Delicious, authentic food, great quality and amazing costumer service. Highly recommend. I live on the Adam's Morgan area. But this Mexican restaurant is amazing:). read more

Cielo Rojo - Tuna tostada & jalapeño basil marg - Mexican Near Me - Takoma Park, Maryland

This place has it all. Great food and great vibes. Brunch was amazing. Try the Birra de res and the chillequilles. read more

I must've passed Cielo Rojo a gazillion times. Well today I decided to spontaneously stop in for Saturday brunch. And I'm so glad I did! Cielo Rojo is a family-owned contemporary Mexican restaurant in Takoma Park, MD. The space is bright, colorful, and festive, the staff is warm and attentive, and the food and cocktails are unique and DELISH! I was side-eyeing the Heirloom Savory Waffle because I wasn't quite sure what to expect. But baby...it was interestingly delish! It leaned savory, with local smoked ham, Oaxaca cheese, watercress, queso fresco, avocado, and jalapeño vinaigrette, while the local maple syrup added just the right hint of sweetness. My only regret? Not ordering an egg over easy to go with it. That runny yolk would've taken this dish OVER. THE. TOP! I did order it to go with my leftovers. The Tuna Tostadas were another winner as it was fresh, flavorful, and delicious. And then there were the sips! The Mezcla Perfecto, made with clarified coconut milk punch, mezcal, lemon, agave, coffee beans, and sparkling water, was light, smooth, and beautifully balanced with sweet and citrusy notes. And the Un Millón de Primaveras was another lovely tequila cocktail. Bianca and Kiarra took great care of me at the bar. And Bianca and I even had a much-needed MAFS "gurl, what about..." moment. Sometimes brunch comes with food, cocktails, AND a little good conversation. And I'm here for all three! Thank you, Cielo Rojo, for the delicious meal, yummylicious sips, and the nice convo. But don't just take my word for it. Go experience the yummyliciousness for yourself! Mmmm... #BonAppetit! Cheers! Enjoy! read more

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We came in at 8:30pm, which is close to when the kitchen shuts down. We started with the queso fundido with chorizo, but the waitress must have missed the chorizo because it wasn't there and we weren't charged for it. The queso was good, but we would have preferred that chorizo. The waitress didn't check back with us until dinner was served so we didn't have time to add it. The tuna crudo was good, but too much sesame going on there and it took away from the deliciousness of that tuna crudo. I would give it a 3 out of 5. Now for the real deal...the birria was outstanding. The brisket meat comes in the consommé and is absolutely amazing. You have to get this! The carne asada was also the bomb! The steak was cooked perfectly to medium rare as we ordered it and the crust was so good you didn't need any of the sauces. I ate the steak separately and saved the rest to eat as sides with that super spicy jalapeño. Everything on the dish was worth the $45. With the last two dishes as good as they were, this place is a 5 star restaurant all day long. It's with the drive and the restaurant is clean and runs like a well oiled machine. read more

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Went back for Brunch and fell in love. The restaurant was packed so would highly suggest making a reservation. Staff was super friendly. Our waitress made some good menu recs and made sure to check on us regularly. Restaurant interior decor is just beautiful. Lots of natural, earthy, with real plants, and little touches to make it feel homey and authentic. Food was delicious and even though they don't offer bottomless brunch, a couple pitchers were enough to have my party feeling great. Didn't get the chance to snap photos as we were having too much fun. Will definitely be back and highly recommend stopping by Cielo Rojo. read more

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I ordered the huevos revueltos for a solo brunch on a Saturday and the dish was the perfect size. I was not overly stuffed but also not left hungry. Food was delicious, I really enjoyed the freshness of the tortillas. Service was great and fast and I really enjoyed the restaurant vibe and decor. I would definitely be back to try more items off the menu! read more

Cielo Rojo - Huevos REVUELTOS - Mexican Near Me - Takoma Park, Maryland

Happy hour at Cielo Rojo for the first game of the World Cup. Since Mexico was playing, it was quite the place to be - even TV cameras showed up. What fun! $2 off cocktails wine and beer, so we upgraded to a fancy margarita, the Rosa. That's because it was pink with hibiscus. Beautiful edible flowers completed the portrait. read more

