The perfect Mexican food spot! I've never had flat nachos before, but it makes so much sense because you get a little bit of everything in every bite. The traditional guacamole was amazing, and the kale salad added just the right amount of healthy to balance things out. For drinks, we had the frozen pineapple margarita and the spicy margarita both were delicious. I'll definitely be back! The service was fast, and I'm glad we went on a Sunday. We were able to get a large booth, and it wasn't overly crowded, which made for a really enjoyable experience. read more

El Presidente - Classic Guac Chicken Nachos Chopped Kale Salad - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Such a vibe- beautiful restaurant in a very trendy area. My daughter decided to celebrate her 22nd birthday here, on the day of. Although she made a reservation for 7, we ended up being able to be sat earlier without a reservation (Wednesday evening). We had a great server who was able to give a rundown on popular dishes and drinks. He did well with serving us and those around us. We had my youngest child in the party (11) and the restaurant did have kid options, although the establishment was more so an adult vibe. The food was on the saltier side, but delicious. Absolutely order the guacamole (spicy for me!). I also ordered birria tacos. Although it wasn't on the menu, I enjoyed a spicy margarita with a tajin rim. Pricing was as expected. I loved it so much, I returned with a plus one on the following Saturday night. It was packed! The wait was a bit long for two-40+ minutes, but we were offered seats at the full service bar right away. The bartender was a gem- she was friendly and answered any questions we had. We had to special order due to allergies, and she was helpful in getting our orders right. Again, the food was a little on the saltier side, but I absolutely loved everything. I ordered carne asada tacos. Absolutely will return again when I'm on this side of town. read more

El Presidente is described as a neo-retro Mexican restaurant, and they have an extensive menu offering brunch, lunch, HH, as well as an all-day menu. We came here for Brunch, but also ordered some items off the all-day menu: +the Churro Waffle - with chocolate sauce +the Presidente Burger - a double patty topped with American, chipotle remoulade, pickled jalapenos, and onions +the Baja Duck Confit - 'peking-style' crispy skinned duck confit with hoisin and flour tortillas +the Nacho Macho - with queso, black beans, ranchera salsa, sour cream, pickled red onions, and jalapenos +a side of Papas Bravas - with morita aioli +and, a side of Fried Plantains - with crema The space is colorful and vibrant, and they have a nice open patio during the warmer weathers. The bar is a fun spot to grab a drink and some bites, too! Staff were friendly and attentive, and there were large groups dining in, so you can tell this place is pretty popular with the locals. +neo-retro Mexican eats +good for large groups read more

Came here for my birthday with a few girlfriends. The ambiance was beautiful, the service was quick and friendly and the food was yummy! We did have a cake and there's a $5 pp up charge for the cake.l just fyi. The drinks were yummy and the tacos were good. We did expect something to come with the tacos. While the tacos were yummy - just 3 tacos on a plate without any sides / salsa./ lettuce etc was a bit underwhelming, this wouldn't prevent me from coming back! The crab guac was yummy! read more

El Presidente - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

My second time dining and sipping at El Presidente in DC's Union Market District and the second visit was even better than the first. El Presidente does an excellent job of delivering a modern take on Mexican cuisine. The caramelized pineapple is what makes the Frozen Pineapple Margarita tasty, with just the right kick. And as a nacho lover, their Nacho Macho is perfection. Served on a pizza tray, the presentation almost makes you think pizza is arriving at the table. But I actually love how everything is spread out so you can get a little bit of every flavor in one bite. The Blue Crab Tostado and Tuna Ceviche were both fresh, flavorful standouts. And the churros provided the perfect sweet ending to the meal. Last time I visited I also had the Tortilla Soup which was tasty and comforting. Beyond the food, the overall experience was wonderful. We sat at the bar, where I believe it was James who took great care of us. The decor is bright, lively, and festive, and on this visit we got to enjoy the open-air feel from the bar area. Definitely looking forward to returning for Happy Hour. Featured Dishes & Cocktails We Delighted In: Nacho Macho melted queso mixto, black beans, ranchera salsa, sour cream, pickled red onions, jalapeño Blue Crab Tostada jalapeño yuzu aioli, house chili blend, avocado, cilantro, watermelon radish Tuna Ceviche yellowfin tuna, coconut sauce, habanero, cucumber Tortilla Soup chicken, avocado, queso mixto, crema, crispy tortilla Churros chocolate, and raspberry sauces Frozen Pineapple Margarita tequila reposado, ancho reyes, chipotle, caramelized pineapple, lime Como La Flor old overholt rye, pajarote jengibre, st. elizabeth allspice dram, hibiscus, lime Mezcal Espresso Martini Thank you, El Presidente! I'll definitely be back. But don't just take my word for it. Check them out and experience the deliciousness for yourself. Mmmm... #BonAppetit! Cheers! Enjoy! read more

