I work down the street from here, and actually found out about it as I was perusing different restaurants to check out for Restaurant Week. I liked their menu and wanted to give it a try. I got there shortly after they opened up and it was pretty empty. I got a seat right by the door, and had a view of the street and watched as the restaurant began to fill up. Lots of college kids came in as the evening went on and it seemed like a popular restaurant. I thought my server was very good. He checked in regularly and had a lot of tables he was responsible for. For my meal, I started with Queso Fundido and that was probably my favorite. The cheese was really hot and very delicious. It also came with three types of salsa on the side (a salsa verde, a chili salsa, and a third one I'm not sure what it was). I did like the chili one. The flour tortillas were very hot and fresh. I enjoyed it. For my entree, I had the Achiote Hanger Steak Fajitas. This was my least favorite part of the meal. I had asked the waiter if they were good and he told me he always recommends it. I didn't mind the sides that came with it. The rice and beans were pretty good and I liked the guacamole. What I didn't like was the actual steak. It was very tough and hard to bite into. What was weird is it was completely red in the middle so I believe it was medium to medium rare, but the steak wasn't tender at all. It also wasn't very seasoned and the peppers and onions under it just seemed to be sitting in oil. I did ask for salt and pepper, but even with it, I didn't like it. I ended up not finishing the meal. Finally, I had ordered the corn cheesecake as a dessert. I now realize they sent out churros instead, but I guess I wasn't paying attention until after the fact.The churros were OK. I would have preferred more chocolate sauce on mine. I wish I would have spoken up because I was actually looking forward to trying the cheesecake. For me the food was ok, and not spectacular. I'd be willing to try out something else and come back to at least try their cheesecake, but if I never returned that'd be fine with me too. read more

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The service was good, ambiance was good, a little loud, but the space is limited. I ordered the taco combination trio. The shrimp and chicken were very good and flavorful. The steak meat seemed to be overcooked and was a little dry, with not a lot of flavor. The queso dip was a little bit too thick, so it was a difficult to serve, as the cheese was too stringy and gooey. read more

El Centro - Queso Fundido - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Decided to visit El Centro for their bottomless brunch to celebrate a friend's birthday. I'm not much of a drinker, but my friends fully embraced the endless mimosas--cheers to them! The menu is all served tapas-style (small plates), which I absolutely loved because it meant trying a bit of everything. Our server took the lead and started ordering straight off the menu for us, which was fun... until I realized they skipped a few dishes I had my eye on, like the chilaquiles and enchiladas. Major bummer! We did ask for the chilaquiles specifically, but instead, dessert showed up. Oh well, next time, I guess! The restaurant also has a rooftop, which is a great touch, so there's plenty of seating. That said, if you're walking in for brunch on a weekend, prepare for a wait--reservations are a lifesaver. While the food itself was just okay, the lively vibe and cool ambiance totally made up for it. Great spot for a fun outing, even if a few menu items slipped through the cracks! read more

El Centro - Bottomless Brunch Plates - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I have been to el Centro before and loved it. Most recent, I went there for a skull painting event in celebration of dia de los muertos and loved it. They had these acrylic paints and ceramic skulls to paint that we could take home afterwards. The service was wonderful and they readily offered us basics like chips beyond the buffer they provided to us. With the ticket, they also had free food, which was wonderful and always available. I can't wait to come back to this event hopefully next year! read more

El Centro - Skull painting at el Centro - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Popped in on a Sunday and not quite hungry enough for a bottomless brunch, but sat at the bar for a drink and tacos. My strawberry marg left much to be desired and I had to keep stirring it to keep it from separating. I did not finish the drink, but a friendly bar neighbor ordered me a new grilled pineapple marg and it did not disappoint! The shrimp tacos were absolutely delish! No complaints there. I did not have the guacamole but did notice that it looked fresh and made in house! It's very lively atmosphere and they have a rooftop patio and bar option as well. I'll definitely come back to try out other dishes and drinks. read more

