Since my initial review, I have returned a few times. I order the same meal each time, and every time the food consistently delivers on flavor, quality and presentation. The waiter that we had this time was friendly. Unlike the first time, we were given the option to order three versus two tacos, which is a good thing considering that it was one of my concerns during the first visit. We sat indoors this time, which made the experience so much better for me. The ambiance was great. We were seated at a table that was diagonal to the kitchen and I must say that it was one of the cleanest restaurant kitchens that I have ever seen. From what I could see, the work surfaces were amazingly clean, as were the floors. Observing that level of attention to detail in the kitchen added to my experience and appreciation for this establishment. read more

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

Great spot for dinner or an early happy hour. Anyone who's looking to come here should come with a big appetite. Service has been great in both of my visits. Food presentation never disappoints. The food itself is always delicious. Finally, cocktails options are great to experiment with. NoMa has a lot of restaurants with awesome interior design and this one does as well. read more

Updating my review to include my most recent visit to El Presidente for happy hour with coworkers. This place is just too darn cute. Very aesthetically pleasing and Instagrammable :) We sat at the bar and received amazing service from our bartender. I had the duck confit and nachos and they were delicious. For drinks I had the margaritas and the Pina Pina and it came in the cutest shark cup. This place is my favorite place for happy hour in the city and I look forward to coming back and enjoying my Summer evenings with a marg and good company! Cheers! read more

See all

I was very impressed with the El Presidente happy hour. We had to start off with a Wolf Spritzer, which was an Aperol drink. For some bites we got their taquitos, (2) Fries and their crab tostadas. All amazing. Our server at the bar was fantastic and left paying $40 for a good amount of food and 2 drinks! read more

See all

This place is such a vibe! Super great atmosphere and patio. The drinks were amazing and I loved my enchiladas! The service was also great. Highly recommend! read more

See all

Food is amazing, especially the Mahi Mahi tacos and corn! Service is great, waiters are patient and knowledgeable. The decor and ambiance is exceptional. People work here, bring their families, friends etc. I was there this time for work and we had a set menu, they were very accommodating to a colleague who is a vegetarian. read more

See all

I'll start with I'm not a big fan of Mexican tacos and things BUT this place was awesome. The duck tacos were my fave! The hoisin and duck yum perfect. The patio is perfectly situated and sized for people watching while catching who with friends and enjoying the delicious drinks. It's such a cute place inside too! Now back to the food. My friends and I tried a little bit of everything (as depicted) the strange dish we didn't enjoy was the goat cheese and plantains. The rice was a bit basic but the rest was yummilicious. I have been back a few times and plan to continue! read more

See all

This restaurant has nice curb appeal, great food, and excellent service. The snapper bites are amazing and the El Presidente guacamole was outstanding. The dining room was full but the noise level was not bad. We will definitely be back! read more

See all

I was looking for a place to grab a drink after getting in from a late flight--not only was this place open they had margaritas so I decided to give it a try. I took a seat at the bar which had a bustling and energetic vibe and it took a moment for me to get served since it was busy. I got a margarita which I felt like was a bit pricey but tasty. I ended up just drinking my regular Vodka sodas afterward. read more

Enjoyed the macho nacho. The chorizo was well flavored and portion size was great for sharing. read more

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

Celebrated a birthday at El Presidente, located in union Market DC and it was one of the best dining experiences I've had. The restaurant is gorgeous, and beautifully decorated. This was my first time visiting, the birthday girl chose this restaurant. I already knew I wanted the branzino because I looked at the menu before arriving, but when the waiter said it was his personal favorite I knew I made the right choice. Branzino: 5 Stars -- Top 5 things I ate this year, hands down. Nachos: We ordered 1, then IMMEDIATELY ordered another. Margarita: Delicious, we ordered 3 rounds. Tacos: shrimp | chicken | birria -- none we left over. Churro: warm, sugary and was the perfect finish for a great meal. Parking is available street side, you can use your ParkMobile app to track the time on your meter. read more