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I love this place! It is definitely a NE gem. I've been here for multiple happy hours, a birthday as well as dinner! The restaurant's ambiance and design are cool. It reminds you of a vacation with the dim lighting, decor, and artwork! I really love sitting outside on the patio, even in the winter! Drinks: I've had the red bell pepper lemonade (made it sweet) and it's unique and refreshing! The margarita is a classic choice I love and I've had the frozen pineapple margarita (a FAVE!!). Food: My #1 go to is the El Presidente guacamole! It has crab on top of fresh guac and comes with chips. The chips aren't impressive but they're good. The guac with crab really is the main attraction. I like the wings too! We use the dipping sauce that comes on the side as well. The crab tostada is so good! My friend enjoys the hotdog every time he visits! The new item we tried was the taco slider with a jalepeno sauce, also very good! They kept asking for more! Service was quick, efficient and helpful especially for a happy hour! read more

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The vibe of this place felt like a Mexican eatery in south beach Miami. Service was quick and attentive. The staff were very knowledgeable about the menu and gave great recommendations. The fried fish was delicious and the carne asada tacos were some of the best I ever had but three tacos for $20 bucks is on the expensive side. read more

El Presidente - Snapper Chicharron - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Went for lunch with a few coworkers. Food- we had the lunch special (super reasonable price too) we got an appetizer, two tacos, and sorbet/ ice cream. Alex told us her faves were Burria and carnitas. They did not disappoint. Well seasoned, flavorful and good portion size. Just enough. Vibes- the space is so well decorated and luscious. Both bright colors and an airy feel to the space. Flows well and so much to see. Service- we felt we'll take care of from the moment we walked in. Sat quickly, nice large table for our group of 5. Shoutout to Alex who knew the menu well and was very attentive. Wafers always filled. read more

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I totally understand the hype! Such a lovely experience; good customer service and the food was excellent. We had dinner in the beautiful dinning room with the burgundy velvet drapes with red floral murals. I recommend the nachos with perfect sweet spicy balance of jalapeño and red onions. Short Rib Enchiladas were delicious with Chihuahua cheese, pickled red onion, cilantro. Street corn pretty good! Spiced Strawberry margarita sweet and salty, very refreshing. Sgt. Pepper, very similar to the Strawberry margarita, but with a more intense flavor of the smoky mezcal. This spot is so interesting and the vibe, creative & romantic. I'm looking forward to coming back again and again! read more

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This restaurant is a total vibe! We started with mezcal martinis at the bar before getting seated. The food was fabulous, we did have a little mishap with a foreign item in the pico (cardboard). Aaron, the manager, took care of it very quickly. Our servers were kind and quick about getting things. One thing I do wish, they had water containers at the table so we didn't have to wait to ask for more water. I highly recommend the pitcher of marg! House marg was excellent and the food was amazing! read more

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Okkk WOW this place is amazing! The food and drinks are a 10/10. I couldn't believe how simple yet flavorful each menu item was. The server was quick, friendly, and knowledgeable about the menu items. This vibes are definitely more upscale than I'm used to, but I came dressed casually on a girl's night and it was just fine. I will keep dreaming about these enchiladas until the next time I'm in DC. read more