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El Centro is a lively, multi-floor Mexican eatery known for its buzzy ambiance, attentive staff, and fun Tex-Mex menu. Located in a busy part of town, it's no surprise that even by 6:45pm on a Saturday night, the place was starting to fill up quickly. If you're dining solo, you can easily grab a spot at one of their bars or sit outside, though for groups, reserving a table is definitely recommended. I visited El Centro to order takeout using the Nosh'd app, which offers great discounts for college students with an .edu email (I scored $16 off on my $16+ purchase). The process couldn't have been smoother--I ordered my meal through the app, added a tip, and my discounts applied automatically. In under 10 minutes, my food was ready, which was especially impressive given how busy the place was. The menu at El Centro has a little something for everyone: salads, tacos, fajitas, and a variety of appetizers/dips like Pork Belly Guacamole, which I'll definitely try on my next visit. For this meal, I went with the Pork Shank Carnitas ($24), which came with a "salsa trio, refried beans, Mexican rice, and corn tortillas." I was pleasantly surprised by the generous portion sizes--especially the chips and salsa they included, enough for 3-4 people! The chips were crispy and light, not too oily, and the smoky salsa was delicious and refreshing. As for the main course, the pork shank was a showstopper. It was rich, fatty, and so tender that parts of it practically fell off the bone. The corn tortillas it came with were a beautiful bluish-purple color with nice char marks, but they were a bit dry and tended to fall apart when I tried to make tacos. The refried beans were well-seasoned and hearty, topped with pickled vegetables that added a great crunch and acidity. The Mexican rice on the side was classic and enjoyable, though I know not everyone will appreciate the vegetable garnish. The salsa trio added a fun element to the meal--each one was unique and flavorful. The salsa verde was bright and refreshing, the orange salsa had a subtle red-pepper kick, and the thick, creamy salsa (with little black dots) was unlike anything I've tried before. Overall, this was a filling, hearty meal that I couldn't even finish, and at $24, it was an excellent value for the portion size and quality. El Centro impressed me with its efficient takeout service and great food, and I'm definitely planning to return for an in-person dining experience to sample their drinks and appetizers. Whether you're grabbing a quick bite at the bar or settling in for a night with friends, this place offers a solid meal and a fun atmosphere--well worth checking out! read more

El Centro - Mexican Rice (comes with Pork Shank Carnitas) - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Brunch Tapas style! It's a win in my book! Food was so good! Almost forgot to review this place! Ambiance is everything! Small but quaint! Service was excellent! Food is really amazing! Def recommend! Definitely cheaper to pay the one price to eat everything!!!!! So YUMMY read more

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Omg this may have been one of the best bottomless brunches I have been to. We went for a friends birthday and it was so much fun ! The service was great very nice and friendly waiter. The resturant was packed but you weren't super close to other parties which was great honestly. Bottomless drinks from mimosas to margaritas to spiked agua Fresca and they were all soooooo good omg. The food I would just recommend getting everything I don't like waffles but the best waffles I've ever had!!! This says a lot they were so perfect with a nice bite size chicken nugget perfection ! All the tacos were great ! The ceviche was different I love the raw fish version and this was a sweet shrimp one still good though ! I can't remember the name but they're similar to nachos and they were a fan favorite with everyone read more

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Do not recommend for Sunday brunch. Do not recommend the bottomless brunch option. Do not recommend the chicken and waffles. Chicken was over cooked and hard. Only item I recommend is traditional guacamole. Staff was friendly and courteous. But they are short handed and we had to wait in water refills and other items from our waiter. Other members in our group; Staff mentioned you receive 4 tacos and you only get 3 tacos. We do not recommend the tacos'. Do not eat rice and beans. It is nice to be able to eat outside on the Patio, they have a beautiful outdoor seating. Only order the traditional guacamole. read more

El Centro - Chipotle Chicken Waffle** - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Best guacamole I have had in a long time!! A lot of places do not put enough salt or lime... some not enough of either. This place made it spot on! They make it fresh so I was able to get it without onions and they offer mild medium or spicy. We ordered medium and it came out perfectly. Very fresh!! The chicken enchiladas were really good! I liked the yellow rice and beans. Everything had good flavor and the portions were good. Service was excellent! Place is really nice! Decor felt so nice. It's looking a bit like fall in there, pretty. My friend got the taco mix and he liked them. His favorite was the shrimp taco. They do not have coconut mojitos but worked with me and maybe the traditional mojito with Malibu rum so I had some coconut flavor in there. It was very delicious!! Fair prices and clean bathrooms! Oh and their salsa verde is delicious! U ordered a side for my enchiladas. read more

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First time in DC... ended up in Georgetown and saw this place. Walked in right before the rain... they took us right in and they were busy! Sat down and was greeted by the nicest waitress's. They were both very nice. Now the for the food, we ordered the carne asada plate, one of the best I have ever tasted. I was looking forward to eating my ladies left overs... but nope, she ate it all! She never does that! If you're in the area, stop on by... very good food and great staff! read more

