If you are looking for Puerto Rican food at a reasonable price, then La Famosa is for you. They have a great variety of choices that are tasty and great portions. As a traveler passing through, I'm so glad that we chose to eat at this location! Try it you'll like it Buen Provecho read more

La Famosa - Virgin Piña Colada - Puerto Rican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I've been coming to La Famosa for years and realized I've never left a review, easily 20+ visits. My apologies, because this place has earned one many times over. The food is excellent, the atmosphere is welcoming, and the service is always top notch. It's rare to find a restaurant that delivers this level of consistency, but La Famosa does it every time. The best part is your favorites are always on the menu. If you have the chance, grab a seat at the bar and ask for Brandon. He's an outstanding bartender who is friendly and very attentive. One recommendation you absolutely should not skip is the pastelillos. They are incredible and have become a must order every time I visit. If you're in the Navy Yard area and looking for a restaurant that gets everything right, La Famosa is an easy five star choice. read more

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I stopped by this puerto-rican cuisine spot in navy yard for a post work happy hour and was pleasantly surprised by the experience. It's a bright and upbeat atmosphere with colorful chairs and tables, a decent sized bar with a tv, and ample patio seating surrounding the venue. The staff was pleasant and welcoming, the restaurant wasn't too packed so I was able to find some bar seating. The happy hour menu features small bite options such as the el gordito sliders, alcapurria, and pollito frito with prices ranging from $4-$8. They also offer drinks ranging from sangria to piña colada's with prices ranging from $1-$8 depending on the beverage. I ended up ordering a larger meal and went with a couple of items off the dinner menu the beef pastelillos and criollo risotto with a piña colada. The order arrived quickly and the food items were excellent. The pastelillos was flaky and meat-packed and the risotto was delicious, perfectly cooked with large portions of chicken mixed in. The piña colada was a bit on the sweet side but refreshing and definitely one of the better ones I've had in that area flavor wise. I highly recommend checking this spot out whenever you're in the area. read more

The food, drinks, and service is always fantastic there. The ambiance can be a little loud with the music but overall great local spot. read more

La Famosa - Puerto Rican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I really wish I liked this place more! Everything is good, but wish they had more flavor. You should absolutely try the plantain sandwiches if you come, though! read more

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Puerto Rican cuisine in Navy Yard. This place was opened 3 or 4 yrs ago directly across from Vida fitness. They have a great selection of alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages and the food is amazing. I often get tripleta with plantain. Try it out! read more

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We met some friends here. They recommended it. Now I'm recommending it. Thus far, the best Puerto Rican food I've had outside of Puerto Rico. The mofongo is top. The pastelón was also very good. Both dishes were very filling. They have some good happy hour specials. Their ordering system is online. Scan th QR code to view the menu and order. A server will bring the food as it comes out. You can keep a tab open and pay at the end. This was a first for me. read more

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Takeout Review! This is a good location if you're in the eastern part of navy yard (near the base)! The staff was kind and responsive and it's an "aesthetic" restaurant (swings for chairs for example). I'm giving it 3 stars because the food really just didn't do much for me. The flavors were 3 stars. The chicken in the chicken mofongo was chewy and tough. The beef to plantain ratio was like .0001 to 5. I'm disappointed by the meal given the service I had but I can't say I'll be back read more

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Very cute interior. Food was pretty good and server was very chatty too. We ordered some oysters, steak and rice. Overall really good food. I would totally come back. Great for date or friends dinner. read more

La Famosa - Puerto Rican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Nice and quaint spot to drop in for quick bites. Ordered tostadas and Triplini (spelling) sandwich. Everyone said it's #1. My husband said it was good. Came by, always supporting culturally. Not very much on the menu that jumped out so it took a minute for us to order. In fact my food came out really fast compared to me ordering. Plus I'm not down with mofongo. Tostado's, crisp, would have accepted a squeeze of lime or salt on the side. Sandwich meat combo was good. Glad I checked it out. Still wish there was a bit more. read more

I have to admit that I am quite disappointed with my experience. The food was par at best. To say that the best thing you ate was a tuna fish sandwich should say it all. Several of the items that we ordered went uneaten. It also didn't help the experience that it seems that the outside restaurant area has a bug problem, as we were bitten alive by bugs. I acknowledge that eating outside always comes with this risk, but it was only at the restaurant's outdoor area where it was so bad. However, for medical reasons, we cannot eat inside. If you are going to offer outdoor dining, you should try to manage this situation. Beyond trying to swat bugs off of plates, it now looks like I have chicken pox on both of my legs. read more