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The restaurant is very pretty, they have really nice outdoor seating as well as indoor seating. The tacos flavor was good and the taquitos were very savory. We went to happy hour so got the taquitos for a good deal; the tacos were more pricey than other places but it is worth a try. read more

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This restaurant is vibrant and loud. It's full of character and probably not for the hard of hearing. I went with a larger party and we were provided a large table that was very comfort table. I ordered the chips and salsa and the dirty veggie tacos. I provided a pic of the outside and inside of the tacos for reference. I thought they were good. The vegetables were charred and crispy, and the cool cream and avocado slices that accompanied complimented perfectly. For those that are thinking this will be a traditional taco-it's not, but it's delicious. My friend ordered the plantains and enjoyed them. Our service was great, they checked on us the right amount of times and glasses were never empty and an empty plate never sat too long. I had a really great time and would definitely go back. I saw they had a happy hour and a very nice patio, both which would be so fun when the weather turns nice again. read more

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I was surprised by my visit to El Presidente! I was expecting it to be less than authentic food with minimal flavor and I was absolutely incorrect! At our server Eduardo's direction four of us ordered the enchiladas suizas and they were soooo tasty! He also let us know that the portion was not huge so recommended we also order a side. I ordered the rice and was glad I did. The enchilada order comes with three enchiladas but it is true, you may want a little something else to eat too. We'd also ordered both the regular and the spicy guac and both were tasty and gone quickly. I enjoyed the guac and even the chips were perfectly salty and tasty. I enjoyed my food and also the vibe and atmosphere of the restaurant. It was not incredibly lit up, but instead dark and moody. But not too dark that you'd need a flashlight to see the menu. This time I went to celebrate a friend passing the bar exam and I'd go back again with my friends or on a date. Thank you Eduardo and El Presidente for a delicious night out! read more

El Presidente - Enchiladas suizas, short rib enchiladas, guac, rice, beans, and a salad - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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The atmosphere and the service was fantastic. All the servers were very attentive and warm; it felt very community like . We went for the 20$ lunch special which included one appetizer, one entree and one dessert. Appetizer - Tortilla Soup (4/5) Pretty decent , wish it was spicy though! Entree - Chicken Taco and Birria Taco (3/5) I wouldn't say it's anything to rave about but it wasn't bad. Pretty decent again. Dessert - Mamey Ice Cream (4.5/5) Really good dessert. It was our first time having mamey and it reminded me of a papaya fruit. Super creamy and yummy. I'd go back here to try their other menu options . The happy hour looks pretty awesome. The lunch special reminds of the saying "you pay for what you get"! read more

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This place has such a fun vibe. The decor is eclectic especially around the bar. The staff was extremely nice and provided us with all the extras we asked of. The drink menu is great and makes it so hard to choose. I had the Tranquilo Papi and my husband had the Oaxaca Old Fashioned both were good. Our friend had a seasonal drink the Yuzu Honey Margarita which she also very much enjoyed. We ordered queso fundido, tacos de mahi mahi, carne asada and filet sonoran and all were quite tasty. For dessert, we ordered the churros and tres leches. I really enjoyed the churros especially the little chocolate to dip it in (tasted like abuelita). read more

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Drinks - amazing Atmosphere- amazing Service - amazing Food - amazing What more can you ask for.....hmmm maybe to bring my dogs along...just kidding! Truly though they have pulled out all the stops. I would suggest if you're are going with a large party or during brunch make sure to make a reservation as it may take a while to get seated. They have an outdoor patio that you can sit at during the spring and summer months. There is also a bar, but it's not that big, so it may take a while to find a seat. I have tried several drinks and food options here and haven't had a compliant yet. They do also cater to folks that have food allergies. If you want to have a birthday here, they will have a little surprise for you..just let your waiter know. All in all it is definitely a place to stop in and go!! read more

