Mouthwatering Mexican in Washington

Guajillo Mexican Cuisine

★★★★☆ 3.7 (629) • $$

"We came here for dinner on a weekday evening and had a good experience. The meal started out with complimentary chips and salsa, and we also ordered some guacamole on the side. The guacamole was good, but the small cup was a bit expensive at $8.I got chicken fajitas, which came with onions, peppers, and zucchini, and sides of guacamole, rice, refried beans, and tortillas. I liked this, and it was a very generous portion size. I also tried my husband's mole poblano, which was good, and my kid really liked the kids' quesadilla they made him. Service was very friendly. Overall, a solid meal at a nice neighborhood spot, and we'd come back if in the area."

El Puente De Oro

★★★★☆ 3.7 (6) • $$

"This is authentic El Salvadorian and Mexican food. Been here a few times and the food has always been excellent. The area is not the greatest surrounding it but inside is clean and they're currently doing renovations, but still open. Some of the renovations are extending the bar. No draft beer but bottles and liquor. Music can be loud on nights and weekends. DJ every weekend and sometimes bands. I recommend the pupusas, fajitas, quesadillas, and ceviche. That's what I've had so far and all are excellent. Spanish isn't a must but majority of staff and clients are Spanish speaking only. Plenty of parking."

El Tapatio Sports Bar & Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4 (63) • $

"Had a 12 AM craving for guacamole, chips, and salsa. Ordered through uber eats since they are open late night. Guacamole dip was FRESH, packaged AND seasoned well. Nice balance of lime, cilantro, a bit of saltiness, and perfectly ripe avocado. Definitely would order again. Perfect amount for one person. I also got the pico de gallo. Fresh, bright, and citrusy. My only gripe is the price for what you get. The pico de gallo comes in a sauce cup / container. Maybe twice the size of the plastic cups used for ketchup at burger and fries places. So I can skip that next time. Will check out the rest of their menu."

Guapo's Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.6 (576) • $$

"This restaurant has been a staple in my family for years. The chips and salsa are always fresh and the margaritas are affordable and tasty. This visit I ordered the Chile rellenos which were massive and very filling but also very heavy (comes with the territory I suppose). My dad enjoyed his salad and my mom loved her tacos. The tortilla soup here is also perfect for a winter day! Service was good as well."

La Cabana Restaurante

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (18) • $$

"I've ordered take out from here numerous times as it's really close to my office, but the convenience of the location is the biggest reason I keep going back. The food is hit or miss, which is not to say that there are certain items to choose to avoid, but that even things I enjoyed one day can be totally off the next. They do give you a lot of food to the point that it's almost too much meat sometimes. I am a huge fan of their chips and guacamole which are both homemade, fresh, and delicious. The rice on all of their plates tends to be a smidge too salty. One annoyance for me is that because the owners and employees are Salvadorian it can be very difficult to place an order over the phone in English. There are people there that speak English, but I have been hung up several times when trying to place an order over the phone. I do wish that my Spanish weren't so rudimentary, and I certainly don't think they owe it to me to speak the same language, but it has made it a little difficult to order or ask questions about things from time to time.I'm sure I'll continue to order from here as long as my office is on this block, but doubt I'll come searching for it after that."

El Presidente

★★★★☆ 4.1 (297) • $$$

"We had dinner at El Presidente with another couple for a friend's birthday a few weeks ago and had a great time. Great Mexican food in a really fun environment. We shared queso fundido de chorizo (housemade chorizo with queso mixto, salsa verde, and flour tortillas), aguachile verde (shrimp, hamachi, crab, tomatillo, melon, and jalapeno), huitlacoche quesadilla (roasted zucchini, corn, jalapeno, epazote, avocado and calabaza salsa), Baja tuna tostada (yellowfin tuna, chipotle aioli, avocado, and salsa macha), birria tacos (braised short rib, queso monterrey, red chile consomme), black cod al pastor tacos (morita aioli, limey cabbage, and grilled pineapple), and black bean enchiladas (queso oaxaca, black bean-chipotle sauce, fried plantains, crema, queso fresco). Everything was really good - I'm not even sure I had favorites! The cocktails were also great (they also have wines, lots of mezcals and tequilas, beers, and a couple of NA options). Then there's the service - great. And the decor? Wild. It's the kind of space that is so fun that I start to worry if a place is style over substance, but El Presidente is not. It's the whole package. Decor that makes your jaw drop (so fun) but with great food, drinks, and service. Overall, just a great meal."