Cielo Rojo - La Rosa margaritas - Mexican Near Me - Takoma Park, Maryland

Came here for dinner and had a wonderful meal. Had the Maracuya agua fresca, and shared the gorditas, bread + butter and salsas. All delicious. Our server was very friendly and accommodating. Ordered the chile relleno for my main entree and it was so good! Will definitely be ordering it again. read more

Cielo Rojo - Chile Relleno - Mexican Near Me - Takoma Park, Maryland

I have been hearing nothing but amazing things about Cielo Rojo so I finally went with my friend who had been several times before. We had a somewhat last minute reservation at the bar high tops, but the only downside was the table was a little small, and we ordered a lot of food. To start, I got a hibiscus margarita that was delicious and refreshing. We got the tuna tostadas which were probably my favorite dish of the night, as well as the aguachiles, the enchiladas tres moles, and a chicken quesadilla. The aguachiles were just OK to me - the tostada it is served with was not a great vessel and the mole sauce went everywhere, including on my white jeans. Maybe if you love mole and fish, you would love it, but I think you can pass. The enchiladas were really good, and every sauce was different and unique. The chicken quesadilla was also quite good, but it had a lot of nuttiness to it which to me overpowered the other flavors. This was all a lot of really tasty food, but we had to get dessert too, and ordered the churros which were fantastic. Overall, I would definitely come back. I think if you don't really like corn tortillas or seeds/nuts in your food, you will not be the biggest fan, but they have so many different menu options that it is also the kind of place where everyone will find something they like. read more

My food was delish. And I think I'm heading there now to grab the same thing. Lol. Kudos for managing our group of 10 efficiently, quickly, and without any hiccups. Love the professionalism, fun family atmosphere, and obvi the birria! Such great flavor!! With the add ins, reminded me of pho. read more

Cielo Rojo - BIRRIA DE RES - Mexican Near Me - Takoma Park, Maryland

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Really understand why this place is so popular! Came here with some friends and had a lovely experience. We were sat right away and I was surprised at how big the restaurant is (way bigger than it looks from the outside!). I started with a hibiscus margarita, which was delicious. Then we ordered a few things to split, including: guac and tostadas, charred cabbage, gorditas with chorizo, aguachile negro, and the beef short rib platter. The charred cabbage was the biggest sleeper hit. It was so flavorful and unlike anything I've ever had before. Everything else was delicious, although the aguachile was probably my least favorite of what we tried. We finished with the rose water tres leches and the dulce de leche crepes. The tres leches were pretty good but the crepes were amazing. I don't usually love dulce de leche, but it was definitely a standout. read more

Cielo Rojo - Mexican Near Me - Takoma Park, Maryland

The food is great and the service was good. The place has a lot of seating but does get busy. It's a great date spot. I'd definitely comeback again. read more

Cielo Rojo - Mexican Near Me - Takoma Park, Maryland

The review is for their weekend brunch. As many other reviewers mention, the place is huge with enough seating of various types. Ambience is homely yet chic, service is warm. We tried: Gorditas, 5/5-it's reminiscent of Indian potato patties aka aloo tikki but with corn textures and undertones. Savory Waffles, 5/5-even if you've had chicken and waffles, this one is like an illusion item, you expect certain flavors and textures but encounter something entirely different in a good way. Papas con rajas taco, 5/5-the salsa macha elevates the fried potatoes and poblanos. Drunken mushroom taco, 4/5-dont get me wrong, its a great taco but you get something similar at Taco Bamba, Mi Vida and so on and by this point we were expecting unusual flavors and perfection from Cielo Rojo. Nopales taco, 5/5-by far the best, most delicate and fresh nopales we've had in the area, not slimy. Que Carajo cocktail should move to the brunch cocktail menu for good reason. Licor 43, cold brew, and carajillo are a win win at that time of the day. Tres Leches is another 6/5, a winner with that delightfully slight after taste or maybe fragrance of rose. We wanted to try the Flautas which had the can be made vegetarian/vegan symbol against it but were told that was a mistake and the dish couldn't be made without duck. Not sure if this is true only during brunch since some reviewers do mention the dinner menu having more vegan/vegetarian options. In either case, we'd love to return for brunch and try the dinner menu. These guys have something special on their hands. read more

