Great, great, great service. The food is great too. This place was the first time I had/ or had heard of poblano sauce or a pupusa. I grew up a block away, but spent my early childhood in Miami. I love a chicken poblanp with lots and lots of the fried plantains/maduro. Lots of options in terms of portion size if you want to meet up with girlfriends during a busy workday. Tamarindo also has humorous hats and Tshirts. Great bar, and great indoor ambiance. Eating outside is also great. Even if it's windy, fellow diners will help put plates on top of the tent flap to keep it from hitting you in the face. If you're in range of said flap My friends and I eat outside, mostly because we are loud. There is a very substantial tent covering for the outdoor seating, and the service is just as good if not better Enjoy read more

My main notes: -chips and salsa should be free -it was really freezing in here -awesome window to people watch in ad mo -good portions -yum horchata read more

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My husband and I have been getting pupusas from here at least once every two months, and we've never had an issue. In fact, this is my favorite pupuseria because they have the chicken and cheese pupusas that I love! Unfortunately, our experience this past weekend was really disappointing. The cabbage slaw was SO salty. I honestly couldn't believe it. How does something like that get sold without anyone tasting it first? I called to complain and was given an apology, which I appreciate, but they didn't offer to remake the pupusas that had already been covered in the overly salty slaw. I said I could come back the next day to pick up more slaw, but honestly, by that point I didn't even want it. I really hope they do better because I genuinely love this place and hate to have a bad experience. But when something is clearly off, especially something that affects the whole meal, I think it should be addressed a little better. read more

I had an overall decent experience. However, I think that I will have to give El Tamarindo once FIFA World Cup 2026 fever dies down because I think the service team was a bit swapped by the number of customers. Since the restaurant was (understandably) a bit loud because of a soccer/futbol game, I had a couple of small bites that included chips & salsa and a Revuelta (pork & cheese) pupusa, and I washed it down with a Pacifico. Overall, I thought my food was decent and the bartender was very nice. Looking forward to visiting again and trying some other things on the menu. read more

El Tamarindo - Chips & salsa - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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We got the nachos to start, with vegan cheese. This is a great place to go if you're dairy free but craving something cheesy. Not a ton of toppings but still satisfying. The combinacion guanaca is a good option to try a little bit of everything. I chose a papusa with vegan cheese and chicken tamal. I was able to take home some of my entree as I was pretty full after the nachos. The restaurant quickly became packed as we had our meal between new tables being seated and customers waiting for take out orders. Service can be a bit slow but all of the servers were kind and the manager stopped by to ensure we were enjoying our dinner. read more

We came here over the Memorial Day weekend because we had not yet tried their famous fajitas or pollo al cilantro. I actually ended-up getting the chicken enchilada platter that included cheese, mole sauce, and a side of platanos. My better half ordered the steak fajita platter and it came with rice, refried beans, and several tortillas. They also provided us with side orders of sour cream and guacamole sauce. The food was about authentic El Salvadorean as you can get. I did not taste any type of artificial flavors, and the tortillas were still soft and fresh. There are two side to the place. One part is the bar area, and the main dining area is on the other side. The ambiance was also ery welcoming. read more

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

The empanadas are flavorful, full of filling with a nice crisp crust. The portions of the meals are good. The tamale platter went over fairly well having a good flavor even the cabbage has a little vest and bite. The menu feels like a standard Mexican restaurant instead of Peruvian. There is a small sampler section of Peruvian items you can try, which might work well to taste numerous things instead of one meal. The venue has a good amount of space and can host groups but it can be tough on popular nights/times. The service was fine and decent ambiance read more

El Tamarindo - Tamale platter with Papua, plantains, slaw and rice - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Just.....wow In preparation for nice evening out, my wife and I decided to have a quick meal and afternoon cocktail at El Tamarindo. When we arrived, we were treated with a cozy Latin feel that reminded us of our home state of Texas. The music, coupled with the decor of the restaurant made us feel comfortable and laid back. Our amazing waitress Sonia directed us to the open seating options which was easy for us as we often will find spots at the bar when available. After a quick glance over the menu we settled on an appetizer of chips and salsa, coupled with an order of the beef and chicken taquitos. Each and every bite was just delicious! The meats were perfectly cooked, seasoned, and made us want more and more. For cocktails, we chose the house signature 1982 and the El Tamarindo (classic). Both were so far above what we had expected. Bustling with flavor and served beautifully. Such a perfect beverage for a delicious plate. For dessert, we chose the coconut flan which was the ultimate closer and an absolute MUST for anyone looking for a light and sweet option. All in all, if you are looking for a dinning options that absolutely delivers, this is your place. Outstanding food, great drinks, and it does not break the bank. 10/10. All around great! read more

