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    Pono Taco

    4.4 (20 reviews)
    Closed 8:00 am - 8:00 pm

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    BAJA BODHI FISH
    Jeneen M.

    I'm dumbfounded with the high praise here or maybe my experience wasn't as good because it was a carryout order. I really can't say for sure, but I ordered the fish tacos and the small nachos with lava queso and added Huli chicken and both left a lot to be desired. Everything was packaged well, the smell was inviting, it looked pretty good, portions were nice. One bite of the fish tacos and I had a mouthful of indistinguishable mush. If not for the cabbage and my eyes, I would've thought it was baby food in a taco shell. I plucked some of the fish out of the second one to try to get a taste without the sauce but it wasn't crispy either and lacked any real flavor. On the flip side, the nachos were yummy. The chips were fresh and crisp and the huli chicken, high five as far as flavor! Buuuuuut the "lava queso" was a horrible thick and chunky think refried beans consistency. Possibly old? I tried some on a chip or two then tried to microwaved it to see if I could get a "queso" consistency and some flavor to emerge but it didn't help. From what I tasted, it was not spicy or good so I tossed it and had mostly dry nachos once I polished off the pico de gallo. I'm bummed. BSM is super close to home and I'm a frequent flyer I'm talking weekly taco/nacho/Mexican consumer. But the flavor has to be fire and I need my tacos to go so I can kick back at home with my stretchy pants after a long day. Maybe this was a bad day, so while I won't be running back anytime soon, I'd likely give it another try when I can dine in to see if my first experience was a fluke.

    Fish Tacos and Black Beans
    Latoya G.

    Always in the mood for tacos, I had to give Pono Taco a try since I was in the area for the Belvedere Square Christmas tree lighting. The service was a little lackluster. I stood there waiting for someone to acknowledge me and take my order for a little while even though I was the only person at the counter and the young lady behind the counter was standing right there. And when I got my food the other young lady kinda just dropped it on the counter for me to grab when she could've placed it in my hand. Nonetheless, I got their Baja Fish Tacos which were topped with cabbage and a housemade sauce. I was pleasantly pleased with the crispness of the fish and taste of the homemade tortillas. And 2 good sized tacos for $10 was a win. I could've used more seasoning on the fish and maybe a pico to kinda brighten the tacos up. But all in all, they were really good fish tacos. The beans were also delicious. I'm always on the hunt for a good taco spot that's not deep in the city so I'll definitely be back to try more of Pono Taco's other menu items.

    Carne Asada tacos
    Patrick H.

    Amazing food, great flavors, good craft beer on tap. Perfect addition to Belvedere Square.

    Delicious

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    7 months ago

    Pleasant service. Nothing wrong here, but nothing special either. Wouldn't make a special trip for it.

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    9 months ago

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    9 months ago

    Excellent food. Door dash great, highly recommend. I had the H tacos and the were fantastic

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    2 years ago

    I really enjoyed my meal! I had the carne asada tacos and they were great! Seems like a great spot and I'll be back!

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    Review Highlights - Pono Taco

    My wife and I saw this taco place inside Belvedere Square and I just had to try it.

    Mentioned in 4 reviews

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    Ministry of Brewing

    Ministry of Brewing

    4.5
    (240 reviews)
    5.1 mi
    $$

    I finally got a chance to check out this brewery and I am glad I did. Housed in the former St…read more Michael's Church, Ministry Brewing is really nice collective of beer, food and ambience. And I love that they give back to the community in areas such as education, community and philanthropy. Stopped in this past Saturday with a bunch of my gym friends. I love that their tap list offers a little bit of everything for everyone, from classic lagers and IPA to house ciders. I am a Pilsner girl, so their Pilsner was my fave. I love that they do weekly events such as Trivia and open mic nights to name a few as well as host a few several food trucks out back. Oh and this is the spot where they have that really nice flea market as well. You have to check their Instagram page to see which food trucks will be serving food. Saturday they had empanadas from Aru Aru, which were very yummy and made fresh to order. Best spot if you are a beer connoisseur, great place for happy hours and is accommodating for large parties. Plus you bring your own cards and board games to play as well. I will so definitely return.

    On a warm Friday evening, I happened upon the Ministry of Brewing. I was registered for a…read morecalligraphy workshop & this was the location listed on the ticket. I was expecting the class to be held in the corner of a pub or restaurant. My brain took awhile to process the fact that this business is actually located in the massive St. Michael's Church despite Waze & my iPhone announcing that I had arrived. Because I walked around the block 2x, searching for the business, now I had to rush to my seat & learn. I found my party near the back of the church. I had to focus on the task at hand which wasn't easy using metal nibs and an inkwell. :) Maybe I could've channeled the country's founding fathers if I had a quill pen made of goose and turkey feathers. Back to the business... Ministry of Brewing has an impressive craft brewery operation onsite, offers countless varieties of beer including seasonal offerings, cider, lagers and IPAs. While forming pretty letters my brain pressed me on the question of if it's slightly sacrilegious to drink & carry on in a church. The answer is no. This place was restored and now functions as a huge community gathering spot with people talking, playing games, and enjoying bites from the food trucks. I have friends really into good beer. Plus I may have to take a few more classes to improve, nevertheless I'll definitely return.

    Photos
    Beer flight.
    Beer flight.
    Some of the charm of Charm City!
    Some of the charm of Charm City!
    Merchandise.