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My wife and I came here for brunch over the weekend. We've driven by the place several times and wanted to give it a try. We're SO glad we did!!! My wife got the Chilaquiles with scrambled eggs and drunken mushrooms. She LOVED them!!!! It was just the right balance between spicy and salty. I second her opinion on the drunken mushrooms. I got them in a taco and they were super with a deep, earthy flavor that was so satisfying. I also got the Birria Taco Platter, which was flavorful, but not as good as the Chilaquiles or the mushroom taco. I may go in another direction when I come for brunch again. The service was outstanding. Our server, Jasmine, answered all of our questions, took the time to learn about our past Mexican food experiences and kept everything running smoothly. The dining room, IMHO, was the star of the show. It's a great place to sit and gather with friends over drinks or a meal. It's roomy with engaging decor and great HVAC -- a must during summer in the DMV. The happy hour menu looks interesting. Will definitely be back!!! read more

Cielo Rojo is a gift. I had the heirloom savory waffle and day dreamed about it for days after. For drinks, the mezcla was PERFECT - delicious and very well balanced. I just wish there was more to drink. I can't wait to return! read more

Cielo Rojo - Mexican Near Me - Takoma Park, Maryland

Overall, I feel like this place was a 7/10. Nothing too crazy to ride home about but it did the job. The aesthetic of the inside feels very warm and cozy, especially on a cold winter day. The staff were nice and welcoming and ensured our time there was pleasant. Food wise: We started off with the herb guacamole and it wasn't bad. Pretty citrusy. It came with jalapeños but even with that there was still no heat. Once we asked for extra spice, it made the taste much better. I ordered the cochinita pibil and let me tell you that pork shank was soooo tender and very fall of the bone. Pro tip, keep some guacamole on the side so you can add it on top when you make your taco with the pork shank. My friend ordered the camarones en chipotle and he was underwhelmed. For dessert, we ordered the churros which 10/10 for those. The drinks were also a winner. We got a horchata and a hibiscus drink which were both so refreshing and tasty. read more

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came back a second time and it was amazing! Had the birria de res this time, so good! read more

Cielo Rojo - Mexican Near Me - Takoma Park, Maryland

We came here as a group to celebrate a birthday. I really enjoyed that there were vegetarian and vegan options. I went with the mushroom enchiladas off the vegan menu and you honestly couldn't tell that the items were vegan it was so full of flavor and creamy despite there being no cream. The parking is a bit tough in this spot though so if you are able to carpool or take another mode of transportation that might be best. The parking lot is super small and was very packed and many in our party had trouble finding parking. read more

My friend and I have had this spot on our list for awhile and we finally made it. I'm so glad we did. We went for dinner, there's a free parking lot right by it. The inside is beautiful with an elevated aesthetic that still gives warm vibes. Our server was so friendly and helped us make selections from the menu. We ordered the tinga tostadas and gorditas to start. Then we opted for multiple tacos. Everything tasted so fresh and delicious. We ended with churros because why not? So good, I only wish they gave us more. Overall highly recommend. read more

Cielo Rojo - Fish taco and chicken taco - Mexican Near Me - Takoma Park, Maryland

Exceptional! Visiting friends from LA, we stopped for dinner (with reservation), just because we didn't wanna go much father away. Mexican food wasn't exactly the to propriety for us. Little did we know we'd be in for such an awesome surprise! The 3-salsa appetizer was impressive; subtle, complex flavors, perfect heat, with honest hand made corm tortillas. But on taking the first morsels from both our main courses, the word that just came to mind was 'spectacular'. Presentation of the branzino was impressive, salsa again excellent, the tres enchiladas with 3 different sauces, again mouthwatering delicious. The tres leches (i know everything seems 'tres' today). And oddly, the simplest side if rice and beans was equally healing to the soul. Must go place! read more

