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

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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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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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

My friend is from Puerto Rico, so she wanted to try this place. It is upstairs and there is a separate bar downstairs. I don't drink, but I got the Virgin piña colada. It was very delicious! The only thing I have a problem with in this item is that it's 12 dollars but the alcohol virgin is 14 dollars. Which means the alcohol is only worth two dollars. The table we had was very sticky for some reason. The food overall was delicious. Our main issue was the service. The waitress had a TERRIBLE attitude. She was very short with us. I had to ask for ice in a cup three times. When it was time to leave we asked for boxes. She walked past us a few times and hadn't said anything. 10 minutes later she did give us our boxes. The restaurant has an automatic 20% service charge for all dine in guests. I had ordered a tres leches to go but she accidentally forgot it. So she had to ring it up on a separate check. Even though I paid my service charge for my dine in food, she put another service charge on my to go tres leches. I told her she ran my card with this new added charge and she said "I've already ran your card and my manager isn't here to change it. Sorry‍" I believe what she did was very shady. I felt like since she knew there was a guaranteed service charge she didn't have to be nice or attentive. The POOR SERVICE, is the only reason I would not come back. read more

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

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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Qui Qui DC offers a beautiful representation of Puerto Rican cuisine. This small restaurant is brightly colored and has a fun ambiance. It's also extremely popular. Service has always been fantastic, and I appreciated their COVID protocols during the height of the pandemic. The food is amazing. You can taste why Qui Qui is so busy--it's the best Puerto Rican restaurant in the area. I've had the empanadas, mofongo, tostones, rice and beans, and chuleta kan-kan. Everything is excellent and well-presented with pretty herb and microgreen toppings. However, the chuleta kan-kan is an absolute standout. It's a gorgeous Tomahawk pork chop, with outer edges approaching lechon-levels of crispness and more tender inner section. It's accompanied by tostones, rice, and beans. I would never say skip the mofongo, which is one of my all-time favorite dishes, but if for some reason you can't order both, go with the chuleta. Also, their house hot sauce is fantastic and you must ask for it. The drinks are on point. Their cocktail menu heavily features Don Q and the Frederick-based Clandestino (pitorro), a local fave. Everything I've tried had been strong and well-made. I'm currently loving La Isla Bonita, which is as pretty as it is tasty. I cannot recommend Qui Qui DC highly enough. Make the reservations and go. read more

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Went on a Saturday night for dinner. I had already looked at the restaurant online and the pictures and descriptions were accurate: it's a small but cute upstairs restaurant with brightly colored decorations and an intimate (but not crowded) feel. For appetizers my party ordered the pork chunks and beef empanadas. I loved the beef, especially because it didn't have raisins or olives or other things you find in empanadas (I like to keep it simple). But they were very flavorful. The pork was flavorful too, and the smashed plantains were salty, but the pork was cooked a little too much so tough to chew. For mains my party ordered chicken mofongo, pernil and chicharron. The pernil was perfect! The chicken was also cooked a little too long but had good flavor. The plantains didn't really taste like much, but was good with the chicken. Chicharron isn't really my thing, but it was flavorful as well. I recommend this restaurant, especially if you like Puerto Rican food and a cute ambiance! read more

Qui Qui DC - Beef empanadas and Carnes Fritas con Tostones - Puerto Rican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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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

Mmm mm good! I'm so glad Qui Qui became a permanent restaurant and not just a pop up. The service was friendly and the food was great and authentic! I wish they had more cocktail options but maybe there's more to come. read more

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Hard to find place. It sits on the 2nd floor of bar where you have to take a narrow staircase up. Was barely if any outside advertisement or sign. I had to drive around the block a few times. Customer service was outstanding. Young lady was extremely courteous and fast. Food...I had the Chuleta Kan Kan with rice, beans, tostones and a side order bacalouitos and a can of Kola Champaign. Bill came Out to $84!!! That's including a MANDATORY 20% gratuity/service charge. The Chuleta Can Can was $54 dollars alone.... Rice and beans were bland. Not bad flavor but was really bland. The Chuleta Kan Kan was good. Well cooked with crispy/chewy chicharoon. The Tostones along with the bacalouitos was a little on the overcooked side. I also think they need to change the oil. That or use separate oil from what they cook other stuff in cause my fried food was dark. I can't get over the pricing. I understand the area and they being think the only ones in the area with a Kan Kan but geez,...the cost topped off the 20% gratuity just doesn't match the quality of food. One thing I forgot to mention was the seating. The seating is tight.... read more

