The Bottom Line
El Centro, a restaurant in the lively U Street neighborhood of Washington DC, offers authentic Mexican fare and 200 different varieties of tequilas. The restaurant spans three floors offering a different atmosphere on each. The food is creatively presented and prices are reasonable.
Pros
- Good upscale Mexican cuisine
- Unique Mexican drinks, great mojitos
- Interesting setting, something for everyone-quietest setting on the lower level, lively rooftop bar
- Reasonable prices
Cons
- Dark lighting, noisy first level
Description
- Address: 1819 14th Street, NW Washington, DC
- Phone: (202) 328-3131
- Hours: Lunch Mon-Fri 11am-2pm. Dinner 5-11pm daily. Late night menu Sun-Thurs 11pm-2am, Fri- Sat 11pm-3am.
- Prices: Appetizers $9.95-$10.95, Tacos $10.95-$11.95, Enchiladas $10.95-$13.95, Soups and salads $6.95-$11.95 and Chef's specials $14.95-$19.95.
- Metro: U Street/African-American Civil War Memorial/Cardozo
- Valet parking available beginning at 6pm. Prices range from $10 Sunday thru Thursday to $15 Friday and Saturday.
Guide Review - El Centro D.F. Restaurant Review - Washington DC
El Centro offers authentic Mexican fare and 200 different varieties of tequilas. The restaurant’s menu is based on traditional dishes ranging from authentic chiles and cheeses, to fresh tortillas, to house-made sauces such as adobo, entomatada and tomatillo. Signature dishes include: Tacos al Pastor with adobo marinade pork belly, cilantro, onion and grilled pineapple; Jalisco Shrimp & