I was in the area for a vendor market and happened upon this spot, so I stopped in for lunch. This was around 1:00pm on a Saturday. There were only a couple tables with people when I got here. I was greeted and given a water quickly. My server was super friendly! I decided to get their shrimp tacos and the La Catrina cocktail (a mezcal hibiscus margarita) to start, and my complimentary chips and salsa were brought out shortly after. The La Catrina was SO GOOD. It was a little sweet, was fairly sour (which is my preference), and the smokiness of the mezcal complimented it well. I decided to order the margarita flight after so I could try a few of their other drinks. I've been places where the flight is more of a sample size, but these were full sized margaritas. I ordered the mango, the strawberry, and the tamarind. I loved all of them, but I think the tamarind was my favorite. I got mine with thd standard tequila, but I think you can get them with mezcal instead for a slight upcharge. As for the food, everything I had was really good. The chips came with both a red and a green salsa. I love salsa Verde, so this was a nice surprise. The red salsa had a smokiness to it that I didnt anticipate, but it was really good. And the salsa verde was perfect. Chips were pretty standard. My shrimp tacos were really tasty! They had a good flavor and the Chipotle mayo was the perfect addition. The shrimp were a little overcooked, but the flavor made up for it. I also decided to order the flan to end my meal. I don't think I've ever had flan, so I have nothing to compare it to, but I absolutely loved it. It was a large portion and was super smooth (I was a big fan of the texture) and caramel-y and sweet. It could definitely be split between 2 people. Service remained great throughout my time there. It did start to fill up a bit by the time I left (with maybe 3 more groups coming in). I think there was only one server on, and she was hustling to make sure everyone was taken care of. There was both indoor and outdoor seating, with most opting to sit outside, though I chose to be inside. I definitely plan to come back! It looks like they have a great happy hour, which I am looking forward to trying. read more

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Who doesn't love a neighborhood spot that serves up great food and strong drinks. Service was fast and good! The Happy Hour prices are actually worth the cost, we ordered 3 tacos for $10. And the drinks were between $8-10. Happy Hour ends at 7pm. My favorite of my taco selections: Al Pastor! It was the winner to me because it was bursting with flavor and freshness. My drink of choice was a tequila soda-worthy pour! It hit the spot. Overall, I had a great time and would stop by again for more of those tacos and a drink. read more

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My Review (Focusing on the Service) I want to be clear that this review is about the service -- because the food itself was excellent once I finally received it. Let me explain. My friend and I found this restaurant on Google yesterday since it was close to an event we were attending. She arrived first and texted me saying, "This margarita sucks." When I got there, I wasn't greeted for about 10 minutes -- no water, no chips and salsa, nothing. The bartender only acknowledged me after a few patrons sitting at the bar pointed out that I was trying to get her attention (red flag #1). I ordered a margarita, but it was honestly terrible. It was clear the bartender wasn't very experienced with making cocktails and could benefit from some training. I switched to a Modelo and decided to order food since service was already slow. I got shrimp tacos, and my friend ordered al pastor tacos. About 20 minutes passed, and we noticed no one had even been in the kitchen cooking. Another 10 minutes later, a woman finally went into the kitchen, and my friend's tacos came out -- but only hers. When I asked about mine, I was told it was "coming right up." Fifteen more minutes went by before my tacos and the chips and salsa (which should have been served at the beginning) finally arrived. At that point, we were already late for our event, so I had to eat one taco quickly and take the rest to go. The frustrating part is that the food was actually really good -- the shrimp tacos were flavorful, and the chips and salsa were fresh and tasty. That's what makes writing this review so disappointing. As someone who has been in the restaurant industry for 20 years and is now a chef myself, I know what proper service looks like. Basic hospitality -- greeting guests promptly, offering water and chips, and serving food together -- are restaurant fundamentals. Service like this is simply unacceptable, especially when the food has so much potential read more

The tacos here are SO GOOD! Great neighborhood spot to catch up with friends over food / drinks on the patio. Very reasonable prices and friendly staff. Don't skip out on the Mexican coffee either! read more

