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    El Fresco

    4.6 (36 reviews)
    Closed • 11:00 am - 8:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

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    Bar to order
    karen k.

    On site parking and a fully remodeled restaurant. Clean and easy to navigate. The young man at the counter was very helpful and steered us in the right direction of what to get. Lunch special is $9.95 and a super deal! Get the chicken fajitas which were Perfection , or the Taco & enchilada combination, all Served with rice, beans, and chips. There is also a salsa bar with mild to spiced salsas along with pico , onion, lemons and limes. Highly recommend and anticipate being back here often.

    That bowl depth tho
    Aaron S.

    Sorry Chipotle, ive got a new boo and her name is El Fresco. This place is newly opened, and today happened to be their grand opening day where they ran a 5 dollar burrito bowl special. They redecorated the place (used to be a charcoal chicken joint) and its nice and modern looking. The staff was super friendly and accomodating which is always great. Heres why this burrito bowl is better than chipotle. First, all of the ingredients are fresh, but you can definitely taste everything. The pico was great, and you could distinguish between the jalapeno, cilantro, and tomato. Second, they layered the cheese. On top is the standard issue white cheese, but underneath the pico, lettuce and white cheese is a layer of yellow (not sure if cheddar or something different) that melted itself into the steak and lettuce. I almost missed it because it wasnt easy to see but its there and its fantastic. Third, the rice. Spanish rice is used here and it was so good. I typically get the lime cilantro at chipotle but the spanish rice gave it that chefs kiss. Fourth, is volume. Look at how deep that bowl is! They have a ton of other things on the menu that im looking forward to trying out so ill definitely be back. Oh, and they give you chips while you wait. Whats better than that!

    The back register, salsa bar, and drink station
    Tom K.

    The food tastes great. Got the Asada Tacos lunch special. The asada is excellent quality. They have a salsa bar with hot, medium, and mild sauces, diced white onions, and fresh diced jalapeños. The prices at least for lunch are great! There are plenty of tables and the dining area is very clean. The lady at the register even gave me chips while I waited for my tacos!

    Steak Nachos
    Nicole H.

    I had an awesome dining experience at El Fresco! I ordered the steak nachos with white queso. They were the most amazing nachos I've seriously ever had ! The meat was nice and tender, the veggies fresh. The white queso was creamy and delicious! Staff is super friendly and the owner is hardworking and always takes good care of us when we eat there. Place is clean and organized. They have a salsa bar! Yum! Lots of salsas to choose from. I ordered the fried ice cream for dessert and it was AMAZING! I loved my whole experience at El Fresco on Route 1 in Alexandria!

    LoriLynn R.

    Food is amazing and fresh and delicious cute inside and out. Staff is friendly. This is just a great place and our new come to spot. It's clean and all around spot on.

    San Antonio Chili
    John L.

