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    Back Door Tacos

    3.7 (16 reviews)
    Open 4:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)

    Back Door Tacos Photos

    BACK DOOR TACOS ATMOSPHERE

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    Ceviche
    Nicole O.

    This place is quite average. They don't take reservations and operate on a waitlist system. However, when you do get on the waitlist, all they do is let you inside. You still have to try and find your own table or just stand at the bar until someone gets up. Not exactly the best customer experience. The drink prices are great, but they're not exactly handcrafted cocktails. The tacos are comically small, and the amount of ceviche I got for the price paid is comical. I never need to come back here again, but it's a cool spot to grab a drink if you can get in.

    Hammed A.

    An OK experience at Back Door Tacos. The hidden entrance is perhaps the allure of the restaurant. The business can be entered from the alley between DREAMS Smoke Shop and Agora DC Mediterranean Restaurant on 17th Street. If you receive driving directions to enter from Q Street, park along Q Street and walk through the alley behind Stead Park (a large field with artificial turf). The business seems to be set up more for leisure and lounging rather than for their tacos. The tacos might simply complement the drinks which is no dig. The tacos are OK quality-wise. The customer service was good. The ordering process doesn't add any stars to the review. You order your food at the bar and are given a restaurant pager to retrieve your food once it is ready. Because the bar tender also takes the food orders, I found myself jockeying for position to order among others patrons; some of whom proceeded to walk up to the bar to order food and drinks, lacking awareness of those around them who had been waiting longer to order. Overall, an OK experience.

    Karla V.

    This space used to be an extension of Hank's Oyster Bar, but it was not being used to the fullest potential, so they came up with Back Door Tacos. As for its location, it's located in the alley behind Agora. We did have a little trouble locating it since they understandably advertised it being behind Hank's Oysters. When we arrived, they had an hr wait! Get there immediately when they open if you want to be seated immediately. We ventured off for dinner and returned an he later for drinks. We had the agua fresca which on their menu, is listed under cocktails. Apparently you have to ask to spike this drink because it was just juice (tasty juice) when I received it. The bartenders were super friendly and corrected it, but I think he simply removed some juice and added a ton of alcohol on top. It was strong and just not palatable. We decided to keep it safe and ordered margaritas. I think most of their cocktails are premade batches to expedite service. All in all, the vibe was nice. The service was great as well. Finally, what really drew us in was the affordability. Our drinks were $9 each! Next time we'll need to try the food.

    Variety of tacos
    Hannah R.

    Wanted to love this place but it fell short... The hostess was so confused and had a terrible system of taking the waitlist. You'd get off the waitlist then wait inside again? The food was very expensive for what it was and took so long to come out. I hope they are working out some kinks I really liked the space! But it also didn't seem that well run

    Austin G.

    I love a hidden restaurant in an alley, especially in Dupont Circle where there's a plethora of great restaurants, museums, and public art. Back Door Tacos' entrance is off of 17th Street NW. Walk inside to an outdoor courtyard. Continue inside to a bar area and a dining room. I ordered at the bar and within minutes my shrimp taco was out. It was the right size and tasty. I don't usually love corn tacos, but these ones are good. There's a giant jug of water in the corner.

    Entrance to the Back Door
    Bret T.

    Tiny but fun place! Tasty tacos and drinks in a relaxing space. Although the tacos could use some Zing to them. Maybe a salsa bar would help fill that gap? This hidden hot spot will be sure to fill up quickly. Get there early. The wait is worth it.

    10/10 experience. What a great place to spend a Friday night with friends! Frozen margaritas were wonderful! Dog friendly patio, and great DJ!

    Outside Patio

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    5 months ago

    Needs better hours. 4pm on a weekend is ridiculous, people want to be able to eat lunch here and do other things in the evening.

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    Chicatana Fine Mexican Cuisine

    Chicatana Fine Mexican Cuisine

    4.7(97 reviews)
    1.6 miColumbia Heights

    Had a great time and dinner! Chicatana is unassuming and unpretentious, staffed with attentive…read moreservers who do an amazing job (water was always filled and empty plates removed quite efficiently). The decor is simple, no table clothes or frills but it does live up to 'fine cuisine' with excellent food and presentation (another subtle touch is if you leave the table, you return to a nicely folded napkin). We got nearly everything on the menu including all the desserts and Mexican hot chocolate (yum, lightly spicy and piping hot!) . As others have said their guacamole is excellent...do check the charges though bc they added salsa and chips to the tab which we did not order (they removed). Also, the first order of guac came with big bowl of chips, but none with the second order of guac- not a problem though because you do not go hungry. Portions are quite generous. We even tried the ants which was a fun novelty