Cielo Rojo is a wonderful and authentic Mexican restaurant. Traditional plates such as the chilaquiles and mole paired with great drinks. Great spot for a nice date. Great service. read more

Cielo Rojo - Mole Omelette - Mexican Near Me - Takoma Park, Maryland

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Overall, I had a positive experience dining at Cielo Rojo. The restaurant has a very inviting space, and it appears to be very kid-friendly. If you are planning to visit during popular dining hours, it might be worth it to make a reservation. We arrived during a weekend around 5:30 pm, and the place was somewhat empty. However, by 6-6:15 pm, the place was PACKED. I was a very surprised (in a good way) that the menu was a bit smaller compared to other Mexican/Tex-Mex restaurants in the area. I necessarily do not think the smaller menu is a bad thing because, with a smaller menu, a restaurant can focus on preparing everything well (i.e., it's easier to do a good job with 20-item menu versus a 50+-item menu). For my dining pleasure, I went with the enchiladas suizas with a few margaritas. Overall, I thought my plate was very delicious; however, other diners at my table and I noticed that the portion sizes were a bit small for the price. Perhaps, the restaurant uses higher quality ingredients for its dishes. Although the margarita sizes might appear to be small, they definitely are not "small" in power/punch, so the $13-$18 price range is appropriate. My favorite margarita of the night definitely was the El Jardinero, which was a wonderful mix of carrot, cilantro, peach, lime and a semi-spicy pepper of sorts. Collectively, we all thought the service was exceptional because our waitress constantly visited the table. Personally, I thought it was a bit overkill, but that's a very, very minor complaint based on my very, very personal preference. read more

Cielo Rojo - House margarita - Mexican Near Me - Takoma Park, Maryland

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It's funny because I was just raving about this restaurant and its consistency. If today were the first time I had gone, I wouldn't return. We always start with guacamole, tostadas, and the trio of salsas. I've been to this restaurant at least 20 times, and it was supremely sub par today. The guacamole tasted like they forgot to salt it. One of the salsas was actually repulsive. Onto the mains: this place has historically had the best French toast I've ever had (pan frances). Today it was cold, undercooked, soggy and gross. My daughter also ordered the kids version and couldn't eat it. To their credit they remade both and both were still complete misses. I hate wasting my money on bad food. In sum: the superpower of this place has been its consistency. I hope today was an off day because the food was simply not worth it. Updated to say the owner reached out after my review. It's clear that they take the feedback to heart, which is a testament to good ownership. This restaurant is top notch 99% of the time, so give them a shot. I'll give them another one, too. read more

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Though slightly out of the way, the restaurant offers a charming, cozy atmosphere--especially welcome on a dreary day. The brunch menu is simple but well executed. The enchiladas tres moles are a standout--while not quite Mexico City caliber, still rich and satisfying--and the pulled pork tacos are equally enjoyable. Service is slow, but the dishes arrive thoughtfully plated, showcasing balanced, nuanced flavors rather than overwhelming spice. read more

Cielo Rojo - CHICKEN ENCHILADA TRES MOLES - Mexican Near Me - Takoma Park, Maryland

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I made a reservation for two on the same day and I was glad to make a reservation as it got so busy by 5:30pm! The service was great! Very attentive and come to your table whenever you needed their attention. Great hospitality with lots of good recommendations. Ordered the following items: - few items from happy hour menu like ceviche: which was amazing and refreshing with a hint of citrusy flavor to start off the evening. I want to say happy hour happens on weekday from 5pm to 6pm or 7pm. I think it's good deals especially for appetizers and drinks. - Al Pastor Sopes (two fried heirloom corn masa patties topped with grilled pork marinated in adobo rub, grilled pineapple, refried beans, melted cheese blend, verde cocida salsa, guajillo salsa, onions and queso fresco): very good and very filling! Juicy pork with fried corn masa was a match made in heaven. - Birria De Res Taco Platter (Roseta Farm braised brisket in savory consume served with onions, cilantro, watermelon radish, chipotle guajillo salsa and side of heirloom corn tortillas): it was basically unconstructed birria tacos... but it was good! Good to slow down and enjoy each bite off the platter though! - Ensenada Fish Taco (beer battered cod, avocado salad, crema aioli, cabbage, and house Valentina salsa): probably one of best fish tacos I've ever had... well combined flavors and beer battered cod was fried to its perfection and crispy yet good cod intact inside. Avocado salad itself was amazing and put this taco well finished at the end. - Tres Leches (rose water infused tres leches cake): a little heavy but I recommended it if you have someone to share with! Cool spot, almost hidden away in Takoma Park! Cool decors and art pieces around the place. It's an elegant place. - Camarones En Chipotle (shrimp sautéed with tomatoes, onions, and cilantro in a chipotle and black garlic sauce served with garlic rice & fried plantations): this bowl was amazing, rich full of flavors and very filling. Good sauce! Good shrimps! Finished with great fried plantations... who would thought this bowl would be a meal of the champion. - Hibiscus Margarita (house-made hibiscus tea, agave, lime): I ordered it with mezcal... you can order it with tequila if ya want... it was so refreshing on a hot day. Light and not too sweet. Good combo with a hint of spiciness on the rim. read more