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

Malta & Maduros are a Puerto Rican staple, am I right? I was looking for just that on a recent trip to DC and got to secure the goods at QuiQui Their Pastelon dish was one the best things I have tried, imagine lasagna but replace the pasta with sweet plantains. The Bistec Encebollado was also bomb but def get their Pastelon! read more

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I'd give this 3.5 if I could, but I'm rounding down because, despite the service being good, the food wasn't up there for me. I went with a group and between us we tried the carne frita con tostones, pastelón (my main), arroz con gandules, mofongo con camarones, and mofongo con carne frita. I've had mofongo before at other restaurants, and this was pretty standard - the portion honestly seemed pretty small for the price, and while it tasted fine it didn't wow any of us. I also missed the crunch I'm used to getting from the kind that has chicharrones in it, but it still hit the spot. The carne frita was well-cooked but not that flavorful, and we ended up using a lot of the sauce on the table (delicious!) with that and the tostones because they didn't have much to them on their own. The same is true for the pastelón. I love plantains and cheese, so I still enjoyed the dish a lot, don't get me wrong, but there could definitely have been more cheese and better spiced meat/more flavor in general. We didn't finish the arroz con gandules for a similar reason. I had a coquito, which was good but not particularly strong - I'd try something different next time. We split the tres leches cake for dessert. The passion fruit made it unique when compared to other tres leches we'd had. I absolutely love passion fruit, but oddly I think I would have preferred the classic tres leches - something about it didn't quite work for me (maybe I'm just too used to strawberries, I don't know). I'm also not a big sprinkles person, so I'm sure that was part of it. Still, it was tender and unique and really tasty, so I'd still recommend trying it! Overall, I think I would have liked this place more if I felt like the prices matched the quality of the dishes. Granted, I moved here from an area with more options for Puerto Rican food, but I just didn't feel like this place had outstanding flavors. Small portions + high prices + just okay food. Service was great and I liked the variety of options and the overall cozy feel of the place, though! Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be back, but I'm glad to have tried it. read more

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The service was good and attentive, the food was close, although the arroz con gandules could use some work and the asopao was too salty, the red snapper, tostones and avocado salad were great. The tables are on top of each other with no space for the servers to get in and out and you have no personal space to talk. For Puerto Rican food this place is wildly expensive. Lastly, I'd like a word with the beverage manager...I ordered a glass of sangria and was given a shot of sangria in a wine glass instead, it was maybe 2 ounces and same with the coquito-- we were given a shot of coquito instead of a glass of coquito. It was a laughable amount. If they want Boriquas to keep coming back they need to do better on their music selection too it was basura-- seems like the restaurant wasn't made with us in mind but is looking to play into a different crowd. For the record I wanted to love this place. read more

Qui Qui took me right back to my time in Puerto Rico. This unsuspecting DC spot in Shaw has delicious food and island vibes! It's a DC hidden gem that's a must try. The door can be easy to miss, but you'll be glad you found it! Just follow the Puerto Rican flags up the stairs. The service is super friendly and the food is even better! Pina Colada - super refreshing! Beef Empanada - flaky and so delicious with the sauce! Carne Frita con Tostones - I could eat this carne frita all day long! Garlic Sauce Shrimp - garlicky and tasty Chuleta Kan Kan - the tomahawk pork chop was fatty, juicy and fall off the bone delicious! It could easily feed a family of 4, so bring friends! Mofongo con Pollo - a classic Puerto Rican dish that's a must try Tres Leches de Mayacuya - loved the passion fruit in this light and tasty cake! read more