Taco Ssam - Annandale

★★★★☆ 4 (147) • $$

"I have only ever tried the barria tacos at Taco Ssam, but just based on that dish I'm giving them 5 Stars"

Taqueria El Mexicano

★★★★☆ 3.8 (72) • $$

"I love a good mole, and Taqueria El Mexicano is the place for it. Their mole is rich, smoky, and delicious, plus it's huge and reasonably priced. The rice and beans were good too, but the mole takes center stage. I also had an al pastor taco and snacked on some chicharrones de harina with hot sauce. The taco was great, and I enjoyed my chicharrones. No strawberry soda though.The staff is friendly, but the place is small and the parking is tough. Try coming a bit later at night for better parking, but definitely do try to get here, as you won't be disappointed."

Veronicas Bakery & Taqueria

★★★★☆ 4 (11)

"I had an amazing time trying this place out. I got the chicken taco and chicharrones con yuca. The chicken taco was pretty juicy and flavorful. The sauce on the side really brought out the flavors. The chicharrones were cooked perfectly not too soft and not too hard. The yuca I feel could have been fried longer just because I like my yuca more crispy but was still fine. The service was honestly really good, I asked the cashier for suggestions and he answered politely and truthfully. Both the people that were working, were extremely nice and helpful when I asked any question. The ambiance was welcoming and felt family friendly."

Taco City DC

★★★★☆ 4.4 (266) • $$

"Excellent small business with fresh food and excellent service. I have been coming her for about 4-5 years and cant believe I never reviewed them!They have great happy hour specials and yummy food. They recently redecorated and painted inside and it reminds me of the movie Encanto. The space is small but bright and lively with really cool paintings and decorations. I met the owner Juan who gave me the history of how it came to be. Come and see him to hear for yourself!I usually stick to the tacos but they have plenty of great food options and drinks to go along with it. Def come check them out!"

J & J Mex-Taqueria

★★★★☆ 4.1 (101) • $

"This place is definitely underrated! When I tell you the authenticity of this food and the flavors!!! you would have been blown away! They had a nice seating area and they had so many different sauces, all the meat was juicy and tender. The tacos were full of meat and I loved all of the accompaniments.Birria Taco was my favorite! It was so cheesy and full of meat! The consommé was super juicy as well and I loved the flavors. I think it was some of the best I had!I really like the tortillas to they were soft and fluffy you could tell they were freshly made. I'm definitely planning to go back. The staff was so nice! After we left, they even gave us a coupon, because we were just talking with them about our experience."

The Well Dressed Burrito

★★★★☆ 3.7 (365) • $

"This is becoming a solid lunch spot, and that is solidified especially with the chef's special, the salmon and shrimp open face burrito. There is so much flavor packed into the dish that I am astounded that people would choose certain other fast food restaurants when the well dressed burritos provides incredibly delicious food at an unbeatable price. The salmon and shrimp were amazing, the rice was perfect, and the honey chipotle sauce was exceptional! The service was fairly quick. Even though the restaurant was packed, I only waited about 5-7 minutes for my food. The ambiance is nice and homey, but I typically just grab my food and head back to work. Exceptional burrito from an exceptional place!"

LESLY Sport Bar & Grill

★★★☆☆ 3 (24) • $$

"I recently stopped by with my buddy on a "snow day" after visiting 2 other places that closed early. I was surprised to see they were still open and Ricky at the bar ready to help. Quick and friendly service. After speaking with Ricky I learned that he plans on making this the new go to restaurant/bar in falls church. Stop by for the food or drinks. They have plenty of TVs available for whatever games you're into. Bring a friend and help keep a family business going."