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Food and service was amazing. I enjoyed the chicken enchiladas and mole taco. Both were delicious. Enchiladas have three different sauces all of which were distinct and flavorful. The Mold sauce was my favorite. The mole taco was nice and rich and the meat was super tender and savory. The restaurant is beautiful inside and I will definitely be back. read more

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This place knows how to treat its customers! The server was very attentive and tolerated my million questions extremely well, all while being polite and helpful. The owner is a GEM. Had the pleasure of meeting her because a photo shoot was going on nearby at the time and you may see me in the background of some photos . Either way she guided me through the menu and was very nice with great energy. Now, the food: Started with the herb guacamole and Brussels sprouts. The herb guacamole was good, not great. Really wish the mint and basil were diced and mixed in, but it was a nice garnish. The Brussels sprouts were a hit! Very unique way of doing Brussels sprouts. The cashew crema was very flavorful. Just wish you got more of them for the price. The entrees were the camarones (shrimp) en chipotle and carne asada (steak). The shrimp dish was good for sure, but nothing to necessarily rave about. Was looking for a tad more heat and flavor. The carne asada was DELISH. Some of the best I've had. I wasn't particularly crazy about the rest of the dish, but the steak was phenomenal. It's out of character for a Mexican restaurant, but if that steak was paired with fries (steak frites), it would be hands down one of the best in the city. The drinks: ordered the La Rosa and another drink that included ginger beer (can't remember the name). They were both great drinks. The one that had ginger beer was especially good. Would get that every time. Dessert: CHURROS. 10/10. Get them. All I can say. Overall, the experience as a whole was outstanding and there are still plenty of things I want to try on the menu; so I will be returning! read more

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Stopped in here with my sister after dress shopping at K&B bridal. Never been here before or heard of it, but we love a good Mexican restaurant. I loved, loved the aesthetic of the inside. It was open, airy, and inviting with colorful accents throughout. I really appreciated our waitress. I didn't get her name, but she was very kind. For me, the menu was limited and there weren't many options which is why I shaved off a star. We got light bites and shared tres leche cake. I had the carnitas taco and that was ok. The tortilla was a bit plain for me and would have liked accompanying salsa to add to the tacos. Then, I got a side of plantains (maduros). Those were good. Can't complain there. Definitely would revisit if I lived in the area more for a drink and the ambience. read more

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They make a great Margarita! The environment of Cielo Rojo is a lot of fun. Great for a date night or a group outing. We got the Queso Fundido dish, which was really really good. It was the one dish I wanted to highlight as it comes out in a skillet with tortillas on the side. Highly recommend and if anything they have a great bar scene, so you can just go and get a few sides with drinks like my wife and I did. The only tip I would recommend is don't get the chips and salsa. The chips are almost like a tostada style chip, so you are better trying other dishes (I.e plantains, etc). If you wanted guacamole, that would be the main chip option and works totally fine. Get the Jalapeño Basil Margarita and ask for Mezcal! Hands down best in the area. read more