See all

I tried out El Presidente for lunch when I was in Union Market. This is such a beautiful restaurant for any occasion. The interior is super vibrant and festive. I sat at the bar and was taken care of by a lovely black woman. I hate that I forgot her name. Anywho, her service was really good, she was personable and made amazing recommendations. For an app: I had the El President Guacamole. It was superb. Highly recommend. For Entree: I ordered three kind of tacos: shrimp, Mahi Mahi, and Sonoran Filet (recommended by bartender and MY New FAV) - the beef was so tender and juicy. The components inside the taco paired so well & added so much flavor. - the shrimp tacos were spicy and needed more components - the Mahi Mahi breaded tacos were really good Anytime, I eat Mexican I have to order Mexican street corn. I ordered their Esquites off the cob as a side. The mocktail on their menu was just okay. It was like a lime spritzer. Nothing special. Overall, the experience was great and I can't wait to go back and try more! read more

See all

Came here for my birthday with my dad and had a blast. The nachos were wonderful. The set up of having them flat on a platter allowed for even distribution of toppings and keeping any of them from getting too soggy. It made it easy to share because we weren't fighting between certain chips. My dad and I also both got the birria tacos. They were flavorful and the tortilla was nice and crisp. For my birthday, they brought out a scoop of ice cream with a candle, along with a birthday message and pin. I collect pins so this was a wonderful surprise! Had a blast and can't wait to come back:) read more

See all

El Presidente, this was my third visit and somehow, you keep outdoing yourself. I came back for the carne asada build your own tacos because they never miss. Tender, seasoned just right, and practically begging to be devoured. The crab tostadas were light and fresh with just enough citrus and crunch to make me pause mid-conversation. Now, I've never been a red sauce girl when it comes to enchiladas. Green is usually my ride or die. I did ask to swap, but the kitchen stood firm. I took a deep breath, tried it anyway... and ended up eating every bite of those short rib enchiladas like I hadn't just had two appetizers. Rich, slow-cooked, and flavorful enough to convert me, at least for the night. But the real revelation? That peppered house hot sauce. Not just spicy--flavorful. It doesn't just punch you in the mouth, it sits you down and has a full conversation. Smoky, bold, and perfectly balanced. I'd bottle it, wear it as perfume, and defend its honor in a debate. Vibe-wise: moody lighting, sleek energy, and just enough edge to feel cool without trying too hard. El Presidente doesn't pander--it just delivers. Bold food, confident flavors, and a hot sauce that deserves a security detail. Taking off one star because the place is pricey. Pricey, but worth the taste. El Presidente doesn't just serve food. It makes statements. No frills, no pandering. Just confident flavors, smart pairings, and a vibe that feels equal parts cool and unbothered. read more

See all

The snapper chicharron was absolutely delicious. Great flavors and the was moist and not over fried. Have also tried a couple of their tacos and they were tasty too. You could tell they use quality ingredients. Ambiance was very lively. Overall a good experience. read more

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

See all

One of the coolest restaurants I've been to. Bar is gorgeous and inside is beautiful. The food was sooooo good. I got carnitas tacos and the nachos. The service was patient and attentive and everyone was really nice. Definitely check this place out if you're in NOMA area! read more

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

See all

Customer Service, Food and Ambiance all with high marks! My only knock would be portion sizes are more on the smaller size which is more than likely what the portions should be, but not compared to other DC establishments. There are different rooms to dine in and each area is very different from the other including the bar area. The tacos, guacamole, and drinks are a must have here! read more

I came here yesterday evening with 3 friends. Our reservation was for 3, but they were able to seat us at a table for 4 thankfully. The outdoor patio/bar area was packed! The vibe was very lively out there. The indoor seating was nice too, with a very distinct decor. The waiters were very attentive, always filling up our water whenever it was running low. The food was pretty good as well. I ordered the black cod Al pastor tacos and a side of fried plantain. The tacos were very tasty, just a little bit small. The plantain was a sizable portion, and cooked just how I like them! read more

See all

I've always heard good things about El Presidente and every time I pass it, it's usually very busy. Now that I've been there I'm a bit puzzled..It was alright but very much so just making average. I ordered the whole branzino and it came with a lot of garnish but still managed to taste plain. The sauces were really the only thing that gave the dish flavor. It was perfectly cooked so I will give them that. The plantains just didn't taste right, I wouldn't get it again. The star of the meal was actually the kale salad. The flavor was unique, there was a nice crunch with the garbanzo beans so I really enjoyed it. It was my birthday, so I got some type of ice cream on the house. I understand why it's on the house..I took one taste and left the rest for the table, no one wanted to eat.. Love the decorum, you can get pictures here. The staff is very nice. However, the service was very slow and the place was only at 50 percent capacity, if that. Overall, I don't think I'd come here again, there's just so many better places. If I somehow happen to come here again, maybe I did wrong and I'll just stick to getting tacos. read more

