Came by for happy hour and had a great experience! The atmosphere was lively and fun, and the service was friendly and attentive throughout. We ordered the Salsa Macha-Honey Glazed Wings, Esquite Fries, Mexican Street Style Corn Off the Cob, and Chips & Salsa. Everything was delicious, the wings had the perfect sweet and spicy glaze, the esquite fries were packed with flavor, the street corn was creamy and satisfying, and the chips and salsa were a great starter. For drinks, we tried The Margarita, the Frozen Pineapple Margarita with Tajín, and the Pregame Shooter. All were refreshing, and the cocktails were definitely strong. Great food, strong drinks, awesome vibes, and excellent service. We'll definitely be back! read more

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I ordered the divorced chicken taquitos from their happy hour menu as a starter. The taquitos were okay, the chicken needed flavor a bit bland. I liked the two sauces and cream on top. I ordered the cucumber mint mocktail was perfect. Very refreshing. $8 Then I ordered their rib enchiladas $19 with a side of red rice $6. Three enchiladas came in a small plate with no side. I liked they were packed with meat but the red sauce tastes like can sauce? It was not flavorful or complemented the dish. The side of red rice was good, tasty. Service was a little delayed for the number of employees in restaurant. It was also not busy as it was a weekday. The ambiance is beautiful, very large indoor and outdoor seating. Tropical style Mexican theme. read more

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The perfect Mexican food spot! I've never had flat nachos before, but it makes so much sense because you get a little bit of everything in every bite. The traditional guacamole was amazing, and the kale salad added just the right amount of healthy to balance things out. For drinks, we had the frozen pineapple margarita and the spicy margarita both were delicious. I'll definitely be back! The service was fast, and I'm glad we went on a Sunday. We were able to get a large booth, and it wasn't overly crowded, which made for a really enjoyable experience. read more

El Presidente - Classic Guac Chicken Nachos Chopped Kale Salad - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

We ordered El Presidente to-go and I got the short rib enchilada. It was a good dish but I wish the size was larger, since it was priced like an entree. It is more of an appetizer, so I'd recommend ordering sides or another dish if you're hungry. read more

El Presidente - Short Rib Enchilada - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

My second time dining and sipping at El Presidente in DC's Union Market District and the second visit was even better than the first. El Presidente does an excellent job of delivering a modern take on Mexican cuisine. The caramelized pineapple is what makes the Frozen Pineapple Margarita tasty, with just the right kick. And as a nacho lover, their Nacho Macho is perfection. Served on a pizza tray, the presentation almost makes you think pizza is arriving at the table. But I actually love how everything is spread out so you can get a little bit of every flavor in one bite. The Blue Crab Tostado and Tuna Ceviche were both fresh, flavorful standouts. And the churros provided the perfect sweet ending to the meal. Last time I visited I also had the Tortilla Soup which was tasty and comforting. Beyond the food, the overall experience was wonderful. We sat at the bar, where I believe it was James who took great care of us. The decor is bright, lively, and festive, and on this visit we got to enjoy the open-air feel from the bar area. Definitely looking forward to returning for Happy Hour. Featured Dishes & Cocktails We Delighted In: Nacho Macho melted queso mixto, black beans, ranchera salsa, sour cream, pickled red onions, jalapeño Blue Crab Tostada jalapeño yuzu aioli, house chili blend, avocado, cilantro, watermelon radish Tuna Ceviche yellowfin tuna, coconut sauce, habanero, cucumber Tortilla Soup chicken, avocado, queso mixto, crema, crispy tortilla Churros chocolate, and raspberry sauces Frozen Pineapple Margarita tequila reposado, ancho reyes, chipotle, caramelized pineapple, lime Como La Flor old overholt rye, pajarote jengibre, st. elizabeth allspice dram, hibiscus, lime Mezcal Espresso Martini Thank you, El Presidente! I'll definitely be back. But don't just take my word for it. Check them out and experience the deliciousness for yourself. Mmmm... #BonAppetit! Cheers! Enjoy! read more