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    Merchandise.
    The Duchess

    The Duchess

    4.3
    (126 reviews)
    2.6 mi
    $$$

    What an experience. I really wish this restaurant was in Gaithersburg. But maybe if it was it…read morewouldn't be as special. Sunday was my first time trying this restaurant and it was great. My friends suggested that we dine here for restaurant week which was a sweet idea. As soon as we walked in we were greeted by the friendly hostess who took us to our seats. Then our waiter explained the menu and gave us some time to decided what menu we wanted to order from (Restaurant week brunch menu or regular menu). We chose the brunch menu. For the brunch menu we were able to choose a appetizer, entree, and a dessert for $35.00. Not too bad. For drinks I ordered PIRATE PRINCESS which was Ron del Barrilito 2 Star Puerto Rican rum, passionfruit, miso honey, lime, and togarash. It was a perfect balance of sweetness and a little bitterness. For food we ordered the shrimp and corn patties, and the pan roasted salmon. The shrimp and corn patties were delicious. It was packed with multiple flavors and it was seasoned really well. The pan roasted salmon was cooked to perfection. It was flaky, and seasoned very well. It came with Ramen noodles that I thought were going to be temperature hot however, they came room temperature which was fine. They were seasoned very well. The ambiance was very nice. It gave like 1950's/ 1970's vibe. Old marble tables, antique pictures on the walls. It seemed like the building use to be a house prior to it becoming a restaurant. It was a great time. If you are in the Hampden area I recommend giving this restaurant a try. I am looking forward to visiting again for dinner. Cheers!!

    WOW! If I could leave a one word review this would it WOW. I am going to be honest, a friend…read moresuggested The Duchess to meet for dinner and I looked at the menu and decided I would just order fish and chips because it was the only thing on the menu I actually knew what it was but boy am I glad that I took a chance and tried something that I had never heard of before! But before we get to the food let me start with the customer service from the second you arrive and the young man working valet parked our car to the second he brought it back you felt like you were a VIP. The valet, the host, the servers and the managers all make you feel like you're the most important guest in the building, regardless of how many other guests and parties are there. I was impressed with the service and felt so cared for and the server answered all of our questions and explained everything in great detail so I knew exactly what I was getting. And the atmosphere is one in a million, I felt like I was at a neighborhood hangout but also eating in a royal dining room. I love the attention to detail. So now to the food + drinks. I am not a drinker so I asked for mocktail recommendations and ended up with the POG it was served in a SPAM can and was so delicious it was passion fruit, orange and guava drink and was not just delicious but also beautiful! Now to the appetizer we ordered Spam Musubi and it felt like an explosion in my mouth, it was so delicious and like nothing I've ever tasted. For dinner, I had a delicious dish Gochujang Tteokbokki again melt in my mouth deliciousness and not something I would have ever thought to order. We ended the meal with dessert we ordered one of everything and shared and there wasn't a crumb left. If I could give them 10++ stars I would and this will definitely be a return place for us! I am so glad that I was able to try foods I wouldn't normally eat, but also experience upscale service in a neighborhood vibey space! Keep up the good work, Duchess!

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Kimchi Fried Rice with Crispy Tofu
    Kimchi Fried Rice with Crispy Tofu
    Pork Lumpia

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    Pork Lumpia
    Clandestino

    Clandestino

    4.5
    (18 reviews)
    0.1 mi

    Clandestino has grown up, literally. What began as a small operation in Frederick has moved into a…read morelarger space, and the expansion suits them well. This is Puerto Rican pitorro, also known as ron cañita, made with care and intention rather than gimmickry. Many local liquor stores now carry the brand, and it is well worth picking up a bottle, but visiting the distillery is an experience in itself. The founder is a fellow Puerto Rican born retired military member, a background I share, and like me, he has put down roots in Maryland. That story is reflected clearly in the brand's own framing, "Puerto Rican born, Maryland made." The space feels grounded and unpretentious, and that sensibility carries through to the hospitality. We arrived late on a Saturday and were still welcomed warmly, never rushed. We were taken care of by the founder's daughter, who was exceptionally kind, attentive, and knowledgeable. She guided us through a flight that included the traditional pitorro, almond, pineapple, coffee, coconut chai, and several seasonal offerings. The flavors were thoughtful and well balanced; even the infused expressions retained a clear rum backbone rather than drifting into novelty. We enjoyed them enough to leave with several bottles. This is artisanal pitorro done right, rooted in Puerto Rican tradition and confidently made in Maryland. Buying it locally is convenient, but going to the distillery is where the people, the story, and the spirit fully come together.

    This local speakeasy has quickly moved its way to the top of my list…read more I love the ease of parking, safe neighborhood, and spacious speakeasy space. Always great service by bar manager Charlie, fantastic food and beverage menu and options. My favs so far are the grilled wings and chicken tortilla soup. The drinks are pretty awesome, and Charlie the Great can alter beverages to your preference if you prefer. This is an overall mezcal bar, but they have other libations as well. My fav is John Updike's Old Fashioned. My son ordered and loved the Strawberry Gin & Tonic. This establishment is a great conversation starter, and I look forward to returning asap.

    Photos
    Write what you want
    Write what you want
    Music posters
    Music posters
    Tequila!!!!

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    Tequila!!!!

    Pono Taco - mexican - Updated August 2026

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