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Okay qui qui! I hadn't heard about this place before but a couple of my foodie friends found out about it and wanted to try together. And it's legitimately fantastic. Hence why all the pics I remembered to take already had bites taken out of them! The space is located on the second floor of the building space, so when you get in, you'll see a bar on the first floor and you walk up the stairs. Right now, they are checking vaccine cards so make sure you bring yours! The restaurant itself is intimate; you hear all the conversations around you, you hear the music playing, you hear the sizzling of food in the kitchen, but it doesn't feel too loud and the tables are still well distanced. The main attraction is absolutely the food. Everything was amazing! So full of flavor, the crispy things were crisped to perfection, the soft things were buttery and moist, the drinks were flowing. The coquito here is amazing, really well spiced and you barely taste the rum in it. The tostones appetizer was delicious but the Mofongo was a real stand out. Full of garlicky butter and a slight smoky flavor from the seared pork on top. I haven't had enough coquito or Mofongo in my lifetime to rank Qui Qui's but I will say I really enjoyed it all. Above all, the servers were super friendly and attentive and kept their masks on the entire time! read more

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The aesthetics of this place is def giving Puerto Rico Island in the City. The stairs is painted as the PR flag which goes up to the second floor where the restaurant is actually is. This spot was designed beautifully and has many intricate things all throughout, I loved it so much. Oh yeah, this isn't my first time (it's been 2 years since I last came) but I forgot to do a review the last time and this time I was determined to leave a review. The people here are nice and friendly, also you can get assistance from any worker walking around instead of just relying on the assigned waitress. So MANY Vegan/Vegetarian options ***MAJOR BONUS POINTS*** it's so hard to find restaurants esp with traditional foods that contain meat to have a vegan option. This alone stole my heart and grew my love for this place. DRINK "WATER" There's a Don Q alcohol bottle with WATER inside on each table. So cute yet funny, it was def a cute touch to dining. MEAL "PERNIL DE JACA" So Pernil is traditionally a garlic infused pork that tastes amazing but they managed to make a vegan version made out of Jackfruit. OMGGGGG from the texture to the taste, it was incredible. It comes with white rice, pink beans and cilantro & red onion decor. I added sweet plantains and avocado to my meal (additional charge). Rice was good just a tad bit sticky but paired well with pink beans that were fantastic, omg finally found beans that's vegan and full of fresh ingredients and well seasoned. The plantains were over fried but ironically that's the way I love them, I swear this was prob not intentional but perfect for me. Everything paired so well with each other and I thought I was gonna save some for later but couldn't resist eating everything on my plate. ¡Que Rico! I definitely need this in my life weekly (wishful thinking). I swear someone's grandma was transported from PR & is cooking in the back with all her love bc the food was so authentic and homemade. Hands down, definitely worth coming to like for real. DESSERT "FLAN" So I had to get dessert, the flan was a good texture but not that sweet I guess since there was no caramel topping but let me say that the Guava topping added a unique touch and just the perfect amount of sweetness to the flan. **Rolling my eyes back in pleasure** soooooo freaking delish, now that's the only way I wanna eat flan lol. I love Guava but this on Flan is a whole new level plus the whipped cream Mmmmm hmmmm. What added to this experience was a live band with instruments from PR, performed and was a beautiful experience while dining. Beautiful people, I forgot I was in DC while I was there lol. Oh I forgot, I wish they had empanadas with cheese only, I was looking forward to that but sadly it's just ones with meat. I was definitely craving this and sad I couldn't get it since i don't eat meat. And I wish they had a version with Guava and cheese too Urg! Tbh I didn't care for the gratuity added on bill but mb it's a DC thing. They would've gotten a tip regardless, I just feel that tips should be optional not mandatory but I ain't mad at it since I was fully satisfied. Overall, I will definitely be back sooner than later. If anything I'm mad I didn't order food to go lol, def next time. read more