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I went to make pupusas. This event is usually sold out and I know why. It's very well organized. Everything was laid out before you got there. There might've been about 40 or 50 people that were there to learn how to make pupusa. They just need a little microphone so that we could hear all the instructions but since I was next-door to the owner, anna I was able to hear and see everything that she was doing. read more

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I've been to El Tamarindo before and even tho this is the 2nd time every experience gets better. seems like they have added a cafe menu which is really great! i ordered the elote salad which was super fresh i would say it's more of a corn salad then elote cup i also ordered the Chorizo plate which was delicious the chorizo was smokey. i ordered the mango ginger beer mule and added vodka iykyk and that was also really fresh. basil garnish was fresh too extra ++ we sat outside service was slow but the food was great. i wish i tired the horchata latte hopefully next time! read more

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They were very busy on a Friday night so we were a bit delayed in seating, but nothing crazy. We got drinks and their 1982 sampler which was tasty and a good deal. Got to try a lot of items in this. Then we ordered pupusas and a chicken fajita. Both were good but could use more flavor. The ambiance is a bit loud and the service overall is slow so just keep that in mind. I lean on ordering drinks, appetizers, and pupusas if trying this place. read more

One of my worst dining experiences of 2026. I had messaged them on social media in April about booking for Cinco de Mayo since it was on a Tuesday, and they confirmed they would be offering taco Tuesday specials so we decided to book with them over more traditional Mexican restaurants. Lo and behold the evening before they post on instagram they are instead doing a limited menu with raised prices, they delete that post, and then the next morning they have an even more expensive menu. Incredibly shady business practice, but it was too late to book anywhere else. Once we arrived, the issues continued. Water was served in disposable plastic cups at room temperature and was only once refilled. Not everyone at our table even got water. They ran out of silverware too and only offered disposables. Margaritas took about 45 minutes to come, way after our meal had been served. We had to ask about drinks multiple times. Food wasn't labeled and we had vegetarians at our table so it should have been explained what everything was. The guacamole at $17 was pretty awful so we didn't finish it. Everything else was mediocre. Our server literally disappeared the entire night and we had to ask for the check three separate times. Even with a limited menu, they couldn't handle it. I don't blame the servers, but management clearly needs some work and needs to communicate with the social media team. All ten of us will not return, just what an embarrassment. read more

The pupusas were incredible and I'd certainly return. Thankful that this spot is so available, affordable and hospitable. The staff were incredibly nice and open to my jokes. It was plenty of space available for seating. Open to small or large groups. read more

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El Tamarindo was an absolute hit. We came for lunch and had such a great time with the girls. The elote came with a green cilantro sauce instead of the traditional style, and let me tell you; it was the best thing I've ever eaten. I'm still thinking about it. The pupusas were served hot and fresh. I tried both the chorizo and beef, and they were packed with flavor. For Taco Tuesday, we got the taco deal with a carafe, which was such a steal. Three tacos and drinks? Can't beat it. The birria cheesy taco was hands down my favorite. Rich, cheesy, and so satisfying. Every bite was delicious. I would 100% come back. Great food, great deals, and a fun vibe all around. read more

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100% 5 stars. I wouldn't sit at the bar, as the service is just too slow. But the food is outstanding and I am in love with their papusas! They have a vegan and non-vegan menu u with plenty of options!! We got the nachos with vegan cheese and no sour cream and my meat-eating husband said they were the best nachos he's ever had! I love the combination platter, also made vegan with double beans, a vegan papusa, and corn tamale! My husband at this point will only order the papausa loca, which is basically a giant papusa with everything in it! Which a cool place and so delicious, my husband asked to go back only 3 days after our first visit. What a find! read more

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Wow some of the beat tamales and pupusas around. The tamale was light and fluffy with a good portion of shredded chicken. You can mix and match the pupusas i recommend the bean and cheese and chorizo ones to try. Staff if very nice and friendly she sat me at the bar and made recommendations. The red sangria hits with a punch! Overall great drinks and spirit program to complement delicious food! read more