El Centro - Carne Asada, black beans and cheese enchilada. - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Went here last night for dinner and drinks. The place was cute, had to walk up stairs for our table (not sure if they have an elevator for people in wheelchairs/other). They did have some seating on ground floor. Place was packed and very popular, the food was delicious - ordered the taco trio mix (ordered hanger steak, chicken, and Baja fish). Ordered a churro for dessert, the churro was really light, the 3 sauces that came with it were ok. Make a reservation in advance through open table or call them. read more

Arrived here after seeing the flowers outside to enjoy a yummy brunch. Bottomless mimosas were flowing and the food was also good. I sat upstairs at the bar and the servers were busy on a Summer Sunday afternoon, but attentive to me. While it was loud, it was crowded so it didn't surprise me. Definitely recommend when in Georgetown. read more

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Came for lunch while exploring Georgetown. Had the chicken tacos and guacamole. They also have a bottomless brunch on the weekends. Both dishes were great. The guacamole tasted fresh and the chips were warm when they arrived to the table. You get three tacos with the plate as well as a side of Mexican rice and beans. Service was fast, and polite. The inside has two floors. We sat upstairs where there is an indoor bar portion and an open patio. Would recommend and would return if I'm in the mood for solid tacos. read more

I was excited to try this spot because I always passed it walking in georgetown and it had such a cute interior. The inside of the restaurant gives bar vibes, similar to a night club however their food was more elevated than the environment. Service was quick and friendly. The shank was soooo good and probably my favorite. The fried were also one of my fav sides. Crispy fish taco - you need it. read more

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Good food and nice location. We sat outside and tried the margs - they were deceivingly strong! Our server was nice but the hostesses weren't so much. I tried the birria arepa - I thought it was delicious. Would come back to try some more items. read more

El Centro - Birria Arepa** - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Stopped in here on a hot and humid Tuesday afternoon to grab a drink and cool off. The place wasn't busy, just a few other afternoon drinkers so the atmosphere was chill. They have a nice sized dining room with plenty of tables, and I love the vibe with the brightly colored fake flowers hanging everywhere. We grabbed seats at the bar right in front of the frozen margarita machine - - oh yeah. Lots of fun flavors to choose from - - we decided on strawberry and mango margaritas - - with tajin rims, of course. Street parking is pretty ridiculous in Georgetown. Bathroom in the back. read more

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Pretty standard Mexican food so not a place I'd go out of my way to return to (Georgetown is far ya'll lol) but good for an impromptu meal. My friend and I walked in and there was a 30 min wait Indoors and outdoors but we snagged two seats at the bar. It certainly is amazing how inexpensive meals can be when you don't order a cocktail ! I ordered the chicken flautas and my bill came to $11. I appreciated that they came with a fair amount of veggies/pickled onions on top. There was an option for a bottomless brunch - I believe - for $35. read more

El Centro - Chicken Flautas - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Came here with my wife last night for happy hour after we both had appointments all afternoon at Georgetown Hospital. Happy hour is only at the bar and we sat there and got the El Centro margarita, 3 of the house infused margaritas (guava, strawberry basil, and spicy), steak nachos, a quesadilla, tortilla soup with chicken, one vegetarian taco, and two chicken tinga tacos. It was all very filling and half as much as other Mexican restaurants due to happy hour. The margaritas and happy hour portions are quite generous. The ambiance is nice with Mexican decorations inside and outside and service is good. Not the absolute best Mexican food in the area but quite good for a good deal during happy hour. read more

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Got the huevos rancheros and frozen strawberry marg and both were so yummy! The tables were a little wobbly but the decor was so cute! And our waitress Nicole was so nice! read more

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What on earth? I feel like we walked into a community dinner for parents visiting their college students. Literally every table surrounding us on a Saturday night was either drunk kids chugging beers or parents asking their kids what their next course was or complaining about the restaurant's service. Drinks here are 2/5 good. We had the spicy mango margarita and strawberry basil margarita. The spiciness of the mango margarita was unpleasant. It's not how a spicy margarita should be served. Also, the spice ended up burning our lips even after our dinner. We love spice but not when it ruins your food and taste buds. The strawberry basil was just...dull--they could've at least tried and put muddled basil inside (AT LEAST). Drinks weren't worth the money. Food was "ehh." We both ordered tacos which they were out of flour tortillas and only had corn tortillas but when they were served they didn't provide taco holders nor did they provide a second layer of corn tortillas soooo you're basically eating a salad because they FALL APART. Terrible plating. It's a college bar for sure and I shouldn't have expected much. Wouldn't come here again. read more

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Our family wasn't optimistic about the menu, but we ordered as we were already seated and this meal turned out to be one of the best on our visit to the DC area. Everything was flavorful, fresh and the service was great! We will def be back if we are in the area again. read more

