I was quite pleasantly surprised by El Golfo. The dining room was nicer than I expected and had a good ambiance. I don't have a lot of experience with Mexican food, but I found my shrimp fajitas to be quite yummy. I'll be back! read more

This is a good neighborhood restaurant. If you want any kind of stewed meats theirs are the best I have had. They have the BEST sweet corn tamales and chicken tamales I have had anywhere, with delish sour cream on the side. Chile rellenos here are tops as are their enchiladas. The tres leches cake is amazing and worth saving room for, slices are very large so plan on sharing. Service is always friendly and with a big smile. Wonderful place for families, low stress because it isn't crowded and they can always accomodate with no wait. read more

El Golfo is one of those places that you shouldn't judge by it's cover (because trust me it would make you run). If you can get past their questionable store front (and you should!), you'll find a neighborhood gem that is worth the trek every time. Good Latin food at cheap prices! We've had not so great service here in that it was slow but these meals are meant to be enjoyed! So sit back, relax and go ahead and have that fried egg on top of your steak. read more

We shared the daily special (steak and shrimp fajitas) and a cadillac margarita. The skirt/flank steak was delicious and tender, and the shrimp was cooked perfectly! Their chips are light and cripsy, but their salsa may need a little more body and spice. Ritas were delicious, but I would replace the mix with fresh squeezed lime and agave. EXCELLENT service! read more

Pretty good and cheap. Watch out for the waitress though. They will rip you off.

Yeah so, I mean I'm not a big fan of Mexican food don't get me wrong. But holy took me maybe 45 minutes to get my food. In fact I actually don't have it right now. Here I am maybe an hour into my time and haven't gotten my damn chips. They gave me maybe 2 ounces of coke, even that's a stretch. Couldn't find the salt until I realized it was in this weird container, that was impossible to extract from. I got up for service to go to the bar and couldn't find an employee. I mean there's like 3 people here where are my waiters? Anyway, I'll tell you when... or IF I ever get my food, how good it it .5/5? Also I'm on a school field trip with 50 people so‍ read more

Had the duck and green olives on Saturday. This food is amazing. The rice and beans by themselves are reason enough to go. This place is a bit pricier then most other places, but we'll worth it! read more

Although I have not been here recently, this place has great food. It also has a great atmosphere with entertainment on certain nights. I'd recommend this restaurant to any friends or family. Keep up the great work guys! read more

Had dinner last night and enjoyed it. The fajita meat was better than at some other places in Silver Spring. It's seasoned and they serve it as a slab so you cut it yourself. I really liked that. My friend had the vegetarian combo or something and liked it as well. We both had leftovers. Beers are cheap, too! I will go back. read more

Love love love this neighborhood mexican restaurant. The spinach enchiladas are my favorite and are total comfort food when I am totally exhausted. I love the salsa too. The restaurant owners are really active in the community and often support community fund-raising events (for local schools, etc.). read more

El Golfo is one of my favorite restaurants in DC metro. For about a year, I had the chicken fajitas once a week. They were consistently delicious. One might I was outside around closing and saw a spice vendor bringing loose spices for the next day. We struck up a conversation and it seems that they source all of the spices loose and fresh. I understand that everything is made from scratch and that would explain why the food is so good. How they keep it so cheap is their secret! Also, if you want a real treat GO TO WEDNESDAY NIGHT JAZZ! It is amazing that music this good is in the neighborhood! Work friendly(7-9); family friendly and wallet friendly. Treat yourself to an evening of authentic music and food! read more

This is definitely one of those "family friendly" places that might not appeal to the childless crowd, but the food is quite tasty, they don't care when your kids are kids, the margaritas are well-mixed, and there's ample parking in the lot next door. When we're going out to eat as a family, there's a pretty good chance this is where we end up. read more

El Golfo is our favorite neighborhood restaurant. The staff is exceptional and the food delicious. I highly recommend this restaurant.

Yum Yum Yum! I also really love their live music. This is a sweet place! Yes, they have vegan. read more

Outstanding food and service in a cozy neighborhood restaurant! Will definitely go back!

My husband loves the fajitas here, but I'm not a fan. The chicken burrito is good, but I am not a fan of their salsa. It's runny - basically just a tomato juice with a few pieces of onion and tomato in it. As mild as possible. There's a lot of pan-South American on this menu that I haven't tried and might be excellent for all I know. There's also a stage and dance floor in the back, which is typical of latin restaurants in Silver Spring. read more