Taco Zocalo

★★★★☆ 4.1 (15)

"Got to say impressive. These are some truly delicious tacos. Are there other places to choose from? Sure but quality and quantity matters. Here you'll find both of these. That is important. This new restaurant is doing quite well, especially when you consider how new it is. Comfortable seats and a clean space. Great employees. Whoever is in charge of hiring kudos. Definitely a friendly and nice group of folks. Will be returning next week. Thank you for a job well done. Have enjoyed each visit."

Rosita's Restaurant

★★★★★ 4.5 (18)

"First time here and we throughly enjoyed the drinks and food. We had Melon con Piña which was delicious as was the Horchata. I had also tried the Michelada Especial which was an added plus! Tried their pupusas ( so good!) and it came with 3 different sauces. Our server was great, she was attentive and very kind. I would definitely come back again specially because it's a pretty modern Salvadoran spot."

Taqueria Los Primos - La Union Mall

★★★★★ 4.7 (31)

"This may be the best Birria in Maryland (I've tried several others in the area).Theirs is the meatiest, crispiest, and cheesiest of the bunch! I honestly could share with my girlfriend and I'd be satisfied. Their consommé broth could be thicker with flavor so hopefully they take it into consideration. I'd give a 5 star, but I also tried their regular street tacos. Good amount of meat, but very dry. I've had more moist tacos in my life time. Hoping it was an off day and they're actually on point the next time I try.Definitely come here for the Birria!!"

El Piquin

★★★★★ 4.7 (33)

"Corn tortilla's check ! Fresh eggs and fresh pico, check! Home made sauces, check! Large portion size, check! and the ICING ON THE CAKE- FRESH ORANGE AND LEMON JUICE MADE TO ORDER !! I will go back again and again for that juice! Staff are happy and organized- and their station is clean and welcoming. 5 stars if they had Mexican cheese instead !"

Taco Baja

★★★☆☆ 2.7 (39) • $

"Order the steak tacos. food is made to order. tacos come with meat, onion, tomatoes and parley with flour tacos. The restaurant parking is hassle but the food is good to eat. restaurant has chairs to dine."

La Gula Mexicana

★★★★☆ 4.3 (158) • $$

"Delicious food ! Everything is made to order so it may take a little bit long.The prices are great, the drinks are delicious. It tends to get busy on a weekend evening so it might not be easy to find a seat in the dining area.They have a small bar as well.In the warmer months there is a patio for outdoor seating.We've also ordered for pick up and the portions were just as great and everything was fresh.This is definitely a place we will continue to visit & enjoy!"

Ay Jalisco Mexican Restaurant

★★★☆☆ 3.2 (63) • $$

"I ordered From Uber Eats and was impressed with the taste and equality of the food for the price. Chicken in cream sauce was great! My kids loved it with the rice.The Jalisco platter was great! We spent extra for the Salvadorian tortillas. I appreciated them, my family wished we got traditional flour tortillas. The chicarons and yuca was not a good idea delivered because this is a dish wonderful fresh and not great at all reheated. The chimichangas were great! I hate when they all taste the same. These were all unique!For an order in during pandemic times, this is a must try!"

Paraiso Taqueria

★★★★☆ 4.4 (356) • $$

"Stopped by for brunch and the food is amazing! The servers and bartenders are very attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable. They have a very relaxed atmosphere. I couldn't recommend this place more."

Sol Azteca

★★★★☆ 3.7 (179) • $$

"They were very busy but the service was great. My seafood enchiladas were perfectly cooked and delicious. They put the seafood over cheese enchiladas with a delicious white sauce. Their hot sauce is hot but super good !!I also love their salsa! A great local restaurant here in Olney!"

