El Techo

Updating my review for El Techo to 4 stars, they've really upped their game! Every drink I've had lately from El Techo has been so on point and super tasty. They do pre batch their drinks but as a result the drinks are consistently good and wait times are short.Their holiday pop up really nailed it. The decorations were great as were the drinks! Best holiday pop up I've been to this year.The ambience and vibe is always a win here. They have the best house music though it can get a little loud.The best thing about El Techo is the service. Our bartender checked in on us a few times and a manager came by 3 times to make sure we were okay. Hospitality in the industry seems to be really lacking so kudos to El Techo for focusing on service and quality. Hope to be back soon!

What's sad is that I used to love El Techo and really thought the food used to be delicious! I remember coming two years ago and they had the most amazing fajitas but now, the menu is quite small (I don't know if it's because we came later and they narrow it down after a certain hour?).So I came with a group of 8. Some of them are underage and some of us are of age. Unfortunately because of that, even if we were 21+ (I'm 22), we weren't allowed to order drinks. It's a bummer but I can deal with it. My bigger issue was not just the food but the fact that the table next to us was meant for four people and instead had about 10 people. So we quite literally could not get up from our table to move to go to the restroom. They kept bumping into us and had no courtesy. It was so frustrating!! Obviously that's not entirely on the restaurant, but it was inconsiderate and annoying. Especially when they started pouring alcohol into this one guys mouth and almost bumped into my friend who was trying to eat. I get it--it's a bar/club/restaurant. But it was 8 pm. Like sir what are you doing right now? It was super loud! I get it--it's a club super late at night. But I think it made it worse that we were right next to the DJ. Couldn't hear anyone. Does anyone know if there's a specific time that it turns more rowdy? We arrived at 7:30 which I feel is a normal time to eat dinner...Okay let's get to the food. The food has definitely gone downhill. The burrito is kinda small and if you want a small portion of chips, queso, guac, and salsa, it's $19. The portion size of the sauces is honestly a joke--I could make this at home for $10 and the guac was lacking in flavor. Just saying. The tacos were fine but honestly nothing is special. The service was fine. He also struggled getting to us because of the annoying table next door. The decorations are super cute and I will say the vibes are good. But honestly, it's really not somewhere I would want to go again. It used to be way better. Do not go here if you're looking for Mexican food--but if you wanna get drunk with your friends and listen to subpar music, I guess this is the place.

My brother came into town last minute, and I wanted him to experience a DC pop-up bar. El Techo had their heated patio decorated, and it was perfect since we didn't have a reservation. The decor gave off major holiday vibes, and I was all about it!My brother and I tried the Gingerbread Coquito, and wow, this place never disappoints. They really load up your drink, and it was absolutely delicious.It was a chill Wednesday night, but I have to say the service was lacking. Once we mentioned we weren't ordering food, the staff stopped checking in on us. I wanted a water refill and we were considering ordering another drink, but the waitress never came back to check on us. Eventually, we asked for the check and left.

Can had awesome experience at El Techo with a few traveling friends. Our reservation was for 2:30pm but they graciously sat us an hour earlier. The space was creative but I need a bit more cushion for their chairs. We had option of buffet vs menu and we opt for the menu. Everyone enjoyed their meal from the birria tacos to steak and eggs to huevos rancheros. The guac was delicious too and the margaritas were spot on. What really made this experience 5 stars was our server. We soon realized he was one of the only servers there, responsible for half the restaurant. He was attentive, kind, patient, prompt, and understanding. Oscar was his name and I was sure to let his manager know about his excellent customer service. I would certainly be back!

Came here for happy hour. It's definitely a fun spot with a nice 2nd story view off Florida Ave, near U St. Service was good and the happy hour tacos and margs were nice too. The margs definitely add up, both liquor and $$ wise. Mango margs and carnitas tacos were the best on the happy hour menu!

Huge shoutout to Gio, the Events Director, and Graham, our server, for making our experience memorable. We initially reserved a table for 10 at 12 noon on a Saturday, but our party size grew to 16. Graham was super accommodating and suggested we switch to a 3pm seating, even offering a round of shots on the house. Of course, we couldn't skip out on free booze so we took the offer.The restaurant itself is located in Arlington, DC, and while it has a large, impressive staircase to enter, it's definitely a bit scary when you're tipsy and trying to leave. As for parking, there isn't a nearby garage, and I spent about 45 minutes searching for street parking, so I recommend taking an uber or the metro if you're planning to visit.Inside, it feels super festive with a colorful decorations and a live DJ. However, the bathroom situation was a little odd. One of the restroom doors was missing a handle/lock, and the men's urinal area had no privacy doors, which was definitely an unusual...Food wise- there was nothing that stood out to me or had a "wow" factor. Overall, great service and a fun atmosphere; we had a great time, but I probably wouldn't come back.

This place felt very basic. Odd hanging decorations from the ceiling that felt like they were left over decorations from Christmas time (it's the end of February). The food was basic at best and very over priced. I would not attend again.

El Techo was the perfect spot to unwind after a long workday with friends. I started off with a few drinks, and my favorite by far was the Papaya Punch--fruity, refreshing, and perfect for those who do not like to taste the alcohol in their cocktails. I also tried the Guava Collins, which came highly recommended by a friend. While it was good, I found myself going back for another Papaya Punch. The margaritas were also a hit, especially the mango one. The strawberry margarita, however, was a bit too strong for my taste, but I appreciate that El Techo offers a range of options for those who prefer heavier pours and those who like to keep it light.As for the food, I couldn't get enough of the nachos with salsa, queso, and guacamole--no regrets there! The tacos were delicious, and the mac & cheese balls were extremely cheesy, almost too cheesy for me. But if you're a cheese lover, they're definitely worth try! The service was also good. We had servers coming to check on us at the table, and the owner even shared the history about the his travels which inspired him to design and create this sister restaurant to Rito Loco (located downstairs!). Check it out if you're in DC and in the mood for Mexican!

Great service and ambiance. You can always count on El Techo for a little nightclub without the prices and with food! They have a dj right in the middle so the music is always changing and the decor is so lively. I normally go for brunch or weekends and randomly stopped in after work on a weekday and it was so much fun. The service was great and their staff so friendly. I loved that they had a wide variety of food and corn tortillas, which are vital for tacos. We got a trio of their sauces and agreed the best was the queso. Make sure to ask for their hot sauce because it is actually spicy and flavorful, which is rare to find. We got a few tacos as well and could not stop raving about them. I got their gin spicy fizz and it was so good. As someone who doesn't drink tequila I appreciated that they had other liquor options. Make sure to get a pina colada if you like frozen rum drinks. They make them strong and include a shooter!

My girls and I went to brunch at El Techo back in November last year. It was pretty easy to make a reservation for Saturday and the hostess was nice enough to work with us because a couple of friends were running late. While I waited for them I was able to start my bottomless drinks at the bar which was also nice. I personally thought the drinks and food were just ok. Like the margaritas had a funny taste to them and the food was priced super high for what it is. Overall our bill came to like $500 and I was shook. I don't know that I'd come back here for brunch unless someone was celebrating a birthday or something. It's in a prime location if you're trying to be out and about after since it's at the end of U Street and close to Howard. The worst part about this whole dining experience was the bathroom!!! Oh my goodness it is tigggggght in there. Like I mean when you go to bend down to use the bathroom your knees will hit the door type of tight. It's like in a closet. Ladies, you've heard it here first ... DO NOT come to El Techo for brunch wearing a bodysuit. Save yourself lol.