    This was the valentine's day 2026 stop. I had no idea it was in the area it was, but alas, we made…read morethe trek from lowly ballston anyway. After parking in the Giant parking garage (decent price), we walked the few blocks to the restaurant. We spotted it with the poster sign hanging up on the outer walls. Inside you head up the stairs and you're greeted by the host stand. We checked in and got our table, right at the window (hellya). There was a rose and a candle on the table (vday vibes) and we also received a vday specials menu. We landed on queso fundido to start and a cocktail each: prickly pear marg for her, a viva mexico for me. After fundido'ing it up, we ordered our entrees. We're simple folks it was a 2 carne asada tacos, 1 al pastor taco, 1 pescado taco, and 1 chicken quesadilla. Unfortunately we weren't bold enough to try the insectos. Food was great, drinks were great, service was great. You can pay your tab via Toast for no additional fee which was convenient. There are two, single use bathrooms in there too. Overall, solid spot.

    Photos
    Chicatana Fine Mexican Cuisine - The bar

    The bar

    Chicatana Fine Mexican Cuisine - Bunuelos

    Bunuelos

    Chicatana Fine Mexican Cuisine - Illegal old fashioned

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    Illegal old fashioned

    Taqueria Al Lado - Campechano Taco

    Taqueria Al Lado

    4.3(69 reviews)
    2.7 miH Street Corridor/Atlas District/Near Northeast

    We got takeout for a couple of friends - suadero tacos, champiñones tacos (pork), Al pastor, and 1…read morecod fish. I liked the suadero and the al pastor best. The elote was solid, with real queso fresco. We also ordered aguachiles with shrimp and it was prepared nicely though when the delivery came the bottom of the bag was soaked with aguachiles water/ citrus. The Jamaica agua fresca was nicely done as well. Overall for legit Mexican in the DC area and for delivery Al Lado was top tier.

    Years ago, behind U Street Music Hall (RIP), there used to be a taco spot in a row home called El…read moreChilango. It used to be the spot for me and my friends to grab a quick bite and everything about it was exceptional: who can say no to super affordable yet authentic street tacos served on paper plates. Sadly, it closed. Last night, I think I stumbled across a taco spot to finally take the wheel from our dearly missed El Chilango. Taqueria Al Lado is very no frills and a tiny spot, but it has tacos that make your heart sing. My friend recommended the Al Pastor so I got that with a chicken taco as well. Both were super flavorful, fatty, but really fresh and well balanced. The key here is simplicity and they do it perfectly. Each taco was about $4 or $5 if I remember correctly, so it's a great spot to grab food if you're trying to ball on a budget. We got the guac, too, which was good but not life changing; the fresh chips, however, were spot on. As far as service goes, we went on a Friday and it was super busy, but there were plenty of servers if we needed something (just had to be vocal). I will definitely be coming back!

    Photos
    Taqueria Al Lado - Heated porch seating. We sat at the bar.

    Heated porch seating. We sat at the bar.

    Taqueria Al Lado - Suadero Huarache! This was freaking incredible! Hidden gem!

    Suadero Huarache! This was freaking incredible! Hidden gem!

    Taqueria Al Lado - Suadero Taco & Quesabirria Taco

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    Suadero Taco & Quesabirria Taco

    Bartaco - Fish, steak, and chicken taco. Delicious!

    Bartaco

    4.3(51 reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$

    First time ordering from Bartaco. Decided to go in and place a takeout order of two rice bowls,…read morechips and guacamole. The service was very friendly. The hostess greeted me and asked if I'd ever been to the restaurant before. She directed me to the back counter where I was able to review the menu and place my order. The server at this register was also very nice. I liked the texture of the rice bowls and everything was cooked well. However, the portions for everything were smaller than I expected for the price. Bartaco offers items with mushrooms, falafel, and cauliflower. However I think it would be great if they could offer something with tofu as there is not a protein option for vegans. The chips and guacamole were decent but nothing special. Interesting that the chips come as large pieces instead of as individual chips. I'd maybe stop in again if I was nearby but I'm not sure I'm eager to return.

    The patio is nice on those warmer days. Drinks, food, and people watching. I've been to many of…read morethese types of places in DC. Sophisticated tacos were good but smaller. My half of chicken was ok. Just grilled and needed lots more seasoning and maybe a side should come with it. The trio was good. The drinks I had weren't strong enough. They had just introduced the toast software so there were plenty of glitches but they more than made up for all of the problems. Much appreciated!

    Photos
    Bartaco - Happy hour ciprihana (something like that) refreshing drink

    Happy hour ciprihana (something like that) refreshing drink

    Bartaco - Duck Birria

    Duck Birria

    Bartaco - Chips and Guacamole

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    Chips and Guacamole

    Back Door Tacos - tacos - Updated August 2026

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