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    Fresca Taqueria

    3.2 (247 reviews)
    Closed 12:00 pm - 9:00 PM
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Fresca Taqueria Photos

    Business Info

    FRESCA TAQUERIA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Fresca Taqueria

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    Mole enchiladas
    Joshua K.

    Taqueria & Rosticeria Fresca gets the job done if you need a hearty bite to eat at reasonable prices for DC without a reservation but not much more. I recently went here with a friend for a impromptu weeknight dinner and were seated immediately. We had to order on our phones using a QR code which was not intuitive and we got our food quickly. I got the mole barbacoa enchiladas, although I could not choose my sides contrary to what the menu said. The sauce, rice, and guacamole were all fine; everything else was disappointing. The beans were extremely salty, the barbacoa tough, and the tortillas soggy.

    Amazing plaintains, a cheese Papusa, and a delicious tostado.

    I literally stopped by after grabbing a book from the book store across the street, and this was an amazing choice! From the heated patio, to the friendly service and delicious food, I will definitely come back!

    John P.

    Was in the mood for some tacos so I decided to check our this reaturant. I grabbed 3 steak tacos to go. The tacos were good, however, a bit pricey for the size. No sides like rice or beans with what I ordered. They do have a nice outside dining area amd staff is friendly and helpful.

    Bobbi D.

    Still lovely we have ever and they have incense to keep the mosquitoes at bay so you can enjoy the outdoor vibe! Service is good - love that the servers let us practice Spanish... food is always good!

    Outdoor patio with tons of plants
    Luisa G.

    I had been wanting to try Fresca since it's local to me and finally had a chance to stop by last night. It was about 7:30 and the inside part of the restaurant was empty. The outside had a few occupied tables and we had no issues getting sat. By the time we left about an hour later most of the outdoor tables were sat. We ordered chips and salsa and they were average, lots of chips and a small bowl of salsa. For drinks we got the jalapeño & pineapple margarita and I rate that about a 2/5 - overly sweet and not enough tequila. I ordered 2 fish tacos and 1 shrimp taco and rate those a 2/5. The fish and shrimp were tasty but a bit dry. I asked for some hot sauce and got a dish with a green and red sauce, neither was too spicy and I ended up using the salsa from the chips for the tacos. My boyfriend did the same with his chicken quesadilla so I'm assuming his was a bit dry too. Overall the patio is cute, the service is decent (they're probably understaffed), the prices were comparable for the area and the food and drinks were just average.

    Tacos Al pastor
    John B.

    Taqueria & Rosticeria Fresca is a little Mexican joint in H Street Corridor. It's good for lunch, but not a place for the best tacos you've ever had. What makes this place cool and unique is definitely their outdoor patio. It's very comfortable, and has lots of nice plants all around. The main dining area definitely didn't seem as nice to sit in. The horchata here is super on point. I really appreciate that it was on the sweeter side. The tacos were good, but I was not a fan of the tortillas. They broke apart pretty easily. Presentation, however, was pretty good. The salsa was also sorta mid - not as spicy or as flavorful as I would want my salsa to be. Overall, this place is good if you're craving Mexican food - it just won't blow your mind. A good place to sit and chill though!

    Outdoor sign!! So cute
    Janani S.

    I came here for lunch on a warm day and wanted something that would fill me up but not weigh me down to the point I couldn't walk to Capitol Hill. I saw many reviews for the veggie tostadas and got myself one, it was very good! It was smaller than I thought but nevertheless after eating it felt like a good portion size how much it was - $5. I asked the waiter for a vegetarian recommendation because though there are some options, there are also a decent amount of vegetarian choices here too. The waiter recommended the corn tamales which was a pretty big serving size for me; sharing it was perfect. This place has such a nice outdoor seating area, it's right by downtown and though quite busy on an afternoon they were so welcoming!

    Margs
    Mitch S.

    I give Fresca a 2.2/5 stars I ordered the shrimp tacos. The flavor wasn't totally there for me. The shrimp tasted frozen or even over cooked and really chewy. I did like the spicy salsa which cut through the bland taco. The margarita I got was a great portion, and definitely the best part of the meal.

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    1 year ago

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    2 months ago

    Ordered enchiladas and received empty tortillas with barely a sauce. So disappointed and annoyed at how much I paid

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    1 year ago

    If you have a dog, you (and your dog) need to eat here. Great servers and and nice ambiance.

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Nice service, but below average food. Salad is mostly just iceberg lettuce and tacos didnt have much flavor.

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Great food and service. Highly recommend this place for brunch . Huevos rancheros were amazing!

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    Page 1 of 7

    Fresca Taqueria Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Fresca Taqueria

    Tienen memelas, picadas, gorditas y hacen entrega a domicilio?

