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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Excellent service and a nice atmosphere, food was good, however some of the portions were pretty small for the money. Our waitress was super helpful and offered solid choices when asked. read more

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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Tuna ceviche was bad so bland and the coconut was over powering and 23 for slivers of fish is kinda crazy (also should not be called ceviche if anything tuna carpaccio, but should really be removed). Beef birria was mid, so bland, kinda dry even with the consome. The queso was good very oily but good. The ambiance and service is alright. My friends enjoyed their tacos though (minus the birria). read more

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

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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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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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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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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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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Wonderful patio happy hour. Great prices on margaritas and snacks. The frozen pineapple margarita was refreshing on a warmer day. 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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Went for brunch with a large group. The most important takeaway is that everyone at our table who ate the vegetarian nachos came down with food poisoning. The quality of food here has declined dramatically since they opened. Most of the dishes arrived lukewarm, and the flavors were average at best. Overall a shockingly bad experience considering how expensive this place is. If you are in the mood for Mexican, skip this place and head around the corner to Apapacho, which has good tacos cooked fresh. read more

The service was sooooo slow. No acknowledgement that we were there, took forever for food and drink order, BUT the guacamole was excellent We waited about 45 minutes for fish tacos that were really burritos? And the decor was very cool read more

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I definitely need to give them another try because I've heard so many amazing things! Unfortunately, my food wasn't great this time. It might have just been what I ordered -- the crab enchiladas, rice (which was watery), and the char-grilled broccoli, which wasn't great either. The crab enchiladas were definitely the highlight of the meal. That said, I absolutely loved the decor, and the service was spectacular! I've also been told their happy hour is a must-try, so I'll definitely be back to check it out! read more

El Presidente - Crab Enchiladas, white Rice, Charred Broccoli - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

We had dinner at El Presidente with another couple for a friend's birthday a few weeks ago and had a great time. Great Mexican food in a really fun environment. We shared queso fundido de chorizo (housemade chorizo with queso mixto, salsa verde, and flour tortillas), aguachile verde (shrimp, hamachi, crab, tomatillo, melon, and jalapeno), huitlacoche quesadilla (roasted zucchini, corn, jalapeno, epazote, avocado and calabaza salsa), Baja tuna tostada (yellowfin tuna, chipotle aioli, avocado, and salsa macha), birria tacos (braised short rib, queso monterrey, red chile consomme), black cod al pastor tacos (morita aioli, limey cabbage, and grilled pineapple), and black bean enchiladas (queso oaxaca, black bean-chipotle sauce, fried plantains, crema, queso fresco). Everything was really good - I'm not even sure I had favorites! The cocktails were also great (they also have wines, lots of mezcals and tequilas, beers, and a couple of NA options). Then there's the service - great. And the decor? Wild. It's the kind of space that is so fun that I start to worry if a place is style over substance, but El Presidente is not. It's the whole package. Decor that makes your jaw drop (so fun) but with great food, drinks, and service. Overall, just a great meal. read more

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Super trendy resto here in DC. Art is ubiquitous! Our waitstaff were super friendly and food was excellent! We didn't have reservations but we were able to talk in for a party of four. Really enjoyed the flavors with the chorizo. Birria tacos were on point. Definitely will come here again on our next business trip or next vaca! read more

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Best nachos in DC without a doubt. No competition. I miss them so much. I stopped by El Presidente a couple hours before closing to film a short movie with a friend. Most actresses are paid in cash but that night I was paid with nachos and I would do it again in a heartbeat. All nachos should be baked on a pizza pan it's genius. I almost forgot my lines because wow. The staff here is amazing and super accommodating. Shoutout to Luca, he was the best and made sure that our table was well taken care of! read more

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Guac and chips are amazing! Service was quick and friendly. I had the carne asada fajitas- was amazing and cooked perfectly. The inside is so cute! Can't wait to try this place again for margaritas! read more

the guacamole was sooo fresh, it was a good choice! tried some drinks, could live without them but the enchiladas were delicious. Ordered a size of rice and beans and everything tasted fresh. Also ordered tacos but they took a little longer to come out compared to everything else. read more