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As a DC transplant of Puerto Rican descent, I have been yearning for an authentic Puerto Rican restaurant to open since the day I moved here 10+ years ago... and let me just say, Qui Qui did not disappoint. The food was delicious. It was definitely real PR comfort food that is also elevated. My friend and I started with the tostones with carne fritas. SO good. We also got an order of alcapurrias. Let me just say now, alcapurrias are my favorite thing in the world. I love them, I seek them whenever I can, but they are very hard to find. So when I saw them on the menu, I was elated. And luckily, they were good. My only critique, and my only critique really for the night, is alcapurrias are generally supposed to be fried hard enough to where you can hold them in your hand to eat them. However, there's weren't fried hard enough so they were a little soft and had to be eaten with a fork. BUT, they still tasted delicious and are still worth getting so don't let that stray you! For entree, I got the pork belly with rice and beans and my friend got the mofongo with carne. We both loved our dishes! Again, everything felt like home for me and my friend was also really impressed. Their drinks are really yummy too and def bring you back to the island! I loved the painkiller! Overall, I am so happy that DC finally has an authentic Puerto Rican restaurant that is also good! Their food almost lived up to my abuelas cooking and that says a lot (sorry, no one can beat my abuelas cooking for me lol). Definitely give them a try! Also, re: the deposit for reservations. My friend made the reservation with deposit and it was pending back in her bank account by the time we got our check. read more

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Came here to celebrate a birthday. They didn't disappoint! Atmosphere, food, drinks and vibe were everything!! Will definitely return. read more

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Came here for dinner with my friends and we thoroughly enjoyed it! Alex was a great server and was very attentive during our meal and made sure to answer all of our *many* questions. This place isn't cheap, but it is pretty affordable if you are looking to treat yourself for dinner one night. This was my first time trying Puerto Rican meals and I enjoyed each meal that I had the option of tasting! The rice and beans were yummy as well and the beef empanadas were my favorite! The portion sizes are reasonable, but not enough to split for lunch the next day. My sister got the pastelon which is their version of lasagna so except a heart meal. I'm looking forward to coming back and trying something else on the menu! read more

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Absolutely amazing food, this is a must try place! Came here after seeing it on social media. A little hard to find, look for the painted staircase inside the bar and take it to the second floor... Had to try the Carne Frita/Pork Mofongo. This was hands down some of the best pork I have ever tried. It was juicy and tender, cooked to perfection. The seasoning was great with just the right crunch. The mofongo itself was good, nothing out of this world, but the pork was the star of the show. Pork can often be bland or easily toughen up, but they absolutely crushed this. Definitely recommend this place, and the pork mofongo!!! read more

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

For starters, 5 pm is the time to go! They have a special happy hr for about 2 hrs and the food is super fresh and phenomenal! I felt back at home with all the great flavors and dishes! Everything was executed beautifully, from the staff, the flavors to the way the table was set to the drinks! I was so happy with the food and my picky four year old was able to sit down and enjoy the delicious food. My husband finished his meal completely! In the end we enjoyed the delicious flan and did not regret a thing it was rich in flavor paired with a guava topping that was delectable. Highly recommend will absolutely come back and do not forget to make a reservation folks!! read more

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I've never had Puertorican food before so we came here on a Saturday night and tried the vegetarian options. Online it said reservations were required but there were a few tables free for potential walk ins. It can be easy to miss so if you find yourself at the bar, just head up the stairs. There weren't many options for vegetarians but we made do with the Pernil De Jaca (jackfruit), Que Pollo! (faux chicken), and the plantains. The jackfruit was well seasoned and an interesting twist on the fruit, the plantains were nice and firm, and the faux chicken did leave something to be desired but still a solid choice. The meat dishes looked so good. I'm looking forward to coming back to try them! read more

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So disappointed... ordered pollo guisado through u we eats and the food comes with absolutely no flavor... like no seasoning what so ever in the stew. The carrots a crunchy as if they rushed the food and didn't allow everything to cook well. I've been here before and had the khan khan which was good but this truly disappointing especially after paying $20 for this. Tried to save it with whatever seasoning was in my office. read more

Qui Qui DC - Flavorless Pollo Guisado - Puerto Rican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

We went here ages ago, but I still think about the giant tomahawk pork steak. It's huge, decadent, and the best thing on their menu. Highly recommend! read more

