We ordered the Flowers platter and two pupusas (our usual order.) We usually only go on fridays or sundays, never Saturdays (and never will on Saturdays.) This has to be the worst experience we've gotten out of the restaurants we usually go to (La Sierra's Grill in Calverton is good.) The Chile relleno had either very very little or no egg in it at all, the Chile wrap tasted like unseasoned seaweed and the Chile relleno itself was so greasy, it was uncomfortable to eat. The chicken taco's chicken meat was dry, the chicken enchilada was completely dry. The pupusas (beans and cheese) were good but they forgot to give us the cabbage and salsa. We've come here and ordered food to go only on Friday nights (they weren't as packed) but this is the first time we ordered food to go on a Saturday night. I called and they could barely hear me because there was too much sound in their background, so we went into the restaurant to order. The place was packed so maybe that's why the food was worse than usual. The floors were also really slippery for some reason. Not sure if they have a completely different cook on Saturdays but the food was really disappointing. If you're ever going to go eat in the restaurant or order food to go, go during lunch on Sunday's or order food to go on Friday nights. Saturday's are a complete no-go. This was by far, the worst experience we've had at any Salvadorian or Texmex restaurant in the whole area. It's such a shame because we've always had better service on days that they're not that packed. Their food is usually on point on the days we order food. But after this experience, we'll for sure think twice before ordering food here. read more

My coworker and I who work in the area wanted to go somewhere close by for happy hour and this place did not disappoint. Everything on the menu was priced well. They also have a special menu of different deals for happy hour. I was pleased to see a section for vegetarian options to choose from. I ordered the bean burrito and it was great. Complimentary chips and salsa were given before we got our food and drinks. We both ordered sangria ($5 during happy hour). Service was good and we were given our food quickly. I really like the atmosphere here, the restaurant had nice and inviting decor. As we were leaving around 7:00pm on a Thursday, there was a live band getting set up. Multiple employees came up to us asking how we were doing and it was a bit excessive. I think we were approached about six times, while twice would have been sufficient. However, this is hardly a complaint! Service was still great! My coworker and I agreed we would totally come back here again! read more

El Gavilan Restaurant - Bean burrito and sangria - Latin American Near Me - Silver Spring, Maryland

Food is delicious and generously portioned. I have frequented this establishment for years and seem to always arrive during the karaoke hour (perhaps it is every evening?). Music is quite loud, so if you are looking for a romantic evening, this would not be the place for you. I speak Spanish, so don't have trouble speaking to the waitstaff, but there is a definite seating segregation of the non-English and non-Spanish speakers. I was surprised the last time that I went that the food seemed pricier than it had been in the past - maybe the greater influx of "gringos" has something to do with it. Or perhaps it was the English menu that we were provided.... read more

Ate there 5/23/2021. Food was amazing. The shrimp are huge. The pupusas and tamal de elote were the best I have had. And the fajitas were excellent too! read more

This restaurant sucks! I went in there and I waited 1 and a half hours, and the food was not enough, they didn't add the food that was supposed to be in there, and the waiting was terrible! This is not worth it, and in the end they gave some stupid rose with a big stem and looked like they just picked it up outside or something. Don't come here, especially for mothers day read more

Went here today for lunch with a friend. Service was a little slow but the food was very good. Obviously made fresh. I had enchiladas, they were not drowned in sauce and cheese, just the right amount with guacamole in top. The beans had a bacon mixed in and were very good. read more

El Gavilan Restaurant - Enchiladas - Latin American Near Me - Silver Spring, Maryland

The food was amazing! The meat was seasoned very well and the fried ice cream was put together with care and thought.

Rockfish was cooked very well and the chicken Tamales were amazing. The only thing that would have made it better would be some sort of home made habanero salsa. read more

For a restaurant in our own neighborhood it took us awhile before we decided to eat here and boy do I regret it. This is one of the best kept jewels here in Silver Spring! Along Flower Avenue and Piney Branch, I pass by this location at least once a day and last night was the night we decided to have dinner here. The food was hot and the service was good as well. I really appreciate the waiter and host asking if we need anything during the time we were there. My wife and I ordered the Plato Macho Fajitas (pork ribs, shrimp, chicken & steak) and my son ordered the Taco Trio (chicken, ground beef & steak tacos) and it was delicious. The ribs had meat on the bones and we'll seasoned. The shrimp shell was not stuck to the meat from over cooking and the chicken and steak was tender. My son's taco was apparently good for he ate everything in 10 minutes flat! We had the house margaritas and they were very good. Next time we will walk to the restaurant versus driving so we can walk off some of the food. I will come back again soon. read more

