Shhhhh this place is my favorite Salvadoran place ever. It's affordable and close and delicious and filling and awesome. It's been the same wonderfulness for years, and I don't want it to change. Tip: Pupusas are one of the awesomest things on the menu. Pay extra for the ones with loroco and get some greens in you. You probably don't know what loroco is, but it's delicious, sort of like asparagus. Tip: Go for brunch and get the desayuno Salvadoran tipical. You will have so much food, and your belly will be happy to be full of fat homemade corn tortillas dipped in amazingly smooth and tasty beans and sour cream. Tip: Horchata. Be brave and try it. Tip: If you can, speak Spanish to the waitstaff. They will appreciate it. read more

Roach in my soup! The tripe soup. Be aware. I advised management and they had no sense of urgency or remorse.

This is not your typical Mt. P/Columbia Heights/Petworth Mexican/Salvadoran food joint. The service is friendly, the food is delicious, and there are tons of options (including veg), even for the pickiest of eaters. In short, what can I say about El Rinconcito II that hasn't been said already? Absolutely nothing. . . delicious food + good selection + great prices = a truly awesome spot read more

The food is excellent but it's often served at 6000 degrees. Celsius! amirite?!

The pupasas are still great, but I was sad to see how popular this place has gotten. They've expanded to the outside of the basement and there's fewer Latinos eating there. The TV is now sometimes tuned to something other than Telemundo, which I count as a negative. Where am I supposed to get my dose of drama? read more

Carne asada burrito and they melt the cheese on top. I've also had their tamales which are very good. Try a variety of tamales or order one has a side with another meal. read more

I have lived in Columbia Heights for over a year. And on my way back from work I always walk past this restaurant, which is hidden in the corner. One day I finally ventured out to try its food. It felt like being at home because it was small and you could hear the news playing in the background. The salsa for the chips was amazing; I could taste the roasted chile and fresh tomatoes. The masa for the pupusas was fluffy and warm, like homemade bread. Just writing this is making my mouth water. I highly recommend it. read more

Guys, you really need to try this place. No, for real though. You do. It's not much to look at, the tables are tiny and covered in vinyl, and depending on when you go, your dining entertainment will consist of either soccer or telenovellas courtesy of the old-school TV mounted near the ceiling, but you won't even notice when your delicious meal arrives. The chips are crispy, the salsa spicy and flavorful, and everything I've ever ordered has been absolutely delicious. The prices can't be beat (especially in DC) and I honestly think the food is better than the fancy Latin-themed joints popping up in Penn Quarter that shall remain nameless. Lots of variety with both Salvadorean (pupsas! yum!) and Mexican favorites. Like I said, for real. Go! read more

So this place is in my neighborhood so I thought I'd give it a try. Honestly, I'm a little surprised by all the rave reviews here. First off - ambiance. I carried out so I can't really speak much for it, but it seemed colorful and warm. It would probably be nice to eat here. It was a little loud downstairs when I was there with the tv blaring, but they have an upstairs area where my roommate ate which she liked. I got two steak tacos with homemade tortillas. The tortillas were pretty good, the steak was really bland. The Salvadorean cheese on top of it was chewy and not particularly good. The beans and rice were nothing special. I did like the pico de gallo they served on the side, it had an interesting flavor. All of this cost around $11 which I thought was pretty steep. I probably would have been happier if I had paid less or if the quality was better. I also tried my roommate's pupusas that she brought home from here which were ok. There's a few other Mexican or Salvadorean places around here that I'd probably try before I went here again. read more

tamales: dayum salvadoran breakfast: YUM homemade tortillas jukebox: all spanish quit whining, pass the salsa enjoy yourself here! read more

Good food! Very modest (read -- not fancy, but clean) cafe on the ground floor of a row house in Columbia Heights. The pupusas and salsa are very good. We had dinner there the other night and it is now a neighborhood favorite! read more

Went for early lunch with church friends. Place was empty, we got a table in the middle of the top floor. I got tamale and one papousa. They were nice enough to make my dish without cheese, after I explicitly explained I didn't care if the dish was incomplete, I could not have cheese. This seemed odd to them. The dish came with rice and refried beans and a cabbage slaw of sorts. Chips at the start of the meal wee thin and tasty not too salty but the salsa was watery and flavorless. Overall the meal was nice a cheap and filling. Under $10 with tip. read more

The best Christmas meal I could have on Christmas. This restaurant is amazing. While this location is pretty small, the food is grand. I was turn on to this spot by my co-worker who stated this was some of the best food that he has every experienced. Of course I thought he was over hyping the food but turns out it was 100% legit. The establishment was extremely clean and the staff was friendly and knowledgable. The were able to make a great recommendation and give accurate timing of how long the food would take to be ready- Which is important when you work in EMS. ( Never know when the next call is coming). I decided to go for the Chicken burrito Platter. (Burrito, guac, rice and beans) The burrito was amazing. It was evident that the food was cooked to order and the chicken was pulled right then and there. The black beans were firm without all of the extra black bean juice that normally destroys a burrito. It was simple put, picture perfect. I would highly recommend that you find your way to this spot asap. not only is the food great, it was beyond affordable. my entire meal was aprox 11 dollars!! read more

Muy bueno! Good Latin American and Mexican food. Pretty much everything I've tried is tasty, and it's pretty authentic.