This is a new Puerto Rican restaurant (about a week in business), located on a second floor above a bar in the Shaw neighborhood in NW DC. We heard that they started as a food truck, so we figured they must be good having now upgraded to brick-and-mortar, and decided to check them out. We thought parking would be a hassle, but it wasn't... we actually found a spot right in front of their door (lucky!) The place is small, but well arranged, so that you do not feel crowded (as in a lot of other places in the district); simple, but nicely decorated with colorful images of "the island" and old tourism advertisements; painted in a combination of warm and cool tones that to me seem to have a very "boricua" vibe. We ordered two mojitos and, since I was driving, a Malta India (a carbonated malt beverage loved in Puerto Rico, which, by the way, back in the 90's I supervised the bottling of!). Two Daiquiris and another malta were later ordered. The cocktails were good and refreshing. As an appetizer we ordered morcillas (pig blood sausage) and tostones (pressed double fried green plantains), and empanadillitas de carne (fried turnovers filled with seasoned ground beef). As soon as I took a bite of the empanadillitas I knew this was going to be a great experience! You can tell a lot by the way a chef seasons ground beef, and this empanadillitas were delicious!! The morcilla was pretty good, and the tostones hot and crispy. Ajioli, mayoketchup (a mix of ketchup, mayonaise, black pepper and garlic), and picante (hot) sauces were also provided and were great. As entrees we had pastelon de carne (ripe plantains, seasoned ground beef and cheese, layered like a lasagna), mofongo con camarones (seasoned fried green plantains smashed into a ball, with shrimps), and chuleta Can-Can (a huge tomahawk porkchop with crispy skin, served with rice, beans and tostones... intended for two people). Everything was outstanding! I have been on a mission to try all the chuletas Can-Can in the Metro area, and all I have tried have been good... but, this one was the best by far! The skin was crisp, but not too hard; the fat underneath deliciously seasoned; the meat... well... if you like porkchops you REALLY have to try this one!! The service was good. Our server (Jess) was very cordial (fluent in both English and Spanish) and attentive. There were a few minor hiccups that I am sure are going to be ironed out as they get more business. They owner stopped by our table and we chatted for a bit; he later asked us to sign a wall. Very nice guy. Bottom line, the drinks were good, the food delicious, and the service excellent; we are definitively coming back and bringing friends! read more

I've been surprised that there aren't more, or at least better, Puerto Rican restaurants in the DC area. So look no further for a real treat at Qui Qui. This quaint restaurant above The Passenger bar in Shaw really shines. Without outdoor seating the restaurant is taking its health safety responsibility seriously and requiring proof of vaccination (bring your card!) or recent negative Covid-19 testing. On an early Fall Friday we were able to score a reservation for a party of 5, which means they had to put 2 table together to accommodate us, so we were appreciative given the limited seating available. The room is nicely arranged with colorful artwork and artifacts from the Island which helps set a nice tone for what is to come. For starters they have a good selection of tropical flavors in cocktails, which our party dabbled in with their version of an Old Fashioned (with Rum), Chino She Didn't (Chinola Passion Fruit, Rum and Cristol) and an extremely satisfying Daquiri. Along with the drinks we had to do several orders of Chicharron de Mero (Breaded Grouper balls) and their Beef Empanada's. As indicators of what was to come, we were thrilled with both. Our entrees ran through most of the mains: the Mofongo Carne Frita, the Costilla Guisada (Baby back ribs in an incredible tomato sauce), the Pastelon (sort of a PR version of Lasagna, but layered with sweet plantains, beef and cheese) and the Pernil. Each was delicious, the side of beans in a super savory broth, a wonderful addition, and MORE than enough food (we had to get the carry-out containers for leftovers). If you like spicy, on request they have a phenomenal jalapeno hot sauce, that added the perfect kick to several of our options. The staff are very helpful in deciphering their native menu (although the contactless menu does a great job in describing the options and ingredients) and for making recommendations for our group. While we outside of the District, this is a definite return spot for us. And as for those leftovers we mentioned, it might sound strange but they were almost better warmed up the day after! read more

