Some of the best PR food I've ever had! Everything was flavorful. From the drinks to the food My favorites: Drinks - Ten Cuidado & Crashboat Food - carne Frita. Ensalada de Pulpo Can't wait to come back! Salsa dancing on first FRIDAY of every month! read more

Visited Qui Qui DC for a friend's birthday dinner and I was pleasantly surprised by how well they turned this venue around to place their new beautiful restaurant. After moving the location, this place is now where they can proudly call home and boy did they make it look beautiful. The location is a bit small so incoming crowds had to wait outside until their time arrived, not the best in the cold weather. However, service was fantastic, very pleasant and lively staff. Shoutout to our waitress Jaime! Drinks: I didn't get any of their cocktails but instead enjoyed my traditional vodka soda. Appetizer: there were several appetizers on the table but I only had the Bacalaitos (not pictured) which was a little too salty for me. Main Dish: it's safe to say that I'm not the best judge when it comes to what makes a great Mofongo. But, having indulged in Mofongo from a local spot in Puerto Rico, I have a little understanding of which flavor profiles must be in the dish. This dish, had those profiles!!!!! It was so delicious and too good to not finish off-ate all of it LOL. The shrimp on top was also a winner, perfectly prepared and well seasoned. No dessert at the end just lots of laughs and good vibes. But overall everyone thoroughly enjoyed their dishes and the variety of options on the menu. It was safe for vegans, vegetarians, pescatarians, and the meat eaters. We all enjoyed! Note that they are good at keeping groups on time with table use so FYI in case you want to support but have late folks who like to stroll in at odd hours. Best to keep your party on time!!! Overall, I will be back to try another dish and simply support. read more

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My husband is an island Puerto Rican. Now if you are Puerto Rican you know what I mean. He has been living in the DMV area since 2014 and craving some good home food since. I remember one year his mother overnight shipping us some frozen alcapurrias only to find that they had gone bad by the time we got them. We then found a decent Puerto Rican restaurant in Virginia Beach and made the long drive just for a taste of Puerto Rican food. His sister in law who lives in Boston found this place and recommended it to us. This is a one to one and a half hour drive, depending on traffic, and is so worth the drive. The cocktails and juices are so good. The food is the most authentic we have been able to find in the area. I love morcillas and finally found the tastiest perfectly cooked morcillas that o had to place a second order to go. My husband loves alcapurrias and that was the only downside. They were good, served in a deconstructed way, but they were not as tasty as the island alcapurrias we just had about 2 weeks ago in the island. We also had the pernil, shrimp mofongo, and octopus mofongo. This was not only deliciously seasoned but it was cooked to perfection as octopus and shrimp can be easily overlooked making it chewy. The place is small but this makes it a perfectly quaint and homey place. The service was attentive and pleasant. We will definitely make the 60 mile drive again. read more

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Checked out the new location the other night and it's definitely an upgrade from the last location. The service was much better than my last visit, but it was packed so it took a while for the food to come out and it was loud in there. The food was great but I didn't like the presentation of it. I'll always be back for the food! read more

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After celebrating my birthday in Puerto Rico last weekend, I wanted to keep the Puerto Rican food vibe going after hearing great things from a close friend and let's say they did not disappoint. Our server, Karla recommended some great options and provided stellar service. I had Alcapurrias de carne as the appetizer. It was fairly good but wouldn't be something I would order again. I really enjoyed the Carne Frita Mofongo here more than in on the island of Puerto Rican and that probably is because they use more garlic here (I love garlic/onions). read more

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Excellent drinks especially the Sangria I never knew a restaurant that served a half pour of sangria, but you are served a half pour during Happy Hour and a little more when it's not happy hour. I caught on fast and ordered the pitcher of Sangria. We were seated at the bar in front of open concept kitchen. We could watch the chef in action. It was a great experience. The food was definitly a hit, we came back 2 days in a row. We ordered the pastelillos, pulled pork and a tostones dish. Not a bad spot for some authentic spanish flair. read more

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Food was made fresh. We sat at the bar and the bartender taking care of us was super friendly and made recommendations. The decor was cute and the music was lively. Just a suggestion: The shrimp in that garlic oil...amazing read more