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What better way to spend a beautiful afternoon in DC than in the bar area of El Presidente? Stopped in for their undeniably delicious NACHO MAMA nachos and can't wait to go back! The ambiance was lively and service was great. Sat at the bar and the bartender did not miss with the perfectly balanced traditional marg she made! Now for the food. We ordered the Aguachile Verde to start, followed by the Nacho Mama nachos. The Aguachile was fresh and flavorful. It's served with a type of chip and crackers. I prefer to pass on the crackers and opt for more chips. The sauce was out of this word! Now for the star of the meal, IYKYK! The Nachos did not disappoint. What I especially appreciated was that the toppings were on EVERY chip! I'm talking melted queso mixto, black beans, ranchera salsa, sour cream, pickled red onions, jalapeño on EVERY crunchy chip! We added chicken as the protein to ours and it was an added delight! Seriously, order these if you go! All in all I rate this place a solid 9 out of 10! I look forward to spending some of my summer days enjoying a marg and nachos there. SALUD! read more

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Beautiful decor here. I sat at the outside bar portion and the ambiance is very unique. It's a touch of elegance with casual simplicity. The bartender was lovely. She was helpful with the menu and patient with my questions. I was here for happy hour and ordered the taquitos and esquite (fries with street corn topping). They both were fantastic. Very flavorful and well portioned. I've heard great things about the regular menu and will absolutely be going back at some point. read more

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

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We stopped here because it was recommended by a friend and it did not disappoint. Our waiter was super nice and attentive, the ambiance was really cool & the drinks were pretty awesome! The food was good but not great (we are from Texas so I think our expectations may be high). Some food was a bit too spicy, plates do not come with sides & some chips & salsa will cost you $11 (so it's definitely pricey). However, we thought it was worth it & they brought my sister a unique tasting ice cream foe her birthday read more

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Quite a posh spot. I ordered the Short Rib Enchiladas, while my sister got the Chicken Enchiladas, which were noticeably more flavorful. For the table, we shared the Corn Elote, Guacamole, and Salsa. I really love the interior, and the service was exceptionally sweet. They even take your plate to box your leftovers for you. Class. For the price and the treatment you receive, I'd say it's worth it. The portions are on the smaller side, leaving you satisfied but not overly full. One standout was the red salsa that came with our meal. You get both a red and a green one, and while I loved the red, others at my table preferred the green. Another highlight was the side of beans, one of the most flavorful and satisfying bites of the night. While I enjoyed the experience, I do wish the food leaned a bit more toward traditional Mexican flavors. I'm still on the hunt for a place that serves dishes on those big, colorful oval clay plates. read more

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Stopped in spontaneously at the bar for drinks. We got the Pineapple frozen margarita and carrajillo. Both were strong, and both were delicious!!! The carrajillo tasted amazing and like a regular coffee drink lol. It was very easy to drink bc of how delicious it was. The margarita was perfect slushee consistency and was superrrr strong to me haha. read more

El Presidente - Pineapple frozen margarita I forgot the other drink but it has espresso and coffee liqueur in it and it's so good - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I haven't been eating out lately because I'm saving money, but when I do, I want it to be worth it. And let me tell you, El Presidente is worth it! From the ambiance, the friendly bartenders and tasteful food presentation and even tastier flavors, this spot has it all. I was pleasantly surprised by their premixed Mezcal Negroni. It's not too sweet, not too bitter. I also ordered their Nacho Mama, and it tastes exactly how it looks: good as hell! Y'all come check this place out, you won't be disappointed. Hope this helps! read more

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

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Upon first glance, El Presidente looks like a trendy place for margaritas and nacho platters. As soon as you open the menu, you will find a modern twist on traditional Oaxacan-Mexican flavors and ingredients. Any fan of Mexican culture and cuisine will know how uncommon it is to find items like tlayudas and huitlacoche anywhere outside of Mexico. I was incredibly impressed that items were beautifully plated and prepared in volcanic molacajetes and cast iron skillets. There is precision and detail to attention from everything to their salsas to main entrees. Some must orders for the table: the nacho platters that come as a tray bake with fresh chunks Oaxacan cheese, the taco trios are a little larger than street tacos and have a great variety of proteins, enchiladas are flavorful and savory, I also highly recommend the tlayuda, which is like a thin crispy tortilla with fresh cheese, lettuce, tomato, crema and meat. Oh and absolutely don't skip dessert! The churros and tres leches were a huge hit! Service is excellent and attentive! Highly recommend this place if you have been missing Mexico like I have and want a truly authentic, but boujee dining experience. read more