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We went to El Presidente to celebrate Father's Day and the food and drinks were amazing! I'd previously been alone and sat outside, but this time we sat inside and it was a vibe. The servers were on point on and the food was great. Instead of getting entrees, we just got the nacho mama to split and 3 apps: the Cucarachas, the guac, and the Caesar salad. Everything was delicious. For drinks, we got a margarita, a frozen pineapple margarita, and the legendary wolf spritzer. The best drink was the classic margarita, but all 3 were good. Highly recommend this spot for anyone looking for upscale Mexican food. read more

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The vibes of this place were so cute!! The decor was everything! I was obsessed with the painted windows on the wall. The service was super fast. It took no time after we ordered for our food to come out. I recommend to go at brunch time because the huevos rancheros was life changing! Like SO good!! I would come back just to eat them. read more

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The restaurant is very pretty, they have really nice outdoor seating as well as indoor seating. The tacos flavor was good and the taquitos were very savory. We went to happy hour so got the taquitos for a good deal; the tacos were more pricey than other places but it is worth a try. read more

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I love this place! It is definitely a NE gem. I've been here for multiple happy hours, a birthday as well as dinner! The restaurant's ambiance and design are cool. It reminds you of a vacation with the dim lighting, decor, and artwork! I really love sitting outside on the patio, even in the winter! Drinks: I've had the red bell pepper lemonade (made it sweet) and it's unique and refreshing! The margarita is a classic choice I love and I've had the frozen pineapple margarita (a FAVE!!). Food: My #1 go to is the El Presidente guacamole! It has crab on top of fresh guac and comes with chips. The chips aren't impressive but they're good. The guac with crab really is the main attraction. I like the wings too! We use the dipping sauce that comes on the side as well. The crab tostada is so good! My friend enjoys the hotdog every time he visits! The new item we tried was the taco slider with a jalepeno sauce, also very good! They kept asking for more! Service was quick, efficient and helpful especially for a happy hour! read more

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El Presidente is described as a neo-retro Mexican restaurant, and they have an extensive menu offering brunch, lunch, HH, as well as an all-day menu. We came here for Brunch, but also ordered some items off the all-day menu: +the Churro Waffle - with chocolate sauce +the Presidente Burger - a double patty topped with American, chipotle remoulade, pickled jalapenos, and onions +the Baja Duck Confit - 'peking-style' crispy skinned duck confit with hoisin and flour tortillas +the Nacho Macho - with queso, black beans, ranchera salsa, sour cream, pickled red onions, and jalapenos +a side of Papas Bravas - with morita aioli +and, a side of Fried Plantains - with crema The space is colorful and vibrant, and they have a nice open patio during the warmer weathers. The bar is a fun spot to grab a drink and some bites, too! Staff were friendly and attentive, and there were large groups dining in, so you can tell this place is pretty popular with the locals. +neo-retro Mexican eats +good for large groups read more

Went for lunch with a few coworkers. Food- we had the lunch special (super reasonable price too) we got an appetizer, two tacos, and sorbet/ ice cream. Alex told us her faves were Burria and carnitas. They did not disappoint. Well seasoned, flavorful and good portion size. Just enough. Vibes- the space is so well decorated and luscious. Both bright colors and an airy feel to the space. Flows well and so much to see. Service- we felt we'll take care of from the moment we walked in. Sat quickly, nice large table for our group of 5. Shoutout to Alex who knew the menu well and was very attentive. Wafers always filled. read more

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Came here for my birthday with a few girlfriends. The ambiance was beautiful, the service was quick and friendly and the food was yummy! We did have a cake and there's a $5 pp up charge for the cake.l just fyi. The drinks were yummy and the tacos were good. We did expect something to come with the tacos. While the tacos were yummy - just 3 tacos on a plate without any sides / salsa./ lettuce etc was a bit underwhelming, this wouldn't prevent me from coming back! The crab guac was yummy! read more

