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El Encanto Latino

3.8 (25 reviews)
Closed 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

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Crunchy Chicken Taquitos
Alan N.

Another food truck that stopped by my area, and honestly I wasn't impressed. I ordered the Crunchy Chicken Taquitos and Chicken Special Burrito. If I could rate them individually, I'd give the taquitos 2 stars, and the burrito 3 stars. The taquitos were basically tasteless, so much so that it even tasted bland after being fully dipped in salsa. Maybe they don't season their chicken properly. The burrito was average, not terrible and not great. If you're going to give this place a try, I recommend passing on the taquitos (even if you typically enjoy them).

Outside
Harley S.

This terrific little truck serves legit Mexican street food, with a couple of American crowd pleasers available as well (burrito, cheese steak, french fries...for those just not interested in Mexican street food). El Encanto Latino (also known as Mina's Tamales) is not just a taco truck. In fact the focus here is on tamales, sopes, and quesadillas. Nothing fancy, but it's all made fresh. I can recommend the sopes. If you've never had one, think taco but on a fresh corn based round that's much thicker than a tortilla. Two make for a very satisfying meal. The pork was tender and flavorful, if not terribly juicy (it's sliced, not pulled). I'm eager to try the birria beef next time. You can see the truck's schedule -- and even order your food in advance -- at minatamales.square.site.

Birria Tacos
Cynthia L.

Hubs has a good nose for legit Mexican because well, he is Mexican. We ordered a mix of things and here are areas I would improve: Taquitos - The chicken was a bit dry and tasteless Pork Tamales - It seems like these were pre-made (we get it, it's difficult to serve steaming, fresh, hot tamales from a truck) because the masa was a bit bland and the tamales fell apart, as soon as we opened the wrapper, from being dry. Birria Tacos (both our cheese and non-cheese one) - Fell apart and couldn't be picked up to dip in the consommé; Tacos should not fall apart. Positives: The Birria meat and consommé were tasty. The mild and hot sauce they had were tasty. We might give them another try, if there are some tweaks.

Spicy chorizo tamale; sweet pineapple tamale.
Ruth C.

Three and a half stars. We had no problems preordering Mina's Tamales for a neighborhood drop. The birria tacos were decent-- even though the tortillas clearly weren't dipped into the consommé fat before frying, they at least maintained their integrity for dipping into the consommé on the side. Steak 'dilla was alright, but that protein is probably a skip for us next time; at least the salad and sour cream helped round out his meal with a rich horchata. My favorites of the night were the tamales we tried: moist, piping hot, and flavorful. I'd happily get chorizo and pineapple tamales again, and am looking forward to trying their chicken and guajillo pork tamales too.

In Columbia Pike for an event today
Dee M.

Tried their tacos at this Columbia Pike street event today. Pretty good pastor and asada tacos. Flavorful and nice and hot. The pastor taco tasted better than the asada taco in my opinion. They have tacos, tortas, pupusas, burritos, and quesadillas that they were selling from their food truck today, and lots of bebidas (Jarritos).

Awesome food truck. She was leaving but stayed to make me an order
Marie G.

She was so nice and even went out of her way to make my meal before leaving to an event she had to attend. However, they were not very good. The chicken had no taste, the flautas were over cooked and there was no cilantro or onions on it but the service was 5 star. Idk what it is with the food out in Arlington but, they need some flavor here.

Steak and chorizo tacos and a pupusa.

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11 months ago

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10 months ago

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8 months ago

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8 months ago

The tamales are so authentically Mexican, and they are amazing!! I was raised on them, and these really did live up to my expectations.

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11 months ago

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3 years ago

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5 years ago

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4 years ago

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8 years ago

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6 years ago

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5 years ago

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6 years ago

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5 years ago

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3 years ago

the tamales are to die for, I mean for the east coast at least. The lady's were great

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5 years ago

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6 years ago

We got food from this food truck last night and everything was incredible! We'll be back!

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8 years ago

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7 years ago

Excellent Traditional Mexican Food w/ Fast Friendly Service..... Usually near the corner of Columbia Pike & George Mason drive....

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Over The Rice - Lamb over Rice with extra meat.

Over The Rice

4.5(63 reviews)
1.1 mi
$

Just discovered this gem and let me say it's delicious and priced great. I crave Korean food a lot…read moreand beef bulgogi is my fav and they cook it perfectly. My only change would be is to make the kimchi a little more spicy

