I'm always on the hunt for a deal and good tacos and Mezcal Cantina in Chinatown delivers both This under-the-radar gem offers Happy Hour Mon-Fri from 4-6, serving half-priced fishbowl margaritas, nachos, and quesadillas, plus daily specials that'll make your wallet (and your taste buds) happy. Don't sleep on the Birria Eggrolls -- they're a 10/10 must-try! Steal my order below. I liked the Fish Tacos more. Cabo Fish Tacos (Tex-Mex Style) Carne Asada Tacos (would try Mexico City Style next time) Lime Fishbowl Margarita read more

Mezcal Cantina - Cabo Fish Tacos - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

The food is not that great, and nothing on their menu is worth the price you are paying. I tried to give this place another chance, but I was disappointed again. I will probably never come back here again unless I'm in the area & desperate for a drink. read more

Mezcal Cantina - Steak Fajitas -- not bad but not great . It's hard to get fajitas wrong . - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Sit outside. I went inside and I was immediately hit the scent of cleaning fluid, just killed the vibe. They have a sign outside advertising the NOPALLI drink which is made with prickly pear syrup. I make these at home so I was excited to try it in a restaurant. I saw the bartender make it and he made it with Finest Call 1 Liter Premium Prickly Pear Syrup, first ingredient is high fructose corn syrup and then it additionally has sugar. Look I LOVE a sweet margarita, but this was disgusting! It was sickening sweet and very thick and syrupy. I was repulsed! They put it in this cactus ceramic tiki mug which looks cute but is so heavy and hard to move! Making cucumber martinis is my specialty at home. Their menu says it's their signature drink with homemade cucumber- mint puree. Well I didn't taste any cucumber? It tastes the same as a plain margarita. And that is going to cost you $18.69 + tip. Wow! Happy Hour is 4-6pm and only regular margaritas are half off. And all all day Tuesday. read more

Came before a concert and sat at the bar. It was good. I had the Birria tacos and my sister ordered the Birria grilled cheese and she said it was good. We also ordered some queso but that wasn't our favorite. The drinks were tasty and the bartender was nice. read more

Mezcal Cantina - Birria Grilled Cheese - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

This is a good solid Mexican restaurant. It was a quiet Sunday afternoon. The light was coming in through the windows and the place was festive and cheerful and serious all at the same time. Our server was great, attentive but not in the way. We were asking for all sorts of things, hot sauce, spoons, other sauces, etc and he was there to help and explain. I really wanted to try their birra ramen, but they were out so I settled for the birra tacos..they were delicious and the birra sauce was flavorful. read more

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Mezcal Cantina is easily one of my favorite Mexican restaurants in DC. They make the guac right in front of you and the Mezcal fajitas are perfect. Customer service is excellent and the environment is pretty chilled. They have great happy hour specials and I love their Birria eggrolls and birria ramen. I highly recommended you check this place out ASAP! read more

Mezcal Cantina - Mezcal Fajitas - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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On a rainy summer Friday, some friends and I were craving good Mexican food and stumbled upon this lively gem. The place was packed and we managed to grab the last open table, which was a good sign. The energy was vibrant and welcoming. Our server, Carlos (pretty sure that was his name), was fantastic, friendly, attentive, and quick with both our drinks and food. I had the fish tacos, and they were absolutely delicious... fresh, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. Everyone at the table enjoyed their meals, and the fishbowl margaritas hit the spot. Great vibe, great food, and great service. I'll definitely be back. read more

Mezcal Cantina - Fish tacos - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I have been here a few times and think it is decent Tex mex for the area. I would compare to a slightly better version of Chevy's. So if you are expecting authentic Mexican food you will probably be let down. That said I have not had anything here I wouldn't eat again and have a decent Hh deal with 1/2 off nachos and quesadillas. They also do a carafe of wine for 24 dollars which is a great deal for the area. So would recommend if you're in the mood for some decent Tex-Mex in the Chinatown area read more