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WHOA! For a Sunday evening this place was really poppin. Some friends suggested going and I tagged along, not knowing what to expect. From a block away, I could hear the music -- they had a live band outside and people were dancing. I knew it was about to be a time. We had not made a reservation, though they were asking if we did -- and when we said we ended a table for 8 they didn't tell us no, but they told us to hold on. The place was definitely full. But about 5 minutes later, they said we could come in and hang out and didn't have to wait at the entrance, which was nice! And then some bar seats freed up, and then not long after we did get our table! Anyways, they did tell us that the kitchen was really backed up from the massive crowd, and asked us to only order drinks for a while -- we appreciated the transparency. About 5 minutes later our server said she could squeeze in carne fritas (not sure what made them viable... perhaps the way they're prepared?), so we put that in and it didn't take long at all. We definitely appreciated we were able to nibble on something, and guess what -- it was DELICIOUS! The band did finish up after about a half hour of us hanging out there, and the server ran over to tell us we could order any food we wanted. I got the gandules mofongo and I felt like I was back in PR... I nearly cried. And don't get me started on the cocktails -- they have Clandestino! That's the pitorro (Puerto Rican moonshine rum) that comes from Puerto Rico Distillery in MD -- and they make a bunch of cocktails using it. It's so exciting! All in all, except dealing with a full restaurant, the staff were diligent and professional, and we all had a good time. I'd definitely return! read more

Recently I went to Qui Qui with some friends for a birthday dinner. We sat outside the night temperature was okay. They have big heaters outside to keep the guest warm. Since I was coming from another event I really didnt eat much of the food outside of the empanadas which was really good. I also only ordered a coke product. However my friends did dived right into the menu and ordered appetizers, main dishes and we shared a dessert. The only concerned was one of my friends thought the monfongo was pretty small and yes it was. It came in a very small serving dish that looks more like an appetizer dip then a main dish. The overall service of the staff was very attentive and accommodating due to us running behind at arrival and with bring the food items out in a timely matter. read more

Great service; good food. My wife has been craving oxtail stew so we went to check this place out. Be aware, you'll be looking for street parking but it's not impossible in this area. The setting is very pleasant, and even better with the staff engagement. The server and owner (?) checked on us several times, making us feel very much welcomed. My mofongo con carne frita was delicious. My wife's oxtail stew was decent but slightly salty and a bit pricey (only one large oxtail); my son's El OG was also very good. Large portion with the El OG. Bottom line, I'm down for going back, as the food was good and the service fantastic. I would recommend not getting the oxtail stew though. And one word of caution. There's a 20% service charge regardless of party size, which I'm not a fan of. But that's not for discussing here. Just an opinion. read more

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We had lechoncito to start, some mofongo for main, and then some coffee with coquito and a pitorro cafe for dessert. This food was amazing and I can't wait to keep coming back to explore the rest of the menu! read more

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Lovely, cozy little spot for outstanding Puerto Rican food! This cute, hole-in-the-wall spot is located on the second floor of a long row of townhomes-turned-businesses in Shaw. My friend and I snagged a spot in the window bay, and it was so nice to be able to look out over the street as we ate and chatted. For our appetizer, we split the grilled shrimp with smashed plantains, which was outstanding. The shrimp were tender and juicy, and the garlic sauce was super flavorful. You can never go wrong with a good smashed plantain, and Qui Qui's were no different -- they were slightly chewy and very lightly sweet, with a lovely crunch on the outside. My main was quite similar; I ordered the shrimp mofongo, which was just another amazing iteration of shrimp with plantains. The shrimp were once again perfectly tender, with a slight snap as you bit into them. The shrimp, as well as the mashed plantains, did a great job soaking up all the flavor from the broth. They topped it off with a few pickled onions and herb oil, which was a great hit of freshness to brighten up the otherwise heavy dish. read more

