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    Uncle Julio's

    3.1 (898 reviews)
    ModerateMexican, Tex-Mex
    Closed 11:00 am - 11:00 pm

    Uncle Julio's Reservations

    Order Uncle Julio's Takeout or Delivery

    Uncle Julio's Photos

    UNCLE JULIO'S ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Happy hour specials

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    Chicken and Steak and/or Chicken Fajitas for One
    Rebecca F.

    I gave Uncle Julio's another chance, and unfortunately, it was a terrible experience. We tried reaching out to management after our visit, but no one responded to emails or returned calls, which is really disappointing when things go so wrong. I used to come here once a week, but now there are plenty of other Mexican restaurants that do a much better job -- like Guapo's, for example. It's sad to see a place I used to enjoy fall so short, and we won't be coming back.

    Fresca Salad
    Angel S.

    Visited for the first time in a long time and things were just as I remember, simple and straightforward. Nothing will blow you away but it's decent. Fajita portions seemed small and their queso was not good at all. Margaritas were blah and guacamole was lacking flavor. Service was good and the place was clean. Nothing memorable but wasn't expecting it to be. Living in San Antonio has ruined me for other Tex Mex.

    Picadillo tacos
    Chris K.

    As far as chain Mexican restaurants go, I think Uncle Julio's is one of the better ones. All I ever order is tacos (and sometimes enchiladas) and I will say that the amount of meat you get on the tacos here is more than at rival Guapo's or Urbano. What set this location apart was both the service and the quickness of how fast our food was ready. The tacos (picadillo and carnitas) were really good and we went through two baskets of chips (because why not?) Since I have eaten tacos in Mexico, it is hard to give chain restaurant tacos a perfect 5 stars so I think 4 is fitting here. The value is good and the location was easy to find. I noticed families having a good time and everyone eating here seemed happy. Overall I recommend this spot if you crave mexican food.

    Taco Tuesday for three people
    Kathryn J.

    I've been a few times and the food is good but a little overpriced. So this review is specifically about taco Tuesday! It's an incredible deal. You get chips and salsa like always. The taco Tuesday deal is around $12 a person. You get a platter on a lazy Susan with two types of meat, tons of toppings, and three tortillas per person. It's a lot of food and for the price you can't beat it!

    Steak fajita for one
    Juanita Q.

    Came here to celebrate a coworkers going away during lunch. We were a party of five. The place was nice inside and it was way bigger than I expected. It was kind of empty ... we ordered a few drinks, a couple of apps and a few entrees (not everyone ate a full meal). The server was attentive and brought out waters and chips and salsa (both mild and hot salsas were great), right away. I had the steak fajitas (came with peppers and onions), with all the side condiments, rice, beans, cheese, guac. My fajita plate did not come out sizzling as is customary in other places, but the steak was flavorful and super tender, it was pretty good. One coworker ordered the Shrimp with bacon and she was raving about it, says it's delicious. Another coworker ordered something but I can't remember what it was. We all had a variety of drinks, which were all pretty good too. I think the drinks were fairly priced but the food could have been a few dollars cheaper (at least for lunch). Still the food and service were both good.

    David B.

    Walked here with friends, had a marg and chips n salsa. Sat inside. There was outside seating as well . Very clean ! Food was super good. Better than I remember. Absolutely recommend for date night and groups.

    Monica G.

    I went to this location during happy hour. They have really great deals for happy hour. I orders the steak and shrimp fajita with black beans and rice and it was delicious. My friend ordered tacos and they were good. I did order from the happy hour bar menu for a traditional margarita and I also ordered my all time favorite Cadillac Margarita which was good. The restaurant itself is big , relax atmosphere it was pretty empty this day during happy hour. I will definitely return again.

    Carley M.