Wonderful grilled meats. You can smell how awesome it is going to be before you even go inside. Great deals on steak, rice, bean and salad (under $15). The lunch specials are great and cheap. You can order items a la carte for kids which is great. Their chile relleno is not as good as El Golfo, nor are their enchiladas, but who wants those anyway when the fajitas and steaks are so tasty. We love the live music on the weekends. read more

I love this place, my family and I always go here for Birthdays or just to enjoy some delicious food together! Lol all of us always get "El Plato Gavilán". The service is great! read more

El Gavilan Restaurant - El Plato Gavilan - Latin American Near Me - Silver Spring, Maryland

This place is great! I've been a fan for years! The clientele has become more and more "gringo" over the last few years, but the food continues to be fresh and delicious. I'm a sucker for the platanos con crema y frijoles and the nachos el gavilan, but everything I've had here is good. I've always been able to eat my fill and then take some home for lunch the next day. The only downside is the live music; it tends to be overwhelming to any kind of normal conversation. read more

First time at El Gavilan and I enjoyed the experience. I had the chicken fajitas and my boyfriend had the beef tacos, both very good, however, the beans were the star of the plate. We will definitely make this our go to when we are in the mood for El Salvadorean food. read more

Great place! We live down the street and the food keeps us coming back. The yucca and chicharones and the platains are great appetizers. All the steaks are fantastic as well as the chicken. The flan was just okay but overall very friendly place with wonderful authentic food. read more

The Fajitas are generous and cheap. Try the shrimp brochette stuffed with hot pepper and wrapped in bacon. Service can be hard flag down after the food arrives, so be prepared to be a touch aggresive. read more

Best kept Tex-Mex secret in Silver Spring. Service was kind and food was great! Worth the trip.

I've been coming to this restaurant since i was a little kid. their food has IMHO decreased in their quality...i believe they sold the restaurant so idk if that has anything to do with it. but anyways. for appetizers we always get nachos gavilan, mixed with steak and chicken comes with cheese refried beans and guac salsa and cream. i like the steak more than chicken in general. their ceviche is OK, their drinks never tried other than soda, for main course we usually get the platter for two "macho" comes with a little bit of everything pork shrimp chicken steak accompanied with rice beans tortilla. last time I went there was a roach on the table. kind of grossed me out. read more

If you want to have an awesome time with family this is YOUR place!! I love the friendliness atmosphere and food is delicious! Our favorite time to go is the karaoke time which makes us dance and laugh. My most favorite place!! read more

Tex-Mex food served in a Salvadoran restaurant - with a Bolivian singer on weekends. What more could want. This is simply a great place in every respect. read more

I came here with my partner and it was really good. I give it 3 1/2 stars, since it was a good deal. The waitress was nice and attentive. Would come here again. read more

Amazing pupusas and curtido. Great crab and shrimp chimichangas... average everything else...the service was meh.

This place has yummy food and margaritas. Great price too.

An all time family favorite of ours! Their dishes come with a good potion of food at a decent price. I have had fajitas at many other restaurants but theirs always keep me coming back. Just watch out for the sizzling hot plate!! read more

I absolutely LOVE this place!! Have been coming for 7 plus years now! I always get the mix Fajitas, if you want awesome fajitas, this is the spot! Get the mix fajitas with chicken, steak and shrimp! they don't skim on food and the steak is soo juicy! Better than Uncle Julio's or Guapos. The music adds to the vibe.. Love it. Wait staff is good but could use a little more training. That's the only reason why I'm giving them a 4 star and not 5. read more

We had the grilled steak taco, the grilled shrimp and the veggie fajitas. It was all succulent. Our only regret was they ran out of fish tacos. Must come back. A real family place. read more

I love pupusas and El Gavilan does them right with great consistency and not greasy. Let me add that on Wednesdays, they have a Super Pupusa special for $11. The Super Pupusa is equivalent to about 9-10 individual pupusas and great for sharing with friends and family. Si, uno mas super pupusa, por favor!! Buen provencho!! read more

This place is amazing if you have 4 hours to kill and don't mind working up an appetite. As soon as we sat down we were presented with cardboard triangle cutouts and mild ketchup salsa. We had about 4 different waiters/waitresses throughout our Gavilan experience. My super fajitas weren't so super and missing the chicken, at least the pre mature shrimp were decently seasoned. The one star is for the DJ and karaoke entertainment. Kudos read more