So yeah, I keep on coming here regardless of my negative review because of my vegan SO. I know vegan hispanic food that isn't a bean burrito is hard to find, so I keep my comments in my pocket most of the time. Why I had to update my review was from last night's dinner. There was a mandatory 5 dollar cover for a washed up dad jam band; it was hard to hold a conversation and there was no way out of it. As if it wasn't bad enough, the "free margarita" from the cover was absolutely heinous. It was just pretty much a cup of neon green syrup. And this seems so counter intuitive to complain about this, but she was in such a hurry that she didn't even bother to card me which usually happens when you get mistaken for a high schooler 99% of the time. She didn't even bring water until I asked right when she was trying to dash off after dropping off these heinous margaritas. I used the water to water down the margarita which essentially made it into a glorified soft drink. What really put the nail in the coffin was the fact that it was uncomfortably hot here. Combined with the long wait for our check and the less than enjoyable music I was just begging to leave. I actually left the sad vegan SO to wait for the check so I can take a stroll through my favorite dollar store next door. Long story short, Is it really a wonder the only hispanics in here are the people working? The only reason to be here is if you're vegan and you are "supporting the band". If you want a good margarita and fajitas, go to El Aguila about 5 minutes away. It's loud over there, but the music is an appropriate mariachi band. read more

I love El Golfo! I go there several times a year but not quite once a month. Tacos al carbon (steak) are my favorite! I also love the hearty soups and carne asada platter. I love the margaritas and the service has always been excellent. This restaurant also does fundraisers for local schools, showing that they care about their neighborhood. read more

On a rainy afternoon went only for the caldo (soup). It was really good. Service was good.

my son's school had a fundraiser night there and I was pretty surprised. The tinted windows kept me thinking it was a divy place- maybe a lounge/bar but the service is really friendly and dining room is much brighter and more comfortable than I expected. Turned out to be a great family place. The food was okay- not spectacular but not bad. Son LOVED his mini burrito. I had the enchiladas which were pretty bland but well prepared. A lot of sauce on top- both red and green but they were so bland I never would have told the difference between the two. DH had chicken Durango- the sauce was an alarming shade of yellow but was good- It tasted almost like a chicken Marsala and came with some nicely steamed broccoli and white rice. The ceviche was reported to be great but I couldn't try it, as it had shellfish. I'm not sure what to make of the sopapillas... they were different than what I've had before and I didn't like them as much this time. The dough was very thin and I could taste the ship oil they used for frying through the honey, but they weren't bad. read more

I really, really do appreciate having this restaurant about a mile up the street from me! It's probably my favorite neighborhood restaurant so far. Ok, I will admit that my experience has been mostly limited to the chicken enchiladas: a relatively cheap meal (about $10) that has never failed to satisfy. Just about every meal here seems to come with rice and beans as well. Chips and salsa are a given for each order. (While the chips are fresh, thin and crispy, the salsa is a bit watery but flavorful.) I've also enjoyed the carne asada and tamales. But mostly I just stick to the enchiladas. They've become my Latin craving comfort food. The service here has always been good to me too. Ok, confession: I've only done take out! BUT, the staff here is warm and welcoming and have always taken care of me with a smile. I do plan on dining-in one of these days. El Golfo has a great happy hour deal with $3 appetizers that I've heard others rave about. (Can't beat mussels for $3!!!) In short, if you're craving Latin then I recommend trying this place out. read more

I used to live just a handleful of houses away from here and never went there. In 27 years. One day I finally said "I should try this place", and I was pleasantly surprised. Every person that's waited on me has been very nice. Portions are great sizes and you get your complimentary never-ending fresh nacho chips and salsa. Their Cadillac Margarita is good stuff! It's a surprising large restaurant and I've always been seated pretty quickly. I've had burritos, enchilada's, and a cuban-pork dish (the name is escaping me) but all have been delicious. Their ceviche is great too! read more

My recent visit to El Golfo was a 5-star experience! My wait for service wasn't bad this time. No one forgot the salsa and chips this time. I had a delicious, tender steak with merlot sauce (tasty), served with beans and rice and broccoli--and enough for a second meal the next day. My water glass was refilled promptly several times. I enjoyed the live music. And I even was provided with a bag to take some chips home. Everyone was very nice. read more

The food is great and the services is super goood value food price also it a great place to do karaoke

I love this place. The fajitas are always so good and you need to try out their brunch on Sundays. Their chips and salsa are more than enough reason to go. They also have Cuban night on Fridays with a live band. read more

The food is delicious here and there Margaritas are great. Nice place for lunch or dinner. I had the carne asada. It was good, very tasty. They have a good menu and free parking which is a plus. read more

I have been to many Mexican restaurants but this one is superb. The food is excellent although the service could be better. The food is so good I can understand why it's so crowded- which may explain the slower service. I have been here for musicians I know and have had dinner - which I have always enjoyed. I often order the same thing as it's so good. :-) Drinks are great too. Margaritas and sangria have been very yummy. This is my inexpensive Mexican choice for me. read more

I ordered tamales and flank steak and let me tell you so far is the best one i have! highly recommended it!