    Usually they are on point but today was rough. I went during hh to order a drink and takeout. It took them like 15 mins to even greet me at the bar, then i got a boy who seemed unaware of how to take orders, use the system or listen. I ordered fajitas for 2 to go and queso. 15 mine later they bring me 2 steaming plates of fajita i was like oh that was supposed to be to go can it be boxed up? The guy said to go? I said yes then he asked the bartender if i really ordered to go he said yeah before the guy moved this sizzling plate out of my face. Then i wait another 15 mins and have to ask what happened to my food then they go back and grab it like i was a walk in customer. So i go home and...no queso. Ugh! I came here to use my birthday dollars toward a good meal but instead the whole process stressed me out

    Free chips and salsa
    Mimi W.

    Located at the back corner of Bethesda Row with paid parking garages and street parking nearby. This location has the same feel of others I've been to and similar to many large-chain Mexican places. The menu and food is typical and solid, but nothing that stands out. The free chips and salsa is always a plus! They make their guacamole table side, which is nice to watch. The steak fajitas were cooked well, not overcooked like many Mexican places. I've been here several times and the service has always been good. I've even been here with large parties of 10+ with kids and they've always been accommodating.

    Salsa!!
    Drew L.

    Generally a good staple Mexican restaurant. Chips and salsa were great. The fajitas for two had large portions of steak and chicken which were really good. My Roberta's combo was okay, not great. I asked my server what it was comprised of and she could not describe it. Needs some training there. The place is very loud despite being half full. Everything echoes so you'll need to listen carefully and speak as if you're at a nightclub.

    Song Y.

    It's a large restaurant with plenty of space for large parties. I'd recommend making a reservation to avoid any long waits. I tried their dry aged steak and quesadillas. Both were excellent. Steak was cooked to order which was medium rare. This was a pleasant surprise bc most places including steakhouse tend to cook medium rare order closer to medium. The steak and cheese quesadilla was toasted perfectly; the steak was also tender and generous. The veggie and sides were fairy standard; nothing exceptional. Their seasoned rice was dry IMO and small. I've had much better at many small mom and pop Mexican and taco joints. Overall was very good and I'd return next time I'm in the area.

    Yummy!

    Hi! I think this is the best thing in downtown Bethesda! The Chipotle Salmon entree is awesome! I have it at least twice a week. The staff is very pleasant and very knowledgeable giving full menu options. The setting is nice and very comfortable. Very nice ambiance. Food is great!

    Fajitas

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    Thank you for the kind review!

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    6 months ago

    Our server, Cindy was excellent. She was attentive, and very personable! We had such a wonderful dinner, all thanks to Cindy!

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    4 months ago

    This place is THE BEST! Great table side gauc, drinks, and good vibes. Have Carlos as your server for a great time! Kid friendly :)

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    4 months ago

    Ordered a Steak fajita meal and as always delicious ! Service was Great .. Ahhh but one thing , we need the swirl's and the ceviche back!

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    Page 1 of 23

    Uncle Julio's Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Uncle Julio's

    Are there heaters outdoors?

    Yes, they do have heaters and some tents for wind.

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    Torchy's Tacos

    Torchy's Tacos

    3.9(163 reviews)
    5.4 mi
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    There's plenty of seating and parking it's on the corner of the strip mall making it easy to find…read more The setting is definitely a more casual hangout spot you order upfront and they'll bring out your food to you. The staff was friendly and gave some suggestions, but the service is mostly you doing things. The food was good, nothing amazing but pretty good! Good portions of meat and interesting flavors that work together. The steak was tender enough and the chicken was good. The only thing I would suggest would be a heated up tortilla and meltier cheese on top. Overall most of them were pretty decent! 3.5/5 Chips and sampler was good! I do like the chips tasted freshly made and the guacamole and salsa were great! The queso was decent not my favorite, but it was a good addition to the trio. 4/5 Overall, this place is better than Taco Bamba and what I would compare it to with thier similar fusion flavors. I'd go back and try some more things!

    Today I got the brush fire and crossroads tacos and they were fantastic. Needed to get an extra…read morecorn tortilla to hold everything in. Oh and if you cant see the meat under all the toppings, assured its there and was excellent. I would say two tacos was enough, could've pushed for a third but honestly if I was going for a third I would get a burrito to go along with the two tacos to really push me over the limit. Excellent service and fast. The decor and seating could be a bit better but this is definitely a fast casual atmosphere. Prices are spot on for what you're getting and wont be disappointed.