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Stopped in with a friend before a movie to get some tacos. They have a deal for three dollars off their tacos on Tuesdays, which makes them about $17 for three tacos. I surprisingly switched gears and actually ordered the taco salad with shredded chicken. The salad "bowl" was a fried tortilla which is always fun and the chicken was good, but there was a definite lack of salad and way too much sour cream. My salad turned decidedly soupy which wasn't as fun to eat (or look at!) I might go again if I was in the area on a Tuesday, but hold the sour cream please. read more

Mezcal Cantina - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Omg we've overlooked this place for 3 years. My friend lives across the street and I park near the restaurant all of the time but I've never stepped foot inside. It's the best Mexican spot in Chinatown. Very unassuming location that is easy to miss. The chips were warm and the salsa was good. The passionfruit mocktail was delicious!!!! My birria tacos were ok. Idk if I overlooked the consume on the menu but they served a small spicy sauce with them instead of consume. My friend loved his chicken taco salad. The churros were divine!! The hostess and waitress were so kind and efficient. The decor is amazing and the vibe is perfect. We will be returning! read more

We couldn't help stopping here. They had 1/2 price apps from 4pm to 6m. 1 word: DELICIOSO the nachos have beef and chicken, not greasy at all. Perfect for about 2-3 people We also ordered a steak quesadilla... wow the meat was seasoned just right. We ordered the aguas freacas - horchata. It was very sweet and well worth it ... and you get free refills... not a lot of places do that for the aguas frescas. Service was awesome. Our mesero or server was excellent. Super accommodating and we were outside and even the cook came out and asked if everything was good. The place is nice inside but we loved being outside for the atmosphere and the music is varied not all one genre. Loved it!!!! read more

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Mezcal Cantina was a fantastic find--exactly the kind of spot you want when you're craving bold, flavorful Mexican food in a lively setting. We ordered the combo fajitas for two, and it was an absolute feast. The sizzling platter came loaded with perfectly grilled steak, chicken, and shrimp, all seasoned beautifully and served with sautéed peppers and onions that added just the right amount of char and sweetness. The portion was super generous, and the warm flour tortillas, rice, beans, guac, sour cream, and pico de gallo made it easy to build the perfect bite every time. It was one of those meals where you keep eating long after you're full because it's just that good. Before the main event, we were welcomed with complimentary chips and salsa--and honestly, that salsa deserves its own shoutout. It was fresh, zesty, and had just enough heat to wake up the palate without overpowering it. The chips were warm and crisp, clearly made in-house or at least freshly fried. The service was friendly and attentive, and the atmosphere had a great energy--festive but not too loud, perfect for a casual night out. Mezcal Cantina definitely delivered on flavor, portions, and hospitality. I'll be back for those fajitas again--and maybe a margarita (or two) next time. read more

Mezcal Cantina - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

The birria egg rolls were DIVINE!!!!! The table-side guac left much to desire. The seating was very cramped. The server was amazing, fun, and attentive. read more

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Mezcal Cantina almost earned 5 stars from me if it weren't for a few mishaps that took place during my visit. There's a lot to love about this spot! I really enjoyed the food and will definitely be back to try more items on of the menu. However, a few service mishaps kept it from being a wonderful experience. Here's my breakdown of my experience: Environment It's a lovely space with lots of character. They have both outside and indoor dining space plus a full bar and plenty of seating. My only critique: the chairs in the dining area were quite small and really uncomfortable. Other than that, the ambiance was great and felt welcoming. Service The service had room for improvement and is the main reason i deducted a point. A miscommunication around the Taquitos order left us disappointed. The menu described it as "2 chicken, 2 shredded beef," so we assumed we were receiving 4 taquitos. However we only got two and when we asked for clarification, they argued bit that it was clear and then admitted that it was a typo but didn't offer any resolution aside from a quick apology - no discounts or additional taquitos, nothing. This response was underwhelming and put a damper on our experience. I included a picture in my review so future diners can know what to expect. Aside from this, the service was fine, but we were hoping for a little more attention to customer satisfaction. Food and Drinks Now the food was amazing! I had the chicken quesadillas and they were filling and delicious. I will definitely come back just for them and will definitely try other items on the menu. We overall enjoyed the food and are excited to see what else they have to offer. The drinks were fine and i would love to explore more of the cocktail menu to find a standout favorite. Overall Mezcal Cantina offers good vibes and really delicious food. With some improvements to the service and menu clarity, they could easily earn a full five stars from me! I'm excited to return and try more of what they have to offer. read more