See all

The food here is amazing. We started with the nachos which were sooo good! I kept wanting to grab more. I moved onto the black bean enchiladas which had a beautiful presentation. I never had black bean enchiladas like this but I loved the uniqueness of this dish. We went on a Saturday for lunch and the entire place was packed. I loved how lively it was and it was worth the visit! read more

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

See all

Ambiance is very nice!! Loved the scenery. If you're from out of town, this type of cuisine is definitely different. This Place is only great for drinks. Mexican corn was yummy & Macho nachos was delicious!! Definitely recommend appetizers. read more

Second time there, ordered a little better this time. Nice spot, food was good, but a little pricey for some of the basics. Pretty broad cocktail list, beer list was a little lacking, but a couple of good choices there. Staff are very attentive and helpful, fun atmosphere. Seems to be a good after work hangout as well. read more

Talk about a whimsical restaurant. El Presidente has a beautiful bar and interior design. It's super cute. I've come in for dinner and sat in their dining area and also at their bar during happy hour. I enjoyed my experience more during the dinner service. Tacos are pretty good, prices aren't too bad and I love the fact that the garage right next to the restaurant offers free 3 hour parking. I recently went for drinks and wasn't too impressed with their traditional margaritas. There was a lot of sour mix (I think that's what I was tasting). The happy hour prices are really good though and during the weekday the bar was packed! Check it out if you're ever in the Union market area read more

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

See all

This place is great. What a beautiful restaurant! The decor is everything. Small details, different dining areas, and a beautiful bar. They also have an outdoor seating area. Came on a Friday for lunch was very chill. Ordered a Cesar salad and the Fried Snapper and My friend ordered a cocktail called Como la Flor- she said it taste like a Sorrell spiked- if you know you know. Cesar was good; fresh with just the right amount of dressing and parm. House made croutons. Snapper was delicious! Seasoned very well. Came with 2 sauces and one had a kick! Very good overall. Service was mediocre- not too much interaction just took the order and brought the tab. We also were chatting a lot so. read more

See all

This is a very nice restaurant and the staff is nice. I'm giving this place a 3 because there are a few things that I didn't like. 1. Salsa should be something that just comes to the table as a staple for a Mexican restaurant. 2. The street corn had waaaaayyyy too much sauce in it. It tasted like i was eating mayo out a jar with corn in it. That was an epic fail. 3. I'm use to my short rib being seasoned really well and having lots of flavor. My tacos literally had no flavor. It was quite underwhelming. 4. They literally cut one broccoli in half and lay it flat on the plate. Look, give the people more because honestly that was the only thing I really enjoyed. Let me be clear, I have ate at a lot of restaurants and don't mind paying for amazing food and service, but this was not it. It sits in the perfect location and has a beautiful patio situation near the bar. It really does have a nice ambiance, but it's a NO for me. I probably won't ever go back. read more

See all

this post is about the drinks because I was so blown away with the level of dimension with the drinks provided by the Mixologist at the bar. I did not expect my margarita to come in a glass like it did. I will post a food in a different post, but I will say the food is also very good. The vibe inside the place was fun, modern and trendy. read more

Omg this place does NOT disappoint. This is right in our neighborhood and never been because we heard it was overrated. Well, we were pleasantly surprised when we started off with the nachos which is what they are best known for. It's like a Mexican pizza, so good!!!! And then I got the dirty veggie tacos with the refried bean side dish and it was delicious! The service was good but the ambiance was so impressive and beautiful. read more

