It was fun coming back to el chuchu after so many years. It's still adorable inside and the elote is still a stand out! The all day Monday HH is no more, but they still have HH from 4-6 and with $2 tacos you can eat on the cheap. Hubs and I got the ceviche - a good amount of tuna, but despite the description the flavor was a tad one note. I think we also just had a mild pepper and sometimes that's the luck of the garden draw. I was excited to try a new (to me) taco offering of red wine braised short rib. The short rib was EXCELLENT - soft and flavorful. The taco claims to have a mole on it, mine was either missing the mole or there was so little that you couldn't taste it. Draft margaritas continue to be super smooth. We had very friendly service during our visit as well! read more

I came to El Chucho with my mom solely for their happy hour, so keep that in mind when reading this review. Overall, I thought everything was good! It was a nice day, so we were able to choose a nice little table outside. Our server was lovely and very patient with explaining our food and drink options. I ended up getting the El Codo (margarita on tap) along with the chips and guacamole. The margarita was on point. Each sip was strong and so I have no complaints. The chips & guac were good, too. I didn't get to try the salsa, though. Prices were very reasonable as well, so definitely come here if you're looking for a solid happy hour. read more

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Best brunch deal in NW DC. My boyfriend and I went today and had an amazing experience. The food is authentic Mexican cuisine and you have two bottomless options-traditional or hibiscus. For $24.95 you get bottomless and a choice of brunch entree or a taco. The tacos are regular size so if you're not too hungry that's an option. In terms of service, our waitress was great and made sure our table was clean and glasses full. My boyfriend ordered the pancakes and I ordered the crab cake Benedict. The area has parking and not too busy even though it was a Saturday. Def worth checking out. read more

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Recently really been loving it here. Make a reservation in advance for the rooftop. They have a quesadilla which isn't on the menu, and the chef makes it however he's in the mood for. I added braised short rib in it and it was incredible. I went back again 2 days later! Only tip would be the guac isn't worth it, you get a tiny amount and it's expensive. It actually comes on the side of a few dishes so just order one of those and then you get it anyway! read more

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The food was delightful, up until I bit into my crispy pork belly taco and saw a long piece of curly hair COOKED into my meat. AND THEN my friend who I was eating with ALSO found a piece of hair in her food as well. The service and the atmosphere of the place was good. The table was stick and dirty which i also did not appreciate. read more

I've been to el chucho a couple times before and always enjoyed it. During my most recent visit I sat outside, and there were several baby rats running around. This didn't bother me, as we were sitting on the street and the rats always come out at dusk. However, the rats started running up the outdoor server stand where the water pitchers, napkins, etc. are kept. We watched one rat run around on top of the pitchers, with its paws clearly touching the spout where the water is poured. When our server came over with the check, we said "hey, we just want to let you know that one of the rats has been running around on top of the stand, and it was on the water pitchers." Our server looked irritated, and said "what, on these? Where on the pitchers?" And we said "all over really, but it was on the spout where you pour the water." She then says "well we're outside, there are rats everywhere. I don't know what you want me to do about it. It's good for your immune system to be exposed to germs." Since she clearly seemed irritated by us bringing up the rat, we just said "well we just wanted to let you know is all!" and then she replied "well what would you do?" and I said "well maybe just give them a rinse?" She then said "we're outside, there are gonna be more rats running up and down this thing, I don't know what I'm supposed to do about it." So we just dropped it, paid our bill and left. This was very surprising and honestly pretty alarming. I understand that we were sitting outside, but we don't eat our food directly off the pavement where the rats are. Saying "there are rats everywhere" isn't a very heartening response coming from someone working at a restaurant. We truly were not looking to bother or upset anyone, and didn't have any demands as to how she should address the situation. We just assumed she'd take the pitchers inside and get clean ones, not tell us that there was nothing she could do since "there are rats everywhere." If you come here, I recommend sitting inside to reduce your chances of ingesting rat water. read more

I love a good cocktail and some simple tacos and this place delivered both. I had a margarita similar to a Pina colada with blood orange and pollo/carne tacos to pair. While the chips and salsa left a bit to be desired the taco and drink pairing made up for it! It's a very cute local restaurant with outside seating so I'll certainly be back soon. read more

El Chucho - Blood Orange Habanero Margarita (2.5 Servings) - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