Been here a couple of times now and the food has been spot on each time. It's one of those places where you order off a QR code on the table, so, not quite a full service restaurant, but everyone is friendly and the food is fresh and filling. read more

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I did not expect to enjoy this restaurant as much as I did. I've been living in Puerto Rico for the past eight years and I have to say the mofongo here was one of the best I've had. read more

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The happy hour prices are fantastic, with drinks ranging from $1 to $8 and bites from $8 to $9. While the music was great, the food was meh. Perhaps it was just what I ordered. I had the El Trio, which features individual tostones cups, each filled with one of three proteins: fried chicken, grilled shrimp, and grilled steak. The cups were topped with cabbage, red onions, and some very creamy sauces. As I peeled back the layers, I could taste the proteins in isolation. The chicken was pretty good, but the steak was well done and the shrimp smelled and tasted off. I also almost choked on the dry tostones. The Bella Jardin sparkling rosé was nothing to write home about. Service was minimal since you can order and pay via QR code. read more

La Famosa - Puerto Rican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Many visits later they are still a solid spot to grab a bite full of flavor and comfort ! We've ordered so many things on the menu and nothing has ever felt disappointing. They really try to be warm welcoming and accommodating - and there's a more casual vibe where you are ordering online and grabbing your own water. I can understand the issue with the price points being elevated, but I also can imagine that their operational costs for being a small business in a crazy expensive area is tricky... hope they continue to be around ! read more

La Famosa was everything i needed it to be. after being away for about a week, i was missing the flavors of home and they delivered big! the decor is simple yet vibrant. i absolutely loved their seating. they were playing some amazing salsa which took the experience to another level. this is a more informal dining experience as you scan the QR code and they bring you your food. you do serve yourself your own water but honestly i didn't mind it at all. the food was just as good as it looks. everything was packed with puerto rican flavor and cooked perfectly. if you're in the mood for some great puerto rican food, look no further than la famosa! read more

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First time dining here and it was decent. You can seat yourself if it isn't a large number of diners. Each table has a QR code to allow you to review the menu, place your order, and even pay. Although limited people were working during my visit, the customer interaction seemed as needed. You can self-serve water and any drinks you want are brought to the table by staff. Add specifics to the notes area when ordering. Although you may not see it, the bartender may be able to accommodate your request. Capable of solo dining, and groups and has some outdoor seating. It doesn't appear that they have high chairs for the little ones. The decor was nice and vibrant. Parking here is dynamic and you're better off walking from a metro stop. Family-friendly and in a good location for after-work drinks if you like your co-workers enough to do so. Nice ambiance and the food was good. I think it was an appropriate amount of food for the price but I longed for a little more spice/seasoning in my choices. The beef pastelillos were tasty and had sauces that paired well. The temperature of my food could have been better. It seemed just warm upon arriving and I'm hoping it wasn't a microwave kind of situation. When warming up pernil, it's a matter of not drying it out and ruining the taste and texture. Thanks for having us La Famosa! read more

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I really like the self service concept everything was super quick and efficient. I loved the calamari sandwich on the happy hour menu as well as the sangria. The chicken bites and the fried plantin definitely needed the sauce but overall I would definitely come back! The restaurant was very cute and lively! read more

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I am a huge fan of the El Pollito Sandwich from La Famosa - really good crispy/toast bread with tender flavorful chicken, quality avocado, and delicious sauce. I'm also an absolute Sucker for their French fries and sauces. They are incredible. Perfectly crispy fries, that are always warm and soft on the inside. The Aji Amarillo Sauce and Crema Verde sauce with the fries is an ELITE combo. The restaurant is also very clean, and decorated well. Not overdone with Neon Signs or anything like that, but a nice, understated theme. The staff is fantastic and eager to help, and it feels at times like a neighborhood spot for the area. Couldn't recommend more! NOTE: the table seen in my photos is in the Yards Park, not La Famosa. Their tables are clean! read more

