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Alexandria, VA

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El Fresco

4.6 (37 reviews)
Open • 11:00 am - 8:00 pm

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Arroz con Pollo
Jens J.

Four stars, only a couple centimeters from being five stars. A great new restaurant in the Hybla Valley corridor. The remodel they did before opening El Fresco was a big upgrade to the premises. The atmosphere inside is modern, clean and airy. On a sweltering afternoon waiting for my tires to be changed at nearby Costco we decided to check out El Fresco. You place your order at the counter and if eating in, they bring your food out to you. Service was friendly and accommodating. We both ordered the arroz con pollo. A very good dish, containing a fresh green salad topped with a li'l dollop of sour cream. The chicken in the arroz on pollo was topped with both white and yellow cheese. The dish was accompanied by two warm tortillas. The cream cheese jalapeño poppers were fine, served with a chipotle dipping sauce. I'm not sure though why they are using disposable silverware when the plates that dishes are served on are not disposable.

Bar to order
karen k.

On site parking and a fully remodeled restaurant. Clean and easy to navigate. The young man at the counter was very helpful and steered us in the right direction of what to get. Lunch special is $9.95 and a super deal! Get the chicken fajitas which were Perfection , or the Taco & enchilada combination, all Served with rice, beans, and chips. There is also a salsa bar with mild to spiced salsas along with pico , onion, lemons and limes. Highly recommend and anticipate being back here often.

That bowl depth tho
Aaron S.

Sorry Chipotle, ive got a new boo and her name is El Fresco. This place is newly opened, and today happened to be their grand opening day where they ran a 5 dollar burrito bowl special. They redecorated the place (used to be a charcoal chicken joint) and its nice and modern looking. The staff was super friendly and accomodating which is always great. Heres why this burrito bowl is better than chipotle. First, all of the ingredients are fresh, but you can definitely taste everything. The pico was great, and you could distinguish between the jalapeno, cilantro, and tomato. Second, they layered the cheese. On top is the standard issue white cheese, but underneath the pico, lettuce and white cheese is a layer of yellow (not sure if cheddar or something different) that melted itself into the steak and lettuce. I almost missed it because it wasnt easy to see but its there and its fantastic. Third, the rice. Spanish rice is used here and it was so good. I typically get the lime cilantro at chipotle but the spanish rice gave it that chefs kiss. Fourth, is volume. Look at how deep that bowl is! They have a ton of other things on the menu that im looking forward to trying out so ill definitely be back. Oh, and they give you chips while you wait. Whats better than that!

The back register, salsa bar, and drink station
Tom K.

The food tastes great. Got the Asada Tacos lunch special. The asada is excellent quality. They have a salsa bar with hot, medium, and mild sauces, diced white onions, and fresh diced jalapeños. The prices at least for lunch are great! There are plenty of tables and the dining area is very clean. The lady at the register even gave me chips while I waited for my tacos!

Steak Nachos
Nicole H.

I had an awesome dining experience at El Fresco! I ordered the steak nachos with white queso. They were the most amazing nachos I've seriously ever had ! The meat was nice and tender, the veggies fresh. The white queso was creamy and delicious! Staff is super friendly and the owner is hardworking and always takes good care of us when we eat there. Place is clean and organized. They have a salsa bar! Yum! Lots of salsas to choose from. I ordered the fried ice cream for dessert and it was AMAZING! I loved my whole experience at El Fresco on Route 1 in Alexandria!

LoriLynn R.

Food is amazing and fresh and delicious cute inside and out. Staff is friendly. This is just a great place and our new come to spot. It's clean and all around spot on.

San Antonio Chili
John L.