As a die-hard carnivore, let me be straight with you: get the elote callejero. Sure, I rolled my eyes a little when my friends and server told me I'd be sad without my own corn on the cob. But that herb-dusted hunk of yum tastes like white cheddar popcorn spiked with crack. I fellated that thing to completion in less than 30 seconds; when I was done, I wanted seven inches of floss and a cigarette. I was least impressed by the asada and al pastor. Only the latter came with wedges of lime. Each doubled corn tortilla was properly griddled, but their contents were bordering on lackluster. The pescado tacos on special that night were dope-- reasonably flavorful squid with a little kick, and two tentacle groups on the side for the aficionados. Allot yourself 30 minutes of buffer time if you're trying to make the taco happy hour. Lots of residential street parking in this area. El Chucho is a tiny space with no standing room at the bar, a few booths on the side, and limited space at the window. Some patio seating if you come during pleasant weather. Either way it's crowded as hell. I'll be back for their Suffering Bastard, Señor Clusterf*ck; tripas'n'foie, pollo, and lengua tacos... and another elote, natch. read more

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Came here for HH with a friend. I don't ask for much out of a happy hour other than good food, good drinks, and good vibes, which El Chucho delivered. For food, we each got 3 tacos (the happy hour ones are pretty small). Each taco was flavorful and had toppings that complimented well. For drinks, we both for 3 margaritas. They were tasty but still strong enough for us to get the HH buzz on. For vibes, we sat outside which was really nice. Our waiter was attentive and also very friendly/talkative which we loved. Not sure how regular food or service is but for HH it's exactly what you need read more

El Chucho - CHIPS AND SALSA - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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First time visitor of this establishment. Our party was seated promptly and served well. The set up inside and outside was cute. Our lovely outdoor seating experience was quickly interrupted when a couple with a large and highly energetic dog sat near us. The dog ran around our table and almost knocked over our table and nearby umbrellas. This made our dining experience rather uncomfortable. We had to move ourselves indoors in order to enjoy our food. I was disappointed with the tacos, they weren't seasoned to my liking. However, you cannot complain when the taco is $7.5. The price matches the food, the service was great, I just wish there was a policy for customers with dogs so that everyone can enjoy their dining experience. read more

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I've eaten here about three times in the last year and each time this place has the best service and food! I enjoy the casual atmosphere. My favorite dish is the flautas. I'm very usually picky, I like this place. read more

Great spot for rooftop brunch with friends to celebrate birthdays or special occasions!!

This charming taqueria was bustling with patrons when we came by on a Thursday afternoon. The space is like a row-house and narrow, but the roof deck is awesome for winding down with a margarita after a hot summer day. The margaritas are not that strong, but I appreciated the assertive chili. My friend and I shared the Lengua (tender and meaty beef tongue that was complemented very well by crispy shallots - highly recommend) and the Taco de Cangrejo (soft-shell crab, which was lightly fried and pretty strong on flavor with creamy avocado and chipotle aioli - recommend). We also shared the Pescado (nothing to see here). Service was quite slow, but our server plenty made up for it by being attentive and playful when he finally got to us. read more

El Chucho - Burger no bun - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I've been many times and love it. Ambiance is great. Very cool vibes. The birria and the seared ahi tacos are the best. Service is always good. The blood orange habenero margarita always hits. read more

Can't say I've ever had a bad time at El Chucho! They've got a great tequila selection and for as many times as I've been here, I can't say I've tried anything but their spicy margarita, which is absolutely bomb! The food is good, definitely a little pricy, but the street corn is good and cheap! read more

El Chucho - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

This is a great and affordable place to eat Mexican food in Columbia Heights. There is a great ambience and very authentic menu.

Delicious food! Brunch is awesome. Try the square hash brown. Super friendly staff. Highly recommend.

Ordered on a Wednesday, food were ready within a half hour for pick up. I liked that it was standard for the tacos to have double tortillas however, I usually can take the second tortilla and make a another taco with the fillings. In this case, the fillings were a little more wet than other places and without the second shell, everything would have fallen apart. The shells were pretty much fused together actually. There were definitely a few instances where my taco just completely fell into shreds and I ate it with a spoon. They tasted good but this was a little disappointing. Chips and guac seemed a little skimpy for $9. My friend said her al pastor tacos tasted like a sloppy joe. read more

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I'm all about aesthetics so typically I would walk place, but a friend was raving about the lobster taco (that is no longer being served) so we went. The servers were quick and polite. My friend who doesn't eat cheese got a taco with cheese on it and they replaced it with no hesitation. The tacos were full with flavor each with different toppings that compliment the protein. I'm a pescatarian so i noticed the had plenty of seafood and plant based options! Will definitely be returning! Also if you want to eat inside(upstairs) you need to make a reservation otherwise you'll be down at the bar or outside. read more