La Famosa - French Fries, Crema Verde NOTE: the table seen in my photos is in the Yards Park, not La Famosa. Their tables are clean! Crema Verde - Puerto Rican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Came here during a recent weekend in the city and were very pleased with our experience and meal. The folks running this place are super-friendly and helpful when it comes to choosing dishes that meet your tastes. We sat in an unusual booth that had swings for seats...a bit awkward but once you get the hang if it, it made for a fun time! You order off a digital menu and app, then a server brings to food out to you. After a few questions were answered, we settled on an appetizer and two main dishes to share: bolitas de queso, a tripleta sandwich, and a shrimp mofongo. The bolitas de queso were brought out first as an appetizer course. The fried cheese balls came topped with a sweet guava based sauce and each gooey bite was delicious with a crunchy exterior and smooth interior. The tripleta sandwich was massive and easily shareable stacking a slab of roasted pork along with sliced beef and ham atop a pressed Cuban bread roll and then topped with Swiss cheese, grilled onions, potato sticks and a ketchup-mayo style sauce. So, so good! Finally, the shrimp mofongo. Their version of fried, smashed plantains came topped with plump, grilled shrimp and a savory sauce that complimented the dish so well. Additionally, it came with a small portion of chicken stock which you could add to the mofongo to make it as "wet" as you wanted...it was a game changer! These three food items was more than enough for a very satisfying meal in a lively atmosphere. We'll be back, should we get the chance. read more

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Lowered from an initially planned 4 stars because of some issues with the charge on my card. I've been to La Famosa numerous times over the years. It is the place I go to whenever I'm in Navy Yard. I have had various appetizers, entrees and drinks. My absolute must is their mofongo - yum! I also love getting their tostones. Overall, cannot complain about the food. And for the most part, staff has been friendly and welcoming. Here's the issue: at La Famosa, one orders and pays through a QR code. On my last visit, I ordered my food and did not leave a tip. However, my card was charged for an additional 18% as a "tip". While La Famosa did refund the overcharge as soon as I reached out, the management did not even seem apologetic. Random overcharges should not be happening. That just left a bad taste in my mouth. Enjoy the food but do double check your card charges. read more

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Mi lugar favorito en DC!! Best place in all of DC! I am in town for one week and I've already ordered DoorDash from here three times. This Puerto Rican spot is the most authentic and the food is SO good. The tostones are delicious and come with the perfect amount of mayoketch. Delicious! I ordered the ensalada verde and it was just ok. It was very light on the heart of palms but the dressing was tasty and the ingredients were fresh. But for me, it will always be the pulpo! If I close my eyes I am in Puerto Rico. It's so delicious!!! And don't get me started on the quesitos! They're absolutely fabulous! Great place to eat a great authentic boricuan meal! read more

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Great happy hour specials on food and drink. Excellent variety of Puerto Rican specialties. Loved the mezcla (cheese spread), tostones, octopus salad, plátano with picadillo, roasted pork. Fun atmosphere. Prompt and welcoming service. Definitely recommend sharing small plates and entrees with a group so you can try it all! read more

Excellent food, taste of Puerto Rico the food stateside. I especially love the shrimp Mofongo and the coquito. Coquito is the Rican coconut flavored island holiday alcohol cocktail made with rum. The drink was both smooth and strong, worth the price. My son had the steak and onions and the other son had the 3 meat sandwich, Tripleta. Both dishes looked delicious and incredibly tasty. Service was good, the staff were warm friendly. They offered our party an extra beverage at no cost. It's a fast casual restaurant, you can either order with the staff or scan the code with your phone, whichever you prefer. The online menu is pretty extensive, and you can order and pay the bill, all on your smart phone. I loved arriving early and being the first party seated for brunch. Plus, they had the Rican version of tamales, pasteles. Plus, you can purchase a bottle of coquito (both only during Christmas). It was a great experience. read more

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Wow! Everything was just amazing! The vibe in the restaurant was inviting & fun. Once we sat down, we ordered via a QR code at the table. Everything came out fast & fresh. It tasted amazing! So authentic & delicious. The garlic sauce they had on the tostones & with the mofongo was incredible. The flan was light & creamy, the quesito had the perfect amount of filling. We're so glad we came here for lunch & will definitely be back again soon! read more