El Centro - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Great service! Decorated nicely. We had reservations at 11:30 and was seated upon arrival (11:33). We were given 2 hours to sit. The food was just so so and the "all you can eat/drink" was dependent on how quickly the servers could come to you. I liked the ambiance and everyone was nice, but I likely wouldn't return. They did hook my friend up with a shot for her birthday! Our waitress was lovely! I think I'm just biased to texmex cuisine so it wasn't as tasteful as I had liked. Decent price though for dc brunch. read more

El Centro - Churros - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Went for restaurant week! Great service at the bar, but the margarita I had was super super sour. Portions were great and tasty! Had a hard time deciding what to get! Definitely recommend the nachos starter. read more

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Brunch at @elcentrodc . We got the bottomless brunch that comes w| bottomless drinks including mimosas, margaritas, & bloody Maria's. We started w| mimosas and a fruit plate, it was delicious and light. Next was huevos rancheros w| flautas. Can you say EXCELENTE? They give you a steak, chicken and carnitas pero yo no como cerdo so they gave me two steak tacos. They were all so good but the chicken was shockingly juicy! It was my favorite. Next was plátanos, chilaquiles, & flautas. Everything was AMAZINGGGGGG!!! At this point I was no longer starving I was full but it was all super light so it wasn't an uncomfortable full. & lastly dessert the churro was so light and fluffy. Perfect ending to such a delicious 4 course meal. We ended w| a margarita and both drinks were A1. I will definitely be back for brunch. follow on socials to keep up w| my food adventures @melrosemunchies read more

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A restaurant and bar can be judged on many things: food, service, atmosphere, price, etc. For me, food is primary and the carne asada exceeded my expectations given this place is also a popular bar. It was well grilled and salted. Perhaps this place isn't the best value. They charged an extra $4 for flour tortillas to accompany the carne asada and a 5% fare wage fee on top. But everything is expensive these days... read more

El Centro - Carne Asada - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I am a big fan of El Centro. I think the combination of a great ambience, atmosphere, and intentionality in the design of the interior give the restaurant a home-like feel to it. The food is typically very well done we ordered the queso fundido and I got the shrimp fajitas and both met the mark. The margarita I had was good but wasn't in the category of best I ever had. But still what you're looking for when going to a place like this. read more

El Centro - Shrimp Fajitas** - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I've been here a couple of times for brunch. For the bottomless mimosas, they don't leave a pitcher at the table so you have to flag down your server every time you need a refill. The food is good but it all tastes the same - there wasn't much variation in flavor among the dishes. Nothing to write home about. The ambiance is lively and busy. read more

I've come here for brunch and more recently their happy hour. Brunch experience was good, it's bottomless mimosas, bloody Mary's or margs. It's a fixed menu and each person gets a sample of everything on their brunch menu. Several tacos and breakfast staples. Some were good and some were ok. They have great churros though. Happy hour experience was pretty good too. Drinks are half off and tacos are $3.50 which is a steal. I got their chicken quesadilla and a chicken tinga taco. We also split their roasted corn guacamole which was a hit! So delicious. The quesadilla is really good too! Again we got the churros as well which came with 3 dipping sauces. I definitely prefer their happy hour experience over brunch. I just personally wasn't a fan of some of the food given at brunch, so the option to choose your order at happy hour is better for me. read more

El Centro - Sorbet with fruit and a mimosa - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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We went to El Centro on a Tuesday night and the restaurant was super lively! There's a lot of indoor and outdoor seating as well as bar areas indoors and outdoors. We ordered the table side guac, chicken quesadilla, and the al pastor tacos. The guacamole came with chips and salsa verde and is definitely a must order. The avocados are chunky and it tastes super fresh. My only preference is that I wished it had a bit more lime/lemon, but other than that it was great. The al pastor tacos also definitely hit the spot. The meat was juicy and super filling and the onions and pineapple balance each other out really well. The dish also comes with beans and rice which were also great. Definitely recommend if you're in Georgetown and I will definitely be back! read more

El Centro - Al Pastor Tacos - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Busy, two level place with great food. Highlight was birria arepas, one of the best Mexican plates I've had. Guacamole with crab was unique and very tasty. Same for the cheesy chorizo appetizer. Our server took great care of us. Definitely a place worth trying when strolling around Georgetown. read more