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This food is amazing at this small restaurant. Don't do like I did and drive by because there were a lot of folks outside. Below the restaurant is a Bar and it is usually packed with college kids waiting outside. The Restaurant is small and seating is limited so try to make a reservation. After being seated, we order appetizers and our meal. We shared some sorrullitos which are cornmeal fritters and they were very good. We also had bacalaitos, which are fried codfish fritters. I grew up on these and the ones they served were probably tasty but they were severely overcooked. As entrees, we ordered various forms of Mofongo, if a PR restaurant cannot make good Mofongo, then they should give up. I had Mofongo with shredded pork and I loved it. My coworker had surf and turf Mofongo, but she substituted pork for the steak. Often, at other restaurants, the pork chunks are overcooked. Not this time, they were perfectly made and seasoned. The third entree was Mofongo with shrimp and they hit the trifecta, perfectly seasoned and it had a seafood broth vs a chicken broth like other places. I give this place 5 stars because they deserve a mulligan for the fritters. The cocktails were tasty and creative and the flan for desert was good as well. Our server was very attentive and knowledgeable. You will not be disappointed!! read more

If you're looking for delicious Puerto Rican food, this is definitely the spot to go to. The customer service was great and I enjoyed the ambiance. read more

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The Best Authentic Puerto Rican restaurant I've been too in the entire DMV, You must make your reservation prior to coming. Place is small but comfortable. The staff here is super friendly our waitress was Haizy and she was very attentive and came to check on us periodically. For appetizers I ordered the carne frita and tostones, both were super tasteful, the flavor of the carne was perfect! The rice was fresh and the Beans were absolutely amazing. The empanadas were my favorite with some of the sauce and some of the red onions on top yummmm Perfect combination. For my meal I had a pastelon I've never tasted anything so flavorful and delicious. Let's not forget about my homemade coquito súper delicioso! But please don't forget to taste the Pina colada I had to order a second after tasting it as well. For dessert I was looking forward to the flan but I went with the a temple que which was okay, my favorite part of it was the cocino y, slashed a few of the coconut chips inside my piña colada the taste was outstanding! If your in the area make sure to stop by and taste one of the Best Authentic Puerto Rican If your visiting make sure to stop and you'll be addicted!!! A good way to bring folks back to visit!! Thank you to the chef for making the best dishes, I can't wait to come back again and taste the rest of the menu. Btw I ordered two desserts to go the pudding and also the tres leches so iill make sure to leave my review on those two when I digest my earlier meals. read more

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We love having a bite of home so close to us. My husband feels like he's at home in his parent's kitchen eating at Qui Qui. The food, atmosphere, and service was great! read more

First, let me start by saying that i know Puerto Rican food. Grew up in a PR household with both abuela and mami making magic in the kitchen. I really had high hopes for this lovely spot in Shaw. given the lack of authentic PR restaurants in the DMV. Service and ambiance were ac10; food not so much. Under seasoned sancocho, bland alcapurias, and no beans served with white rice (????). Steak encebollado was cooked perfectly (medium) but flavor lacking. Throughout the entire meal my family and I wondered if sofrito, salt, pepper was forgotten when preparing dishes. The highlight of our meal was the perfectly cooked tostones (don't forget to ask for ajo). I can honestly understand how those new to PR comida criolla would rave about this spot. However, a true boriquen gastronomical experience should leave you wanting more. Unfortunately, Qui Qui missed the mark.i give it a 6 out of 10. read more

I loved this spot! Best Boriqua spot in DC, such great comfort food with amazing flavor. Quite pricey but well worth it. The Chuleta Kan Kan is the best item on the menu! read more

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Finally got a chance to try this place out after seeing it on IG, and I was not disappointed!! I am a HUGE fan of plantains so I was pretty excited about the food! Make sure to go upstairs and make reservations!! --Mofongo con Carne Frita: loved the combo of mashed fried green plantains (savory) and crispy crunchy pork bites! The carne frita was really well seasoned and had a good ratio of meat to fat. The plantains were flavorful too but I liked eating them both with a touch of their Qui Qui sauce (kinda like a mayo / garlic aioli sauce) --Pastelon: sweet plantains on top of seasoned ground beef! Never really imagined sweet plantains with other things but the it worked really well with the salty ground beef! Its supposedly with cheese but didn't feel like there was that much. --Pernil: seasoned shredded pork, comparable to the pernil I've had at other PR restaurants! Enjoyed the shredded/easily pull-apart texture but wish it was a little more seasoned. Loved the overall vibes too! They serve water in alc bottles so I thought that was kinda cute!! Spanish music in the back with PR-associated art/decor. The only thing is that I felt the dishes were a little pricey for their portion, but its also DC so I understand. Also I really appreciated how the staff was able to accommodate my party of 6 on a weekend without any reservations. Would definitely be coming back! read more