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This restaurant is absolutely beautiful. I was here for happy hour and I sat outside at the bar. From the HH menu I ordered the chicken taquitos and the frozen pineapple margarita. Each of these were okay. I can't say I would order either again. I also tried the salsa matcha honey glazed wings and they lacked flavor. The Queso Fundido with sautéed mushrooms, roasted poblano, queso mixto, salsa huevona, flour tortillas was my favorite. The Queso Fundido de Chorizo with house-made chorizo, queso mixto, salsa verde, flour tortillas was yummy. Every one at my table ordered the Pina Pina drink which is made with lots of rum, coconut, pineapple and lime, served with an umbrella in a shark shaped cup. Umm, we all sent them back. We all questioned what we ordered. No one could taste coconut nor any pineapple flavors. I don't know that I will go again anytime soon. 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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I live right across the street and I can't get enough! El Presidente is so delicious! I haven't had anything I didn't like. I encourage you to try the fried shrimp appetizer, crab enchiladas, carne asada tacos, and Mexican street corn. My favorite drink is the "put me in coach". On top of excellent food and drinks, the service is good. The servers make great recommendations when asked and they're friendly. The rest of the staff are attentive and kind. The restaurant seems small but it's a nice size and has a vibrant bar scene. read more

El Presidente - Put me in coach - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Went for happy hour and enjoyed the American food with a twist! Such a cute bar, felt like we were in Miami! And the service is self serve in the bar(at the community table) so be prepared to walk up to the bar to order your drink! I do like the fact that the drinks come out quick though. I'm only giving 4 stars because although the drinks were made quick, I didn't enjoy the margaritas as much as I wanted. I probably should have opted for a different drink nonetheless. read more

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What a fun place! The bar was definitely a statement but you will still enjoy the other room-- luscious reds. Really enjoyed the fresh guacamole! The spicy one wasn't really spicy for me or my friend who tend to like spicy things. The chorizo nachos were delicious and had a nice lil kick. Our crab enchiladas were alright, but we definitely like the items above more. Our drinks were fun and tasty. The service was great and had good recommendations including vegan and vegetarian options. I would definitely like to come back and check out HH! read more

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I will start by saying that the only reason I have 4 stars and not 5 is price. So if that is not an issue for you, consider it 5 stars! The quality of the food here is OUTSTANDING! One of the best tostada's I've ever had (photo attached - the tuna tostada). So freaking delicious and fresh. My drink was also very strong (thank goodness due to these prices lol). The service is wonderful, and the ambiance is gorgeous. Would absolutely recommend for a fancy night out - or if you just got it like that! read more

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Very beautiful place. The decor is mesmerizing. Came in during happy hour and enjoyed a light meal. You can never go wrong with a Caesar salad. I also tried the crab tostaditas. The only way I can describe them is a cold crab rangoon on a tortilla chip. I do it to myself every time trying a drink with mezcal, knowing I'm going to say it tastes like a burnt tire lol. Cool place though. The bartender was nice enough. I'd love to come back for dinner. read more

El Presidente - Crab tostaditas & Caesar salad - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Food was good and the service was great! Bathrooms were also clean and the outside and inside seating were great vides.

If you're reading this and you're like hmm should I get queso fundido? The answer is yes. Went for the chorizo one and it is honestly worth the hype. Had the birria tacos and transparently those were subpar, I've had better; but still solid. The short rib enchiladas my boyfriend got were better. Last, but not least, the plantains are delicious and worth getting as well! read more

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

Huge fan of the decor and beautiful patio. I feel like I'm traveling in time. The food is always delicious and I always have some for leftovers. Our server was super responsive, kind, and great with recommendations read more

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Ambiance is great! Service was slow and food is good, expensive and nothing memorable! Tell the chef to pick up a spice rack and the food would be better! Carne Asada Tacos: 8/10 Good but would be better with sauces. Mahi Mahi Tacos: 8/10 Again, it was good but lacked flavor. Fried Snapper Chicharrón: 6/10 Do NOT recommend. This was almost $50 and just tasted like fried white fish. There was no seasoning, although a big portion. Save your $ and get tacos. Charred Borocolli: 6/10 Soggy! Side of Rice: 7/10 Simple yet needs seasoning Side of Refried Black Beans: 9/10 can't go wrong with beans. Tres Leches: 7/10 descent but could use more condensed milk. Not very sweet and lacked flavor. read more

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