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The last time I was at Cielo Rojo was at their last location. I'm kicking myself for not coming back sooner when they opened this new beautiful space. It's bright, airy, and feels like I've been transported to Mexico. The detail in their interior is gorgeous. We came for Saturday Brunch. I'm writing this in the evening because I'm still full. All my photos don't do it justice. Everything was flavorful! Not sure you could go wrong with whatever you order. I loved the crunch of the tostadas. The tortillas are all made in house. You can even buy a bag of their masa harina and try to make tortillas yourself, but why when you can just go to Cielo Rojo and eat them already made! The truth is you can taste the love in their food. Can't wait to go back for Mariachi night which is the 1st Tuesday of the month. If the brunch menu is good, I can only imagine how dinner will taste! read more

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This family owned fine-casual Mexican restaurant has beautiful ambiance, amazing service and terrific food!! We were here on a recommendation and we loved it. The drinks were really good! The classic margarita was great, not too sweet. For the food, we tried everything vegetarian on the menu (they have a vegan menu which is impressive) and it was all very good. I have tried a bunch of vegan Mexican places but in my opinion they lack flavor, this place really gets it when it comes to flavor and taste! Gorditas are my favorite here, loved the mushroom enchiladas and the most surprising dish which everyone loved was the Brussels sprouts in mole sauce, what a combination! I love black beans and rice, simple yet delicious. Highly recommend this place! read more

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The recommendations about this place were SPOT ON!!! We went on a Wednesday evening (I didn't make reservations-I didn't think I'd need to on a Wednesday.... don't be like me..MAKE A RESERVATION) luckily; we were able to get a table within about 45 minutes but the restaurant was PACKED the whole time- and rightfully so! The atmosphere is cozy and vibrant with lots of conversations happening around you. The salsa trio was tasty, although I found the tostadas to be a bit too hard. I had the birria tacos as an entree and they may be the best birria tacos I've ever had. Hands down. The drinks were bright and fresh as well. I can't say enough about this place! I was pleasantly surprised! The only suggestion I have would be larger tables...everything is served in large dishes or trays and very quickly; it became hard to fit everything on the table. read more

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The steak was cooked perfectly! Their tequila selection is very impressive. Our server made great food recommendations, and I loved the ambiance, their art decor is awesome. read more

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Definitely a great experience at the bar we had today. Fish Tacos were great. Salsa trio was very good and all the sauces are packed with different flavors. Tamarind Margarita was very flavorful and refreshing. Lime & lemon juices are fresh squeezed which makes all the difference in taste! Service was attentive and bartender was friendly. Was a very nice atmosphere and good selection of tequilas & mezcals. read more

Cielo Rojo - FISH TACO - Mexican Near Me - Takoma Park, Maryland

People have no taste out here. The food is absolutely awful. The chicken was more overcooked than I have ever had - hard to chew. Even my kid, who eats every thing, hated his chicken quesadilla. I might rate this the absolute worst in Takoma. I'm taking a trip down the road to Bevco or Girl on the vine or Motorkat everyday, any day, from read more

This is a GREAT restaurant for gluten-free diners! The corn tortillas were super yummy and I loved how many options I had. My friends really liked their chicken tinga quesadillas and I thought my tinga tacos were pretty good, as was the service. I loved the vibes inside as well. Great spot! read more

Cielo Rojo - TINGA TACO - Mexican Near Me - Takoma Park, Maryland

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What a lovely experience! I live in Petworth and rarely do I drive north including to places like Takoma Park but I had a few packages to mail and the only USPS only near me was nearby so I decided to treat myself to lunch. It's a big space --both indoors and outdoors seating. Nice light and decor. I sat at the bar and was taken care of. I didn't see horchata on the menu but did notice they do a dirty horchata (w coffee!) so I asked if I could just get it plain. Damn, it was refreshing. Based on Yelp reviews, I got the Gorditas w Carnitas and the drunken mushroom sopes -- both were fabulous. The slight edge goes to the Gorditas. Nice crisp masa cake piled with guacamole and a nice kick to the salsa verse. When I arrived I was starving but I did over order (the Gorditas on its own was nice and filling) so I wound up with a to go bag. I already told my husband we are coming back when he's here! read more