Not all El Salvadorian joints were created equal. Tortilla Cafe was exceptional, this was just ok. The chips were very stale, and the pupusas were bland. Some of the rice was hard and crunchy. Still, I left feeling fairly satisfied. I would probably go back to have a cheap meal, but I won't be raving about it to anyone. read more

This is a great little neighborhood restaurant. Outdoor patio and great margaritas! The food is good too, but the margaritas are better. The staff is always friendly and knowledgeable about what to try. read more

First time here - needed a break from Mama Chuy's (haven't been feeling their service lately).. Anyway, this place did not disappoint, even the house margaritas were delicious.. I ordered the shrimp crispy tacos - so nicely seasoned, the rice was light and cooked perfectly. The refried beans were everything! I'm from Cali so I know good Mexican food! Also, the service was good and the restrooms are clean. They even have an outside area! Cute, cute place! read more

Wednesday night, 9pm, starving. We walk into El Riconcito. It's pretty empty but no big deal. I thought the service was good. Speedy and no translation problems at all. Small place with Univision playing on the three TVs around the dining room. Steve didn't like the "Atmosphere" but I didn't go there for it to be a nice place, i went there to be fed. We both highly recommend the Ensalada [aka Fresh Fruit Drink]. It's the perfect summer drink. The pieces of fruit/texture does take some getting use to but the drink was totally refreshing and light. [$2.15] I liked my beef Chimicanga and was very happy with the portion. It came with guacamole, salsa, sour cream, lettuce, rice and refried beans for $7.50. Steve claimed to hate his Shrimp Fajitas but after further probing it turns out he just didn't like the pitas they came with and the fact that it only came with two of them. I didn't try the pita but it was very thick more like an actual pita then a tortilla. [$9.50] Overall Steve was super critical and gave the place a 2. He said he'd only go there again if I wanted to. Of course I want to and thus gave it a 4. I'm determined to convince him to bump his up to at least a 3. Ah well. We spent $34 and some change for this meal. I was super pleased. Steve, not so much. read more

Good, but not great. Small place that packs a big punch- but it can get very, very crowded quickly. It's worth a try, no doubt- but with so many other Latin places in the spot that are comparable... I'd say this place stays in the top 5... but bottom half. Now, I am in no way saying don't try it.. because I will be going back soon, the place was good!... but, I am pretty sure I won't be a usual... read more

The hard shell tacos were pretty good and the pupusas weren't bad (sorry, I'm partial to Ercilia's in Mount Pleasant). The ambiance was pretty cool, especially the upstairs area -- though a sofa or two would really make the mood. Our food came pretty quickly but the service was otherwise a bit slow. And our appetizer came halfway through dinner. What's up with that? Anyway, give this place a try. It's definitely on the family friendly side too. read more

this is my favorite place for Salvadorian food. The puposas are excellent, we get them as appetizers. Every dish we ordered here has been very well cooked. My favorite is the Sopa De Rez, it has huge chunks of beef short rib, with plenty of vegetables! i'm getting hungry thinking about it lol. The tamales are also good. The pizza is also good. By the way this place is very affordable! read more

Everything was tasty and the food prices are cheap, less then $15 for a HEAPING pile of food.

I decided to try this place twice before typing a review.Everything here is subpar. I imagine that if you were a stoner, or a bachelor, it'd be sufficient. I wasn't too fond of the fact that the waitress only spoke to my husband, until I started speaking spanish. Here's a tip sweetie, acknowledge and speak to ALL of your customers. And when someone asks for a medium rare steak, don't serve leather fillets! My kids are pupusa fanatics and they hated the pupusas. There was so much cinnamon in the horchata, it felt like we were drinking sand! Save your money, people and walk AWAY from the restaurant. read more

This place is great! It's a little place underneath a townhouse near Giant in Columbia Heights! You would never know it's there, but it's great. The food, at least from my perspective, is very authentic. It's Salvadorian and Mexican food, and the papusas and plantanos are awesome. There are always a lot of hispanic people there, and I take that as a good sign! The waitresses mainly speak Spanish so if you want to practice it's a great place to do that :) I definitely recommend it! It's a little slow and not the greatest AC during the summer! read more

This place is fantastic! Went there for brunch and was certainly not let down. The plantains are tasty, service is good and location is convenient. Far enough away from the Gastropub too. read more

Good authentic Mexican food at a good price. Not spectacular but a nice neighborhood hole in the wall, with a Bethesda vibe. Take that as you see it read more