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

I totally understand the hype! Such a lovely experience; good customer service and the food was excellent. We had dinner in the beautiful dinning room with the burgundy velvet drapes with red floral murals. I recommend the nachos with perfect sweet spicy balance of jalapeño and red onions. Short Rib Enchiladas were delicious with Chihuahua cheese, pickled red onion, cilantro. Street corn pretty good! Spiced Strawberry margarita sweet and salty, very refreshing. Sgt. Pepper, very similar to the Strawberry margarita, but with a more intense flavor of the smoky mezcal. This spot is so interesting and the vibe, creative & romantic. I'm looking forward to coming back again and again! read more

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Such a vibe- beautiful restaurant in a very trendy area. My daughter decided to celebrate her 22nd birthday here, on the day of. Although she made a reservation for 7, we ended up being able to be sat earlier without a reservation (Wednesday evening). We had a great server who was able to give a rundown on popular dishes and drinks. He did well with serving us and those around us. We had my youngest child in the party (11) and the restaurant did have kid options, although the establishment was more so an adult vibe. The food was on the saltier side, but delicious. Absolutely order the guacamole (spicy for me!). I also ordered birria tacos. Although it wasn't on the menu, I enjoyed a spicy margarita with a tajin rim. Pricing was as expected. I loved it so much, I returned with a plus one on the following Saturday night. It was packed! The wait was a bit long for two-40+ minutes, but we were offered seats at the full service bar right away. The bartender was a gem- she was friendly and answered any questions we had. We had to special order due to allergies, and she was helpful in getting our orders right. Again, the food was a little on the saltier side, but I absolutely loved everything. I ordered carne asada tacos. Absolutely will return again when I'm on this side of town. read more

This restaurant is a total vibe! We started with mezcal martinis at the bar before getting seated. The food was fabulous, we did have a little mishap with a foreign item in the pico (cardboard). Aaron, the manager, took care of it very quickly. Our servers were kind and quick about getting things. One thing I do wish, they had water containers at the table so we didn't have to wait to ask for more water. I highly recommend the pitcher of marg! House marg was excellent and the food was amazing! read more

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Nice lively restaurant in a cute area. Happy hour seemed very festive. Food is good but not a lot for the price.

The vibe of this place felt like a Mexican eatery in south beach Miami. Service was quick and attentive. The staff were very knowledgeable about the menu and gave great recommendations. The fried fish was delicious and the carne asada tacos were some of the best I ever had but three tacos for $20 bucks is on the expensive side. read more

El Presidente - Snapper Chicharron - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Okkk WOW this place is amazing! The food and drinks are a 10/10. I couldn't believe how simple yet flavorful each menu item was. The server was quick, friendly, and knowledgeable about the menu items. This vibes are definitely more upscale than I'm used to, but I came dressed casually on a girl's night and it was just fine. I will keep dreaming about these enchiladas until the next time I'm in DC. read more

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El Presidente knows exactly how to look the part. Whether it delivers on the substance behind the style is a more complicated answer. El Presidente is a festive, neo-retro Mexican eatery anchored inside DC's Union Market District, built around the theater of going out. And the theater is real -- the interiors are dramatic, intentional, and genuinely photogenic. We arrived with a reservation, were checked in with minimal wait, and were seated smoothly. The front-of-house experience was efficient and the waiter was personable throughout. I was craving a frozen piña colada and asked the waiter specifically about coconut flavor before ordering. He recommended the Piña Piña, which arrived in a festive shark cup -- a fun, unexpected touch that set an optimistic tone. Unfortunately the drink itself didn't follow through. Rum was the dominant note by a wide margin, with pineapple running a distant second. Coconut was essentially absent. When the waiter returned and I mentioned the disappointment, he offered to swap it out -- a gracious move that I appreciated even though I declined. The spirit was right; the execution from the bar wasn't. We ordered the classic guacamole, the tuna ceviche, and the cucarachas as starters. The classic guac was the clear standout -- well-seasoned, balanced, and exactly what a guacamole should be. The ceviche featured an interesting white coconut sauce that was visually striking and genuinely curious in flavor, though it didn't fully cohere for our table. The tacos were our main event across the three of us, and while they were fine, nothing about them demanded a return visit. For a restaurant billing itself on heirloom ingredients and regional Mexican technique, the tacos felt underwhelming against the ambition of the concept. The noise level was the other significant issue. The room was loud to the point where conversation with friends sitting directly next to me required real effort. That level of ambient noise at dinner crosses from energetic into fatiguing -- and for a restaurant leaning heavily into the experience side of dining, the acoustic experience actively works against it. El Presidente markets itself around the theater of going out, and that framing is honest -- the decor investment is visible everywhere. But a beautiful room only carries so much weight when the food doesn't match the price point or the ambition behind it. The guacamole and the waiter's attentiveness are genuine positives. The cocktail execution and the overall food quality need to close the gap with the aesthetic before this becomes a restaurant worth returning to. read more