Laura the host was super friendly and helpful over the phone and got me seated at our table even 30 minutes ahead of our reservation time. Great experience with some coworkers! Happy hour was until 7pm so we were able to snag some $7 delicious margaritas! I ordered the cheese enchiladas, which were incredibly delicious, hot, fresh, and filling. The entree also came with some salsa, rice, beans, and a sour cream drizzle. The service was very good but wait staff looked harried and a bit understaffed. Still, very pleased with food, service, ambiance, and overall experience. read more

**BEWARE OF THE FAIR WAGE FEE TACKED ON TO YOUR BILL THAT THEY NEVER TELL YOU ABOUT!** THUMBS DOWN to a place that I happily gave 5 stars to, hands-down, less than 6 months ago when I stopped in for the first time ever for a weekend brunch meal with a friend. Oh how quickly things change...FOR THE WORSE! My same friend and I were anxious to pop in again today hoping to have a similar wonderful experience for a weekend brunch. 12noon on a Sunday. No wait and, in fact, the place had plenty of available tables. We ordered from the brunch a la carte menu. I had the Chipotle Chicken Waffle for $16 and she had Tacos de Carnitas for $17. The chicken waffles were just okay - 3 small waffles that were undercooked topped with a few pieces each of chipotle seasoned chicken, dipping syrup on the side. The pork carnitas taco platter was a much better value and, according to my friend, delicious and filling. 3 soft street tacos, decently filled with meat and veg toppings served with a separate plate of rice and beans. THE DOWNERS: * Complimentary basket of chips and salsa NO LONGER SERVED FOR WEEKEND BRUNCH! Say what?!!!! Srsly??! Highly highly disappointing. A Mexican joint that no longer serves chips with your meal??? That was frankly one of the reasons we went! Our server said during weekend brunch, chips are only served if you order the guac. Wow. * To add insult to injury, the check automatically adds a 2% "Fare Wage Fee"! Sorry but TRYING to sneak that into the bill is UNCOOL and I've seen more than a few restaurants these days, post covid, trying to use this tactic. And I do mean "sneak" because our server ran my card on the handheld machine and stood there waiting for me to enter the tip WITHOUT EVEN FIRST BRINGING THE BILL TO THE TABLE FOR ME TO LOOK IT OVER! El Centro - you sure have nerve. Not only do you jack your prices up in the name of inflation and rising costs, you also decrease portion sizes AND eliminate free chips and salsa AND THEN have the nerve to sneakingly tack on 2% to the bill so that WE, your customers, can help YOU pay for YOUR employee benefits! I'm disappointed, I've seen enough and I'm voting with my feet. See ya! read more

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Terrible service. Took the server a long time to even recognize us let alone take our order.

Came here for happy hour, hands down the best margaritas I've had. I believe I got the strawberry basil, we weren't initially planning to Ave much but everyone ordered seconds. Will definitely stop by again next time I'm in town. The outside decor was pretty! Took so cute pictures while waiting for the rest of the party. read more

El Centro - House Infused Margarita - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Fish tacos were good but the hand dryer in the bathroom didn't work. I like fish tacos.

Great happy hour deals! My friends and I went here for happy hour on Friday and they had margaritas for just $7. I got the Serrano infused margarita that was on the rocks and it was the perfect spicy. They also weren't too sweet like a lot of places, rather this place uses a ton of lime. The food was pretty good too. My friend has the tortilla soup and said it was excellent. The steak tacos were pretty good, with a good amount of steak. And the Shepard taco (similar to an al pastor) was good (not great but good, especially for the price). The service at the bar was attentive and kind. They had a couple bars on different levels that were cute. I will definitely be going back read more

Food was alright? We did the bottomless brunch and it was ok tbh but it's a cute place to have a group since there's plenty of seating! I like the flowers all over the restaurant. It has a fun vibe. They do have some vegetarian options which is nice - just be sure to tell your server in advance! read more

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My favorite thing about this restaurant was the service. I really liked our waitress! I was also impressed at how attentive everyone was. I also like the price of the bottomless brunch. And the ambiance is fine. However, the food and drinks were not my favorite. The drinks seemed watered down. And some of the food choices were really strange (like the hot dog??). Finally, this seems like a recipe for food waste! The bottomless brunch sends a lot of food out, without ever asking whether you want more food. It's really hard to eat it all, and I bet a lot of people are leaving a lot of food on the table. read more

El Centro - Mexican Mixed Green Salad - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Went here for a friend's birthday and we had all you can eat brunch. We sat upstairs and enjoyed the feel of the restaurant. We opted for everything on the menu and the food was pretty good. My favorite were the churros for dessert! We also ordered unlimited drinks and the agua frescas were a hit! The whole table loved them and we each other 2-3 each. So refreshing! The service was a little bit slow, but it was a busy weekend morning. read more