Don't come hungry when it's busy. It took about an hour and twenty minutes to get our food after ordering. We waited another twenty mins to order. We're still waiting to pay and we gave up on getting any drink refills. The food was fine but definitely not the best Salvadoran/Tex mex in the area. And it's a bit pricey, especially for items with beef or the tacos which apparently don't come with rice and beans. I often hear of the community support this place has and I really appreciate that. Still, we came to have dinner and with kids in tow, this sort of wait is untenable. read more

El Golfo took our order on Uber Eats. They waited almost a half hour to decide they were too busy and cancelled our order! If you're gonna cancel, do it right away - but waiting a half hour?!?! JERKS. read more

The steak burrito is delicious and I would definitely recommend it. The fries and chicken tenders were also delicious and would also recommend. The waitress was nice and hard working with their job. The vibe is nice and the music on the weekends is cool. I recommend this place read more

Carmen was wonderful! We come here every year with family and the atmosphere and food is top notch. 10/10 recommend, such lovely people and service! read more

The best food ever. We had enchiladas with cheese sauce. We had chicken tacos. We had the nachos and we had guacamole. The food is super good so delicious super clean and fresh just so tasty. We can't wait to come back here again. Perfect it's mellow. It's super funky. read more

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Waited an hour for a table, another half hour for a server who never came. Might have stuck it out if there was a beer to nurse or something, but the one guy behind the bar, making drink orders for the dining room, never so much as looked up at the gaggle of people standing and hoping to order. Gave up and left after 90 minutes of nothing but water. Maybe an off night and sometimes the place works? Plenty of other great restaurants nearby, though. read more

Came here for a work lunch and absolutely loved it. Their lunch specials are such great deals (under 10 dollars for a quesadilla, taco bowls for around 12, etc.) and the service is quick. I got a steak fajita wrap for $14. The meat was well cooked and seasoned, and the other vegetables (peppers, etc.) were jam packed in. Everything just worked so well in that wrap. The fries needed a bit more salt but were fine. We got the tres leches cake which was so moist and creamy. It came on a bed of condensed milk which the cake would soak up with each bite. Love love love. read more

I've been going to that restaurant for almost 20 years on a regular basis. First, the service is terrific. I never need to ask for a drink refill and the food is always very good. I have been to several events there, including a memorial service for a very dear friend. The staff was so supportive. I loved the atmosphere they helped to create for the service. Lastly, I love the beautiful artwork that's been created within the restaurant. read more

DO NOT SUPPORT THIS ESTABLISHMENT THAT STEALS FROM THEIR HARDWORKING EMPLOYEE! I've come to this restaurant for years and recommended my 16 year old nephew to look for a job here. He got the job and was working there for a span of 14 days. Everything was going well until after 14 days he was still never given a W-2 form and was instead given an envelope with money that was less than what he actually worked for and then never called back to work! with no explanation. The manager Blanca stole his money and ignored my calls. She instead told my nephew to tell me to stop nagging her. She then admitted to not giving him the right amount and had him go back to the restaurant pick up the other portion but it was still short! She is a terrible and unprofessional manager that hires people just to take advantage of them. The owner of this restaurant should look into her and fire her! She still owes my nephew money! DO NOT SUPPORT THIS ESTABLISHMENT THAT STEALS FROM THEIR HARDWORKING EMPLOYEE! read more

Wonderful food, service and art. Table cloths, a bar, authentic Latino dishes. I am adding this sentence to reach 85 characters.

I really like the food that I had delivered. Yum. I didn't get a chance to take a picture tho. . I ordered a platter with a corn tamale, plantains, beans and Mexican rice, as well as yuca. Then because I love plantains so much I ordered them with beans and crema, a side of stuffed poblano, and lastly horchata. Mmmm read more

I had FISH TACOS (Whole wheat tortillas topped with grilled catch of the dav. Served with wild rice and mango salsa) and a cashew drink. Tacos were tasty. Fish seemed fresh. Mango salsa was refreshing. Wild rice was filling. And there were the regular sides (beans, chips and salsa). Cashew drink was a bit too sweet for me. Went there for lunch on a Saturday and it was pretty quiet. Service did take a while. The place was big, I'm guessing it gets much busier at night. There is a free parking lot right next to the restaurant. read more

El Golfo Restaurant - Latin American Near Me - Silver Spring, Maryland

Can I say this is the Best Fajitas I've tasted in such a long time. The meat was cooked to perfection full of flavor. Veggies cooked perfectly. Homemade tortillas was the best. Janette was our server who was absolutely amazing since we walked int he door she created us with a smile. I had a famous Cadillac margaritas which was the best. If your in the are make sure to stop by and try out this amazing menu. read more

El Golfo Restaurant - Cadillac Margarita on the Rock - Latin American Near Me - Silver Spring, Maryland