    This place has BASIC Tex-Mex food. Two of the desserts were stale, and one was awful. More about that later. El Fresco Tex-Mex Grill is a franchise company owned by Iranian immigrant Steve Ganji. He opened the first restaurant in 2008 in Chantilly, VA. This store opened on January 19, 2024. It is owned by a franchisee. All four of their locations are surrounded by Taco Bells. That's a smart plan! It ensures a customer base that eats simple Tex-Mex. When they come here, they'll rave about it because the food here is fresher and more flavorful. A Taco Bell executive said that all their regular dishes are made from a limited list of ingredients. That's why it all tastes similar. The flavor profile in everything we tried here was either basic or lacking. We made 2 visits and tried 10 items in hopes of finding something outstanding. 1) San Antonio Chili It was oily beef soup with ground meat, black beans, diced onions, tomato paste, and diced green peppers. It had a mild spiciness with moderate seasoning but no chili powder or cumin flavor. The meat tasted like a blend of chicken and beef. Edible and forgettable. 2) Chicken Nacho Supreme It had corn tortilla chips topped with plain shredded chicken, a choice of white queso or cheddar/jack cheeses, plain tomatoes, black olives, cilantro, jalapeňos, and sour cream. We chose queso, and it was typical. The flavor was the sum of the parts. The only added seasoning that I could taste was salt! They have a free salsa bar, which has jalapeños, pico de gallo, limes, lemons, onions, tomate rojo, tomatillo verde, and jalapeños asados. We used them to give this dish spiciness and depth of flavor. It was average at best. 3) Burrito Deluxe A flour tortilla with shredded chicken, Spanish rice, and beans. Covered with white queso, tomatoes, olives, cilantro, sour cream, and red chili. You have a choice of black, pinto, or mixed beans. The filling was lightly seasoned with salt and pepper. The red chili was liquid from the chili described above. The Taco Bell method was used here. It's got many of the same ingredients as the nachos. 4) Chicken Fajita It had strips of grilled chicken sautéed with tomatoes, onions, and green peppers. It came with 3 flour tortillas, lettuce, tomatoes, beans, Spanish rice, cheese, sour cream, and a slice of lime. It was sautéed in a sauce with flavors of lime juice, garlic, cheap chili powder, and salt. It had depth of flavor that was ordinary. It had no smoke flavor and no brown sugar to balance the lime juice. Those are just a few changes it could use. It was okay overall. 5) Mariachi Burrito A flour tortilla filled with Spanish rice, carne asada, pollo asado, beans, lettuce, and pico de gallo. Covered with melted cheese, red chile, and cilantro. Served with sour cream and fresh guacamole. The guacamole was too salty. The meats were mildly seasoned and tender. Overall, it was moderately spicy and full of typical tasting ingredients. It was better than the Burrito Deluxe. 6) Chorizo con Huevos It had Mexican sausage and eggs mixed together and then topped with red chiles and melted cheese. It came with 4 tortillas and fried potatoes. Other than the seasonings and savoriness in the Chorizo, this was 2-dimensional in flavor and salty. It was mildly hot from the chiles. The potatoes were typical. 7) Southwestern Enchilada Platter Two soft corn tortillas filled with a protein or veggies, then covered with melted cheddar/jack cheese and red chile. Served with olives, lettuce, tomato, cilantro, guacamole, and sour cream. It came with Spanish rice and a choice of beans. We picked carnitas, which were moist, tender, and savory. It helped in making this flavorful and well-rounded. 8) Sopapillas with a side of honey They were dense, chewy, not fluffy, stale, and had hard edges. They were covered with powdered sugar. The taste and texture were awful! Why serve this? Unbelievable! 9) Apple Churros It had 3 pieces, deep-fried and covered with cinnamon. The filling tasted like apple pie filling. The dough tasted like it was stale and frozen too long. It was like vendor pre-made frozen churros. Go to Brazilian bakery for great fresh churros. 10) Mexican Fried Ice Cream It had a big scoop of plain vanilla ice cream coated with fried corn tortilla flakes and topped with whipped cream, chocolate syrup, and a maraschino cherry. It was in a STALE tortilla bowl. No rich ice cream or crispy fried cornflakes. It's a mix of mundane flavors. The service was friendly, helpful, and responsive. I couldn't ask for more! 3 entrees only took 18 minutes to make. The dining room and restrooms were very clean. The restrooms were locked. Ask an employee for the key. They have a free parking lot that was repaved recently. The service was great, but the food wasn't. They give a good amount of food for the price, so there's value. I'd rather spend more and go to El Paso Mexican restaurant for superior Tex-Mex food.

    Tex-Mex Grill
    Shaun F.

    I'm so happy El Fresco has arrived on Richmond Highway. The service is awesome! Staff are always smiling and they provide fresh chips and salsa while you wait for your order. I normally get veggie burritos or veggie quesadilla and I'm always satisfied. Their food is better than most restaurants on Richmond Highway. They also have a deal going on. Check it out!

    Burrito minus tortilla (BMT) with guacamole

    This place is combines all of the best parts of Moe's and Chipotle. Very good food, fresh!! The service was fine. I love the fact that guac and sour cream come automatically with your BMT (burrito minus tortilla/burrito bowl). All of the salsas at the bar are great! I ordered the BMT with steak.