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The place has a pretty relaxing ambiance and the decor was furnished well. The service was not bad and the server was willing to come over anytime I made eye contact or waved him over. The pricing of the kids size menu was decent and the portions were pretty good too This restaurant does not provide unlimited free chips and salsa even if you order food. You either have to pay $7 or order one of their dips so I ordered a queso con chorizo. The queso con chorizo tasted good, but it was a much smaller portion than expected. The taste of the salsa was below average compared to a chain like Uncle Julio. read more

Entrees were good, nothing spectacular but drinks were subpar. The spot itself was pretty cool and good location. read more

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My first time here, fantastic! Our server, Violetta was the best! She was personable, kind and attentive. The food was delicious, great quality. read more

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My husband and I went before a concert. The service was great. Waiter was very friendly and fast. Food, we split a nacho platter and an order of chorizo & queso. Both were very good and the half price margaritas didn't hurt either! It is a good place for a fast meal before a concert or game. The restaurant is kinda small but not so loud that you couldn't hear yourself think. All in all, I'd go there again and would recommend this to my friends! read more

I enjoyed the ambience! Love the decor. I didn't order food. Ordered a salty dog. Mason the bartender did a good job on my salty dog read more

Mezcal Cantina - Drink menu - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Came here on a Sunday at like 4 so it wasn't very busy. To start with the service wasn't bad but it wasn't AMAZING. My problem is the server charged us like $26 for 3 enchiladas with only cheese. Yes very wierd request that's my child. The order came with no sides no rice and beans and we were charged that. Then when the bill came out the server put automatically 25% gratuity on the bill which is insane. The food was not good very bland. The fajitas come out with like 4 pieces of chicken and just all veggies. Again service wasn't fine but not 25% fine which is ridiculous to add to someone check. It's noted on menu gratuity is added to large parties(only 3 of us). read more

Wish I could give a 3,5 -- First the staff (Daniel) are very good. Knowledgeable of the menu and good recommendations. And very engaging and responsive. Food: Con Queso with Chorizo took me back to my childhood. This was the chorizo we used to cook at home. Tasty! Ordered the fajitas - meh the steak was a little tough maybe it was cut. Charro beans are black beans not pinto soup beans and I'm sorry but they tasted tlike canned black beans. But the Rice was like we made at home GOOD!! If you like spicy order chili de árbol. It's disappointing they charge you for it but it's worth the extra cost. Margaritas! The house marg with flavor are good enough. Jalapeño Marg is fresh and Great! Tried La Flor (don't order) but the Qaxacanite very good! If I come back it will be for the cocktails and queso. Maybe I'll try the Mojarra Frita or Molcajete Cabo! ‍ Oh and the MUSIC is great, it's a good mix of Mexican and Tejano. read more

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I came here for a work trip and ended up coming here twice! It was our favorite place for the whole weekend. The staff was funny but also attentive. The food was simple awesome. The chefs were able to accommodate our orders and the drinks didn't take long to get it was really to walk downstairs off the street to entire this restaurant. I will be coming back another day! read more

The food was good, the margarita was delicious and the service was amazing. This restaurant is located in a shopping area plaza so we stopped in for lunch. There was plenty of parking and the bathroom was clean with a changing table available. The decor was very nice read more

Mezcal Cantina - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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My friends and I went here randomly because it was walking distance from our previous location. Noah was our server and he was great! He was very accommodating and knew the menu very well. I ordered the tropical mama, although it was a bit pricey, it was very tasty. I also had the vegetarian quesadilla. It was all very good I just would have used a little more seasoning. It's good spot to bring your friends read more