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

See all

We had an amazing experience at El Presidente! I brought my parents here when they visited from out of town, and they loved it. We had a Friday night reservation, and they were not able to seat us right away. So we were delayed getting our table by about 15-20 mins. However, they made up for it with the service and offerings. One of the managers came to our table to apologize and then comped our appetizer, which was so nice! We hadn't even complained or anything. The drinks were good. I had the house margarita. My husband got a cocktail that came in a cute shark ceramic. The guacamole with crab was excellent. We didn't leave a drop behind! We also enjoyed the queso fundido, which was decadent and delicious. For my entree, I had short rib enchiladas. The flavor was great, and the portion was plentiful. I got to take some leftovers home. My friend got a caesar salad with shrimp, which is not typically on a Mexican menu, but even that was outstanding. She said they were the best croutons she ever had. We had to try the dessert, so we ended our meal with tres leches AND churros. I could have eaten all the churros with the raspberry sauce. Soo good! The servers were prompt and friendly. They spoke Spanish with me and my mom, which was nice. The decor in the restaurant is part of the fun. There are bright colors, animal sculptures and art. It's a beautiful design. 10/10 recommend. Worth the hype! read more

See all

Cinco de Mayo visit was a success! It was extremely packed on a very rainy Monday night but when you taste the food you understand why. The chips and guacamole were so fresh you could taste it! These chips aren't store bought and that guacamole isn't held with preservatives. My group didn't make it to the entrees before we wanted to kiss the chef. Who actually came to our table on a busy night! My friend really enjoyed her shrimp tostada that I got a sample of... AMAZING! We each ordered a different taco because duh it's Cinco de Mayo! However, we each enjoyed our orders so much we couldn't share. I had the carnitas taco based on our servers recommendation and he did not steer me wrong. There were only two drink specials which kind of brought the excitement down for everyone. I ordered a Mezcal martini...so strong! I had to order a Hibiscus Agua fresca to mix it with. For $17 I shouldn't be complaining but it caught me off guard. I probably wouldn't go back for drinks based on the price unless it's happy hour but I'll definitely be back for food and to try the dessert. read more

See all

Happy hour review Affordable happy hour for the area ($9-10 per item). The food options are actually filling as well so you could only eat the happy hour menu and not leave hungry. Tried the classic margarita because if that isn't good I can't trust anything else lol. Food & drink: Elote fries were surprisingly good but I would love more corn. Tacquitos were not my fave. Pretty bland chicken. The crab dish was refreshing. Would like that again but it is the smaller portion of anything we tried. Basics margarita is on the sour side but I like that! Ambiance: It's le diplomate with a different theme. Big interesting art work and sculptures. Huge main bar. Wasn't too loud even tho it was crowded at the bar area. Service: Sat at the tables near the bar which is considered the bar area. John was great - knowledgeable. Accurately captured our order. Attentive. However, before he took over service was kinda wonky from the people we had before he arrived. Waited about 15 mins for water. Recommend to have dedicated servers for the bar area tables inside and out because the bar is very full most of the time and having the bartenders also serve tables seemed to cause a lot of delays. Would return. read more

See all

The place is cute and a nice vibe. Sat outside had heaters that worked perfectly. Service great servers are attentive the manager accommodates. Asked server for a good mocktail. He shared they can make daiquiris and everything mocktail so opted for pina colada mocktail wasn't all that but still good 3/5. The nacho mama pizza with chicken omg everything 10s across the board. The crab enchiladas not too good in my opinion definitely needs a different sauce. Manager nicely swapped out for me to get birria tacos which were great and tasty 8.5/10. Got churros they were tasty cooked how they are supposed to and a nice size. Raspberry sauce tasted fresh not store bought. The rice didn't necessarily fit the theme but it was good. Really tasted the butter which I liked 7/10. Honestly would definitely return and recommend. read more

See all

Everything was mediocre / below mid. Was not impressed by drinks or food. However, our server was attentive and provided decent service. read more

We came here for our anniversary and what an excellent choice. The moment we walked in... we felt welcomed. Service was attentive and friendly. The restaurant has a vibrant decor and what a sexy looking bar! I love the energy here. Chips and salsa- loved the texture of the chips and so crisp. The salsa was good too. It would be so easy to fill up on this. *Chicken quesadillas app-delicious! My husband and I shared it. Could easily be my main entree. The tortilla was a little crisp and the filling was flavorful with just a little kick of heat. Just perfectly prepared. *Snapper CHICHARRÓN- it was good. The breading was crispy and chipotle aioli elevates it. *carne asada tacos-3 in an order. Not enough to keep you full so order sides. *Mexican street corn- delicious! *Mexican pudding-was light. It satisfied my sweet tooth. We will definitely return. So many other menu options we want to try. Shout out to our server Niko, thanks for ensuring a great dining experience. read more