    Chicken Fajitas lunch! So delicious!
    Maggie S.

    This place is a small chain, but wow do they deserve kudos! Great service and absolutely so fresh, delicious and the prices are on point! Chips and salsa come with every meal with a great variety of salsas to choose from at the salsa bar. Will be back!

    Vegetable Burrito
    Colton B.

    The food is spectacular with lots of vegetarian options. Their queso is very good, and the service is fast very friendly.

    Shrimp Fajitas with pinto beans.

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    2 years ago

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    7 months ago

    We love love love this location. The food is fresh and hot. I choose plant based options.

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    2 years ago

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    1 year ago

    I go there often. Everything is fresh and delicious. The chicken fajitas are tender! My go to for myself or the whole family.

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    1 year ago

    Food & Service excellent every time. Everything is always fresh and delicious. Location is very clean

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    3 years ago

    Delicious Tex-Mex style enchiladas! Finally! Great, friendly service. I went twice in the first week. The chicken nachos were dry, though.

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

    It's hard to find good Mexican food in the DMV. The menu is amazing, the location is clean, and the staff are friendly.

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    3 years ago

    Enjoyed my chicken fajitas and got a free ice cream, cannot complain and will go back.

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    Narman Restaurant, Cafe & Bar

    Narman Restaurant, Cafe & Bar

    4.5(15 reviews)
    4.3 mi•Old Town Alexandria

    Love love love Narman. It was easy to find, and the parking was free & nearby. We decided to…read morecelebrate my husband's birthday at a Turkish restaurant. He was in the mood for Lahmacun (sounds like Lahamajoun) super thin, crispy pizza topped with a mixture of minced meat with peppers, tomato, herbs, and spices. More fine, light, and delicate than the typical American thin pizza. The service, drinks, and food were beyond stellar in Narman. We felt like the only customers there and were waited on by many staff. The highlight of the day there was their pizza and their beverage presentation and flavors. We came on a weekday night and were the only people there in the end. My husband was impressed at how upscale the restaurant was and it was the finest Turkish restaurant he ever visited. He said it was similar to the hotel dining place he lived at in Turkey. This was our first restaurant in downtown Alexandria and one of our best experiences in Alexandria. The Lahmacun was the finest Turkish pizza my husband ever had. He ordered three of them! Each pizza was served on a large wood board with extra toppings on the side like lemon wedges, cilantro, and onions. They are so fine and thin that you can roll them up to eat. We had to put some of the last pizza aside for take out. I ate the takeout piece and was very impressed how delicious it was after being in the fridge overnight & re-heated. I loved the flavors of the Lahmacun and I don't even care for pizza that much. It is my most preferred pizza in my life ever next to the Crazy Ex in The Thirsty Goat in Clarksville, Tennessee. I ordered a Turkish dish with a rich and ancient history, Hunkar Begendi, or "Sultan's Delight." It dates back several centuries, and it was prepared for the sultans and high-ranking officials, and was served during special occasions and celebrations. The Hunkar Begendi had lamb and velvet soft eggplant with spices. I ordered it with a side of rice. It was very delicious and unique. Yet the Lahmacun despite its simplicity stole the show and cost 1/3 of the price of the Hunkar Begendi. For my beverage, I ordered The Elma. It has a stunning presentation in a smoke filled glass box. The Elma is a beverage with Bourbon, Peach liquor, vanilla maple, Apple butter,Lemon juice, and Apple cider. You have to watch the videos of how it is presented at the table. At the end of our dinner, they played happy birthday and surprised my husband with an ice cream and pumpkin dessert with a candle. So wonderful & heartfelt. It was a fascinating and flavorful dish. The pumpkin tasted like sweet potato & was different. This is a must see place for Turkish cuisine and the finest restaurant service. Prices are low to fair for such high quality food and service. Five Stars.

