homestyle mexican food

[balloons]

I grew up in San Antonio and am going to college in DC. I've been craving a taste of home, real, homemade Mexican or Tex-Mex food. I'm not talking about just burritos and tacos, I'm talking about mole, pozole, chile relleno, menudo real tortillas, that sort of thing. How I miss it. Anyhow, if anyone has any advice for me I would be a very happy camper. Thanks a lot.

[boomousse]

hey bro,

i am a chef(and a good one)...and let me tell you that i am more than a little disappointed with the Mexican food here in DC. Most of the "Mexican" restaurants are run by El Salvadorean families. There is 1 and only 1 with the flavors you are craving(that i have found, if you do better let me know!) It is Oyamel restaurant in Penn Quarter. Jose Andres is a famous chef with lots of different concerpts in DC. This is his Mexican concept, everything is homemade and the flavors are on point. The only things un-Mexican about the place are that it is a small plate concept(like Spanish tapas) so order at least 3 - 4 things per person. Also the prices are unrealistic...but not offensively high. I have eaten through the entire menu twice over numerous trips. A couple of my wife and I's faves are the papas en mole, tacos de lengua, and the tamale verde. Also if you are brave the grasshopper tacos suprisingly deliscious. Let me know what you think, hit me up if need a friend to go with.

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[Dennis S]

Welcome to the area. There are many threads on this, but for the most part boomousse is right.

To be more correct, DC lacks Tex-mex and Cal-mex. There is Mexican of all price points, but neither of the two sub-types I just mentioned. As boo pointed out, there are more Central American options, and Central American kitchen staffs masquerading in Mexican menus.

There's a place near Burke, VA that probably gets close to what you're looking for. I'm blanking on the name and came up with nada in a search. It's on 123 just north of the main E-W Burke rd. If you like TX's Don Julio's they're here by the name of Rio Grande - closest one to you is probably in Ballston. You can also try one of the Anita's outposts. They're not what they once were, but they base off of New Mexican.

You should also check out any of the conversations about Bladensburg, MD area. El Tapatio is one of the places.

For tacos and burritos, go ahead and get to El Charrito Caminante in Arlington. When he was serving from a truck he always told me he went back home to Southern Mexico on his annual vacation (which he didn't take for a while once in a storefront - poor guy).

In DC, try out Pepito's in Adam's Morgan and the taco truck at 16th and Columbia as well as Taqueria Distrito Federal in Columbia Heights. TDF has pozole and menudo, btw.

Best advice though: explore what we do have here.

[chowser]

Is the place in Burke you're thinking of La Tolteca? If so, it has a Fairfax Station address, across the street from Burke on 123, across from Burke Center Parkway, near the Kohl's. It might the the reason you couldn't find it. FWIW, I haven't been impressed with the food but have only been twice. Oddly enough, the address when you google it doesn't give you La Tolteca but a chain in Delaware. Maybe it's a new kink because I know I've been to their site.

You can get posole at Anita's that's pretty good, a little on the salty side but it is nice and hearty. Anita's is supposed to be New Mex Mex.

[Dennis S]

Yes, that's it - thanks. I agree in general with you that it's not worth a long drive. I put it as having authentic potential catering more to the tex-mex/US crowd. I'm not a big fan of mole, but a friend who loves it really likes theirs.

[Steve]

Oyamel does indeed have a few nice selections, so that will probably be your most convenient first stop. I particularly like the salmon ceviche.

The best taco in the area is easily the goat taco at El Charito Caminante in Arlington. They also do a nice job with beans and plantains.

Not convenient for most folks, but probably your best option is Guadalejara far south on US 1 below the city of Alexandria. The huarache con birria will make you feel at home. It's kinda far for me, so I haven't had a chance to explore, but they do seem to have a nice selection of other items. A certifiable dive, you order at the counter.

Tacos Y Tortas Guadalejara
7862 Richmond Hwy
Alexandria, VA 22306

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[ChewFun]

Your best bet is to go to Bladensburg/Riverdale in PG County. There is a little Mexico there running along Edmonston Road. There are a lot of great taquerias and restaurants there. You can even get Tacos de Buche', Liver Tacos and Nopalitos. It will taste different than the food you grew up with, but it will truly be authentic. In particular, check out Taqueria Tres Reyes II and El Tapatio.

[boomousse]

thanks for all the help chowhounds!!!!!!

[wayne keyser]

It's true what they say about the predominance of Salvadorean restaurants, but that doesn't mean the food may not be close to what you want. Beats "tex-mex."

Check out http://www.abirestaurant.com/html/men...

[Dennis S]

Is Aclacatl still on the Pike and doing well (in terms of both food and business)? I used to really like that place.

Also, next to Abi's (which I liked as well) used to be El Puerto which is Peruvian.

[Steve]

I used to like Atlacatl (Salvadoran), but I think it has gone way downhill. It used to be a festive and popular place. Now it's pretty much deserted all the time.

[Dennis S]

Shame. I was a regular from around 2000-2003 and you're right about the festive nature.

On the Peruvian place, El Puerto, on Fridays and Saturdays it turns into a dance hall with a live band (or at least used to). Great to go for an earliesh dinner and hang out a bit afterwards.