See all

The restaurant is very beautiful visually. Our server took a while to get to us but the food and drinks came out fast. The guac presentation was great and the taste was good. I had the tacos which came in a very basic form of preparation. They tasted just fine but frankly you're better off going to your local taco stand if you're coming here for the tacos. I enjoyed my time here maybe because I came without any preconceived expectations read more

Another hit by Stephen Starr!! Such a fun vibe with cool decor! Great menu as well. My drink came in a cup that looked like a shark! Food was great as well. read more

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

See all

If you like authentic Mexico City cuisine and flavors that smack you with satisfaction- then El Presidente is worth the trip. With decor that creates an incredible vibe from tables to art you feel like you're surrounded by somthing special. Service was wonderful as well! read more

See all

3.5/5 El President was good. Nothing particularly special, I've had better Mexican at La Michocana. The presentation of food was nice, servers were attentive and made some really good recommendations for their extensive Mezcal list. Nothing special, you're not missing anything if you skip read more

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

See all

The good: We loved our drinks and the service was great! Very friendly and helpful! The decor in there is elaborate and beautiful, it felt a little like being at Disney (lolol). The bad: Honestly the food was really really just ok and the portions for tiny. For $17 I was surprised the entree plates were smaller than my hand and they simply weren't that flavorful. We ended up going to another restaurant for more food after we had finished our entrees. Overall: Go for drinks and the ambiance, skip the food! read more

See all

Only went for drinks and apps. Got the spicy guacamole and a Margarita, the Marg was delicious and we were asked which tequila we'd like in it which was nice to be able to pick the tequila. The service was great, I forgot our waiters name but he was very nice and checked on us often. The place is very well decorated and feels surprisingly cozy. read more

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

While visiting DC, we took the advice of a friend to check this place out. It is clearly a local hot spot, so reservations are STRONGLY SUGGESTED. When I made our reservation about a week in advance, the only space available after 5 pm was for the patio and the disclaimer that popped up about choosing patio seating at your own risk should have been a red flag for me. As we were waiting for our Uber at the hotel, it started raining and while the "patio warning" crossed my mind, I thought to myself, "they wouldn't dare". Upon arriving, we checked in and were immediately informed that since we reserved the patio, we HAD TO be seated on the patio. And, since I had checked in, I couldn't change my mind and pretend to be a walk-in. Insert my side-eye, eyebrow raise, and scowl... But, for some reason, my usually impatient and picky husband insisted on waiting for what would certainly be damp seating on the patio. Once seated in the covered patio with tie-down canvas panels section, it was indeed wet (not damp) and as the rain continued, one of the managers was leading a team of servers to reposition tables to keep them in the least wet spaces. It was almost comical, except we were getting wet. After finally finding a table that wasn't under a constant drip, we exhaled and ordered. My husband declared that he had a feeling that this would be GOODT! And, boy, was he right! From the pineapple margarita on the rocks to the frozen pineapple margarita and the "elephant in the room" cocktail, the drinks were wonderful. And, the guacamole with crab was outstanding. I'm not sure why they don't offer this more in Texas, but I will be asking for it at my local spot when I get home. We did try their salsas, and they were just ok. The red salsa was super simple, heavy tomato, and mild. The green was better but we wouldn't order them again (chips and salsa are not free). The tuna aguachile was AH-MAZING... trust me on this... the coconut cream adds a beautiful rich, creaminess to the dish. And, we shared the Macho Nachos because it IS HUGE. the homemade chorizo on it was deeee-licious... seasoned just right and not greasy. And, they clearly pickle their own Jalapeños and onions because I could taste their freshness. The portion was so large that we couldn't finish it. But, that didn't stop my husband from getting a Tres leches cake to go, which he ate the next day and said was pretty good, which is high praise from him as this is his favorite cake. All in all, the only reason that they lost a star from me is because the hostess was inflexible and came off unsympathetic. The young blonde-haired gentleman working so hard to make the patio space better is honestly why I "fixed my face and my attitude". I now wish that I had his name because HE should be commended on how well he represented the restaurant from the moment he showed us to our table to the final farewell of the evening. Clearly, he knew that the food was not to be missed and made sure that we didn't. We will be back read more

See all