Tequila & Mezcal - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

What a GEM this quaint Uptown spot is!! Slim...I'm almost at a loss for words!! Let me say this...I've been to a rack of these kind of spots. This one takes the cake!! Let me show you what I'm talking about... . Where I'm at: @tequilamezcal . Location Reviewed: 3475 14th St., N.W. Washington D.C. . Menu Includes: *See Website* www.tequilamezcaldc.com . Items Reviewed: Their Complimentary Chips & Salsa (fresh corn tortillas with red, & green salsas Free $.99). STAMP!! So fresh...I could've just had THIS!! Their Hibiscus Agua Fresca ($5). STAMP!! House made, refreshing!! Their Queso Fundido (Chihuahua cheese fondue with poblano peppers, corn tortillas, & Chorizo sausage $12). STAMP!! Superbly seasoned chorizo, pungent cheese...YES! Their Nachos (Corn tortilla chips, chihuahua cheese, beans, jalapeños, sour cream, pico de Gallo, guacamole, with shrimp $17). STAMP!! BEST NACHOS EVER!! Nothing overwhelming, just good fresh ingredients!! Their Margarita Flight (with strawberry, blue curaçao, mango, & melon $25). STAMP!! Strong, sweet sleepers!! Their Fajitas (with mixed veggies, chicken, steak, shrimp, rice, tortillas, & beans $22). STAMP!! Sizzling hot, well seasoned, & FRESH!! Their Tacos (an Al Pastor, Chicken, & Beef Birria taco with consummé $14.75). STAMP ALL OF THESE!! Just trust me!! Their Pupusas (a chicharron, chicken, & jalapeno con queso pupusas $12). STAMP the chicken, & Pork...cheesy, and flavorful. The Jalapeno was LIKE THAT!! Their Flan (homemade $9). STAMP!! Get it!! That's it. . Customer Service: On Point . Online Navigation: Easy . Parking: DECENT . Recommendations: You cannot go wrong with ANYTHING here!! . Accessibility: They are equipped for those in wheelchairs, & those that are differently abled. . Music: YouTube-Backyard Band 1997 Pockets & Sockets 5 Stars=STAMP 4 1/2 Stars=LIKE THAT 4 Stars=DELICIOUS 3 Stars=DECENT 2 Stars=PASS 1 Star=NAH #Bigschlimsreviews read more

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We visited for a friend's birthday and had a fantastic time! A nice variety of options on the menu for reasonable prices. The guacamole is super fresh and the "choose 3" taco option was definitely a crowd favorite - I recommend the campechanos and birria tacos. My sister ordered the chicharron, frijol, y queso pupusas and they were amazing - probably my fave of what we ordered. And much bigger than we were expecting for an order of 3! The service was great and they even brought out flan with a candle and sung happy birthday for my friend. Great experience! read more

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Oh my goodness. The shrimp tacos are to die for though everything is good. Their guac is top notch. Definitely worth a trip

Overall, the food is okay. We've come here a few times and it is tough since we lived in Los Angeles for over a decade. The Mexican food in DC just doesn't compare at all. The ambiance is cute with some great nods to Mexico. There is an outside patio for the nice warmer but not too disgusting humid DC days. The service was friendly and checked in regularly. We ordered the chips and guacamole, fajitas and some margaritas. All of it was good but not totally memorable. But maybe we are comparing it to the outstanding Mexican we had in LA? read more

Such a cute restaurant. Was excited to try out this place. The staff was super friendly when we walked in. The restaurant was super clean and the music was great. We started off with the queso undid with chorizo that was absolutely delicious. Order some pupusas as our main dish and they were amazing. The curtido and salsa were so good. Definitely recommend trying this place out read more

Tequila & Mezcal - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Everything was perfect! 5/5 I came here with two friends on a Saturday afternoon, and it wasn't crowded at all. There's beautiful artwork on the wall. The service was quick, and very friendly. We were seated immediately and ordered a round of drinks. I went with the mezcal spicy cocktail, and it was soooo good! Ordered pupusas and it was very filling. I had to take it to go! I'll be back very soon! read more

Tequila & Mezcal - Pupusas Con Queso Y Frijoles - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I came here this week to enjoy some happy hour drinks and tacos. The place is quaint & cozy inside with additional seating outside. We decided to sit at a table along the window to people watch, obviously. :) I arrived first and was immediately greeted. I got the Happy hour hibiscus margarita with mezcal (extra $1 to add mezcal). It was very good. I personally prefer mezcal and I loved the smokiness it brought to the sweetness of the hibiscus. My friend got the same when she arrived and also enjoyed the drink. We shared molotes to start, which is fried plantain fritters with mole sauce. It also came with a white sauce but I'm not sure what is was called. The plantains were sweet and good. The sauces were good as well. It was nice starter plate. For entree we both did the happy hour tacos, which come three of one kind. I wanted the al pastor but they were out, which is a bummer. I usually judge taco spots on the Al pastor. So I got the chicken tacos and my friend got the chorizo and we traded one. The chicken was well seasoned and not dry, which was much appreciated. I really liked the chorizo, very flavorful! Their green sauce that came with the chips n salsa was great on the tacos too! Overall, I think T&M is a solid taco spot with flavorful drinks. I would definitely go again. read more

