For those who know me really well, you know that I am a self-professed “Mexi-Whore”. I LOVE Mexican food, and can pretty much eat it any day of the week. Fajitas, flautas, tacos (crispy), and burritos are my usual orders, and I have to get chips and salsa. There are so many people who consider Chipotle the be all and end all of burritos, but (as much as I bow down to the “Mexican McDonald’s”) I think there are better places out there. In fact there are better taco and burrito trucks and street vendors to choose from (though unfortunately I have yet to sample some of the best), so why waste your time at Chipotle?
So, with that thought, I’d like to give a shoutout to my favorite lunch and dinner destinations, which I’m sharing with you below. A few alternative runner ups will be thrown in as well. I included my personal “home base” locations as the starting points, but most of these restaurants have multiple locations.
NOTE: I may have to go in and add more detail to this list when I have more time…but this is a good start.
Feel free to chime in with your favorite local Mexican place…I do not discriminate! 
LUNCH – Chipotle no more!
Teocalli Tamale – Herndon, VA with one other location in Crested Butte, CO
The brisket says it all. In fact, I have a group of old co-workers dubbed “The Brisket Boys (and Girl)”that are dedicated to meeting there for lunch at least once a month, if not more. If you ever go here, do yourself a favor and order the “Mike’s Mex-o-Lina” brisket – we prefer hard shell tacos. You won’t regret it. We joke about stealing the metal bins of brisket, and we savor every last bite. The guacamole is good here as well, but if you’re going to skimp out, forget the chips – they often have a “store bought” flavor and are almost stale. (The only exception is if you get nachos…with brisket of course.) Teocalli also has a nice wall of hot sauces to choose from, so you can pick your poison. I would seriously think twice about moving away from the area if I knew it meant I could no longer get this brisket.
Burrito Grill – Old Town Alexandria
I’ve just discovered this place, and I’m happy to add it to my staple of lunch places near my office. I’ve only ever had a steak burrito there, but that’s enough for me. The steak is thinly sliced and not too heavily seasoned, so it has a great flavor. Combined with Spanish-style yellow rice or white rice and your choice of beans and toppings – and it’s enough to make it your meal for the day. The chips are hot, not too greasy, and have a crunchy thickness, and the salsa has a good tomato flavor. It’s simple, and good. The black beans, cheese and guacamole (with big fresh chunks of avocado) all hit the spot, and combined with the natural flavor of the meat…mmmmm. So good.
California Tortilla – Cleveland Park, Washington DC, and various other locations
I crave the honey lime dressing. I love the BBQ chicken crunchy ranch burritos. And hey, they serve it at Improv so it can’t be bad! My favorite thing to get at California Tortilla are the salads. I love the plain garden salad, with corn, black beans, cheese and tortilla strips. It’s filling and so delicious (of course, with the honey lime dressing).
DINNER – Not your average Chi-Chi’s
Rio Grande Cafe – Reston or Ballston, VA, and various other locations
The fajitas are amazing, and the portions of meat you get are insane, you can easily split it. Salsa is always fresh and spicy, and every meal I’ve had there leaves me satisfied.
Mi Rancho – Silver Spring, MD
The margaritas here are delicious, perfect to sit on Mi Rancho’s huge deck in the summertime and enjoy a few. The chips and salsa compliment the margaritas with their salty light crunch, and the sopapillas wash it all down with gooey sweet pillows.
Guapo’s – Shirlington/Arlington, VA, and various other locations
One of my go to choices, Guapo’s never disappoints. I love the tacos, burritos and fajitas here. The queso is good and comes with thicker chips than the normal chips and salsa. The fajitas come with generous portions of meat and the tacos have shredded beef if you ask.
Lauriol Plaza (and Cactus Cantina) -Washington, DC
Ah, is it worth the 45 minute plus wait? Sometimes… if only for the scenery. The pitchers of margaritas here will be my downfall one day, but a hot summer day with a swirl margarita on the deck at Lauriol…a DC rite of passage.
Silverado – Annandale, VA
Part of the Great American Restaurant Group, the fajitas here are enough for two (especially the jumbo portion). But, the real star here is in the salsa…seriously if they bottled it up and sold it I would be a lifetime customer.
Tortilla Factory – Reston/Herndon, VA
The fajitas here don’t come out with the sizzling greasiness of most other places, instead a hefty portion of meat is served chargrilled with awesome rice, black beans, tons of onions and peppers, and sides of guacamole and sour cream. The chips here are decent, and the salsa is fresh, tomato-y and spicy. Chicken fajitas are the way to go.
South Austin Grill – Old Town Alexandria and various other locations
You can’t go wrong with the queso, made with beer it’s a guaranteed to be gone in a flash. Fajitas, tacos and burritos are all decent, but the chips can be too thick and oversalted sometimes.
On the Border – Reston and Tysons Corner VA, and various other locations
I love the flautas here. They are my favorite thing to order. The salsa is spicy and the queso is processed tasting but still pretty good.
RUNNERS UP – In a pinch
Chevy’s – Pentagon City or Fairfax,VA, and various other locations
The thing I like the best about Chevy’s is the smoky salsa. The other food is mediocre, although the dessert with the ice cream rolled in coconut and caramel is pretty good.
El Paso Cafe – Arlington, VA
Apparently President Bush likes to frequent this joint. The fajitas are good and slightly spicy. Chips and salsa are mediocre, and the salsa is hit or miss with spiciness.
Rosa Mexicano – Washington, DC
My first experience there wasn’t that great, but I think I need to try it again to make an accurate evaluation. However, the guacamole was pretty darn good. Plus, if I am going to pay for more expensive Mexican, I’d rather go somewhere like Lauriol Plaza.
NEED TO TRY
Zapata’s True Mexican Food Restaurant – Columbia, MD
I hear the mole is to die for.
Oyamel – Washington, DC
Not sure if I’ll like it, but I’ve heard good things about it.
Alero – Cleveland Park, DC and Dupont
Heard it’s pretty decent…
BONUS: BEST CHIPS AND SALSA
Personally, I’m addicted to the light crispy chips at Rio Grande with the smoky spicy salsa. Mi Rancho however, might give Rio Grande a run for its money with its fresh salsa and delicate chips. I love the fresh tasting chunky salsa at Guapo’s, and I can’t say no to Lauriol Plaza either. But everytime I go to Silverado, whether it’s for salads, filet mignon, or fajitas…I order chips and salsa. They are that good.
If I had to rank, I would say:
- Silverado
- Lauriol Plaza
- Mi Rancho
- Rio Grande
- Guapo’s