This place has BASIC Tex-Mex food. Two of the desserts were stale, and one was awful. More about that later. El Fresco Tex-Mex Grill is a franchise company owned by Iranian immigrant Steve Ganji. He opened the first restaurant in 2008 in Chantilly, VA. This store opened on January 19, 2024. It is owned by a franchisee. All four of their locations are surrounded by Taco Bells. That's a smart plan! It ensures a customer base that eats simple Tex-Mex. When they come here, they'll rave about it because the food here is fresher and more flavorful. A Taco Bell executive said that all their regular dishes are made from a limited list of ingredients. That's why it all tastes similar. The flavor profile in everything we tried here was either basic or lacking. We made 2 visits and tried 10 items in hopes of finding something outstanding. 1) San Antonio Chili It was oily beef soup with ground meat, black beans, diced onions, tomato paste, and diced green peppers. It had a mild spiciness with moderate seasoning but no chili powder or cumin flavor. The meat tasted like a blend of chicken and beef. Edible and forgettable. 2) Chicken Nacho Supreme It had corn tortilla chips topped with plain shredded chicken, a choice of white queso or cheddar/jack cheeses, plain tomatoes, black olives, cilantro, jalapeňos, and sour cream. We chose queso, and it was typical. The flavor was the sum of the parts. The only added seasoning that I could taste was salt! They have a free salsa bar, which has jalapeños, pico de gallo, limes, lemons, onions, tomate rojo, tomatillo verde, and jalapeños asados. We used them to give this dish spiciness and depth of flavor. It was average at best. 3) Burrito Deluxe A flour tortilla with shredded chicken, Spanish rice, and beans. Covered with white queso, tomatoes, olives, cilantro, sour cream, and red chili. You have a choice of black, pinto, or mixed beans. The filling was lightly seasoned with salt and pepper. The red chili was liquid from the chili described above. The Taco Bell method was used here. It's got many of the same ingredients as the nachos. 4) Chicken Fajita It had strips of grilled chicken sautéed with tomatoes, onions, and green peppers. It came with 3 flour tortillas, lettuce, tomatoes, beans, Spanish rice, cheese, sour cream, and a slice of lime. It was sautéed in a sauce with flavors of lime juice, garlic, cheap chili powder, and salt. It had depth of flavor that was ordinary. It had no smoke flavor and no brown sugar to balance the lime juice. Those are just a few changes it could use. It was okay overall. 5) Mariachi Burrito A flour tortilla filled with Spanish rice, carne asada, pollo asado, beans, lettuce, and pico de gallo. Covered with melted cheese, red chile, and cilantro. Served with sour cream and fresh guacamole. The guacamole was too salty. The meats were mildly seasoned and tender. Overall, it was moderately spicy and full of typical tasting ingredients. It was better than the Burrito Deluxe. 6) Chorizo con Huevos It had Mexican sausage and eggs mixed together and then topped with red chiles and melted cheese. It came with 4 tortillas and fried potatoes. Other than the seasonings and savoriness in the Chorizo, this was 2-dimensional in flavor and salty. It was mildly hot from the chiles. The potatoes were typical. 7) Southwestern Enchilada Platter Two soft corn tortillas filled with a protein or veggies, then covered with melted cheddar/jack cheese and red chile. Served with olives, lettuce, tomato, cilantro, guacamole, and sour cream. It came with Spanish rice and a choice of beans. We picked carnitas, which were moist, tender, and savory. It helped in making this flavorful and well-rounded. 8) Sopapillas with a side of honey They were dense, chewy, not fluffy, stale, and had hard edges. They were covered with powdered sugar. The taste and texture were awful! Why serve this? Unbelievable! 9) Apple Churros It had 3 pieces, deep-fried and covered with cinnamon. The filling tasted like apple pie filling. The dough tasted like it was stale and frozen too long. It was like vendor pre-made frozen churros. Go to Brazilian bakery for great fresh churros. 10) Mexican Fried Ice Cream It had a big scoop of plain vanilla ice cream coated with fried corn tortilla flakes and topped with whipped cream, chocolate syrup, and a maraschino cherry. It was in a STALE tortilla bowl. No rich ice cream or crispy fried cornflakes. It's a mix of mundane flavors. The service was friendly, helpful, and responsive. I couldn't ask for more! 3 entrees only took 18 minutes to make. The dining room and restrooms were very clean. The restrooms were locked. Ask an employee for the key. They have a free parking lot that was repaved recently. The service was great, but the food wasn't. They give a good amount of food for the price, so there's value. I'd rather spend more and go to El Paso Mexican restaurant for superior Tex-Mex food.

Tex-Mex Grill
Shaun F.