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Just left late to the rest of my life. Food was amazing but should not take 90 minutes to get an entree. We were the first people in the restaurant at 5 pm and all the other tables around us (who arrived 20-30 minutes later than us) got their food way before we did. Kept being told the food was on its way, but I assume they lost our ticket. Entrees arrived at 6:30 pm and then we ordered dessert and one of the servers was trying to rush us out because they needed the table. Understandably so, because we had been there for nearly two hours at that point, but that wasn't our fault. The server who took our order was nice and helpful but nowhere to be found and servers' sections must have gotten switched around and so nobody knew what we had ordered and people were stopping by with the wrong orders. After checking on it twice, they gave us a salad to hold us over. lol - our server was also confused. Spent nearly $200 when all was said and done. I'm sad because I really wanted to love this place and the food was quite good but the service was really lacking. I know they just reopened but there needs to be a protocol and order to the ordering process, otherwise many other customers will be left unhappy like us. read more

This place was amazing. Right along Georgia Ave about 5 blocks from Petworth Metro. I specifically was looking at the bacalaito and the chuletta Kan Kan. Now I did get the bacalaito which was fantastic. Unfortunately they did not have the chuletta Kan Kan. So I ordered the bistec encebollado. My friend had the sancocho. We ordered the sorrulitos, bacalaito ( comes with one), lenchoncito and and Carne frita as our appetizers. Everything was amazing!! My soul was happy! The music was great had my hips moving in my chair. Oh and I almost forgot the flan de queso was chef's kiss. My friend had the tres Leche. I am not a tres Leche fan, but she loved it!!! I will be going again. Now pretty much all restaraunts in dc are doing this. There is a 20 percent service charge added to your bill. So be prepared. It explains it on the menu. A little hard to swallow... but it is what it is.. read more

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Hmmmmmmmmmmm. Was not impressed maybe I'll try again next time to see if it's any better.

Take your money somewhere else. This place is incredibly stingy and clearly more concerned about squeezing every dollar out of customers than giving decent portions. I ordered steak with onions and asked to switch the tostones for maduros. The girl said there would be a $3 upcharge with no explanation. I agreed, only to get home and find three tiny pieces of plantain. If you're going to charge extra, at least make it worth it. Don't act so desperate for money. Ridiculous. Rice was hard steak was tough. Never again. read more

Qui Qui DC - What a joke - Puerto Rican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

The whole menu was delicious and the space was lively and fun! We ordered 1/2 dozen oysters, the mofongo camarones, pernil de jaca, and more. The cocktails were fun and all full of ingredients beyond what I stock at home. 4 drinks and a full meal with food to go was $200. I can't wait to go back! read more

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The good was amazing! Service was excellent. Music was on point! If you want to eat here, make sure to make reservations, cuz it gets busy. read more

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Solid food, solid drinks, solid prices. Parking is a nightmare in this part of town so get here early. I think the pictures speak for themselves... enjoy! read more

Qui Qui DC - Fried Snapper - Puerto Rican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

The food was fantastic. If you're craving Puerto Rican cuisine that feels like a wonderful home cooked meal made with love, then try Qui Qui. The restaurant is located on the 2nd floor and is cozy and inviting atmosphere with music buzzing. The hostess/waitress Tiana was kind,m and attentive, even with a packed restaurant. And the food!!! OMG I ordered the tomahawk pork chop (Chuleta) it was sooo good and flavorful. It came with tostones and red beans and rice. We devoured the plate lol. We also ordered the Mofongo carne with platains which was equally delicious. The sangria was perfect, strong and tasty. read more

Qui Qui DC - Chuleta - Puerto Rican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Qui Qui is my favorite place to order mofongo from. I've ordered their shrimp mofongo multiple times on Uber Eats and have never been disappointed. Not only is the tomato broth rich with flavor, the portion is generous with ample amounts of shrimp to balance the starchiness of the dish. The dish is quite heavy so I never get to enjoy other items but am looking forward to trying other things when visiting their location with a group. read more

I would definitely come back again for the food. We got a shrimp appetizer and I got the pastelone for the entree. The shrimp was cooked well and the sauce was great. Plantain chips were a nice crunch. I ordered the pastelone bc I've never tried a dish with plantains as a main ingredient and it was good! I realize I don't enjoy the taste of plantains as much as I thought I would but that's no fault of the dish. The beef was cooked well and overall a tasty dish if you like plantains. read more