The food was AMAZINGG!!! My only negative is wanting larger portions for what you pay for. The quality, ambience, and service were top notch. We didn't book a reservation, but we were lucky enough to get a seat! They have a bar and happy hour. The bar seating is first come first serve. We ordered a mango frozen pineapple cocktail drink and a cucumber mint cooler (mocktails). The mango one was delicious but we could literally finish it in four sips. The glass was soooo small and the price was $15. Short rib enchiladas 8/10 Birria taco 9/10 Nacho mama 9/10 Chicken nachos 9/10 Overall we definitely have to come back!!! It's been a while since it's pricey but I really enjoyed the food. Great for special occasions and large groups. read more

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Their torta is a perfectly fried chicken milanesa and includes queso, a black bean spread, pickled jalapenos, avocado and cabbage I HAD to get their delish, although small, horchata, and also so glad I tried their chips and salsa trio Their food is always amazing, but be prepared it's a bit pricey and busy here! read more

El Presidente - Chips & Salsa - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Service was great ! Quick, always at the table right before the last sip of a margarita. Ambiance is quite fun. Plenty of outdoor seating, bar seating, and a back room wi the booths and tables. Happy hour menu is available M-F at the bar AND back room! It's really fun from an aesthetic perspective. And it wasn't too loud - could easily hear everyone at the table. The food and drinks were ok. The food did not wow anyone - it was fine, but not impressive ( is could eat there again but would most likely try somewhere else before going back). We mostly ordered the happy hour menu and then I got the vegetarian tacos. No free chips here. read more

El Presidente - Mushroom tacos - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Just adding another review to bolster my first. Great experience on a Friday evening with a group of 9. They handled the larger party seamlessly. Water refills were constant and service was prompt. Everyone liked the food a lot. I had queso again and it was amazing again. Their queso is essentially melted cheese with mushrooms (option to add chorizo) and it's crazy good. I also tried the dirty veggie tacos. They were unique and I enjoyed the flavors. Neither of those items were super spicy. I was told the spicy guac IS legit spicy! read more

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First time at El Presidente and it did not disappoint--and also my first time at a Latin restaurant not ordering traditional dishes. The fried red snapper was amazing, seasoned to perfection, with half filleted and half bone-in. The sweet plantains were crispy and exactly how they should be. Staff was consistently pleasant. Great first experience. read more

El Presidente - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Good food and happening location. Sat outside on the covered patio which allowed for plenty of people watching and enjoying the end of summer weather. Ordered the classic guacamole that came with fresh thick tortilla chips. We also asked if they had vegetables instead of chips and they gave us a really nice plate that included carrots, cucumbers, red peppers and celery. We also had an order of the charred broccoli, which we would get again. The enchiladas were also good and filling. read more

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Really enjoyed my meal here! It's really quite large could fit a number of parties had a great huge bar area that they open out into a patio during the summer. They go above and beyond with decor! So it's quite fun to be there and there was another darker, sultry red room in the back, but we sat in the open front section. Tables for two were a little small as you can tell from the picture of the spread though we only got two meals and a guac app. The rice to me was really delicious and loved the shrimp Al carbon and how much avocado they give you they're not stingy. Tuna ceviche - I wasn't really a fan of. It's quite light and creamy crudo style instead of ceviche and couldn't nail down the taste. I prefer an acidic ceviche with a little bite and salt. Service was top notch ! Fast refills, check-ins really friendly and helpful! Was quite impressed with the speed and attention! read more

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Decent food, but nothing exceptional. Would recommend the huevos rancheros if you're eating here during brunch. Portions are good, big enough to not be filling but satisfied. As with the price, service is phenomenal. When this place first opened, there was massive hype given the beautiful and quirky interior with bold colored rooms and a fun tropical vibe. I will say that the restaurant is quite fun and on weekends and evenings, it can be quite busy, so make a reservation then. read more

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All staff encounters were very welcoming. The weather was nice so our party of 2 sat in the outside bar area. Tiahna was our server who provided excellent service as well as recommendations. read more

It's a fun place, great outdoor seating, and the bar area is striking with pale green walls and raspberry velvet barstools and banquets. So pretty. So were the drinks. Loved the Wolfe Blitzers, a bit smoky from the mezcal. We split the guacamole, Baja tuna tostada (sticky and delicious), mahi mahi tacos, and the filet tacos. The guacamole needed a bit of salt and heat but everything was delicious. It's a pretty casual crowd of neighborhood twenty somethings, tourists, and folks from Md and Va. we will definitely go back! read more