Taco Cinco de Mayo

★★★★★ 4.7 (12)

"Best tacos and burritos in the area! If you're looking for authentic tacos and burritos, this place is it! The flavor of the tacos and burritos do not disappoint and the portions are consistent every time I visit this food truck. The staff members are very nice and fast with orders."

Taco Rico

★★★★☆ 4.1 (41) • $

"This place is awesome! Wonderful service, beautiful owners and the tacos are heavenly! I was desperately in need of some authentic Mexican street tacos, like what I grew up on in Inglewood, California and had many times in Mexico. Taco Rico filled that void today! We simply had the Bisteca Tacos con frijoles y arroz! The steak was seasoned and cooked perfectly, dressed only with white diced onion and cilantro served on two soften corn tortillas. The rice and beans taste like mom made them! I am beyond satisfied. I plan to return to explore the rest of the menu. I definitely recommend this hood jewel. Any restaurant established for 15 years and you can feel the warmth and love in the place deserves a 5 star rating any day!Last photo is of...****My leftovers I made into a 'oh so delicious bowl'! Rice, beans, a sprinkle of the meat left from some of my steak tacos, jalapeños, onions and seasoned with the sauces served at the table. Yummers!!!"

Taqueria El Rodeo

★★★★★ 4.7 (3)

"OK so first things first, I was a little disappointed with the tamales. The flavor was good but I'm hoping for a chunky foil wrapped surprise, not that skinny little rope thing. Kinda took the wind out of my sails but whatever, it tasted good! The burrito was tasty but it lacked that extra burst of flavor from a pico de gallo and/or salsa. It just felt like it was missing something, but I would definitely order it again. It was nothing that one of my hot sauces couldn't fix. The papusas were tasty the day of but a little off the next morning. Yes, morning, I eat papusas in the morning. They're perfect and deserve to be eaten during any time of the day. The jalapeño/cheese is literally deeeeeeeeeelicious. I love the beans and whatever seasoning they chose. They didn't have that weird porky taste (thank you baby Jesus) so if it was cooked with meat or meat bones...you couldn't tell. I love that. I didn't order tacos but that's definitely next on the list. Try them out and lemme know what you think. Happy eating!"

La Fondita

★★★★☆ 3.9 (85) • $

"La Fondita is an affordable spot for authentic Mexican food with a homemade charm. Three beef asada tacos cost about $11, featuring soft and chewy tortillas complemented by an array of sauces, jalapeño, and lime that made my meal a controllably spicy and enjoyable experience.That said, the restaurant's biggest issue is that it feels almost too homely for its own good. It appears to rely on trust, as most of the patrons seem to be families from the Hispanic community dining with their children. However, as an outsider, I couldn't shake the feeling that I didn't fully understand why a flourishing restaurant would operate out of a house-like space with its windows and doors shut. The enclosed environment traps the fumes of spices and meat, creating a somewhat hot and smelly atmosphere.The utensils are basic kitchenware--like something you'd use at a family gathering rather than in a professional setting. The sauces, while tasty, were given to me in an oddly generous abundance. For three tacos, I received a small cup of jalapeño and hot sauce, which made me wonder if these same raw and exposed condiments are repurposed for the next customer. That's an unsettling thought, especially since I had to reach into the cup to grab a lime, just as the previous customer likely did.The food itself tasted good but relied heavily on the sauces for flavor, as it lacked much on its own. While La Fondita offers a solid dose of authenticity, I believe it would thrive more as a food truck rather than as a restaurant that feels like dining in someone's home. This setup made me question the sanitation and safety of the food preparation.The vibe inside was pleasant, with Spanish conversations filling the air, and everyone, including the children, behaving well."