I'm so happy El Fresco has arrived on Richmond Highway. The service is awesome! Staff are always smiling and they provide fresh chips and salsa while you wait for your order. I normally get veggie burritos or veggie quesadilla and I'm always satisfied. Their food is better than most restaurants on Richmond Highway. They also have a deal going on. Check it out!

Burrito minus tortilla (BMT) with guacamole

This place is combines all of the best parts of Moe's and Chipotle. Very good food, fresh!! The service was fine. I love the fact that guac and sour cream come automatically with your BMT (burrito minus tortilla/burrito bowl). All of the salsas at the bar are great! I ordered the BMT with steak.

Chicken Fajitas lunch! So delicious!
Maggie S.

This place is a small chain, but wow do they deserve kudos! Great service and absolutely so fresh, delicious and the prices are on point! Chips and salsa come with every meal with a great variety of salsas to choose from at the salsa bar. Will be back!

Vegetable Burrito
Colton B.

The food is spectacular with lots of vegetarian options. Their queso is very good, and the service is fast very friendly.

Shrimp Fajitas with pinto beans.

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19 days ago

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2 years ago

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1 year ago

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1 year ago

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5 months ago

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8 months ago

We love love love this location. The food is fresh and hot. I choose plant based options.

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

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3 years ago

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1 year ago

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2 years ago

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1 year ago

I go there often. Everything is fresh and delicious. The chicken fajitas are tender! My go to for myself or the whole family.

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2 years ago

Food & Service excellent every time. Everything is always fresh and delicious. Location is very clean

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3 years ago

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3 years ago

Delicious Tex-Mex style enchiladas! Finally! Great, friendly service. I went twice in the first week. The chicken nachos were dry, though.

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3 years ago

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3 years ago

It's hard to find good Mexican food in the DMV. The menu is amazing, the location is clean, and the staff are friendly.

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3 years ago

Enjoyed my chicken fajitas and got a free ice cream, cannot complain and will go back.

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Jula’s on the Potomac

Jula’s on the Potomac

4.1(275 reviews)
4.6 mi•Waterfront, Old Town Alexandria
•$$$
Outdoor seating
Private events

Treated my friend to an early dinner for her birthday! This was my fourth time at this restaurant…read moreas my friends enjoy it, but this was her first time. Our server, Quintin Smith, insured that the birthday girl's dinner was memorable. He was extremely personable, offered helpful suggestions based on his personal experience, checked on us frequently, and ensured that she received a complementary birthday dessert. Jula's has upscale decor, with amazing views, especially when seated on the outside patio. They are on the top floor of the building, have garage parking that's reasonably priced, and plenty of signage, making them easy to find. We enjoyed taking photos in front of the grass wall outside the entrance, and all staff was extremely friendly. I ordered the Creole Shrimp Linguine, as suggested by our server, which was delicious. So much so, that my friend took half of my pasta to mix with the plain noodles that came with her Crispy Chicken Paillard meal. Our drinks were delicious, so I highly recommend them. We ordered the Belaire Blue Mimosa and Lavender Martini - both a 10 out of 10! If you're looking for nice atmosphere, spectacular views, and great service, visit Jula's on the Potomac and ask to be seated with Quintin Smith!

8:30 pm Reservation for two ‍‍…read moreServer: Man Bun Drizzle night out. This was my first time here at Julas. We had a reservation but came a little early to sit at the bar and gossip. Can you believe there was a baby sitting at the bar? Yes , a baby no more than 12 months old eating fries drinking a shot of apple juice. I almost took a picture of this phenomenon but their parents would not have approved. The parents were also an interesting couple. An Ethiopian and an Asian woman. I've never seen that combination with a child sitting at the bar. Anyways, this night was having a weird start. We sat at the bar for a drink . I ordered a glass of Pinot Noir by Evolution. This wine has nice legs . I made the mistake of looking for wine on the bottle list and baby they have $600 dollar bottles of poison at this bar ! Very fancy. My friend had a cocktail not sure which one it was but he didn't like it very much. The bartender put a cinnamon stick and dried orange slice in it, not sure if that helps. When our table was available a nice young lady met us at the bar and escorted us to the dining room. It was very noisy like a cafeteria . We felt more comfortable next to the boss baby at the bar. At least she was quiet enough for us to have a conversation. The food took longer than we expected. We ordered 3 appetizers. Brussel sprouts, duck egg roll, and the fried short rib balls. We had 2 rounds of the starting 3 apps. The duck egg roll was the . The Brussel sprouts were the supporting actors. The fried short rib balls reminded me of fried beef stew. I always order the sides when I'm new to a restaurant and I was not impressed by the carrots. They were served in their natural shape but shaved down . Perfect for bugs bunny. I'd rather mine were chopped in little circles so I can eat like a laaaaady. Not to mention they were still Raw at the core. We sent them back and asked for truffle fries. The fries took forever AND were undercooked. Soggy , oily ... WTH. How do you mess up French fries ? An air fryer could have done a better job with the fries and carrots. Those two mistakes made me lose confidence in an entree. Maybe I'll travel for a brunch experience but I dunno . ‍