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Service is hit or miss, but I'm really a fan of their happy hour here. It's always packed too, so I advise you to get here early. Happy hour starts at 3:00. The margaritas are pre-made, which I usually don't like, but they're typically pretty strong and tart here, without being too sweet. My personal favorite is the sparkling margarita, which is their house nargarita topped with cava. The cava makes it a little boozier and a tad less sweet. It's only a dollar more and only offered during happy hour. The nachos here are the best in DC, and I love that you can get them made with chicken for the same price as the chorizo. They're massive and enough to share, but I sometimes order it on my own and it heats up well in the air fryer. Every single chip is covered in toppings. I got the chicken torta for lunch once, but unfortunately the chicken was bland and undercooked. Service seems to be really slow, even when it's not busy. Some bartenders are better than others. read more

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First time review So I've heard a lot of great things about this place and finally had a chance to experience it all. Service: if you sit outdoors by the bar area, you'll have to order your food by the bar and someone brings it to the table for you. I should add that the tables are first come, first serve, in this area so expect a wait. You can of course, get seating in another area by seeing the hostess inside. Ambiance: there were a lot of people there and the crowd was a mix of tourists and locals. Both groups out to enjoy a good time and a good time it was! The decor in the restaurant is absolutely stunning and it felt very regal. Service: as mentioned, you have to order by the bar so our food came out in good time as did our drinks. We only had to get our own utensils and that slowed things down a bit. Drinks: I ordered the Wolf Spritzer, a perfect summer drink for anyone desiring to cool down and not have heavy liquor. The flavors were perfectly paired and I especially enjoyed the slice of grapefruit added. All members of my party enjoyed their drinks as well. Food: we didn't order entrees because we wanted to grab drinks so instead, we ordered appetizers. That said, the roasted chicken quesadilla was DIVINE! The corn shell was a perfect compliment to the well seasoned chicken inside. To explain the experience I was having, the plate filled up with juices upon every cut that I made in the dish-a sign of juicy chicken. To top things off, I added some guacamole and sour cream to each bite and was sure glad that I did. This dish is shareable so note that you can order 1-2 for a small party. Next, we tried their spicy guacamole...FRESH AND DELICIOUS! Their chefs win for flavor combinations because everything was so gooooooooood. Are they good for groups? YES, but make reservations. You can also simply enjoy a romantic date or time with coworkers-it welcomes all. Is it cost affordable? Oh yes! We paid under $70 for a party of 3.... Do they offer happy hour? Yes! I heard that it's a must try. Please do yourself a favor and check them out. You will not be disappointed at all. read more

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El Presidente is not the type of restaurant you show up for a specific dish and avoid everything from appetizers to dessert to focus on the much touted entree. When dining at El Presidente, you're there for everything. Conspire with your friends or mate beforehand to allow for carte blanche stealing off each other's plates, as any good Presidente might do... So take your time, order several appetizers, keep the menu at the table, pick more than one entree, and sample accordingly. I'd even suggest to arrive for happy hour to prolong your stay and try as much of the menu as possible. The scene is cool, the bites are small, but delicious, and the cocktails are on point. read more

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I came in for happy hour and honestly... this spot did not disappoint. The deals and selections were solid, and everything I tried had great flavor. I ordered the chicken wing taquitos and the esquite fries-- both were crispy, seasoned well, and just hit the spot. For drinks, I had the Mini Wolf Spritzer and a margarita (or two ). Everything was delicious and gave me a perfect little buzz without being too strong. The atmosphere is super cute -- great music, great vibe, just an overall fun place to hang out and unwind. And I have to shout out my waitress, Ang. She was attentive, sweet, and really made the experience even better. Definitely worth a visit, especially during happy hour! read more