Guapo's - Shirlington

★★★★☆ 3.8 • $$

"I've eaten at Guapo's Shirlington a few times over the past year, despite having only been once or twice before for drinks only. I really like it and this type of Mexican cuisine is not really my favorite. The staff are amazing. Very friendly and attentive, despite it being constantly busy, and that definitely adds to my enjoyment of Guapo's. I also like that I can delivery from them later than a lot of other places in Arlington, which is helpful. The lively atmosphere is also fun. The margaritas are strong and delicious, so that is much appreciated. I love the vegetable fajitas. They actually give you a variety of vegetables, which are all perfectly grilled/charred and not just thrown on the skillet, unlike some other places. They thought the put into the dish is noticed. It's become my go-to order. My companions have all enjoyed their dishes as well. I like their chips and salsa. I've also had one of their ceviches and it was good. I'm very glad I've given Guapo's a chance and am always down to return."

El Sitio

★★★☆☆ 3.2 (10) • $

"OK, so this place is not much to look at from the outside. It is located in a very dated shopping center next to a Latino grocery store. The interior is pretty barren too, with minimal décor and functionary seating. My co-workers often show up with take-out from here, and when I saw their quesadillas, I knew I must get one for myself. They didn't even know the name of the place, only that it said 'Chicken and Ribs' above the door. They have no take-out menu or website. So I ventured here one day after school.I was not disappointed! Their shrimp quesadilla ($10.95) is delicious! It is super cheesy and is filled with chunks of shrimp. I ate 3/4, and I was full. They serve it with plenty of salsa, sour cream, guacamole, and lettuce. It was well worth the price, which isn't cheap compared to all the taquerias in a two mile radius of this place.I think this place must have an active nightlife scene. I was there at 3pm and there were already two men drinking at the bar! It looks life it serve as a nightclub on the weekends since they are open late into the night.I finally found a place near my school that is worth visiting time and time again, although it will be mainly for take-out."

La Viña Mexican Grill

★★★★☆ 3.9 (150) • $$

"The exterior was undergoing an extensive remodeling when we dined here, and not just this restaurant. It was the entire shopping center. So, can't really fault them for this. But, parking was very tricky and sparse, so be aware before you go if the construction hasn't completed yet.The interior was nice, with a mirrored wall that made the space look bigger than it was. Good effect! There weren't a lot of diners when we went, but it was a Sunday evening. Not really prime time. Still, the place wasn't deserted, and they were still able to accommodate our rather large party easily. (There were eleven of us!)The service was pretty attentive even given our party size. I'm guessing this was due again to the rather low traffic they had. But, you could see all servers attending all guests too, so I think it was also their overall philosophy of customer service. Speaking of, our servers were friendly and helpful.The food was... a mixed bag. But, my dish? Oh, man. I would order those birria tacos 10 times out of 10!! They were SO GOOD!! Plenty of cheese inside and a few crispy cheesy bits on the outside (tastiest part!)... and plenty of slow cooked flavorful shredded birria beef inside! And don't get me started on the consommé that accompanied it. I was so close to drinking the leftovers. These were quite probably the BEST birria tacos I've ever had!The other entrees didn't impress me as much, though. Not that they were bad! Just... uninspired. And I did try a bite of the seafood enchilada. I didn't like it. The seafood had an unpleasant taste, though I can't say it tasted "off" or "bad" or anything. It just didn't taste like... seafood? It was odd. The chile rellenos looked good, though!Nobody complained about their dishes, though, so I guess they were fine. Maybe I just wasn't in a seafood mood then, but even when I'm not... eh, moving on.We did have a few issues, though. The original order included 3 seafood chimichangas and 1 seafood enchilada. We received 3 enchiladas and 1 chimi, though. They did correct this quickly, though. Also, the chile relleno order was wrong... TWICE! Admittedly, the person ordering had a LOT of special requests. Nothing unheard of I guess, but the waitress clearly owned up to the fact that the kitchen screwed it up.They did make good on all these mistakes, though, and for the most part everyone got their food correctly. And it came out fresh and hot as well. So, how was it overall? Good! It's not the best Mexican (Tex-Mex?) place I've ever had, but... honestly... those were the best birria tacos I've ever had. I think I would avoid the seafood stuffed tortilla options here in the future, but I would order those tacos every single time. And if they were out, they had plenty of other items I was interested in."