Qui Qui DC - Pastelon - Puerto Rican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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After all the rave reviews and hype about this place, I was shocked to be left underwhelmed on the food. Gouda Bites These were phenomenal, the absolute best item I got. Cheesy with a great cheese pull, golden crunchy outside and the guava sauce add a nice flair. Empanadas They were perfectly golden brown and flavorful. A little dry and cousins used more filling. Carne Frita Mofongo The pork had some tender and some over cooked pieces, sadly it was bland in flavor. The smashed plantains was also very garlicky with no other flavors. The whip dish with no sauce was too dry. I've had better representations of Mofongo this was not one that I enjoyed, it could be your cup of tea though. Side note: the table next to us got a pork chop meal that looked like it was good. They were repeat customers and admitted they thought it was the best item on the menu. So maybe follow there lead if you go? Location Reservation is the best method since it is a very small space with limited tables. Inside a bar and upstairs, look for the Puerto Rico flag outside the building. read more

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Authentic and the provides the comfort Puerto Rican Pastelon I craved. The Parchita was refreshing and sweet, just like the personalities of the owners. I'll surely return to try out more on the menu. read more

DC is a dry spot for Puerto Rican food, we are very lucky to have Qui Qui. As a Puerto Rican, their food is the closest I've gotten in the area to authentic PR food that my family makes! Came on Valentine's day where they had a pre-set menu and really enjoyed the food and cocktails. So much so that I came to visit again the following weekend. I got the pollo empanizado (breaded fried chicken) with rice and beans both times and it's just so good. The service is great, the restaurant is a bit small but decorated very nice. One thing to note when you are making a reservation is you have to put a $10 deposit per person down. The only real downside is that the prices are hefty but I guess it's in par with DC prices. read more

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Visited DC recently and ended up at Qui Qui. I got carne guisada and my partner got pernil. The food was pretty good. We tried a little of everything. The service was great, everyone was very attentive. The decor is cute and the music they played was good too. Overall, I recommend you check them out. read more

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¡Espectaculár! From the moment I stepped in and saw the staircase this Boricua felt right at home. Food was on point. One of us ordered the perníl with arroz mamposteao and tostones and the other got the alcapurrias with a side of white rice. My cocktail was also lovely. Service was not just great but also super fast for a weekend afternoon and the ambiance was Boricua-chic. Thank you for giving me a taste of home. read more

Qui Qui DC - That staircase tho! - Puerto Rican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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This is an authentic restaurant that brings you the Puertorican flavor to the DC area. The restaurant is located on the second floor of the listed address. The decoration brings memories of the island. Each area has a detail decor depicting a signature of Puerto Rico culture. Don't be fooled as the water is served in a unique bottle of one of many rums of Puerto Rico. . The host, was attentive and was very friendly. Be mindful the restaurant closes for one hr. 3-4 pm as they transition for dinner. Overall great experience. read more

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Loved this place and will certainly be returning for more goodness. Love the atmosphere and the music of qui qui and staff was great. Had the beef empanadas which were awesome. The beef was seasoned to the max. The steak with peas and rice and the pork starter. I apologize I only took one photo as by the time I thought to take pics I was half way through the rest! The only critical thing I would say is the steak was overdone if you are looking for a medium rare, but they also didn't ask the temp I would like so maybe that is just how it is served! read more

Qui Qui DC - Carne Frita con Tostones - Puerto Rican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Perfect stars because when you take a cuisine with such heritage, but also such bold and heavy flavors and do it unabashedly....I gotta sound the alarms and bring business to your door! DO YOU KNOW HOW HARD IT IS TO FRY SO MUCH PORK PERFECTLY EVERY TIME!!! Pork is King, Queen and the Court Jester in PR Food and when combined with plantains, onions, garlic and herbs, the preparation can take on infinite forms. Monfogo, one of my all time favorite PR dishes was boiled, mashed and refried to perfection, then smoothened in an amazing stew AS IT SHOULD BE!! But the star of the night was the GINORMOUS pork rib plate. It easily can feed 3 starving men or a normal family of 5. Fried perfectly to leave the pork tender and juicy inside. Just...get...this...dish! With strong and sweet cocktails, fast and kind service and the soul of PR pumping through the walls, Qui Qui is a rare treasure in a city of Chefs swinging for Michelin Stars or obsessed with small plates! read more