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Jula’s on the Potomac
Jula’s on the Potomac
Jula’s on the Potomac

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Narman Restaurant, Cafe & Bar

Narman Restaurant, Cafe & Bar

4.5(15 reviews)
4.3 mi•Old Town Alexandria

Love love love Narman. It was easy to find, and the parking was free & nearby. We decided to…read morecelebrate my husband's birthday at a Turkish restaurant. He was in the mood for Lahmacun (sounds like Lahamajoun) super thin, crispy pizza topped with a mixture of minced meat with peppers, tomato, herbs, and spices. More fine, light, and delicate than the typical American thin pizza. The service, drinks, and food were beyond stellar in Narman. We felt like the only customers there and were waited on by many staff. The highlight of the day there was their pizza and their beverage presentation and flavors. We came on a weekday night and were the only people there in the end. My husband was impressed at how upscale the restaurant was and it was the finest Turkish restaurant he ever visited. He said it was similar to the hotel dining place he lived at in Turkey. This was our first restaurant in downtown Alexandria and one of our best experiences in Alexandria. The Lahmacun was the finest Turkish pizza my husband ever had. He ordered three of them! Each pizza was served on a large wood board with extra toppings on the side like lemon wedges, cilantro, and onions. They are so fine and thin that you can roll them up to eat. We had to put some of the last pizza aside for take out. I ate the takeout piece and was very impressed how delicious it was after being in the fridge overnight & re-heated. I loved the flavors of the Lahmacun and I don't even care for pizza that much. It is my most preferred pizza in my life ever next to the Crazy Ex in The Thirsty Goat in Clarksville, Tennessee. I ordered a Turkish dish with a rich and ancient history, Hunkar Begendi, or "Sultan's Delight." It dates back several centuries, and it was prepared for the sultans and high-ranking officials, and was served during special occasions and celebrations. The Hunkar Begendi had lamb and velvet soft eggplant with spices. I ordered it with a side of rice. It was very delicious and unique. Yet the Lahmacun despite its simplicity stole the show and cost 1/3 of the price of the Hunkar Begendi. For my beverage, I ordered The Elma. It has a stunning presentation in a smoke filled glass box. The Elma is a beverage with Bourbon, Peach liquor, vanilla maple, Apple butter,Lemon juice, and Apple cider. You have to watch the videos of how it is presented at the table. At the end of our dinner, they played happy birthday and surprised my husband with an ice cream and pumpkin dessert with a candle. So wonderful & heartfelt. It was a fascinating and flavorful dish. The pumpkin tasted like sweet potato & was different. This is a must see place for Turkish cuisine and the finest restaurant service. Prices are low to fair for such high quality food and service. Five Stars.

We're so excited to see a new restaurant in Old Town North! That space has been teasing a new…read morerestaurant for a while now, so it's awesome to see one stick! We went on opening night a few weeks ago and we had an awesome experience! You can tell everyone working in that restaurant is passionate about their food and service. We had the pide (vegetarian and meat), the hummus, and two other recommended dips. The food was delicious and the portions were generous. We will definitely be back to Narman!