During a 13 Hour Robotics Day, these guys catered enough food for all of us, and we all loved it. It was warm, flavorful and easy to eat really quickly. They were very kind and courteous, providing us with everything we needed. read more

Love this place. Very family oriented. A little pricey but good food and great margaritas.

This place is a real gem! We dined here on 9-8-2012. I'm always a bit uneasy trying a place for the first time, but this place is great! White tablecloths, great food and our server couldn't have been any nicer or faster! Great Mexican food (I had the Puebla Platter) prices are very reasonable! read more

Try the fish tacos, they are awesome! (NB: I asked for a substitution of corn tortillas instead of the whole wheat -- a matter of taste of course). I eat here regularly. Food is always presented beautifully. The staff are authentically nice, not plastic phony smiles, just friendly and pleasant. I always feel at home here. I tend to not eat meat, mainly just fish, but I have to say the fish tacos just rocked. I went to a diner on Rockville Pike, popular place and all, but no comparison: El Golfo's version was infinitely better. read more

This is a neighborhood eatery. I don't stay for the jazz or other music events, but love to go here for dinner and even brunch. Loved: lomo saltado, caribbean platter, the black beans (though pinto aren't bad either) and their white rice (their Mexican rice is also good, but prefer the white), the spinach omelette (brunch), their mango smoothies and their 'ensalada' drink which is very fruity Others have loved the yuca con chicharrón, fish tacos, fajitas, enchiladas (cheese), nachos (I don't eat nachos) Didn't like the gambas al ajillo because I didn't know that they would be soaking. Nice ambiance, can get noisy some nights with parties and gatherings and getting a parking spot can be a drag, sometimes you are better off parking in the Giant and walking. read more

We have been coming here for more than 15 years, and have never been disappointed by anything on the menu. The folks are friendly, helpful, attentive, and the food is superb. Meats are marinated before grilling; seafood is not overcooked, but remains soft and flavorful. Platanos, pupusas, soups -- even fresh fruit and horchata are all freshly and skillfully prepared. Sopa de rez is a particular favorite, as it's a beef stock with corn on the cob, yuca, cabbage, and short ribs floating along with a slice of lemon. A large bowl of this is two meals for me. Awesome food! read more

I have been going here for 10 years and tonight was my last time. It has really gone downhill. - Syrupy sweet margaritas that used to be tangy - stupid cactus/bowl margarita glasses that are too thick to drink from when used to have normal goblets - thick chips that used to be thin - lazy cooked salsa when it used to be fresh - fajitas with shrimp - my go-to: shrimp still ok but too much spice; onions/peppers not sautéed but instead tossed raw on really hot serving skillet so burned/stuck on bottom and raw on top The fried tamales de elote (corn) in the appetizer platter were good but rest were meh. The guac, fresh salsa, sour cream, rice, beans, tortillas were still good. We haven't had the more complex dishes but with the decline in patronage I cannot imagine many of the ingredients were really fresh b.c they don't have the turnover of supplies. One other observation: few latin american/mexican patrons when they used to be the majority. read more

My favorite restaurant in the DC area: Easy (free) parking Great food-Great Caribbean Platter, Carne Asada, best chips in town... Great atmosphere-perfect for a couple or family Wonderful service that will treat you like family after a few visits Stuart & Laura read more

I came here with my husband, baby, and mother in law. My MiL had the salmon pacifico, which was waaaaaay too salty, as in, inedible. She sent it back and asked for plain salmon, no sauce. About 25 minutes later (the rest of us finished eating) she got a salmon with sauce, but no salt added. Now the sauce was good, but the salmon had been overcooked and was dry. I had the masitos de puerco which was slightly below average and had a long hair in it. My husband had the fajitas, which were delicious, he got a generous portion of shrimp and the seasoning on the chicken made the whole dish slightly sweet. We ended up getting a free margarita that my MiL and I split in apology for our crumby meal. If you know Spanish food, this place is not for you. read more

So I came to this restaurant because I purchase a gift certificate through restaurant.com and I was surprised on the service. The owner Toñio greeted us and got a table for six ready in seconds. Even with it being busy on a Sunday afternoon, they were able to get out food out quickly. I am vegetarian and they even had vegetarian and vegan dishes. The food was amazing and delicious. The pricing for the food was better than most latin restaurants and at the end the server was able to redeem our gift certificate so all in all an amazing lunch with the family thanks to El Golfo restaurant. If you plan to go here, get your taste buds ready and let them know i sent you haha. read more

Love it! We've gone twice in a short amount of time because the food and service are great. The mixed drinks are so good...mango daiquiri is frozen and almost like a smoothie...yum! read more

Pretty good service and food that got me to return the next week. Patio seating is opened although not much to look out at. Service never waivered even though we were outside. Lots of selections, including raw seafood and great drinks. To find nice authentic Latin food in the area, I am happy! read more