Some of the best food truck eats in the DMV!....And, giving huge serving portions "ain't never hurt…read morenobody!" After pondering over the usual lunch options, I decided go on a food truck excursion for lunch today. On any given day, just outside the office, there's always several food trucks making their rounds in the Arlington-Ballston area. Luckily for me, Over the Rice decided to show up! Over the Rice seems to have a cult following. As soon as they tweet their location for the day, you can bet there is a line of folks waiting to partake in their fare. This I know, because every time they are anywhere near my office building my coworkers run for the doors during lunch like a cow herd. And, I see why! The food is always fresh and the flavor is there. This is my fourth time visiting this truck and I can attest one thing for sure....the food and taste is consistent....actually, really good. You pick your choice of meat(s): Steak, Grilled Chicken, Lamb, Pork and there is a vegetarian option as well. Then, the assembly of a great meal begins. If you are indecisive like me, they offer a combo meat option which is usually my go to....Chicken n' Steak or....when in the mood to change things up....the Chicken n' Lamb! One word...its "HittinNStickin!" The meat is so tender, juicy...and most of all seasoned! It is served over rice (yellow basmati rice), of course and comes with a side salad and two quarter slices of pita bread. The food is more than enough to share...in my opinion. The finisher that makes the food a hit....is the Tzatziki sauce ANNNDDDDDD this spicy kind of sauce I can't seem to put my finger on it! But, whatever it is.....make sure you order extra of both!! lol THE GOOD IN A NUTSHELL: Overall, you can't go wrong with this food truck! Fast friendly service, fresh tasting, flavorful food, good portions, and you don't get a sense of bad food handling practices like some food trucks or feel like you are going to need a pack of Tums to alleviate the bubble-guts...after consuming it. Nothing but a thumbs up experience and clean operation here. THE EIGHT BALL IN THE CORNER POCKET: The long lines are the only down side, but look at it this way...."good things come to those who wait"....besides, if there was no line then that may not be a good sign for sure! lol

Photos
Over The Rice - Grilled Chicken & Steak!....Over Rice!!  Make sure you sauce-it-up with the spicy sauce!...Mandatory!!  It's delicious!

Grilled Chicken & Steak!....Over Rice!! Make sure you sauce-it-up with the spicy sauce!...Mandatory!! It's delicious!

Over The Rice - Lamb over rice with mild sauce

Lamb over rice with mild sauce

Over The Rice - Catering customized bowls

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Catering customized bowls

Sang on Wheels - Drunken noodles and dumplings

Sang on Wheels

3.7(119 reviews)
6.2 miVan Ness/Forest Hills
$

Their drunken noodles were superb. They had an excellent smoky flavour. The dumplings were simply…read moredelicious.

I've sang in a lot of places, in pubs, clubs, bars, coffee shops, bookstores, malls, outdoor…read morefestivals, streets, subways, you name it. But unlike James Corden, I've never Sang On Wheels. This food truck, though, has. What to get: whatever she gives you. That's not just for this truck but general advice for life. Amazing service from a woman that really cares and will stuff your box (so to speak) full of all kinds of crazy wild food. The service definitely gets a 5. The prices and food are a 4. They are good but not amazing. You get a ton of food, including meatballs and drunken noodles and all sorts of other weird stuff. It's all good but none of it was like, omg wow I can't wait to come back. The Thai Tea Bubble Tea was pretty yum, but the bubbles in it were not so fresh at all. I'd have enjoyed it more if I had ordered it without bubbles. Overall a great experience. My first food in DC after driving non stop from Pittsburgh, where I had just driven to from Buffalo. A crazy long drive which ended in me eating a ton of food from this truck and so it will always be a really positive memory for me. But if you've already tried it and enjoyed it, then I just Sang to the choir. Wheeeeeelllllls... I better be going. I have to talk to my friends from Ireland, Scotland, and Wheels.

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Sang on Wheels
Sang on Wheels - Wheels see about that

Wheels see about that

Sang on Wheels - Chicken Sate with Drunken Noodles and Fried Rice

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Chicken Sate with Drunken Noodles and Fried Rice

What the Pho?

What the Pho?

3.0(84 reviews)
5.7 miShaw
$

Ohhh man, who doesn't want a big piping hot bowl of pho on a chilly winter day in DC? It was one of…read morethe few cold days we've had here recently and pho sounded like the perfect lunch to warm me right up and boy did it ever! I got the beef pho which was a very generous portion for $9. Service was so quick and I couldn't wait to get back to my office to finish the prep! Separate baggie came with your sprouts, jalapeno, and some amazingly fragrant Thai basil! I of course got some of the standard Sriracha and fish sauce to add as well! The pho hit the spot for sure! There were lots of noodles which I enjoy in my pho, made it a very hearty and filling meal. I enjoyed every yummy bite! My coworkers kept coming over to my desk because everyone was smelling its deliciousness! I'm a phan of this phood truck, pho sho!

I hate putting down one stars but this deserves it. I don't mean to be dramatic but they did not…read morecook the shrimp in my spring roll. I bit into it and was disgusted. Raw shrimp just chillin inside. Yep...see the picture, I was in shock. Shooketh as my friends would say. Not to mention the sauce was watery, the rice paper on the roll was hard and the noodles they used weren't even right (very stringy and thin). I'm done with this place. 1 Star...i may or may not get sick from the raw shrimp that I bit a piece of, we'll see. At least they gave me a full refund. Never coming back btw. This post is to warn everyone because whoever is prepping food seems to be careless.

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What the Pho?
What the Pho?
What the Pho? - Bulgogi beef banh mi; shrimp summer rolls.

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Bulgogi beef banh mi; shrimp summer rolls.

El Encanto Latino - foodtrucks - Updated May 2026

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