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The first time they opened at their new location , I went immediately and have been going since. The food is literally soooo good. Every single dish is worth it. I got every app the first time. Then I got the og the second. Huge portions. Apps are bomb. I need to go back to try to cold apps. Only one star deducted because the drinks are like a 7-10. read more

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In prep for a trip to Puerto Rico with friends, I visited a couple of times to introduce them to the cuisine. The food was delicious, the decor made me a bit homesick for San Juan, and the intimate space made it feel like a party. read more

Food - ordered Pastelon , Rellenos Beans & Rice! Shared the Pastelon, Rellenos with table . The Pastelon and Rellenos were a big hit! Fried pork bites are seasoned, juicy perfection! Loved the pink beans reminded me of pinto beans. And the rice was perfect guy and fluffy! Service - attentive and friendly. Our waitress was eager to please Ambiance - Cozy but roomy. Loved the colors and art! We are visiting DC so we will get another awesome dinner in @ Qui Qui DC. PS my Dad's nickname was Quiqui read more

This is a cute restaurant located upstairs with a bar called The Passenger downstairs. The restaurant is very small and seems to be very crowded at night. The staff were very friendly and apologized for the wait because they were so busy. I went by myself and they let me sit at the bar, even though they usually don't serve people at the bar. I ordered the Soncocho soup. The beef was very tender and fell off the bone. The soup itself was very under-seasoned and lacked flavor, but the side of rice was soft and was seasoned perfectly. read more

Qui Qui DC - Soncocho - Puerto Rican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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The Kan Kan (tomahawk pork chop) was absolutely spectacular - the texture was really crispy on the outside but then it would melt in your mouth because of the fat. I really liked the plantains that came with it. The pitorro flight was fun. I would also recommend the pegao as a starter. Qui Qui is warm and cozy inside and the staff were kind and speedy. This was a good intro to Puerto Rican food for me! read more

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Amazing opening weekend, live music, great vibes. Staff were helpful and super busy!!! Great addition to the neighborhood we will be back. The food was outstanding and drinks were fairly priced and strong.!!!! read more

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Wow, wow, wow! A bit of la Isla del encanto in DC. 1. Food - You'll love how deliciously and expertly cooked everything is! 2. Service - The staff is incredibly attentive and genuinely cares about making your experience the best it can be! 3. Atmosphere - It might not be exactly like being on an island, but it's a place you'll want to bring your whole crew to enjoy! Handle: @thefoodpreacher I highly recommend this restaurant!!! read more

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Yummy! I don't get a chance to eat Puerto Rican food often, so this was a refreshing delicious meal. I recommend El Jibaro - my favorite entree of the night. We also got the Carne Frita Mofongo, which was also tasty. The ambience is casual and cozy. Nothing much to complain about the service. An overall nice dining experience. read more

Qui Qui DC - Carne Frita Mofongo and El Jibaro - I liked both but El Jibaro was my favorite. - Puerto Rican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