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This restaurant is vibrant and loud. It's full of character and probably not for the hard of hearing. I went with a larger party and we were provided a large table that was very comfort table. I ordered the chips and salsa and the dirty veggie tacos. I provided a pic of the outside and inside of the tacos for reference. I thought they were good. The vegetables were charred and crispy, and the cool cream and avocado slices that accompanied complimented perfectly. For those that are thinking this will be a traditional taco-it's not, but it's delicious. My friend ordered the plantains and enjoyed them. Our service was great, they checked on us the right amount of times and glasses were never empty and an empty plate never sat too long. I had a really great time and would definitely go back. I saw they had a happy hour and a very nice patio, both which would be so fun when the weather turns nice again. read more

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The food here is SO good! I absolutely love the vibe inside too! The decor is cute, funky, & eclectic. Great lunch spot after walking around Union Market. Our server was very kind and attentive. They give all the dads little presents for father's day which was a nice touch. read more

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I was surprised by my visit to El Presidente! I was expecting it to be less than authentic food with minimal flavor and I was absolutely incorrect! At our server Eduardo's direction four of us ordered the enchiladas suizas and they were soooo tasty! He also let us know that the portion was not huge so recommended we also order a side. I ordered the rice and was glad I did. The enchilada order comes with three enchiladas but it is true, you may want a little something else to eat too. We'd also ordered both the regular and the spicy guac and both were tasty and gone quickly. I enjoyed the guac and even the chips were perfectly salty and tasty. I enjoyed my food and also the vibe and atmosphere of the restaurant. It was not incredibly lit up, but instead dark and moody. But not too dark that you'd need a flashlight to see the menu. This time I went to celebrate a friend passing the bar exam and I'd go back again with my friends or on a date. Thank you Eduardo and El Presidente for a delicious night out! read more

El Presidente - Enchiladas suizas, short rib enchiladas, guac, rice, beans, and a salad - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Excellent service and a nice atmosphere, food was good, however some of the portions were pretty small for the money. Our waitress was super helpful and offered solid choices when asked. read more

The atmosphere and the service was fantastic. All the servers were very attentive and warm; it felt very community like . We went for the 20$ lunch special which included one appetizer, one entree and one dessert. Appetizer - Tortilla Soup (4/5) Pretty decent , wish it was spicy though! Entree - Chicken Taco and Birria Taco (3/5) I wouldn't say it's anything to rave about but it wasn't bad. Pretty decent again. Dessert - Mamey Ice Cream (4.5/5) Really good dessert. It was our first time having mamey and it reminded me of a papaya fruit. Super creamy and yummy. I'd go back here to try their other menu options . The happy hour looks pretty awesome. The lunch special reminds of the saying "you pay for what you get"! read more

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Tuna ceviche was bad so bland and the coconut was over powering and 23 for slivers of fish is kinda crazy (also should not be called ceviche if anything tuna carpaccio, but should really be removed). Beef birria was mid, so bland, kinda dry even with the consome. The queso was good very oily but good. The ambiance and service is alright. My friends enjoyed their tacos though (minus the birria). read more

