for Mexican, I'll skip Chipotle and head straight for this joint.

Taste was good. I got 3, an al pastor, carne Assad and lengua. Al pastor did not have the sweetness to like I would have imagined. The tongue was great! I thought all the meats were a dry. So I had to put on a lot of lime and salsa. Good thing their salsa was not too spicy. I'd try it again, maybe during peak hours to see if that helps the dryness. Otherwise I'm not too eager to come back. I'd still recommend you to stop by and try it in the least.

Juicy tacos at a great price. I bought 3 tacos (steak, chicken, & beef) for under $10!I went in not know what to expect. Didn't realize it was going to be located in a mall. This is a hole in the wall restaurant you go to strictly for the food. Don't think of coming here for a date unless you're comfortable enough with each other after consuming tons of onions. My tacos consisted of a nice serving of meat, cilantro, some cucumbers to combat the spicy sauces they gave on the side, radish slices, & lots of onions.. which I love! **If you don't like onions, you better tell the cashier that. Otherwise, they'll add it into your tacos**After taking my first bite, I knew why this place was so highly reviewed. The soft shells are fresh and warm which compliment the other ingredients very well. I wish they had pico de gallo. I might just order to go next time and add that in at home.Overall, this is gonna be my go to taco place in PG County from now on. +fresh shells+good portion+no card minimum-limited toppings (3 spicy sauces & some pickled onions)

Let me tell you about this place , this May look like a hole in the wall but this place is absolute FIRE . I take my family here all the time . Absolutely authentic Mexican tacos!!! and the quesadillas are to die for .The salsa verde is the Bomb.com it just ties the whole meal together. I would absolutely recommend this place. It gets pretty busy to dine in on the weekend because of how small the seating is but trust me it's worth the wait. And the service/ severs there are so nice .

If you want fancy and intimate, go somewhere else. If you want a great taco, this is where you want to go. It's located in Beltway Plaza Mall, so you'll have to walk inside the mall to find it. They serve food on plastic cafeteria plates, no frills, not much English, but great pork tacos. I used the sliced radishes to sample the 4 pack of sauces that were placed on the table. I like the darker of the green ones best. The tacos had fresh ingredients, and tasted delicious. Double tortillas, pork, fresh cilantro and diced onions compose the taco, while there are slices of cucumber, radish and a wedge of lime to fill the rest of the dish. Grab an Inca cola, and you're set!Sit outside on the mall floor if you don't want to feel crowded inside where there is a jukebox. Yes, a jukebox.Best of all, I could eat while watching the fish in the aquarium store across the mall!

Loved the Tacos! Service is amazingAmbiance I would definitely recommend coming here !