Al Carbon

★★★★☆ 3.8 (225) • $

"Im the Heart of Rockville is this amazing spot. I happen to come in the morning and ordered the breakfast platter which came with the most flavorful eggs, rice, beans, plátano, sour cream and avocado on the side. The tortillas are home made and super fresh. Everything about this breakfast was amazing!!! The gentleman who I think is the owner is super nice and is the chef himself. He is extremely friendly made me feel super comfortable sitting inside. I can't wait to take the rest of the menu here. If your in the area I highly recommend this spot. You won't regret it!!"

El Fresco

★★★★★ 4.5 (29)

"I would put this in the same category as Qdoba or chipotle. I like their California burrito that has fries in it if that's your kind of thing. I've heard that the tacos are good too. You get more food for your money than chipotle or qdoba. It's not authentic Mexican food though. There is plenty of seating inside and outside on the outdoor patio. Service is quick and friendly. We like the free salsa bar too."

Gringada Mexican Restaurant

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (75) • $

"Not what I expected at all. I just left the bank around the corner and saw this spot sitting alone on the side of the road across from some railroad tracks. It didn't look like much, but I decided to give it a go. When we entered it was empty, and when we left it was empty. We were greeted immediately by our waitress, who took our drink and food order. The decor was typical Mexican décor that you expect to see in any American Mexican restaurant. The restaurant was clean and bright inside. There was a small backroom where the bar was located. It looked like an afterthought built into a hallway. I though it was cool though. The bathroom wasn't anything to special. One bathroom next to the bar that was clean and functional. I was feeling the authenticity. We ordered margaritas that were very good. They didn't have that nasty margarita mix taste. The only negative, they never last long. Why do margaritas seem to have more ice than drink? Just saying.For an appetizer we shared a pork and cheese papusa. It was very good and I loved the grilled flavor. I didn't find any pork in it, but the waitress explained that it is so refined that it's not noticeable. Hummmm? Ok, if you say so. It was good, so I didn't make a fuss about it. After all, what does this gringa know about cooking Mexican food. I only mentioned it because I paid more for pork vs just cheese. I also ordered 2 enchiladas with grounded, black beans and rice. All very good. I cleaned my plate, though I was full long before I finished. I regretted my gluttony for the rest of the day, but I couldn't stop eating. My mother was smarter. She ordered the grilled chicken burrito and cut it in half, taking half home to enjoy the next day for lunch. Great meal from an unassuming restaurant. Goes to show you, never judge a book by it's cover."

Tacos El Torito

★★★★★ 4.6 (38) • $

"Good, tasty, flavorful and quick! When you're in the mood for good, quick food that isn't considered fast food, give this taco food truck a try.First time I've visited, though have worked in the area for 6 years and never gave them a thought. A co-worker recently tried them and highly recommended a visit.Tacos are inexpensive and menu is mostly in Spanish, so I had to ask and somewhat guess. I had two pork tacos and one pork and pineapple. They have six other types. But the soup on their menu looked like the best. I plan to try it one of these days.Three delicious tacos, great sauce and flavor, and a can of soda for less than $10, can't beat it. Since its less than a mile from work, I plan to visit about once a week."

Las Americas Restaurant

★★☆☆☆ 2.4 (34) • $

"Got pupusas. They were pretty good but the cabbage and red sauce hit the spot. Really good cabbage.I cant comment on the rest"

dLeña

★★★★☆ 4.4 • $$$

"We had a WONDERFUL galentines brunch here and left feeling full and tipsy! $70 is a great price for bottomless drink and food- especially when margaritas are involved! All the drinks were tasty and alcohol was not skimped on at all. Even when we exceeded are 2 hour table time, our waitress was generous enough to let us have 1 last round. The food was so good too, we tried EVERYTHING on the menu and our bellies showed it. Top choices for me was the carnitas, birria and fish taco, and salmon. The fruit parfait was a miss for all of us- too sour. And the steak and eggs was a little dry. Lastly, of course we had to end on a sweet note and the churros did just that !"