    They do not offer home delivery. Menu is combination of Mexican and Central American staples. Smoked chicken and ribs on Saturdays. Awesome mole specials on Sundays.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Benitos Place

    4.7(176 reviews)
    1.8 miShaw, Downtown
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    I've only ordered this to go using the Uber Eats app, which I wish allowed the option or better…read moredescription of the items, including the various sauces packed with the order, because although generous, the 2 types of sauces provided are too spicy for me! Of the dishes I've had: champurrado (yum, except not securely packaged for delivery); chips & salsa (the salsa did not agree with my tummy); sopes carnitas (pork chunks were more fat than meat); tacos fritos de pollo (super dry despite the salad that's lauered on top -- needs sauce!), and the baleadas, my favourite is the baleadas sencillas (good portion, nice flavour, perfect texture).

    Freezing, I walked along 11th street on a Tuesday evening searching for Benito's Place. An old…read morefriend had suggested it but..I couldn't find it. I walked a little back and forth, but.. no. Across the street, I saw another Mexican restaurant on the corner, but it looked closed, or even shut down. Maps told me it should be there. Looking across the street my eyes were drawn to the second floor, and a series of neon lights for a tarot card reader and psychic. Taking this as a sign, I crossed. That's when I found Benito's and realized that it's neon sign was out. Walk too fast and you might miss it. A narrow door aside a bay window lit from inside. It's a small place with a warm, cozy feeling. Benito's is very much a neighborhood Central American restaurant, but FYI: no alcohol. Started with guac and chips, usual fare, delicious but nothing that singled it out. I ordered the Pollo a la Plancha and it was rather good. The chicken was grilled through but not tough, it still had moisture and you could cut it. Rice, greens, etc. and the small 2oz solo of black beans, all standard fare. The corn tortillas were interesting, not your usual thin tortillas, so it took my mind a moment to consider what I was holding. It had the thickness of a pancake, maybe a sope base, and reminded me of thick, handmade tortillas when you don't have the press. Curiously, the tortillas were not the same that my friend got with his Mole Poblano, which were thin. Granted, it was a cold Tuesday evening, but in two hours only two other individuals came in to eat. Seems like they do brisk take away business. I expect on a warmer night with higher foot traffic this place fills up quickly. The service was great, did not want for anything. We were served with two containers of sauce, green and orange. Ostensibly green chili, and habanero, I did not learn specifically however. When I dine in DC I can't help but confront the blunt question: Was it worth it? Yeah, it's good food, good people, and a good place. You'll feel comfortable there and leave full. But the price of dining out is too damn high, and this meal is on the higher side of what, ten years ago, would have been $15. I fear that prices will continue to be pushed higher and places like Benito's might disappear, so get over there because the food excellent, the people are nice, and it's just a warm space to hang out for an hour or so talking to an old friend.

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    Benitos Place - Inside

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    Chicatana Fine Mexican Cuisine

    Chicatana Fine Mexican Cuisine

    4.7(97 reviews)
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    Had a great time and dinner! Chicatana is unassuming and unpretentious, staffed with attentive…read moreservers who do an amazing job (water was always filled and empty plates removed quite efficiently). The decor is simple, no table clothes or frills but it does live up to 'fine cuisine' with excellent food and presentation (another subtle touch is if you leave the table, you return to a nicely folded napkin). We got nearly everything on the menu including all the desserts and Mexican hot chocolate (yum, lightly spicy and piping hot!) . As others have said their guacamole is excellent...do check the charges though bc they added salsa and chips to the tab which we did not order (they removed). Also, the first order of guac came with big bowl of chips, but none with the second order of guac- not a problem though because you do not go hungry. Portions are quite generous. We even tried the ants which was a fun novelty

    This was the valentine's day 2026 stop. I had no idea it was in the area it was, but alas, we made…read morethe trek from lowly ballston anyway. After parking in the Giant parking garage (decent price), we walked the few blocks to the restaurant. We spotted it with the poster sign hanging up on the outer walls. Inside you head up the stairs and you're greeted by the host stand. We checked in and got our table, right at the window (hellya). There was a rose and a candle on the table (vday vibes) and we also received a vday specials menu. We landed on queso fundido to start and a cocktail each: prickly pear marg for her, a viva mexico for me. After fundido'ing it up, we ordered our entrees. We're simple folks it was a 2 carne asada tacos, 1 al pastor taco, 1 pescado taco, and 1 chicken quesadilla. Unfortunately we weren't bold enough to try the insectos. Food was great, drinks were great, service was great. You can pay your tab via Toast for no additional fee which was convenient. There are two, single use bathrooms in there too. Overall, solid spot.