Tequila & Mezcal - Hibiscus margarita with mezcal - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Stopped at Tequila and Mezcal for a quick drink while in the area. It's called Tequila and Mezcal, so I just knew margaritas would be their specialty, but sadly, I was a little disappointed! The margarita had way too much sour mix and kind of tasted pre made. We also sat outside because it was a nice day, but someone on the street walked by several times asking us for money and making inappropriate comments to us and the table next to us. I know the restaurant can't control that , but it put a damper on enjoying the weather and drinks on the outdoor patio. read more

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Their chips and guac was excellent - so fresh and flavorful I wanted more! The tacos were just OK. The steak was tough and chewy and the chicken was very dry. We also tried the bean and cheese papusas which were delicious!! - I would come back for the papusas and guac; skip the tacos. read more

Came to Tequila and Mezcal for happy hour and overall had a great time! Happy hours goes until 6:30 -- we came at 5:30 to a mostly empty restaurant and bar and quickly got a seat. There's also plenty of patio space. Had the hibiscus margaritas which SLAPPED, so good! To eat we started with the guac. It was super fresh creamy and delicious. It's $15 because it's HUGE. A really great starter if you have a bigger group. It was just me and a friend so we got through about half. My friend and I agreed the tacos were just okay. I had the chorizo and she had the al pastor. You can't mix and match which is a bummer but it's $10 for 3 which is a great deal. To end we had the tres leches cake which was phenomenal, I savored every last bite. Service was excellent. Really friendly teally attentive. I would definitely come back, especially for happy hour! Prices were super reasonable and everything was good overall. By time we left around 8 the place was bumpin, so come early! read more

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Me and a friend had a very underwhelming experience. We arrived shortly after happy hour started on a Thursday in August and we were the only guests there. We sat inside at the bar at first. The bartender came over pretty immediately with menus and took our drink orders. The margaritas were good and fairly priced for happy hour. The space is small so the kitchen is basically a part of the bar. As we were eating the chips and salsa that was provided, the kitchen started to get really smoky from what the chefs were cooking. It was so bad we decided to move outside to the tables on the sidewalk. The food came out shortly after we moved outside. We both got three different tacos. She enjoyed them but I thought they were just ok. The flavor was very mild and the onions on top were sliced way too largely. We did enjoy the drinks though and ordered 2 more rounds. The service was pleasant, but not outstanding. If we lived in the neighborhood, we might come back but it's nothing we would go out of our way for. read more

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Looks like a hole in the wall from outside, but the food is awesome and the margarita flight is a must try!

Food is fantastic and they have the best bartenders! Very good arrachrea is phenomenal! Margarita is amazing!

The service, ambiance and food here were great. And the drinks were awesome. We will be back soon.

We enjoyed the outdoor seating on this beautiful April night. We shared the mixed fajita dinner that had steak, chicken, and shrimp. All components were high quality, and expertly cooked. Peppers, onions, and sprigs of thyme supported the proteins. We also tried the grilled steak tacos, and the octopus tacos. Both proteins were tender, and surrounded by flavorful components. We finished with an excellent tres leches cake. A sold meal from beginning to end. Good service. We can recommend them without hesitation. read more

Not the biggest fan. I did not try any of the drinks but my friends did and they like them apparently this place is known for the drinks. What I did have were the tacos. I got the pork tacos and an octopus taco. They were very small and underpacked. I left feeling quite hungry. I also tried the guac which was pretty good and sp The ambience on the outside is fine They have sidewalk seating. Since it was cold I insisted we eat inside and the seating inside is a bit lackluster. It is small and not very cozy. The ambiance is not very cozy either. As far as the service goes it was a bit slow but also I specifically requested no cilantro which I have a complete distaste for and despite this they still put cilantro in some of the food items. This is typically what happens when I go to Mexican and Indian restaurants but I was really hoping that by emphasizing my distaste for it they would remember and they didn't. Parking is on the street and it is dependent on where you go and the time of day to get it for free. Overall I'm glad I tried it but I don't think I would come back here. read more