We came here for early Mother's Day Weekend dinner, as we had a reservation and my girlfriend had been here before. There are a few things worth mentioning before I go into full detail with my review. 1. Parking is like anywhere in DC, so it's best to look up parking garages if you have a time crunch or arrive 20 to 30 minutes early in the hopes someone is leaving close by. 2. This place is actually located on the SECOND floor with The Passenger being on the FIRST, so just go up the beautifully themed steps. We arrived at the time of our reservation and were seated within minutes by Carla, then actually served by Veronica who was great! We ordered some appetizers Beef Empanadas and I ordered some corn fritters. The empanadas were crispy on the outside and packed with flavorful and delicious meat. They arrived very hot and fresh as did all of our dishes. We also got an order of both sweet and savory plantains. They were both very good, one was crispy and mashed flat and fried and the other was sweet and soft. The corn fritters were light and airy with a good chewiness to them and not too sweet. They reminded me of hush puppies but more long. We then moved onto our entrees. My girlfriend got chicken with beans and rice. The rest of us got steak with beans and rice. The beans had great flavor to them, as we all talked about how much we liked them. The steak was also good, however, it's going to be hit or miss for some for two reasons. 1. It seems they have different opinions on temperature options. We ordered ours medium well and mine came out still a bit rarer than I would have expected for medium well but it wasn't the same all the way through, parts were more done than others. 2. It has a very smoky flavor from the way they cook it so this could be very polarizing for some. One of our guests was not too fond of said flavor. We ended the night with what I would consider the best part of the meal, dessert! We got the Tres Leches cake that was pretty to look at but even tastier to eat :) tres leches has different versions and as such different firmness levels. We all appreciated the fact that while the cake was moist and was clearly soaked at the bottom it wasn't drenched to the point that it was soggy. It maintained its density and it's moistness at the same time. It reminded me of homemade cake and the bottom was soaked but there was a bit of pushback on the fork as you cut into the cake which we loved along with the flavor profile. We would all definitely get that again as I was thinking about getting one to take home! This part of the review is where I talk about the decor and ambience. The decor was actually very cool as they had water in recycled liquor bottles and you pour into your glass but it would be in like a rum bottle. They also had paintings and flowers all throughout with a totem pole at the bottom of the beautifully painted steps which you can see the Puerto Rican flag as you go up the steps and it is lighted nicely to show the steps by the handrail. The storefront is also cool looking from the outside but confusing at the same time because nowhere on the storefront doesn't mention that Qui Qui is within the same building, it's almost like a Hidden Gem as the bottom section is The Passenger which is completely separate from the restaurant portion upstairs. (See Pictures) This often causes people to question if they are in the right place so I would suggest some signage maybe sing outside of the passenger pointing to the stairs so you know it's upstairs and in the same space. Overall the whole family enjoyed our outing here and we give it a four out of five. Definitely a place that you should check out in our honest opinion. read more

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Qui Qui is a beautiful Puerto Rican restaurant with an American twist. The restaurant is a little difficult to find because the restaurant is on the second floor above a bar. Thankfully when you walk through the door a Puerto Rican flag will guide you up the stairs to the restaurant. Food: I'm in heaven! The bright island flavors made me forget about the plummeting temperatures outside. I started my meal with a passion fruit margarita. As a passionfruit fan, it was love at first sip. A small section of the glass rim is dipped in a spiced seasoning. The combination of sweet, tart, and spice will delight anyone. Normally margaritas are way too sweet, but that's not a problem here. NEXT UP: The chicken empanadas are the real deal here. The version I'm accustomed to eating at home is fried. The empanada dough has wafer-thin bubbles around on surface of the empanada. These empanadas are stuffed with marinated chicken that is super tender. Do yourself a favor and enjoy every bite paired with the green sauce. The avocado salad is light and fresh. If you are going to eat Puerto Rican food this light salad is a must before your main course arrives. My final appetizer: Chicharron Con Tostones is a crispy pork belly served on top of tostones. YUM! For my entire, I split the fried red snapper and the Pollo Guisado! The Pollo Guisado has TWO chicken thighs simmered in a light adobo sauce. The chicken is so tender it falls apart with just your fork. It comes with white rice and some stewed vegetables. This is perfect on a cold winter day. The Red snapper was crispy and came with more of the green sauce! I'm telling you that sauce should be bottled. Service: Just a reminder there is a 20% gratuity. DC is an expensive place to run a restaurant so this ensures all the staff has wages that keep up with inflation. The gratuity is on the menu so I I'm happy I knew about it before the meal. Our waiter was extremely friendly. Ambiance: Bright and colorful. There's beautiful artwork on the walls and your table's water is served in repurposed rum bottles. There's also a bar by the entrance. Overall: Bring a group, you'll want to try all the appetizers. Fabulous Cocktails. Nice portions. 20% Gratuity read more

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