El Chucho - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Stopped by for lunch, surprised to learn they don't open until 11:45 but they let us sit early & order a drink. We got the basic margarita, it was good but the spicy salt was a bit overpowering. Ordered a basket of chips & salsa for $3 which stops you from overindulging and receiving many baskets of chips. I ordered the taco platter which comes with three tacos and home fries with a delicious sauce. I was pleased to learn you can mix and match the tacos on the platter. I had the shrimp (hands down my favorite), steak (which was good) and chicken (which I was least impressed with). If I returned, I'd definitely just order three of the shrimp, they were that good. I loved the upstairs balcony and the authentic feel of the restaurant. Fairly priced and good service. read more

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Food was good. The staff were unfriendly however and affected our impression of the place on the 2 occasions we visited. In one instance, while we were paying, the server abruptly announced what a 20% tip was, which honestly felt aggressive. read more

Overall: Great tacos and Mexican food Atmosphere: This is more of a bar with bar seating and loud music. It's packed on the weekends and tough to find a place to sit. It is fun though if you are looking to have a quick bite in a fun place. Food: The food is great. It is definitely the reason to come to this place. The menu has many original dishes. The ingredients and the flavors are inventive and delicious. While it might not be completely authentic, it is a very good culinary experience. Service: The service is good and the staff are nice, but keep in mind that this is a bar atmosphere. Verdict: MUST TRY (for the food) read more

El Chucho - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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The main reason for my two stars is the this place has horrible service. We waited almost thirty minutes for someone to take our drink order and this was before it was even busy. The waiter seems distracted abs confused, forgot a beer after I did order it, and then took 40 mins to return to take our food order. We'd been there almost two hours by the time we ordered dinner. When we got up to go order at the bar he scolded us and we were like then come to our table. It was so bad. The tacos are fine and if we'd not had such horrible service for almost a $200 bill id return, but there are better tacos and service in dc. Also, the size of the guacamole was like a side / in a tiny to-go container defiantly small. Yikes y'all get it together! read more

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Great Mexican spot with especially good drinks. Sat on the rooftop pre-pandemic and enjoyed cocktails. Food was also decent.

I'm actually shook seeing that El Chucho has less than a 4 star overall rating. This is BY FAR my new favorite HH spot. Nothing but good vibes, good music, good food and great drinks. Let me emphasize GREAT. The drinks are super good, even if your waiter suggested it and you have no clue what's in it, it's gonna be good. The music and the patrons are loud so don't expect to hear much more than the conversation immediately to your left or right. The food/drink + the perfectly curated aesthetic makes the whole experience worth while. Even if it's not happy hour the drinks are reasonably priced and food is a steal to be honest. The wait staff and hostess and super friendly. The crowd is fun and young (not too young though!). I truly appreciate that El Chucho has something for everyone. I am a vegetarian (sometimes vegan) and there were PLENTY of menu items for me to choose from. I highly recommend the tacos calabacita and a ginger margarita. So filling and so tasty. read more

El Chucho - Calabacita Taco - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

A tiny authentic Mexican restaurant! I went here for brunch this past Saturday and it had a great ambiance. They have a deck coming off of their second floor. It was spaced out nicely and they also had a patio in the front, both areas with space heaters. It was COVID-friendly. I ordered the spiked agua fresca and it was tasty and not too sweet. My friends ordered the hibiscus mimosa, bloody maria, and la sandia mimosa and enjoyed them as well. They came out with 2 baskets of chips for 3 people, with the chips and salsa being homemade. The salsa was the best I've ever had! My burrito came with perfectly cooked home fries and another delicious homemade sauce. As for the burrito itself, I would rank it 4 stars because it lacked a bit of flavor. I ended up putting way too much sauce on it. read more

El Chucho - A close up of the mushroom breakfast burrito. - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Since Covid hit, I've continuously been impressed with their takeout game. There is meticulous attention to detail with how everything is packed, the complementary sauces are always fresh and delicious and well paired. Overall, I'm just so impressed with the quality of the food they make here! Fresh and delicious and made with pride. Highly Recommend! read more

El Chucho - Delicious Flautas con pollo takeout - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I ordered the 2 vegetarian entrees they have listed on the menu: el Hongo & la Calabacita. I asked for no cheese so that they would be vegan. They were both so good, la Calabacita had some roasted corn on it as well which is not listed on the menu ingredients but added to the dish. I wish they had a vegetarian burrito option listed on the menu. They do have something that says "veggie options available" under burritos, but that's so vague. read more

Why are your tacos so damn good?! Yum yum yum! Elote is fire! Shrimp tacos are banging. Margarita is spicy