Tequila & Mezcal - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Tequila & Mezcal has been around since '19, featuring items from various states of Mexica, such as from Oaxaca and Yucatan. We came here for an early dinner, and we started off with: +the Guacamole - served with corn tortilla chips and salsa +Molotes - plantain fritters filled with black bean puree, topped with a crema fresca drizzle For our main eats, we tried: +the Birria de Res tacos - came as a set of 3 in hand-pressed corn tortillas; filled with slow-braised beef brisket +Shrimp tacos - with avocado and chipotle mayo +Carne Asada tacos - grilled steak with onions; opted out of cilantro Unfortunately, the food was just okay - it seemed to lack flavors and any type of seasoning, and the portions were very thin compared to the way the items were described on the menu; definitely a higher price point that what was expected. Service was fine, and the place seemed to be a bit vacant when we went; maybe they're busier during HH? I'm glad I was able to give this place a try, but wouldn't return. +underseasoned items +small portions read more

I found this spot on tik tok and decided to visit. It was empty when we went so service was fast. We started off with drinks which were crafted really well and they were refreshing. I had the Apple whiskey sidecar and my friend had a drink that had hibiscus(can't remember the name). I mixed my taco selection and I was excited to try them but they were very underwhelming. My chicken was over cooked, the steak and chorizo lacked flavor, the shrimp was ok. I expected more flavor over all so I was a disappointed. My friend had the birria torta and she didn't really like It. There was a lot of different flavors going on in the sandwich that It took away from the flavor of the actual meat. I liked the atmosphere and if I want great cocktails I'll return. read more

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We were apartment hunting, when we found this place to get some tacos. The restaurant is pretty casual, it has a great outdoor patio, menu provides a pretty great dishes and cocktails options. Our food was so delicious and service was pretty fast as well, I really enjoyed my tamarind margarita. I am glad that we found this restaurant we will be back here soon. read more

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I'd give it a 3.5 star if I could. Decent happy hour until 7pm on weeknights. I had a few of the classic tequila margaritas. They weren't that potent but also not too sweet, which was fine. The sweet plantains stuffed with black beans were fine. Same goes for the guacamole and chips ($15 without any HH special). Nothing incredible but it's fresh and good. Fine service. It's a great neighborhood spot. read more

great food! service was good as well i was in & out. I would definitely come back here again. till next time read more

This place was kinda empty when I came here during happy hour, much to my surprise. The menu is a bit skimpy, with limited taco options (al pastor is only offered as a vegan dish here). The house margarita was a good pour, with hibiscus and classic offerings. The molotes (sweet plantain stuffed with beans) were good and may be the best thing here as I was pretty much underwhelmed by the tacos. Considering how underwhelmed I was, I felt the regular pricing would have been too much for what it was. The chorizo taco was tasty though even though it's not something I would usually pick in any Mexican restaurant. There's plenty of other Mexican places in the same area with a larger menu that I'm unable to justify coming back to this one. read more

Tequila & Mezcal is located in the center of the Columbia heights neighborhood. Came on a Sunday morning and there wasn't a wait. They don't have a brunch menu anymore but a really extensive cocktail menu (we'd love to try next time!) Complimentary chips and homemade salsas were delicious! My favorite was the birria torta, which you must dip in the sauce! read more

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Omg this local no frills restaurant has over 40 different type of tequila cocktails and great, flavorful food. The guacamole is freshly made and the combination fajitas were delicious. Not to mention the attentive yet friendly service. read more

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Amazing food! Authentic, delicious, and worth the commute. The parking is not so great, but the reward is the fabulous dining and drinks.

This is your new go to for authentic Mexican food! They have a great happy hour menu, which runs M-F until 6:30! Must try the birria taco platter, we frequent Mexico and have yet to find birria with this must taste! 10/10 would recommend! Heading there tonight read more

Tequila & Mezcal - Birria Taco Combo, Hibiscus Margarita (on happy hour) - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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My wife and I were visiting D.C. for the weekend from Providence, RI. As tourists do, we searched up "hidden gem" on Google, and "Tequila & Mezcal" popped up. We knew we were in the right spot when we arrived. The staff was welcoming. We ordered 2 "Spicy Burro Locos" , which were spicy mezcal margaritas and were very impressed. The drinks are crafted with fresh ingredients to order. The food was phenomenal. Simple and satisfying. Exactly what you're looking for without the pretension (unlike this review). We chatted with Marco at the bar all night about different recipes and drinks. We also had their tequila and mezcal old fashioned, made with fresh, in-house made ingredients. Their use and time dedicated to fresh ingredients really made for a great experience. Fresh ingredients, tasty food, satisfying spirits and a friendly atmosphere. We will be going here again next time we visit D.C. read more