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I went to El Presidente with a friend for lunch. I loved the decor inside. So cute and perfectly themed! We shared chips and guac (sorry I ate most of it before taking pictures). I also ordered fish tacos which were rolled really tightly like flautas. Not a bad thing just different. The fish was fried which I think took away some of the flavor I was expecting but still pretty good. The service was good overall but the waiter did mixed up of my friend's meal and had to be told a couple times what the order should have been before it was brought out. All in all, I would come back and try out something else. The atmosphere was really nice. Not hectic and very pleasant for a lunch where you can actually hear the other person. I also had a margarita and it was tasty. read more

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Overall good experience here. My fiancée and I came here for dinner on my birthday last week before going to the F1 Arcade. We started with the nacho mama and added chicken. Adding the chicken was definitely the move because without it, it was pretty basic. But the chicken has such good flavor that it elevates it. I chose the Birria tacos as my entree and my fiancée chose the short rib enchiladas. The Birria tacos were really good and pretty filling after the nachos. The sauce really did most of the work on the enchiladas. The tortillas and cheese and short rib were pretty basic in flavor. The pineapple margarita is their signature drink and it was good. My one gripe is that it comes in such a small glass for $15. It is a tad stronger so it helps make up for it. My fiancée ordered the cucumber mint refresher. It was really good and refreshing. The service was so so but it was a Friday night so that could have been the reason. But we were seated pretty quickly without a reservation so that was nice. The ambiance is really what sells this place. It feels very similar to a Cuban restaurant we love going to in Miami. Would definitely recommend trying this place. read more

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The inside of this restaurant is so cool and interesting that I really wished the food matched the awesomeness of the interior. Instead the flavors were a rollercoaster of bland or overpowering. Service was attentive but focused on pushing the more expensive menu items. Despite the restaurants cavernous interior, they had all 6 groups closely seated all right on top of each other. While I understand this makes it easier for service and clean up at the end of the night, it certainly didn't enhance the experience. All in all... not worth the price. read more

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The food was good--surprisingly, my favorite dishes were the rice and the Nacho Mama appetizer. The non-alcoholic drinks were just okay. We also tried the steak fajitas and they were pretty solid, although, I wouldn't say they were my favorite. However, the service was extremely slow, which took away from the overall experience. We sat outside but ended up having to switch tables because the wind picked up so much that it started blowing the tarps around. It is in a walkable location -- about two blocks away from Union Market. read more

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Love, love, love El Presidente! It's become my go-to for happy hour and added it to my list of fav spots for dinner in NoMa DC. The vibe feels intimate and exotic. The service is very quick and attentive. It was the first time I was introduced to a bottoms up margarita (no ice) and I ordered at least 2! For dinner, the whole fish was delicious. I can't wait to come back for more. read more

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Came here with a couple of friends for a catch up dinner and we enjoyed everything! We made a reservation ahead of time for a weeknight hang and were promptly seated. We started our night with some drinks and I highly recommend the carajillo if you like espresso martinis. My friend and I each got different Tlayudas, which is like a large crunchy tortilla with toppings on it. I got mine with shrimp and enjoyed it a lot. I was on the hungrier side so I finished mine for dinner, but my friend took half of hers home for leftovers. Ambiance is nice for a date night or a catch up with friends, dimly lit but not too loud, so you can enjoy good conversations with dinner read more

El Presidente - Oaxacan Tlayuda with shrimp - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Good service and knowledgeable staff. The atmosphere was nice and going in the afternoon we were able to talk and hear ourselves. Our food was good however, I've honestly had better and was hungry soon after. I would recommend them for getting together with friends. Parking is on the street so give yourself time if you're meeting people or have a reservation time. read more

El Presidente - Nachos... Just decent. - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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El Presidente is a fantastic spot in DC -- the atmosphere is lively, the service is friendly, and the food is top-notch. The fish was absolutely amazing -- fresh, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. The drinks were just as impressive, with creative cocktails that complemented the meal beautifully. The decor is amazing too -- vibrant, stylish, and full of personality, making the whole experience even better. Whether you're stopping by for dinner or drinks with friends, El Presidente delivers an excellent dining experience. Highly recommend! read more

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The food was delicious and the ambiance of the place was really nice. The staff were very helpful. A must try. read more

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