    We're so excited to see a new restaurant in Old Town North! That space has been teasing a new…read morerestaurant for a while now, so it's awesome to see one stick! We went on opening night a few weeks ago and we had an awesome experience! You can tell everyone working in that restaurant is passionate about their food and service. We had the pide (vegetarian and meat), the hummus, and two other recommended dips. The food was delicious and the portions were generous. We will definitely be back to Narman!

    Photos
    Narman Restaurant, Cafe & Bar - Grilled Octopus with Baby Veggies

    Grilled Octopus with Baby Veggies

    Narman Restaurant, Cafe & Bar - Prawns cooked in terracotta plate

    Prawns cooked in terracotta plate

    Narman Restaurant, Cafe & Bar - Mezze Platter

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    Mezze Platter

    Matt and Tony's All Day Kitchen Bar - Scotch Eggs

    Matt and Tony's All Day Kitchen Bar

    4.5(1.2k reviews)
    4.5 mi•Del Ray
    •$$

    My sister and I came to Matt and Tony's for brunch with my toddler, and we had such a great…read moreexperience! We had reservations for 2 PM and were seated shortly after arriving. There was a little wait, but nothing long at all and definitely no complaints. My sister and I both ordered the steak and eggs, which came with potatoes and chimichurri sauce, and everything was absolutely delicious! The steak was flavorful, the entire meal was really good, and I would definitely order it again. For my toddler, we ordered the kids' waffle with fruit. My only small suggestion would be to offer a protein option with the kids' meal to make it a little more complete. It wasn't a big issue for us since I was able to share some of my food with him. The service was wonderful! Our server was quick, attentive, and made sure we had everything we needed. The restaurant itself is such a cute little spot with a nice atmosphere. Overall, great food, great service, and a really enjoyable brunch. I would definitely come back again!

    Can you say a match made in tastebud heaven !!! That's exactly what transpired this past Labor…read moreDay.... Matt and Tony's were the perfect find on a beautiful holiday afternoon. They literally check every box for an amazing outing !! Lively, energetic atmosphere with super chill music and outdoor seating if any of their patrons want to take advantage of the beautiful weather ( and VA landscape) The seating arrangement is cool and cozy with just enough space to comfortably enjoy your meal. ( TV's are at the bar so this makes them the perfect NFL and brunch location !! ) And now let's talk about the food !! WOW !! Like this really impressed me on another level.... It's a fast paced environment, so for the food to be this good left me in awe ( I salute their chef !! ) I started out with the crab stuffed oysters. And I almost ended right there because this appetizer was just that good ( I contemplated ordering two more servings for my meal ) the crab is more like a dip, with a cheesy sauce loaded on top of an oyster ( the best I have tasted for sure ) and when coupled with the ritz style cracker... I had to calm my tastebuds down !!! And for my entree I tried the M & T smash burger with fries and this kept my tastebuds doing its own version of a touchdown dance ( absolutely a 10 out of 10 !! ) Matt and Tony's you have a loyal customer for life ( see you next weekend !! )