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    La Estancia Churrasqueria - Parrillada mix to

    La Estancia Churrasqueria

    4.0(177 reviews)
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    So delicious and friendly service. Price is a little steep compared To chain steakhouses but the…read morequality is far beyond. Parking is sketchy but the restaurant itself is really nice and depicts what seems to be a Argentinian rural setting.

    1 Star is too much -- Very disappointing experience…read more We were really excited to try this restaurant because we were hoping for an authentic Argentinian dining experience. Unfortunately, it was nothing like what we expected, and the food was extremely disappointing. Then I found out the owner is Bolivian not even Argentinian. The chimichurri was red and had a very different taste than what we expected. The green hot sauce was basically like eating raw jalapeño--extremely overpowering. The mashed potatoes were watery and very salty, and the broccoli was literally sitting in so much water that almost half of the bowl was full of it. The rice tasted like microwave rice, and the French fries were just ordinary fries. The biggest disappointment was the meat. It was extremely fatty, chewy, and had almost no flavor. The chicken was overcooked and tasted like leftovers that had been reheated. For an Argentinian restaurant, the quality and preparation of the meat should be one of the highlights, but unfortunately, it was the complete opposite. Honestly, we could barely eat our food and ended up leaving most of it. What made the experience even worse was that, despite barely being able to eat the food, we were still charged half of the meal. The total bill was over $85, and that included $5 for a small cup of what tasted like microwave rice. Just in case the food looks half-empty in the pictures, we did put some of the food onto our plates to try it. Unfortunately, we couldn't eat it, so that's why some of the containers look partially empty. As someone who was genuinely looking forward to trying Argentinian food, this experience was incredibly disappointing. In my opinion, this restaurant does not represent the quality or flavors that people expect from Argentinian cuisine. Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this restaurant, and I would not return.

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    Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar - Bread - Hard & tasteless

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    I was in Washington, D.C., a few days before a work event and spent the day exploring the city…read more After miles of walking, I stopped into Cuba Libre, and it turned out to be the perfect place to recharge. I ordered the El Cuban sandwich, and it was outstanding. It came with black bean soup, a salad and tropical chips. I'm not usually a fan of beans, but the black bean soup completely changed my mind--it was rich, flavorful and one of the highlights of the meal. The drinks were also excellent, the service was friendly and attentive, and the whole experience was exactly what I needed after a long day on my feet. If you're looking for great Cuban food in D.C., Cuba Libre is absolutely worth a visit.

    I have mixed feelings about Cuba Libre. The menu is diverse and offers many different types of…read moredishes. The interior is really cool too. It's meant to look like an outdoor alleyway in Cuba. The service wasn't the best, it took a very long time to get our orders in even though the place wasn't very crowded. We ordered the appetizer dish that was a sampler of a bunch of Cuban staples which was great. I ordered the salmon that came with coconut rice. The salmon was delicious and a decent portion of fish for what you pay for. The second I took a bite of the rice I genuinely thought someone just served me vomit. I immediately spit it out and smelled the rice and it was sour. They made the rice with coconut milk that had to have expired at LEAST a week ago. I let the server know and I don't ever expect anything for free or something complimentary nor did I ask but that was baffling to me and a huge health concern. Maybe I sound entitled but I'd expect a discounted meal or something. I'm not sure how you don't smell that when you're cooking with it. It was absolutely rancid. He did ask if I wanted a replacement and I declined. Everyone else I was with enjoyed their meals and had a much better experience luckily so hopefully this was a one off thing.

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    Seven Reasons - Main dining room

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    The Royal - I got karats

    The Royal

    4.2(444 reviews)
    1.6 mi
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    The Royal is one of my local go-tos! I've been able to walk in successfully on weeknights but…read morerecommend reservations for weekends. Most recently went as a party of 4 and got the crab beignets, beef arepa, masa gnocci, and parillada for two. Crab beignets were our favorite - perfectly crispy and great flavor. Masa gnocci was a little overcooked this time but still yummy. Beef arepa is a classic dish to get at the royal; two people can easily share one arepa. Parillada was a hearty entree and probably best for 2-3 people. This amount of food altogether was just nice. We probably could have ordered one more thing to be extra full. I don't typically get Latin American food but love all the flavors at this restaurant. Next time will try their breakfast menu!

    Yummy. This is my favorite burger in dc. It is toooooooo good. & the fries are fire too. Seasoned…read moreso nicely. The burger was cooked to a perfect medium rare. It had a beautiful chew with the classic burger toppings with an amazing pairing of their slaw with a garlicy aioli. The bun was very pillowy and soft with a nice crust. They also never lack on their specialty lattes. I got their carrot cake latte and it was just so fabulous. Extremely smooth espresso and perfectly steamed milk. Syrups made in house of course and you can tell. Just a perfect latte. I usually am an iced latte person but I recommend getting their lattes hot. Hits different.

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    Fresca Taqueria - mexican - Updated September 2026

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