Everything was FRESH! Like can we TALK! The hibiscus margarita was so delicious! Not too sweet, you can taste the tequila but it isn't over powering at all! Perfect mix. The pupusas were chicken with cheese and mushroom with spinach, really delicious. Service was good. read more

Amazing drinks and food. Top quality stuff. Out Michelin'ng the nearby Michelin winning restaurants. read more

Tequila & Mezcal - Hibiscus Margarita - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I was a little nervous to suggest this to friends after reading reviews about long wait times and not so great service, but we experienced neither! It was quiet on a Monday night. We sat inside and our service was fantastic - fast and friendly. First, the drinks. I loved them. I had the Matador and the Vida Loca and both were beautiful, well- balanced and delicious. All the drinks my party had looked really good. We started with the guacamole, which is fresh and a very generous portion. We also got the plantain patties with black beans which I found very bland and to be mostly a filler. We moved onto the tacos, most of which you can order a la cart and mix and match. I was disappointed they didn't have the grasshopper because I'd wanted to try that! Hubby and I split the octopus, shrimp, carnitas and nopales. First off, they are very small - two bites at most. Without apps, I'd probably need at least four. The octopus and shrimp were absolutely delicious, but the other two fell flat for me. Overall, if this were closer to home I'd probably come back for drinks and a snack! read more

Tequila & Mezcal - Vida loca and four baby tacos - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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An off day, perhaps? Yelp, I'm not seeing or tasting it. The drinks - Y E S! Kudos there. Tequila and Mezcal is on it on that front. But food and service? I don't see it. For an authentic Mexican restaurant, the food was terribly bland. I don't have it in me to write more because I won't be visiting again. read more

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cute spot that i had been wanting to check out. (parking is okay since on a main road) took a friend on a taco tuesday. it wasnt busy at all. we sat at the bar (&& the do offer outside seating). my friend gott the tacos -he said they were okay. they have a great tequila & mezcal selection thankfully. that is really all their bar is serving -i dont recall of seeing anything else. after a few cocktails && shots for celebration we left. prices are regular. read more

Tequila & Mezcal - MEZCAL && TEQUILA SHOTS - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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The food was really great, our table particularly enjoyed the birria (my favorite) and octopus tacos, esquites, queso fundido, quesadillas and pupusas. however, a lot of our drinks didn't seem to have much alcohol in them, a few people ordered extra shots to add to their drinks. a shot is also $10.. inside decoration is nice. we weren't sure why the door was kept open for periods of time, letting all the AC out and the mosquitos in :/ it's still a nice spot to hang out with a group of friends and good food read more

This place has a great menu - the food is hit or miss - I would say they could use a bit larger portions or a bit more flavor. Either one would kick it up a notch. I wouldn't recommend the fajitas - but the salsa is excellent. The queso was also above average. I think this place is perfect for happy hours. read more

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Just left from an amazing dinner at Tequila and Mezcal. Most of the credit goes to the chef and my server Mr. Bonifacio (how dope is that name by the way). Thank you fellow yelpers for the recommendation. When we arrived I was indeed a little skeptical...I drove about an hour to get there and the place was pretty much empty...I didn't know if that was a good sign or bad sign...we were promptly seated in the outdoor oasis that was created and met with chips and salsa while we looked at the menu. By the time we had our first drink the restaurant was swarming with people lol...and that was also the time we completely finished our guacamole dip so that we could raise our heads. I wasn't too sold on the drinks but they will do...the food is way better than the drinks if you ask me but I'm also not into mixed drinks as much. My favorites thus far were the queso dip and the Taco Campechanos...sorry I let you down again Yelp with the pictures...by the time I looked up that was gone too... read more

Tequila & Mezcal - Damn Good guacamole - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Oh myyyyyy. I am already looking forward to my return to Tequila & Mezcal. We ordered the molotes to start. Perfectly sweet and crispy! For my main I had the birria torta and i would recommend that go anyone! The sauce is amazing and usually I can't finish a whole torta but I made the room for this one! Servers were very friendly and seated us quick. It's a cute place that I look forward to returning to go try some of their drinks! read more