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I cannot recommend this restaurant enough! The habichuelas tasted JUST like Mami's and the chuleta kankan tasted exactly like mine. It was such a wonderful experience eating amazingly made Puerto Rican food that I didn't have to make myself. As if the food wasn't enough the and the service were absolutely fantastic! Whether you are a Boricua missing home or someone wanting to see what Puerto Rican cuisine is like, THIS is the restaurant for you! I cannot wait to return! read more

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

Everything we tried here was excellent. My favorite were the gambas and rice and beans 10/10. Will 100% be back!! read more

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

This place is straight up whack if you are Puerto Rican or even have a familiarity with Puerto Rican food. Now I know it's on me for expecting more out of a place that's charging $26 for an asopao and $20 dollars for pollo guisado, but I really wanted to take a chance and see if perhaps their prices lived up to the hype. What I got instead was some watered down, lazy interpretation of Puerto Rican food. If they actually are Boricuas, they are not reviewing the quality of their own food. I got the asopao and it was dry. The waitress looked confused when I asked her for a spoon, as if no one would ever eat asopao with a spoon. Anyone with passing familiarity of the dish would know what it required. On top of that, it came bare boned, so it was another $5 for some cold tostones. When I asked for mojo, they looked at me confused. When I asked for crushed garlic, they had none. How are you running a Puerto Rican restaurant that's "high end" and not even have a mojito? The best they could offer was "garlic flavored oil." I really wanted to give this place a fair shot. The decor is cute and I could tell there were some Puerto Ricans selling their wares in the spot. Pero un sitio Boricua de verdad, no es. Disappointing, overpriced, and the reviews of all the Americans being impressed with the littlest effort should tell you enough of las vibras. Never again. The place over in Navy Yard at least makes their mofongos good. Or try Los Hermanos in Columbia Heights for an authentic caribeño experience. read more

Thee place to visit anytime your in dc !!!! I never thought I would say it but as a Dominican woman I have to say this Puerto Rican spot better than most if not all Dominican restaurants I've been to in the city. I have been to Puerto Rico as well and this food here is like your back in Carolina. The empanadas were so freaking juicy and flavorful with a perfect amount of filling and the dough perfectly crispy. The mofongo had checked off everything it's supposed to taste like and more. Their drinks omg their drinks absolutely amazing. Service was excellent with giving great suggestions and attending to our every needs. Food came out quickly and nothing seemed like it was rushed. The place is small but cute for a date night or get together with a friend. I will be coming here whether it's for takeout or sit down and order and try at least everything on the menu once. Love it ! Hope they are here to stay and keep up with consistent good and authentic food. read more

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My husband and I had very high hopes for Qui Qui. He is Puerto Rican and doesn't get PR food that much so he was very excited. We came on a Sunday afternoon and found it pretty easily. It's a cute restaurant with the dining area upstairs. There were definitely other Spanish folks there so we took that as a good sign. The first thing that bugged me is they only had QR codes for the menu. I know a lot of restaurants are doing that due to COVID but my internet wasn't working, there was no wifi and no physical menus so I just sat there while my husband ordered for me. We first started with a couple of cocktails and the beef empanadas which were all delicious! Next came the rellenos de papa which were good but usually come with more meat inside. We both got mofongo - mine with pernil and his with chicken. Mine was very oily and both of our mofongo had no crunch or texture to it. They tasted like mashed potatoes with tons of oil. My husband then got a platter with pernil, arroz con gandules and a pastele. The pernil was okay - but tasted like it has been dipped in something wet so again no crispy pieces or texture. The rice was good. But then the pastele - that was the worst part. It tasted sour, even to me who isn't Puerto Rican and only had pasteles a few times. We think it had been frozen too long or had been sitting out too long. It was not good!! Finally we tried the flan de queso. It wasn't bad but tasted more like a cinnamon pana cotta, not really flan de queso. Overall unfortunately it wasn't worth the hype and we eat way better Puerto Rican food at my in-law's house. The worst part is we took a bunch home as leftovers and my husband felt sick for days after eating it. read more

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