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    Cactus Cantina - Carne Asada A La Parrill

    Cactus Cantina

    3.5(959 reviews)
    3.5 mi
    $$

    Stopped in for a after shopping snack and it was a enormous. Order the Del Mar which is the Beef…read morefajitas for one plus 3 giant bacon wrapped shrimp. It was a massive plate as were the shrimp. Those were honestly my favorite. The bacon was chrisp and the shrimp moist and succulent. They were over cooked but in all fairness. The bacon needed to be crippling, which is was and the plate it hot so it continues to cook. They were still my favorite. #BaconEverything The steak was supposed to be medium but I didn't mind that it was medium well. It was a great cut however the seasoning was lacking. It came with the traditional toppings but I opted for sour cream on the side. I love a good resturant grade salas but theirs is flat. It needed some more seasoning. The port was ample and enough for 2 of us to share. The tortillas are almost like gorditas or papoosas they're so big. I had to cut mine. I didn't love it but didn't hate it either. Its definitely for a croud that wants Main stream Texmex. I love authentic with a Tia in the kitchen and abuela giving orders. It was packed for a Saturday but we ate outside. The resturant has more than enough room. Its pretty open for group seats. I didn't get a drink but they looked great.

    This is my favorite Mexican restaurant. They make their tortillas fresh from a machine that you…read moresee when walking in the door. All of their dishes taste fresh and protions are generous. My favorite is the Salmon A La Parrilla - grilled salmon, topped with sautéed shrimp, avocados, in a light marisco sauce. The steak dishes such as steak fajitas feature tender steak cooked medium rare, not over cooked or burned to a crisp as in many Mexican restaurants. The service is always friendly and prompt. All of their drinks are on point. Not the place for a quiet or intimate dinner, so keep that in mind. This is a very busy and popular place so reservations are highly recommended. Give it a try...I'm sure that you will enjoy it.

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    Cactus Cantina
    Cactus Cantina - Chirros

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    Cactus Cantina - My daughter getting carded on her 21st birthday!

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    My daughter getting carded on her 21st birthday!

    California Tortilla - Meet your favorite kind of sunset - served in a bowl  Fresh veggies, avocado, and a little spice.

    California Tortilla

    3.6(183 reviews)
    0.6 mi
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    It has been several years since I last grabbed a burrito from this restaurant and let me tell you…read moreit was outstanding. I got the chicken Caesar, which was loaded and I mean loaded with fresh ingredients. The service was impeccable, and the food was quickly prepared, and we sat and enjoyed our lunch in the inside of the restaurant was very clean Which really cool is the wall of various hot sauces from all over the place and some of them you need to be careful cause they'll burn your tongue out lol

    California Tortilla, aka "OM" (because that's all you can say after a bite), is officially my new…read morewrap-star. The place was spotless, which is great--no one wants to guac into a messy restaurant. The service? Prompt, friendly, and faster than me unwrapping a burrito on a hungry day. And the queso... wow. Absolutely delicious. Who doesn't love queso? It's basically the glue that holds my soul together. I got the large size, because small queso is like a burrito without guac--what's the point? The jalapeños had a kick that snuck up on me, like a salsa dancer with hot sauce in their shoes. Just enough heat to say "hello," but not so much that I needed to write my will. As for food, I went with the kid's shrimp burrito quesadilla. Why? Because I'm an adult who makes questionable choices in the name of happiness. It was cheesy, it was shrimpy, and it was a tortilla mic drop. Truly the guac and roll lifestyle. California Tortilla: clean, quick, cheesy, spicy, and a place that really knows how to wrap things up.

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    California Tortilla - We're experts at rolling our burritos so you can enjoy a filling lunch or dinner.

    We're experts at rolling our burritos so you can enjoy a filling lunch or dinner.

    California Tortilla - Crisp greens, blackened chicken, creamy avocado, and a drizzle of sweet mango salsa.

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    Crisp greens, blackened chicken, creamy avocado, and a drizzle of sweet mango salsa.

    Uncle Julio's - mexican - Updated May 2026

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