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

The food was AMAZINGG!!! My only negative is wanting larger portions for what you pay for. The quality, ambience, and service were top notch. We didn't book a reservation, but we were lucky enough to get a seat! They have a bar and happy hour. The bar seating is first come first serve. We ordered a mango frozen pineapple cocktail drink and a cucumber mint cooler (mocktails). The mango one was delicious but we could literally finish it in four sips. The glass was soooo small and the price was $15. Short rib enchiladas 8/10 Birria taco 9/10 Nacho mama 9/10 Chicken nachos 9/10 Overall we definitely have to come back!!! It's been a while since it's pricey but I really enjoyed the food. Great for special occasions and large groups. read more

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Drinks - amazing Atmosphere- amazing Service - amazing Food - amazing What more can you ask for.....hmmm maybe to bring my dogs along...just kidding! Truly though they have pulled out all the stops. I would suggest if you're are going with a large party or during brunch make sure to make a reservation as it may take a while to get seated. They have an outdoor patio that you can sit at during the spring and summer months. There is also a bar, but it's not that big, so it may take a while to find a seat. I have tried several drinks and food options here and haven't had a compliant yet. They do also cater to folks that have food allergies. If you want to have a birthday here, they will have a little surprise for you..just let your waiter know. All in all it is definitely a place to stop in and go!! read more

This place has such a fun vibe. The decor is eclectic especially around the bar. The staff was extremely nice and provided us with all the extras we asked of. The drink menu is great and makes it so hard to choose. I had the Tranquilo Papi and my husband had the Oaxaca Old Fashioned both were good. Our friend had a seasonal drink the Yuzu Honey Margarita which she also very much enjoyed. We ordered queso fundido, tacos de mahi mahi, carne asada and filet sonoran and all were quite tasty. For dessert, we ordered the churros and tres leches. I really enjoyed the churros especially the little chocolate to dip it in (tasted like abuelita). read more

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Their torta is a perfectly fried chicken milanesa and includes queso, a black bean spread, pickled jalapenos, avocado and cabbage I HAD to get their delish, although small, horchata, and also so glad I tried their chips and salsa trio Their food is always amazing, but be prepared it's a bit pricey and busy here! read more

El Presidente - Chips & Salsa - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Service was great ! Quick, always at the table right before the last sip of a margarita. Ambiance is quite fun. Plenty of outdoor seating, bar seating, and a back room wi the booths and tables. Happy hour menu is available M-F at the bar AND back room! It's really fun from an aesthetic perspective. And it wasn't too loud - could easily hear everyone at the table. The food and drinks were ok. The food did not wow anyone - it was fine, but not impressive ( is could eat there again but would most likely try somewhere else before going back). We mostly ordered the happy hour menu and then I got the vegetarian tacos. No free chips here. read more

El Presidente - Mushroom tacos - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Just adding another review to bolster my first. Great experience on a Friday evening with a group of 9. They handled the larger party seamlessly. Water refills were constant and service was prompt. Everyone liked the food a lot. I had queso again and it was amazing again. Their queso is essentially melted cheese with mushrooms (option to add chorizo) and it's crazy good. I also tried the dirty veggie tacos. They were unique and I enjoyed the flavors. Neither of those items were super spicy. I was told the spicy guac IS legit spicy! read more

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Wonderful patio happy hour. Great prices on margaritas and snacks. The frozen pineapple margarita was refreshing on a warmer day. read more

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Good food and happening location. Sat outside on the covered patio which allowed for plenty of people watching and enjoying the end of summer weather. Ordered the classic guacamole that came with fresh thick tortilla chips. We also asked if they had vegetables instead of chips and they gave us a really nice plate that included carrots, cucumbers, red peppers and celery. We also had an order of the charred broccoli, which we would get again. The enchiladas were also good and filling. read more

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Really enjoyed my meal here! It's really quite large could fit a number of parties had a great huge bar area that they open out into a patio during the summer. They go above and beyond with decor! So it's quite fun to be there and there was another darker, sultry red room in the back, but we sat in the open front section. Tables for two were a little small as you can tell from the picture of the spread though we only got two meals and a guac app. The rice to me was really delicious and loved the shrimp Al carbon and how much avocado they give you they're not stingy. Tuna ceviche - I wasn't really a fan of. It's quite light and creamy crudo style instead of ceviche and couldn't nail down the taste. I prefer an acidic ceviche with a little bite and salt. Service was top notch ! Fast refills, check-ins really friendly and helpful! Was quite impressed with the speed and attention! read more