Ribeye is delicious and well marinated. Great Latin atmosphere with live Karaoke. Good drinks and awesome birthday surprises. read more

El Gavilan Restaurant - Latin American Near Me - Silver Spring, Maryland

I get fajitas everywhere I go and a friend of mine heard about this place so we went to check it out. The combo fajitas had PLENTY of chicken,steak,baby shrimp and it was delicious. Prices are average Haven't really wandered to much on the menu but I'd say this place is very good read more

Food is bland but I only go for their taquitos. They use beans from a can. My dad confronted the waitress on why he was served with canned beans. She gave us this vacant look. The customer service is okay. Wait time for a seat is minimal read more

Split the platter that had shrimp, ribs, and fajitas that was supposed to be for two for three of us and it was still enough for some leftovers. The chicken fajitas were really delicious, especially with guacamole. The pico de gallo was nothing special. Service was a bit slow, but not really a problem. Will definitely be back for the fajitas and to try the pupusas. read more

Been here a few times now. The food is very tasty. I am a fan of getting a combination platter at most sit down Mexican restaurants I go to so of course I tried it here. Fantastic selections and perfectly cooked. The papusas are a delicious appetizer and could even be a meal in itself. Margaritas are great as well. The reason for the 3 stars is cause the service is often very slow. I've been in when it has been busy and when it has been nearly empty. Both times the service has been quite slow. Worth the wait but still slow. read more

I come here for the pupusas. The service is pleasant, never pushy, attentive, and they pretty much leave you alone because I hate going to restaurants where the servers hover over you. Margaritas are excellent and the music is always nice. All for decent prices. read more

Took a carry out. Yeah, I wouldn't again. I don't even know what else to say. Depressing-looking, depressing-tasting food.

I'm from Texas and I realize that many of these restaurants in the DMV do not have the Tex-Mex food I'm use to at home. However in my humble opinion the meal that I had last night was good. Last night was my first time visiting this place so I can only speak for one meal and the margaritas. When I walked in the hostess informed me of Taco Thursday, I picked the steak fajita taco platter. I think the price was $10.99 for the steak fajita taco platter but it would have been $7.99 if I got ground beef or shredded chicken. My platter came with three steak tacos, rice, beans, pico de gallo, and guacamole. I also had a pork and cheese pupsa before my meal came and that was okay. This place has same good margaritas also. I live in downtown Silver Spring so I will probably give this place another try again since I enjoyed my meal last night. One more thing, I had great customer service last night also. read more

This place is horrible. i don't recommend it at all. The food is cold and to top it off i found a hair in my food ! NASTY THING EVER!!!!!

Went here for the first time tonight. Got take out. Was great! Salsa is the best I've had in the area. Prompt and warm on a very cold night!

Terrible service. Waitress forgot to bring one of the side order & wrong drink. Upon letting her know that, was a big mistake, as I found out. Next drink came with something floating in it and still the side order MIA. Waited another 15 mins, she passed me atleast once, but no eye contact, no explanation. Finally had to get attention of another waiteress and ask for tha manager, who was nice enough and wanted to not charge us after listening, but we paid and left partially hungry.LEFT no tip OFCOURSE AND NEVER GOING THERE AGAIN. read more

El Gavilan Restaurant is a great place to eat. The food is mouth watering delicious and the Margarita's are to die for. You can take your date, friend or even your family. My family and I eat dinner there once a month. We've been going there for over 12 years. Yeah, the place can use a bit of sprucing up, but the food and service makes up for the appearance. My husband will be celebrating his 40th birthday party there this Saturday. We could have chosen someplace else, but we know what to expect at El Gavilan - great food and great service. read more

I have loved this restaurant for years, and I would be there all the time if my wife liked Mexican/Salvadoran food as much as I. I saw two reviews that complained of the noise level. I know what they mean, but if you avoid Friday and Saturday nights, or else go early for dinner before the music starts, you will like it much better. Best deal in my view has been the take-out lunches on weekdays. I always used to get lunch special #3 for just $4.95, including 1 taco, 1 enchilada, rice, re-fried beans and lettuce/tomato salad. Now that they raised the price for that to around $6.95, I order my lunch takeout from the regular menu, which I think starts at $9.95. I usually get two meals out of this, and it tastes great. read more