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El Golfo is amazing and is the best Latin American food we have had the DC area. My wife and I went back in Spring of 2019 on Mothers Day and they happened to have an amazing Beatles tribute band playing. They have great food and margaritas and a Restaurant.com coupon saved us some money. We ordered from here a few weeks ago on Postmates with their BOGO deals from Uber Eats and got Beef and Chicken Enchiladas, Vegan Pupusa Platters, and Quesidillas. All the food was amazing but the Vegan Pupusa really stood out with the squash in them. They also gave us a generous complimentary portion of chips and salsa which most restaurants do not do with take out and delivery orders. We look forward to ordering from and dining in here in the future. read more

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The mango salad was delicious, The service was excellent. My servicer Kevin L was very attentive and he provided excellent customer service. I plan to return to try other options. read more

Really great food!! We usually order out and the food is fresh, perfectly seasoned, and cooked to perfection. We've eaten at the restaurant as well and the service is excellent. The servers are friendly, warm, and know the food well. read more

The food was basic Mexican. Nothing exceptional When I asked for a change in preparation they said it couldn't be done

With its understated exterior and tucked away location in a low-key shopping center, El Golfo is really easy to miss. I'm so glad we continued searching and found it, because this place is truly a gem. There was initially a language barrier with our server, and we could tell she was new and unfamiliar with the menu, but she was polite, attentive, and knew when to ask for help when she didn't know the answers to our menu questions. The dishes we ordered were out quickly, and while a few things weren't necessarily to our preference, everything was fresh and well-seasoned. I personally appreciated that there were multiple delicious-sounding options for both vegans and vegetarians, rather than just the standard bean burritos and cheese quesadillas. The ambiance was nice, the bathrooms were clean, the serving sizes were generous, and the prices were reasonable. I definitely plan on going back to try other dishes! read more

El Golfo was a large restaurant with plenty of outdoor and indoor seating. Our party of 5 came for lunch a Monday. There were not a lot of people seated, so we were a little hesitant to try the food, but it was surprisingly delicious. For appetizer, we ordered the chicharron with yucca, which was tender, moist and savory. Then I ordered the scallops and shrimp enchiladas, which has a creamy white sauce, pinto beans and rice. It was very tasty. My son ordered the kids cheese quesadillas which was more than enough food that included vanilla ice cream for dessert. The outdoor decor was very vibrant and inviting. Great for a adult beverage on a nice day. I would definitely visit and dine here again, if I was in the area. read more

AWESOME food and wonderful, friendly, helpful service. My favorite dish, difficult to pick from amongst several that I loved, is the Pescado Veracruzado. Fresh water trout in a simply delicious sauce based, I am told, on tomato juice, and made with fresh veggies. Please note: it appears that the restaurant has changed its menu. It DID specialize in "Caribbean" dishes. That is, dishes from a variety of islands and Mexico. For example, I no longer see Pescado Veracruzado in their menu, but I now see Pescado Criollo which ought to be delicious, BUT will be different from my favorite. El Golfo also offer, or used to offer, live music at least weekly. read more

This place had one of the BEST services I've ever seen. We came here for a friends birthday and didn't say anything to our waiter. At the end of our meal, they walked out with a surprise Tres Leches Cake (absolutely delicious by the way - super moist and creamy) and sang Happy Birthday. We were so surprised and confused as to how they even knew it was her birthday. When we asked, our waiter said that he heard me say "Happy Birthday" when I first walked in. It was the sweetest thing and such a pleasant surprise. Throughout the evening, they employees were always so kind and made sure we had everything we needed. The food was also great. They started us with chips and salsa and were quick to refill whenever we ran out. I got the Camarones Azteca for my main dish. The shrimp was cooked perfectly and all the flavors worked really well together. I also tried some of my friend's Carne Asada and the meat was so juicy. 11/10 experience here!! read more

The food and service is always wonderful! Staff is very welcoming. Some nights have local talent perform, so you get to enjoy a nice show with your authentic meal. read more

I have been going here since i was 7 and I'm 17 thus is the best place ever loaves the service the food is great

The food was really good (I had the chicken burrito) and the service was outstanding... It is a bigger place with plenty of seating and good lighting. We had no problem with parking. read more

Gosh do I absolutely love this place! Coworkers and myself get shift dinners here and it's quickly become one of my favorites. The service is great, the chips and salsa hit the spot, and the menu and prices hit just right. I've had the Taquitos (YUM,) Santa Cruz Salad (their house made dressing is an all time fav,) and Enchiladas (awesome portion and really yummy.) My coworkers are huge fans of the fajitas and queso fundito. Give this joint a try and you won't be disappointed. read more

A very family-oriented restaurant with great food and service. White tablecloths without attitude. And... right across the street is an amazing playground for when the kids get restless. read more

Love love love. Pupusas are so good. Horchata is yummy and food is overall good. Also cute that they have live music and people are nice!