    Photos
    Matt and Tony's All Day Kitchen Bar - Matt and Tony's

    Matt and Tony's

    Matt and Tony's All Day Kitchen Bar - Rye Loaf with Spreads

    Rye Loaf with Spreads

    Matt and Tony's All Day Kitchen Bar - Steak & Eggs

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    Steak & Eggs

    Fontaine - Just Peachy

    Fontaine

    3.8(932 reviews)
    3.9 mi•Old Town Alexandria
    •$$

    To quote the great Tyra Banks: "I want to give you a zero, but that's not possible. So I give you a…read more1." Let's just say the food here was absolutely disappointing. All of the hip young girls in high school recommended this place to me and my friends and lets just say, they have never been more wrong. My girls and I went this weekend for a birthday brunch. I wanted a crepe, but when I saw it was 17 DOLLARS to slap some Nutella and strawberries on a piece of crepe is outrageous. I ordered a "Continental Breakfast," which, with tax and tip, cost me $30 DOLLARS. I wish you could have seen the look on my face when they gave me a plate of rabbit food. All 6 of us looked at the plate and laughed. Seriously, my 5 year old neice can eat 3 times as much of that in one sitting. So, in what world would that be enough food for a grown woman? My friend then went on to order the French toast for a grand total of $36 DOLLARS. Mind you, there was only one piece of toast, and the Inside was raw and soggy. Tasted like eating wet, soaked toilet paper. On top of the overpriced food and small portions, our "server" came to our table for a total of ONE SINGULAR TIME. My friend had also ordered a Chai Latte. Surprise, Surprise! It never came, and they still charged her for it. I think the nice man who brought us our food could see the look on our faces when we received our food, because he then brought us a free side of French fries. It is a huge problem when the french fries were the only sufficient thing I put in my mouth at this restaurant. I please, genuinely beg all of you to NOT waste your money. I promise there is anywhere else where you can get a crepe for double the size and half the cost. Once we left, we went down to Call Your Mother, the Jewish Deli, to get more food, as all of us left with our tummies still rumbling. Mind you, a full bagel sandwich and coffee cost HALF THE PRICE of one meal at Fontaine. Horrible. Mind you, it is 2 days later, and I am still thinking about this. I fully created a Yelp account just so I could leave a review. I think I would have a better experience eating an IHOP Continental breakfast than whatever I put in my mouth at this restaurant. Not worth the hype at all. Save your hard-earned cash and be a big baller elsewhere!

    Tucked just off King Street, Fontaine offers crêpes and classic French dishes in a charming, bistro…read moresetting. The crepes were good, I tried the Alexandrian and enjoyed it. The menu leans traditional, with a variety of options that highlight classic French flavors. That said, it's a bit on the pricier side for the overall experience. I'd recommend Fontaine more for a specific occasion, like taking visiting parents, or if you're dining with someone who needs gluten-free options, as they have good choices. Overall, a quaint and inviting spot that brings a touch of France to Old Town.

    Photos
    Fontaine - Back

    Back

    Fontaine - Egg salad with cucumbers. Delicious!

    Egg salad with cucumbers. Delicious!

    Fontaine - French 75

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    French 75

    Royal Restaurant

    Royal Restaurant

    3.7(620 reviews)
    4.4 mi•Old Town Alexandria
    •$$
    Full bar
    Large group friendly

    Had a good experience here. Took my mom and we thoroughly enjoyed the ambience and the proximity to…read moreour hotel in Old Town, as well as the proximity to Alfred Street Baptist Church, and to the shops and restaurants on King Street. The service was attentive. There was a dinner rush. The Bar was packed. This place is clearly popular, and the food was savory and delicious. The Royal is a elevated, diner and definitely a crowd pleaser, good quality food, and within the same restaurant group as Adas on the river and palette22. They are clearly serving the community here. Would return, And would recommend Pictured in my photo are the following appetizers: SHRIMP & ROASTED PORK FRIED RICE G ROYAL SMASH SLIDERS STREET CORN DEVILED EGGS V G ROASTED CORN DEVILED EGGS V G Roasted Corn Deviled Eggs Not pictured: CRISPY SPAGHETTI CARBONARA FRITTERS

    The Royal has been around for over 100 years if you can believe it! They recently did a renovation…read moreand it still looks like Grandma's house - but in a chic way. There's fun old fashioned wallpaper but with updated booths and tables. The food was hit or miss for us. We enjoyed their jalapeño cornbread with orange butter and their smash burger sliders. They had crispy edges, nicely toasted buns and yummy melted cheese. But our entrees weren't as successful. The steak and cheese was more of a shredded beef sandwich. And the pesto pasta was really overcooked. The one entree we did like was their pork shank. It was really tender, fall off the bone and flavorful. I would come back for their caramelized banana split. Boy, was that good! I love the banana cooked this way with corn flakes, vanilla ice cream, hot fudge, chocolate chips and whipped cream. Delicious!!

    Photos
    Royal Restaurant
    Royal Restaurant
    Royal Restaurant

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    El Fresco - mexican - Updated September 2026

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