We'd been passing this place for years on our way to and from Columbia Heights on Park Road. It's in a row house right across from the Giant on Park Road. We've always been curious, but wasn't sure if it'd be a tad too autentico for our tastes. BF went for lunch a week ago and then we both went back for lunch on Saturday. The staff is friendly, service is quick, the decor is nice, great outside patio and the food is amazing! I don't really like rice, in general, but this yellow rice is perfection on a plate! Very extensive menu. Can't wait to try it all! Delicious! We've since gotten take out for snacks on the patio at home. This place is a gem! read more

BEST Salvadoran breakfast (available all day) ever!! Really yummy authentic Salvadoran restaurant. My regular comfort food spot when I'm missing authentic Latin food in DC. They have TVs with telenovelas playing in the evening, great drinks, friendly service, good prices, and did I mention the Salvadoran breakfast? read more

This was the second time I had salvadorean food. The salsa that came with the chips was more like a bean dip than a salsa--only ok. The actual food was a bit better. I ordered a shredded pork dip that came with rice, beans and corn tortillas. My meat was tender and flavorful, but a little salty. I wish there was more tomato salsa to go with it. For dessert I tried their flan which was made with orange rind. It was a nice interesting flavor, but a bit too sweet. read more

I heart this place if only for their tamales. DELICIOUS. The fried plantains were awesome and the shredded chicken burrito is to die for (I know... authentic, right?) I don't care. I can't wait to go back and get the breakfast. Looks great. read more

The food is great! Authentic, tasty...I love it! I brought my mom here on the advice of my trainer. She loves whole fried Rockfish and she was very pleased with theirs. I cant wait to visit again and try more stuff...like the soup that everyone else seemed to be ordering! read more

Just an everyday Spanish food spot with tasty margaritas.

The jig is up. Despite its best efforts to disguise itself as another row house across the street from Giant, DC has found El Rincon. I'll post. The food is delicious. And cheap. And they're always open, even though they look like they're always closed. Docked one point for service, because, like everyone else says, it is hit or miss (probably a symptom of their new found popularity). And they have a bizarre obsession with trying to upsell me tamales when all I want is pupusas, but whatever. read more

Great food. But extremely slow service. I waited around 40 minute for a simple to go order when the restaurant was not at all crowded.

This hole in the wall restaurant was a delicious treat. I had a $4 peach Margarita for happy hour and continued with a pupusa, chicken fajita, and a chicken dish with an egg I'm not remembering the name of atm. None of it disappointed. Service was good and I continued enjoying their outdoor seating for close to an hour after I finished my meal. Definitely recommend and would like to go back read more

Finding a good pupusa in this city is surprisingly difficult. So when I ordered them at El Rincocito II my bar was set incredibly low. I'm not rating them compared to legit Salvadoran pupuserias, but if you're in Columbia Heights and want a chimichanga, soup, or pupusas, this place will not let you down. Convenient location and always have seating. read more

I stopped here while traveling for work and I'm so glad I tried it! I had one pork and one cheese pupusa, and I thought they both were tasty. I also had an elote tamale, which was delicious and tasted almost like dessert. I loved the super-smooth beans and rice, and their horchata was awesome (I saved some for my coffee the next morning, which was the best idea I've had in a while). read more

My nerves are now put at ease as there is actual edible Mexican food in DC!!! I was very happy with my experience at El Rinconcito II and look forward to returning. The service was great. I ordered La Sopa de Res - a hearty beef stew with chunks of potato, carrot, yucca, half corn cob in a tasty beefy broth. Delicious. One of my favorite dishes I used to order when I lived Mexico and El Ricnoncito was right up there. My fiance ordered the vegetarian burrito. It too was awesome. The burritos are served wet, next time I think she will do without the cheese and sauce. However, together we finished the whole thing. The accompanying rice and beans had some good flavor and were not simply sitting next to the burrito. Even the small amount of guacamole on the plate was awesome. A rare treat in DC I am learning. Also tried a pupusa, super tasty. All this good food at a fair price. We look forward to returning - trying the margaritas and something else off of the giant menu. You will be happy you went. read more

Found this place oneday while wondering around Columbia Heights after a meeting on the brink of starvation. Called a friend for some suggestions and he said to try this spot. Walking into the door I was a bit hesitant, now don't get me wrong I know some of the best food come from these little neighborhood spots but it just looked a little shady. But being that I was craving Milanesa I said "Lets get it" and "We got it and lovedd it!" Great food loved my milanesa, just wish they had added some cheese although I could've asked I suppose. Ordered the queso as an app, that was notsogood. Basically white queso blended with shredded cheese.....a nice cheese block if that's what your looking for, one other small thing....no refills on refrescos (I got over it, I need to drink more water anyways)! . . Other than that Wait staff was friendly, food was priced fairly. I'll def go back. read more

Solid portions that taste homemade in the not too much sodium and oil way. Also, has enough of a vegetarian menu.