I live across the street from chucho so I come often. The drinks are always great, I love getting the spicy margs. They also have great beer and a numb specials! I've never had a bad experience with the food or service. The tacos are great, I especially love the pescado ones! Personal favorite. The breakfast burrito is SO GOOD and the best hangover food. The queso frito is fine, essentially it's a cheese curd which you can't go wrong with. My favorite menu item is the ceviche which I find myself craving often. The guac and salsa is also always a staple item. They used to have chimichanga which were my favorite item on the menu but they no longer carry them :( hoping it comes back eventually. Lastly, the churros are great but not as sweet as I'm used to as an American who eats super sweet desserts typically. With that said?l, still delicious and comes out piping hot!! I prefer sitting at the bar or upstairs on the balcony. Great little local spot! read more

The happy hour was exactly what I needed. Good margaritas and good food. Unfortunately I'm not a huge bar person because it smelled like beer and cleaning products, but clearly someone likes that smell because it was packed. Its a small space so probably good for the neighbors and a few drop ins. read more

Our server was Danielo and he was soooo nice! Recommended great food and drinks and was overall very nice.

One of my favorite spots in DC!!! Great food, great drinks, and great atmosphere! Service is always great

I've never been fully chastised by a waiter until... I literally had to leave because he seemed like he was ready to punch me in the face over a returned margarita. I specifically asked for them on the rocks, it was frozen. Like why was he so mad, he's the one who got the order wrong??? read more

We went here for their Friday night Happy hour which goes from 4pm to 630pm. The $5 margs on tap weren't very strong but they were tasty! We also got the chips and salsa and chips guacamole. I thought the guac was really good and didn't care for the salsa but the other people I went with did! I also got the Mexican sweet corn which was good. Friends got the huaraches trio and the chicken tacos. Small portions but they said it tasted good! We wanted to sit up on the top patio which was nice. However, service was very slow because there was only one server up there. That would be my biggest complaint. We had to get his attention every time we needed something. I would go back for happy hour again sometime! read more

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We tried the Pescado, Al Pastor and Carne Asada tacos and we'd recommend Al Pastor the most paired with guacamole w/ chips. We also tried their strawberry habanero margaritas which were pricey, but good. The service was okay. The waitress was not satisfied with my tip after she picked up my bill and she came back to the table and asked me and my date why we didn't tip her more. Repeatedly asked if she did anything wrong. Thought that was really aggressive and inappropriate. read more

Came in last night (10/19/21) with my gf and her sister. Took us awhile to be greeted, which was fine because the atmosphere is worth relaxing and taking in for a little. We ordered chips and guac and a couple margs. We eventually got some tacos and they were great! The drinks were strong and tasty, and the guac was pretty decent for a location 2,000 miles away from Mexico. We all wanted a second round but our server closed up on us and started acting apathetic. I had to ask someone else to get him to come over just for cutlery and my second drink. The girls wanted one too but he never asked. Instead, he rolled his eyes at us multiple times for asking for the bare minimum. He spent the majority of our experience his back to us, leaning on the water dispenser while I had an empty water cup. William, or server (guy in a red and black flannel), seemed like a cool dude but also one that took his position for granted and didn't care much about increasing his ticket sizes.This bothered me for two reasons: 1. My gf's sister got in a car accident like 15 minutes before we came in. My gf and I planned on loosening her up as much as possible so decent service would've been clutch for our night and for taking her thoughts off a traumatic event. Not asking for the man to serenade us, just give us decent service man. 2. I've been a server for several years and it took me like two weeks to realize the potential of increasing a ticket size. The larger the ticket, the larger your tip. The difference between a server that really tries and one that hides and reluctantly takes orders like ours is the difference between barely making rent and having some money to save. You're actively leaving money on the table when you treat your guest curtly and with indifference. Still the food is good and the drinks are strong, but I'd recommend going with the lady server (she was in the section next us and she seemed bright and bubbly) or sitting at the bar if you're not looking to be treated like a nuisance for wanting to place an order. read more

These folks have an excellent margarita and the best shrimp tacos around. Highly recommend! The food and drinks are always prompt and the servers are nice and helpful. read more

Cute and small venue with friendly staff Seating arrangements: Mostly small tables that accommodate 2-3 but you can always push two tables together Very good prices and food! On Mondays the venue has extended happy hour deals The tacos al pastor were a little too sweet for my personal preference but otherwise were really good! The elote was great as well read more

This place is more of a HH dive bar, the margaritas at regular price are not really worth it. You can find cheaper in DC. However, on HH at $6 it's the perfect price point. The tacos dos at $3.5 is a good deal too. The al pastor tacos were sweet and a little under seasoned, which made them a bit off-putting. When I think pork tacos I think salty, savory and spicy. Also at 6:34 my waiter came back to check on me and I guess HH stopped at 6:30. No where on the menu does it indicate that and she didn't even give a last call, forewarning or try to accommodate me for the lack of heads up. Small things like that will make you not revisit a place. read more

El Chucho - No Happy Hour time indicated - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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