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We arrived at El Tamarindo around 10:30 pm and placed our order at approximately 10:47 pm. At the time of our visit, the restaurant was completely empty, aside from me and my girlfriend, as shown in the attached photo. We ordered the Trio Dip as an appetizer, along with mimosas and a La Clásica Margarita. The drinks and appetizer were good and arrived without issue. For our main courses, we ordered the Chimichangas with grilled chicken and the Especial Intipuca (medium), served with tortillas. Unfortunately, the handling of our main course order was unacceptable. By 11:54 pm, we still had not received our food. After following up, we were informed that our server failed to send our order to the kitchen and had already gone off duty, with no communication or handoff to other staff. Our food finally arrived well over an hour after ordering. The grilled chicken was good, but the steak in the Especial Intipuca was overcooked and dry. Additionally, the chorizo was excessively salty and overpowered the dish. Given the extended wait, these execution issues were particularly disappointing. While the drinks and appetizer were enjoyable, the prolonged delay, lack of communication, and inconsistent food quality, especially in an empty restaurant, reflect a serious breakdown in service and management. read more

I was visiting the area and walked into this lil gem. We ordered the sampler platter and were so glad that every single item was great. The pupusas were legit as were the empanadas- very yummy! Seemed like a popular place read more

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I chose this restaurant with a few friends after hearing about it on social media. We were all in the area after a concert and decided to give it a try. They have outdoor seating however, we sat inside. We were immediately served and ordered a few drinks. The food was good however, everything was different temperatures between warm and hot. The server was able to heat my food up after request. We had a great time. Street parking is available. Will return if in the area. read more

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The pupusas and yuca are so great. the service is very friendly and also very slow so this is the place for a relaxed slow meal with friends and family where you're not wanting anything quickly. I'm a fan of the relaxed nature of el tamarindo and they've got a yummy breakfast too with delicious fried plantains. read more

The staff at El Tamarindo are well trained, friendly and the ambiance has all the vibes. The pupusas are delicious and their pupusa making events are always a great time. I've eaten here many times, and a review is overdue. Highly recommended! read more

I came here for an impromptu sunday brunch and it was a great place to walk in, no reservations needed and wasn't super packed. The server was really nice and knowledgeable. I tried the Horchata latte which was a nice treat as well as the Breakfast Pupusas. It was a really good portion and very tasty. My partner tried the same, she only had one hiccup which on of the pupusa fillings being wrong but aside from that we both enjoyed it. Overall, I would recommend this place for good music, good pupusas, and just a chill vibe when you may be looking to go out to eat without having to make a reservation or participate in bottomless drinks etc. read more

El Tamarindo - Breakfast Pupusa - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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#Nationalpupusaday2024 is on November 10th. Why not celebrate with a spot I grew up on!! They got pupusa making workshops on Nov. 6th & 7th, and are doing it up on the 10th. Go here @mvp_productionsdc for more details!! . Where I am: @eltamarindodc . Location Reviewed: 1785Florida Ave., N.W. Washington D.C. . Menu Includes: *See Website* https://www.eltamarindodc.com/ . Items Reviewed: *All pupusas come with a pickled cabbage, carrot, & a carrot slaw, & El Tamarindo's special sauce* Their Loroco Con Queso & Cheese Pupusa's one (with cheese only, & the other with an edible flower, & cheese $3.99 each). STAMP!! Flavorful, cheesy, & fresh!! Their Sampler Platter (with a bean cheese, pork, chorizo, & chicken pupusa, elote street corn, & Yucca with chicharron $29.99). STAMP the whole platter!! Perfectly slathered corn, buttery Yucca, tender fried pork, & the BEST pupusas you're going to find in D.C.!! Yep...I said it!! The Tex Fajitas (with steak, shrimp, chicken, red, & green peppers, onions, rice, sour cream, red, & green sauces, pico de gallo, tortillas, & beans $24.99). STAMP!! Just very well seasoned!! GET THIS!! Their Mangonada Slushy ($10.25). STAMP!! Cold, sweet with a tip of heat, & a salt balance!! Their Brisa Tropi (a pineapple rum infused cocktail $15). STAMP!! Strong, mildly sweet, & tropical!! . Online Navigation: Easy . Parking: ROUGH! . Music: YouTube-Backyard Band Pocket . Recommendations: Get the pupusas!! . Accessibility: It's wheelchair friendly, & it's differently abled persons friendly. #Bigschlimsreviews #nationalpupusaday2024 #ELTamnationlpupusaday 5 Stars=STAMP 4 1/2 Stars=LIKE THAT 4 Stars=DELICIOUS 3 Stars=DECENT 2 Stars=PASS 1 Star=NAH #Bigschlimsreviews read more