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Finally, a less oppressive summer day in DC, so I decided to check out La Famosa after hearing great things about their happy hour and it did not disappoint. This is a real Happy Hour with real Happy Hour prices, food and drinks under $10! By 5 PM, the place was already buzzing, every table full, but I snagged a seat outside on the patio. I went for the Dorado (fried mahi with sweet pepper aioli, creamy avocado, and a spicy vinegar slaw on a soft brioche bun (not on the HH menu, but still under $20)). The fries were perfectly crispy, just the way I like them. I also tried the Pollito Frito(tender chunks of chicken breast coated in adobo-seasoned flour, fried to golden perfection, then tossed in mojo de ajo and served with tostones and mayo ketchup) for only $8! Ordering was a breeze with their QR code system, and service was quick despite the crowd. The vibe inside was lively, the music a little loud but perfect for the energy of the place. Bottom line: tasty food, great prices, fun atmosphere. I'll definitely be back. read more

La Famosa brings the vibrant flavors of Puerto Rico to D.C. with a menu full of comforting, authentic dishes. From perfectly seasoned mofongo to flavorful arroz and tender roasted meats, every plate feels thoughtfully prepared and deeply satisfying. The colorful atmosphere and friendly service only add to the experience. Whether you're familiar with Puerto Rican cuisine or trying it for the first time, La Famosa is a fantastic place to enjoy a memorable meal. read more

The meal was just okay. The pulpo salad had good flavor but was tough, and the pernil lacked its usual garlicky punch. The bistec was pink in the center, which is unusual for this dish that's typically well-done. All the rice was dry which is understandable if reheated, but it needs more moisture. Portions were small. On the upside, the staff was very friendly. read more

Food was good and service was quick. Interior was really pretty and there were plenty of seats available Saturday morning . read more

La Famosa - Tostadas Francesas - Puerto Rican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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We came by for happy hour and honestly we were full by trying the 3 happy hour dishes - the pork and potato taco, the beef sliders, and the fried chicken. I really loved the tacos - the other two were good. We also got the red sangria for happy hour which was tasty. Service is by QR code and quick. Voted best casual restaurant by the RAMMYs this year! read more

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I ordered an over $30 bistec encebollado that was cold to the touch and bland. It came with a side of white rice and beans that were swimming in tomato sauce. Also ordered a few "sandwiches" that were slop and difficulty to eat. Nothing authentic Puerto Rican about those. The tostones were overly greasy and doused garlic. Their service model with the QR code is very impersonal and under-deserving of the prices they are charging--not to mention the quality of the food. The music volume was loud and obnoxious. I'm a person that loves loud and obnoxious music--especially Reggaeton and Salsa--just not while I'm eating. read more

Where to begin. . . Soley reviewing the food. I ordered for delivery and just want to rank the items . . . Bacalaito - 2 - bland, very little cod flavor or fish, tasted more like fried batter. Tostones -7 - good flavor, didn't arrive crisp but that's expected with delivery. Pastelillos - 7- good flavor and arrived as crisp as they could. Arroz con Gandules- 3 - terrible lacking flavor, didn't look appealing, very disappointed. Pernil -3 - Very lackluster flavor, no cuerito, very disappointing. Carne Frita -4- Had good flavor, the cook was rushed the pork wasn't fried crispy the skin was sponge and not crunchy, very disappointed again. I haven't gone to this place in a while. I had very fond memories last time. I have no idea what happened here. Hugely disappointed and will look for other options in the future. . . read more

Went up to DC to watch a football game and found this little gem. I will start with the staff because they were simply amazing. From the moment you walk in, they are greeting you and making you feel welcomed. The menu is not what I would call extensive but it offers enough that everyone should be able to find something that will satisfy their pallets. I was pleasantly surprised to see that they offered several vegetarian options. My two daughters and I each ordered something different from the vegetarian menu and everything was great. Price wise I found everything to be reasonable with the exception of one plate but we got it anyway and thank goodness it was delicious. We also ordered one of each dessert they offer. My favorite was the mantecaditos. I liked them so much we got two additional orders to go and had them with coffee for breakfast the next morning. It's a nice size restaurant and it was streaming some great music that actually made you feel like you were on the island. I will definitely be back when I visit DC again. read more