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Narman Restaurant, Cafe & Bar - Grilled Octopus with Baby Veggies

Grilled Octopus with Baby Veggies

Narman Restaurant, Cafe & Bar - Prawns cooked in terracotta plate

Prawns cooked in terracotta plate

Narman Restaurant, Cafe & Bar - Mezze Platter

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Mezze Platter

Matt and Tony's All Day Kitchen Bar - Scotch Eggs

Matt and Tony's All Day Kitchen Bar

4.5(1.2k reviews)
4.5 mi•Del Ray
•$$

My sister and I came to Matt and Tony's for brunch with my toddler, and we had such a great…read moreexperience! We had reservations for 2 PM and were seated shortly after arriving. There was a little wait, but nothing long at all and definitely no complaints. My sister and I both ordered the steak and eggs, which came with potatoes and chimichurri sauce, and everything was absolutely delicious! The steak was flavorful, the entire meal was really good, and I would definitely order it again. For my toddler, we ordered the kids' waffle with fruit. My only small suggestion would be to offer a protein option with the kids' meal to make it a little more complete. It wasn't a big issue for us since I was able to share some of my food with him. The service was wonderful! Our server was quick, attentive, and made sure we had everything we needed. The restaurant itself is such a cute little spot with a nice atmosphere. Overall, great food, great service, and a really enjoyable brunch. I would definitely come back again!

Came by for the first time & was pleasantly surprised w the place. The service was great & they…read morehave a nice, modern, chill bar/resaturant vibe inside. They also have a patio area! I ordered: Bloody Mary -- 10/10 Vegan Breakfast Burrito -- 9/10 Dirty Shirley -- 7/10 They have an all day breakfast menu, which is pretty cool -- the chicken & waffles looked & smelled so good, so we may have to come back & try that next. They don't have many vegan options but the breakfast burrito is really good! It comes w potatoes, & mine came out oddly cold on the inside. The also have a happy hour menu but you have to go out of your way to ask for it.

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Matt and Tony's All Day Kitchen Bar - Matt and Tony's

Matt and Tony's

Matt and Tony's All Day Kitchen Bar - Rye Loaf with Spreads

Rye Loaf with Spreads

Matt and Tony's All Day Kitchen Bar - Steak & Eggs

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Steak & Eggs

Royal Restaurant

Royal Restaurant

3.7(623 reviews)
4.4 mi•Old Town Alexandria
•$$
Full bar
Large group friendly

It's crazy that I've driven past The Royal Restaurant so many times and never stopped in until now…read more From the moment we walked through the door, you could tell that everyone who works there is like family and genuinely enjoys what they do. We initially grabbed seats at the bar not realizing that the Halloween pop-up we came for was actually located on the patio. Even though we didn't have a reservation the staff was incredibly accommodating and happily escorted us to the cutest spooky-themed patio. The space was decked out with all things Halloween and created the perfect atmosphere for a fun night out. While we didn't get a chance to try any food items, we sampled several of the themed cocktails, and they definitely did not disappoint. Our favorite was the "Final Girl" a delicious blood orange margarita served in a blood bag that perfectly fit the Halloween vibe. If you're looking for a festive night out filled with creative cocktails, spooky décor, and a fun seasonal atmosphere, do yourself a favor and stop by The Royal Restaurant. You won't be disappointed!

Had a good experience here. Took my mom and we thoroughly enjoyed the ambience and the proximity to…read moreour hotel in Old Town, as well as the proximity to Alfred Street Baptist Church, and to the shops and restaurants on King Street. The service was attentive. There was a dinner rush. The Bar was packed. This place is clearly popular, and the food was savory and delicious. The Royal is a elevated, diner and definitely a crowd pleaser, good quality food, and within the same restaurant group as Adas on the river and palette22. They are clearly serving the community here. Would return, And would recommend Pictured in my photo are the following appetizers: SHRIMP & ROASTED PORK FRIED RICE G ROYAL SMASH SLIDERS STREET CORN DEVILED EGGS V G ROASTED CORN DEVILED EGGS V G Roasted Corn Deviled Eggs Not pictured: CRISPY SPAGHETTI CARBONARA FRITTERS

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Royal Restaurant
Royal Restaurant
Royal Restaurant

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El Fresco - mexican - Updated October 2026

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