Fairly expensive - but it's DC after all, so maybe not their fault - with food that was good, but not great. I liked the chicken dish I got, but most everything else was't anything terribly special. Very friendly staff which I appreciated - and the interior is really nice looking. They have a nice patio outside which is always popping - seems like people like it overall! read more

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I came here for happy hour with a few friends. Overall this place was fine. My friend's drink tasted off to the point she needed to get a new drink since we were worried it wasn't good to consume. The food was ok, we got quesadillas that were nothing to write home about. Some good points are that the portions were large and the ambiance was nice. I wouldn't go out of my way to come back. read more

Mezcal Cantina - Quesadilla - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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This was unfortunately not a great dining experience. The food is expensive and quality tasted low. The portions of things like a chips and salsa app ($15) had less than 2 tablespoons of queso & pico each. $15 for chips and salsa and guest don't get a bowl? Additionally the server was not very welcoming. Rushing through our order, not very helpful, and we felt more like a bother than a guest. Overall, overpriced and under serviced. read more

They are amazing every body is extremely kind . I appreciate the staff they are great . Every single person made sure my visit was a great visit. They go above and beyond. Food very fresh read more

Oh my god - try the birria egg rolls! our server said they were relatively new to the menu. WORTH IT. Great crispy crunch with all the flavor. We sat on the patio a few weeks ago before heading to a show - great people watching space! read more

Recently ate here with a friend while on a trip. Service was great! Food was decent. I ordered the three taco meal, all carnitas tacos. The ambiance was chill. I would recommend to others. read more

The food was delicious! Miguel & Carlos were awesome and took great care of me & my girlfriends. It was my friend's birthday and they sure put on an awesome celebration for us. The homemade tortillas were warm & scrumptious! read more

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Went here for taco Tuesday, they don't have much for Taco Tuesday specials. The margaritas were watered down. Host was nice, I sat at the bar and the decor was cute. Customer service took the rating down. Bartender didn't specify extra sauce was an additional charge. Also if you ask for extra sauce it's $3. Other tables were offered chips and salsa and I was not, I didn't even receive any water when I sat down. Also prices too high for them to be serving can food. read more

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Tourist trap - don't fall for it. Super lazy "cooking" aka everything tastes premade/microwaved and has 0 flavor. Even my frozen margarita was melted. read more

Service with Noah was excellent! We had a slight issue but they took care of everything. Great customer service and their table side guac was amazing. read more

Food was okay. Guac and margs were great but they were unfortunately very understaffed and messed up my order 3 times. Could be a great spot. Just need to work out the kinks! read more

I would say that there's nothing particularly special or awful about this place. This salsa was OK but exceptionally mild. We asked for salsa refill a few times and then when it did come, they brought the sugary mango salsa but my partner's diabetic so we ended up having to toss that out. Vegetarian options are very limited, and it is extremely loud at least when we were in there. On the upside, the food is pretty tasty, the guacamole was delicious and the weight staff was friendly enough. Also, they have individual bathroom stalls with their own doors so that's nice. read more

If I could give it 0 stars, I would. Service was fine, but the food was horrible. Chicken was dry and they microwaved white American cheese on top of our food. They also used Parmesan cheese and called it cotija. Chips had a weird aftertaste like they were fried in old oil or refried old chips. Guacamole was brown and salsa had no seasoning or lime. The rice was clearing sitting in a heat lamp all night; there were bits of super dry pieces and none of it was homogeneous. To call this Mexican food, let alone food in general is a stretch of the imagination. Do not come here. read more

Great atmosphere. Miggy the bartender is superb and friendly. I will return any time near the arena, for sure.

Food was delicious. Only complaint is the dip trio was so small for the price of 15.99$. It was three, 1 oz containers. And the house salsa was mediocre. read more

Mezcal Cantina - California Burrito 9/10 Quesa-Birria 9/10 Dip Trio 3/10 - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Realllly good carne asada tacos. Great service and atmosphere! Avoid getting the dip trio- too pricy for a very small portion.