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I was excited to try El Tamarindo given their extensive menu and affordable combo meals. Taco Tuesday offers great deals on tacos and carafes. The tacos are dressed with lettuce, pico, sour cream, and shredded cheese-- not my preferred style, but the wide variety of protein options makes up for it. I started with a frozen lime margarita, which had a solid kick, balanced fruit flavor, and wasn't overly sweet. The mango version was sweeter--great for those who prefer it that way. We also ordered the guacamole dip, which was supposed to feature corn and chile, but the standout flavor was the queso fresco, which seemed mixed in, giving it a thick, rich texture. For mains, I tried the beef empanadas and two pupusas (pork & cheese, and chicken & cheese). The pupusas were satisfying, though I prefer a bit more char for texture. The beef empanadas were the highlight--crispy shell, flavorful moist beef with finely chopped potatoes and carrots, paired with a creamy green sauce that brought it all together beautifully. I'd highly recommend them. Looking forward to coming back to explore more of their specialty dishes for a deeper taste of El Salvador. read more

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Great experience 3 papusas and a beer. Service was great and we sat outside which was perfect for the warm evening. I got the Jalapeno cheese, chorizo, and pork and cheese. Jalapeño cheese was nice and spicy and paired well with the sauce and slaw. Had the perfect mix. Chorizo was my favorite the chorizo tasted great spicy and a perfect balance to the rich cheese. Pork was great too it was nice and flavorful and tender. Paired well with the rich cheese. read more

Solid brunch spot! Faves were the breakfast quesadilla, platanos fritos, and the pork and cheese pupusas. I wish service was a little faster (I think for our last course there was a mix up with our order of pupusas; not sure if the order wasn't put in at all or just incorrectly at first since we got 3 bean and cheese and 4 pork and cheese) and more attentive with giving us water but our server was nice and funny. read more

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It was a Friday night and we didn't have reservations. We wanted to try something different and El Salvadorian seemed like a good choice. We were seated right away but it took a while to order our food. The food was ok. Maybe they were having an off night. I'd go back again to check it out. Sometimes servers can get behind. This was an unusually slow service night. read more

This isn't a fancy place but they offer good service, good food, and a reasonable price. They do what they do well. My group of 9 had intended to sit outdoors but the weather forecast was very bad and they were kind enough to accommodate moving us indoors. The pupusas are kind of their main special thing. A number of us had those and enjoyed. I personally can recommend the spinach/cheeese and zucchini/cheese ones. I also enjoyed the chicken tamal greatly. The corn outside is soft and a little sweet and the inside has tender shredded chicken . The pina colada was quite tasty!!! I do recommend! They were very kind in splitting up checks for us as well. read more

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Stopped in for a Sunday brunch. The place was empty which was fine with me. The restaurant is nice not overly large but spacious enough. We ordered chips and salsa. The salsa was very thin with chunks of veggies and very light on spice, but it wasn't bad. Next were shrimp fajitas that looked and smelled really good. The flavors was mild which is the way my wife likes it. You get 7 medium shrimp with the dish. My daughter got the shrimp enchiladas which she really liked. It came with black beans and rice. I got the enchilada trio and 2 pupusa revuelta. The pupusa were nice size and had plenty filling inside of them. The enchiladas beef and chicken enchiladas were really good. The cheese enchilada was okay(I'm not a cheese enchilada person). The refired beans looked like they pureed, the rice had mixed vegetables on it. Overall all the food was really good. The service was good. We had a really nice time. read more

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My friends and I really appreciated this place being open late on a Thurs. We enjoyed the food and service. The tacos were delicious. Drinks made just right. read more

El Tamarindo - Barbacoa and chicken tacos - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Loved the pupusas, coffee, and service! Sat and people-watched while enjoying our Horchata Latte and Cafe de olla! Great ambiance! read more

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

We came here for a pupusa making class for a friend's birthday and it was a fantastic experience. The owner was super kind and thoughtful, the staff were friendly, and the food was delicious. I will definitely be coming back here for a meal and HIGHLY recommend the classes for anyone looking for a great group activity! It was really special and a night we'll all remember. read more

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

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Whenever I wanna hang out in AdMo, I find this to be a great place to start at. It has a nice bar space, and plenty of tables to sit at, small and large. I've always enjoyed the chips and salsa and pupusas. There's a lot more on the menu, but I haven't explored it all yet! Sometimes I grab a margarita as well, and they never miss. I've never tried making a reservation before, but on weekends, you might need one -- especially if you have a bigger party. It's worth mentioning that there's plenty of outdoor seating too. It's on a corner, and the streets all around are pretty narrow and permit-heavy, so give yourself time to park! read more