This is a family-friendly Latin American restaurant. I went in for a late lunch on a weekday and it was not crowded. The servers were friendly. The food came out fast. The sodas have free refills (I hate when they give you just the can). The best part is the vegetarian and vegan options! There are at least 8 of them on the menu. I was thrilled to get a plate with a sweet corn tamale, plantains, fried yucca, guacamole, pickled cabbage salad, rice, and beans. It was practically all of my favorite foods on one plate. This place sometimes has live music so I'll have to come back to try another vegan option. read more

Unfortunately I just had the worst experience dining that I've ever had. At least from the service point of view. We were totally alone in the restaurant not a single other customer and yet there was no refills of the water and we were told that if we asked for extra salsa we would be charged. I've been coming to this restaurant for 20 some years and it's my favorite as you can see from my other reviews. But the management has to do something about the waiters and if they are instituting a charge for salsa then I'm afraid I will have to stop this tradition of eating at El Golfo. The food was as good as ever but the service was non existent. Perhaps the owners should take their phones away while at work. read more

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Its been about 10 years since I have been here and All I remember is that the food was good. Arrived on a Sunday afternoon, service was a little slow but the food and friendliness made up for it. After being seated and reviewing the the menu. Complimentary chips and salsa came. Salsa was good a bit spicy and good texture but i enjoyed it. I knew the food was going to be good. I ordered the platanos and corn tamales as apps. The platanos were great and to my suprise came with rice and beans. The tamales were decent, ive had better My main entree was the "pato al olive" duck. I dont remember last time I had duck but this dish was delicious. My mom had the "parillada" a delicious sizzling platter. Overall food was delicious, service slow but very nice people. read more

The COVID related outdoor seating is really nice considering it started as a parking lot. They have live music The margaritas are strong. The seafood enchiladas are great! Oh, and I left my credit card there and they safely handled it for me. read more

Very tasty and authentic Mexican food. I had the three cheese enchilada, which came with an okay amount of rice and beans, perhaps I would have preferred just a little more rice. Thought the karaoke going on during dinner was a fun touch, and the margarita I had was tasty too! read more

El Golfo Restaurant - Latin American Near Me - Silver Spring, Maryland

Visiting from Pennsylvania and was looking for a Mexican restaurant that was not a great distance and which served enchiladas. After reviewing Yelp for options decided on El Golfo given relative closeness and a good selection of choices. Ordered two chicken enchilada dinners using their online ordering and had a pickup time roughly 35 minutes later. Order pickup and payment went smooth. The staff was prompt and friendly. Price was very reasonable and the enchiladas were delicious. Stuffed with more chicken than I usual see back home. Ri e and beans were pretty standard fare and the order included chips and a salsa. Very satisfied and will return again when in the area to try some other items off the menu. read more

If you enjoy Huevos Rancheros, El Golfo serves the most yummy version we've found yet in the area. You can find them on the Brunch Menu. Plus, the service is friendly and the coffee is great. Highly recommend! read more

Enjoyed a delicious lunch here last week. I don't write many reviews but this dining experience should be shared! I had the fish tacos, so yummy. They came with a side of rice that was outta this world, a blend of white and wild that made my heart sing. And then a mango salad on the side that was refreshing and tangy. The flavors and colors and textures all came together in an unforgettable symphony for the senses. I went with my friend who is 81 and had her second covid shot a couple weeks ago. A celebration meal for us. Service was fast but we didn't feel rushed. The experience was a testament to the joy that a simple lunch outing brings to so many. I was grateful to return to this restaurant after a challenging year for all. Wishing El Golfo many blessings for the future! I could taste the love in this lunch. Thanks! read more

El Golfo Restaurant - Latin American Near Me - Silver Spring, Maryland

As always, great music, great food, great drinks, great service! It's a bit noisy once the music starts but other than that it's excellent. The owner is friendly and knows everyone that comes in so it makes it very home-like. ~~UPDATE~~ 1/19/18~~ When there's music, there's music! The music is WAY too loud in the restaurant to actually talk about what you want to order or tell the server what you want to eat. And forget about having a dinner conversation. This fact doesn't take any stars away I'm just letting you know right now that if you think you're going to come over and talk as well as listen to music, that is not going to happen. You are definitely going to be shouting as if you were in a club. read more

El Golfo Restaurant - Latin American Near Me - Silver Spring, Maryland

El Golfo Restaurant, para mi tiene una sopa de lima más rica q ningún otro lugar, me encanta !!!

Absolutely fantastic restaurant. Plenty of options for vegan and vegetarian. It is super nice to be able to get something other than a cheese enchilada or a bean burrito. Their vegan papusas are a must have!! Salads are also fantastic! Not of the do you find heart of palm on the menu! read more

I have been going to this restaurant for three years for an annual holiday party. They have a good burrito and fajita bar with both meat and veggie options. I mainly come here for their drinks, the virgin pins colada and strawberry/ mango daiquiri. Their desserts especially tres leches cake is tasty. read more

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Love this little hole-in-the-wall. Great Mexican food spot. The service is always friendly, quick and well done. The margaritas are good (and strong lol), and I love their salsa. This is also the first and only Mexican food place I know of that has vegan and vegetarian options. I mean, it doesn't get better than that!! read more