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I had a great girl's night at Cielo Rojo! I love they have a completely vegan menu that makes dining as a vegan a breeze! I cannot wait to go back with my husband or for another girl's night. I ordered a Jalapeño Basil margarita which was fantastic! It could have been spicier however I loved the basil flavor and it was strong enough for me to feel a little buzz before the entree came out. My friend ordered the trio of salsas for the table which was delicious. It was hard to pick a favorite salsa from the variety, and I used the leftovers to enhance the flavors of my entree. I ordered three tacos: one with each vegan filling. The nopales taco had a great vegan cream sauce. The drunken mushroom taco was the heartiest vegan filling and tasted best with extra salsa on top. The potato and bean filling was a bit too salty for me. One of my friends at the table said it was her favorite filling so I am sure people with less of a salt sensitivity enjoy it. I would avoid it, however, in the future. The corn tortillas on the tacos were fantastic as they held together and tasted great. I feel the tacos were a little disappointing overall if I didn't have the extra salsa from the appetizer to add some punches of flavor. So I recommend purchasing that trio of salsas anytime you visit as it was only $4 and came in handy. I definitely look forward to returning as the service was great and there are so many more items on the vegan menu to try! I am so thankful this business is very vegan friendly and hope that does not change. read more

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The ingredients here taste incredibly fresh. I tried the chicken mole, chicken tinga, and al pastor tacos, all full of flavor and perfectly seasoned. The highlight of my brunch was the cold brew horchata, a mix of their locally roasted cold brew and house-made horchata. So good! Beautiful space, great service, and amazing food. Highly recommend! read more

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KenScale: 7.75/10 Visits: August 2025 My wife Jun and I never say no to Mexican food, and we are always eager to discover a Mexican restaurant that offers a satisfying culinary experience. We were in Mexico City earlier this year, so our expectations of what a terrific Mexican cuisine should taste like have certainly been elevated after visiting some taquerias and fine dining restaurants. I think DC metro area is a slight notch below the CDMX standard when it comes to Mexican food but there are certainly some good choices like Mariscos 1133 and Pascual. Cielo Rojo, located in Takoma Park not far from where we live in Maryland and owned by husband-wife duo David Perez and Carolina McCandless, has long been on my radar as potentially another great Mexican option and we finally visited earlier this summer. Overall, the food at the restaurant was solid across the board but didn't quite land an impact we were hoping for. As we usually do at a Mexican restaurant, we started with the guacamole and tostadas; the guacamole as certainly above-average compared to other places but the star was the crunchy tostadas that Jun couldn't stop munching on. Tuna tostadas were also quite delicious, especially with the spicy kick of salsa macha sauce. The tacos at Cielo Rojo were a bit more mixed. Jun and I were very intrigued by the description of "drunken mushroom" tacos (with tequila-infused organic cremini mushrooms) but I thought it was just fine and Jun was rather disappointed the mushroom's flavor and texture were a bit off. On the other hand, the chicken mole tacos (with local farm chicken stewed in house-made mole sauce) tasted better, as did the al pastor tacos (with marinated adobo pork and pineapple), although I couldn't stay either was a game changer. For the last savory dish, we shared cochinita pibil, a huge slow cooked pork shank accompanied by heirloom corn tortillas. We both liked the rich flavor coming from the dish, but I felt the pork would've been even better with more moist texture. We finished our dinner with churros; again, nothing to find fault here but we've certainly had better churros (with more crunchy texture) elsewhere. Getting a reservation at Cielo Rojo wasn't too challenging but the restaurant's dining room quickly filled up during our dinner so booking in advance is recommended. The restaurant has a full bar with a solid list of Mexican cocktails as well as tequilas and mezcals to complement the meal. The modern and bright dining room wouldn't be out of place somewhere in Mexico City. If Cielo Rojo were within walking distance from our home, I think we would've visited every once in a while. We may still visit again in the future, but I just couldn't get over the fact that there was no dish that would make me exclaim "Oh my god, I'm going to be thinking about this dish for a long time!" Perhaps on our next visit, Jun and I should try other dishes we haven't tried yet. read more

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