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First time at El Presidente and it did not disappoint--and also my first time at a Latin restaurant not ordering traditional dishes. The fried red snapper was amazing, seasoned to perfection, with half filleted and half bone-in. The sweet plantains were crispy and exactly how they should be. Staff was consistently pleasant. Great first experience. read more

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

Decent food, but nothing exceptional. Would recommend the huevos rancheros if you're eating here during brunch. Portions are good, big enough to not be filling but satisfied. As with the price, service is phenomenal. When this place first opened, there was massive hype given the beautiful and quirky interior with bold colored rooms and a fun tropical vibe. I will say that the restaurant is quite fun and on weekends and evenings, it can be quite busy, so make a reservation then. read more

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All staff encounters were very welcoming. The weather was nice so our party of 2 sat in the outside bar area. Tiahna was our server who provided excellent service as well as recommendations. read more

It's a fun place, great outdoor seating, and the bar area is striking with pale green walls and raspberry velvet barstools and banquets. So pretty. So were the drinks. Loved the Wolfe Blitzers, a bit smoky from the mezcal. We split the guacamole, Baja tuna tostada (sticky and delicious), mahi mahi tacos, and the filet tacos. The guacamole needed a bit of salt and heat but everything was delicious. It's a pretty casual crowd of neighborhood twenty somethings, tourists, and folks from Md and Va. we will definitely go back! read more

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First time review So I've heard a lot of great things about this place and finally had a chance to experience it all. Service: if you sit outdoors by the bar area, you'll have to order your food by the bar and someone brings it to the table for you. I should add that the tables are first come, first serve, in this area so expect a wait. You can of course, get seating in another area by seeing the hostess inside. Ambiance: there were a lot of people there and the crowd was a mix of tourists and locals. Both groups out to enjoy a good time and a good time it was! The decor in the restaurant is absolutely stunning and it felt very regal. Service: as mentioned, you have to order by the bar so our food came out in good time as did our drinks. We only had to get our own utensils and that slowed things down a bit. Drinks: I ordered the Wolf Spritzer, a perfect summer drink for anyone desiring to cool down and not have heavy liquor. The flavors were perfectly paired and I especially enjoyed the slice of grapefruit added. All members of my party enjoyed their drinks as well. Food: we didn't order entrees because we wanted to grab drinks so instead, we ordered appetizers. That said, the roasted chicken quesadilla was DIVINE! The corn shell was a perfect compliment to the well seasoned chicken inside. To explain the experience I was having, the plate filled up with juices upon every cut that I made in the dish-a sign of juicy chicken. To top things off, I added some guacamole and sour cream to each bite and was sure glad that I did. This dish is shareable so note that you can order 1-2 for a small party. Next, we tried their spicy guacamole...FRESH AND DELICIOUS! Their chefs win for flavor combinations because everything was so gooooooooood. Are they good for groups? YES, but make reservations. You can also simply enjoy a romantic date or time with coworkers-it welcomes all. Is it cost affordable? Oh yes! We paid under $70 for a party of 3.... Do they offer happy hour? Yes! I heard that it's a must try. Please do yourself a favor and check them out. You will not be disappointed at all. read more

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Service is hit or miss, but I'm really a fan of their happy hour here. It's always packed too, so I advise you to get here early. Happy hour starts at 3:00. The margaritas are pre-made, which I usually don't like, but they're typically pretty strong and tart here, without being too sweet. My personal favorite is the sparkling margarita, which is their house nargarita topped with cava. The cava makes it a little boozier and a tad less sweet. It's only a dollar more and only offered during happy hour. The nachos here are the best in DC, and I love that you can get them made with chicken for the same price as the chorizo. They're massive and enough to share, but I sometimes order it on my own and it heats up well in the air fryer. Every single chip is covered in toppings. I got the chicken torta for lunch once, but unfortunately the chicken was bland and undercooked. Service seems to be really slow, even when it's not busy. Some bartenders are better than others. read more

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