I attended a Pupusa making class. It was fun. The restaurant is near U Street metro. There is metered parking in the neighborhood. You can reserve outside dining, visit the bar or eat inside. The bar has a decent sized space for events. There is also catering. The food is delicious. The Pupusas are worth the visit. The red sauce (salsa de pupusa) was my favorite topping. The beans and cream are also wonderful. There is a variety of pupusas from vegan to vegetarian to meat. Hubby loved the pork and cheese. The spinach and cheese flavor was tasty. The bean and cheese was my favorite. The bean pupusas were good. The vegan cheese (jackfruit) was also really good. The curido (shredded lettuce, onion, carrots, cabbage, onions and other items) was a great topping. The bartenders were nice. I had a Mango Mule (mango, ginger beer, mint, squeeze of lime). It was awesome. If you don't have time to dine, you can order Door Dash or to go. I would order at least three pupusas. There are many other choices on the menu. read more

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Woof. It's as if the place hired everyone yesterday and no one had any restaurant experience. I had to repeat my order 2x and they still had to come back and go through everything again. The food took 25 minutes even though I was literally the only one there (for lunch) and I ordered a freaking salad. Took forever for anyone to check on me, and they never even thought about refilling my water or asking if I needed anything. Food and drink was mediocre and overpriced. Go to Taqueria Al Lado - it's better in every possible way. read more

Went for brunch! Nice atmosphere. There's a bunch of beautiful artwork hanging around the restaurant and if I'm not mistaken, they're all for sale, which is pretty cool! The service was quick and friendly. It wasn't busy so it was quick. We split the fajitas and they were sizzling and delicious! They also have a bottomless taco special, so we'll be back soon! read more

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

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My friend and I were getting dinner after the DC porch fest (so fun btw if you haven't been) but we were looking for a light dinner. We stopped at El tamarindo for a light dinner. We ordered chips and queso which may have been the worst we have ever had in DC and then ordered fajitas. We waited as long as we could then politely asked for the check as we had places to be. With a 7:30 reservation we still had not had our food by 9:30. When asking for the check the waiter had responded saying "we only had ordered 30 minutes ago". It had been at least an hour. We also witnessed our drinks sitting on the bar for at least 15 minutes before being brought to our table. We will not be attending this restaurant again. read more

I ordered some fish tacos. I only asked for handmade tortillas and they gave me the skinny ones. Not good service. read more

El Tamarindo - Fish tacos - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Wish I could leave a 4.5. Don't judge the food by its look. Split the fajitas with my fiance and it was just enough food. The flavor was great. They have a $30 bottomless tacos and carafe of margarita or beer on Tuesday and I'll definitely be back with friends for that! They also have beautiful art on the wall for sale! read more

El Tamarindo - Modelo Negra - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I've been trying to make it to El Tamarindo for years now. I finally had some time recently to start making it into DC to try a lot of the places I've had on my list. I'm so glad I was able to experience it for myself, after seeing all the good reviews over the years. I can't believe it opened in 1982, the year I was born. That's really a testament to how much people in the DMV love El Tamarindo, for it to stay open for that long. They kept the dining room pretty nice for them being open for 40 years. I got a good seat to people watch while I waited for my food. I only had a little bit of time that day. So, I just ordered appetizers. My server was so nice and helpful when ordering. She did me a favor too and had the kitchen make their Queso Fundido with Chorizo that hasn't been on the menu for a while, but I had a picture of it saved on my phone. I had that along with their Empanadas. The Queso Fundido was good in flavor but the cheese when baked came out a little dry and not really melted fully somehow. I couldn't be mad at that because they don't usually make that menu item anymore. I was just grateful they made it for me. I'd give the Queso Fundido a 7.5 out of 10. Now, the Empanadas was another story. Those were some of the best Empanadas I've ever had and I've had Empanadas from a lot of spots. 10 out of 10 for those Empanadas. The flavor of the meat inside and the sauce together was impeccable. I'm definitely going to return to El Tamarindo soon and I think I'll try their Pupupas next time, as I hear they are known for them. 9 out of 10 overall (4 out of 5 stars). read more

El Tamarindo - Queso Fundido with Chorizo (no longer on the menu) - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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