As a Native Washingtonian there are spots in this city I didn't know existed!! Nestled in the Navy Yard area, near where Capers projects use to be, is a whole new community complex with restaurants!! I'm hittin the Puerto Rican one!! . Where I am: @eatlafamosa . Location Reviewed: 1300 4th St., S.E. Washington D.C. . Menu Includes: *See Website* www.eatlafamosa.com . Items Reviewed: Their Bolitas De Queso (Fried cheese balls with a guava sauce $10). STAMP!! Cheesy, but it was the sweetest of the guava sauce that HIT!! Their Pastelillos (fried pastries filled with beef, with hot, & mild sauces $9.50). STAMP!! Crispy with well seasoned beef, STAMP that creamy spicy green sauce!! The Yellow creamy sauce was LIKE THAT!! Tasty, but a seasoning away from mayo!! Their Puerto Rican Tiki Mocktail (with mango, guava, & lime juice $9.50). STAMP!! I had 2...nuff said!! Their Ensalada Tamarindo (4 tamarind-glazed shrimp with mixed greens in a tamarind vinaigrette with tropical salsa, and crispy onion $24). STAMP!! Just a salad, but it had that salty/sweet thing going!! I wished for more of that scrumptious shrimp!! Their Bori BBQ Sandwich (with shredded pork shoulder braised in Malta India, with a tamarind BBQ sauce, & spicy slaw, on a toasted brioche bun $14). DELICIOUS. Good, thick, everything was there...good. Their Fried Chicken Mofongo (mashed fried plantains, a chicken broth, with fried chicken, & a spicy aioli $19). STAMP!! Their Rice & Pigeon Peas ($5). DELICIOUS. It was ok. I needed salt. Their Mousse De Parcha (Passionfruit Mousse, with whipped cream on top $8.50). STAMP!! Tangy, sweet, & creamy!! . Customer Service: On Point!! . Online Navigation: Easy . Parking: Garage Decent/Street Rough!! . Music: YouTube-Rare Essence 8/18/24 . Recommendations: Get that Mofongo!! 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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La Famosa had been on my list for years and while doing a staycation down in Navy Yard decided to finally check it out. We got takeout and it was ready quickly within 15 minutes. We started off with the bolitas da queso which were good but didn't wow me. The guava sauce on the side was good but for $10 there should have been more. I got the jibarito with chicken which i was super excited for since they use plantains instead of bread, but the sandwich had almost no flavor. Really disappointing considering all of the components. The tripleta was also good but just tasted like a regular steak and cheese. I wouldn't go back considering this was about $50 for a mediocre meal. read more

La Famosa - Jibarito - Puerto Rican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I absolutely love La Famosa! I've been at least three times, and each time I have had a really good experience. You can grab coffee and pastries, a drink at the bar, or sit down for an authentic Puerto Rican meal. The service is top notch. The employees always give off great vibes and are very enthusiastic. It's a super cute spot that makes you feel like you're in PR. Everything that I've ordered has always been delish. My favorite is the shrimp mofongo. If you've never tried mofongo this is a great place to start. Small tip...they have these sauces that don't always come with each dish. They are all yummy!! Ask one of the servers, and they'll bring them out to you. Side note...this is one of those restaurants where you scan the QR code and order, so no official waiter. read more

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If you have a shellfish allergy I would avoid the place, 90% of the menu would be eliminated as they fry everything in one deep fryer and is cross contaminated-this included plantains, chicken, etc. Really disappointed and concerned what the kitchen setup is read more

Upon entering, we were greeted and told to choose any table. We sat at a table and scanned the QR code to order from the menu. The restaurant was very clean and had ice cold water to drink. We ordered from the menu, which was limited, and were happy to see fast service. I ordered the cod in a plantain with white rice. The food arrived nice and hot. The rice flavor was just a little too bland for my liking. The cod was cooked in a tomato type of sauce, which I did not really like. The actual plantain, was cooked nicely and had a good sweet flavor. The tostones had a really nice garlic flavor. Bottom line: Overall the food was good, not great. read more

La Famosa - Cod Canoa de Platano - Puerto Rican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Adorable little spot a block away from the water. Happy hour deals were $1 $2 and $3 drinks! The food was great and the drinks were strong. I will be coming back to this hidden gem. QR codes scan at the table make splitting the check easy. read more

La Famosa - Puerto Rican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Happy hour is extremely cheap and very excellent, I had the Cuba Libra ($2) to drink and the bocadillo ($8) to eat. The drink was strong and the calamari sandwich was a pleasant bite. read more

La Famosa - Cuba libre - Puerto Rican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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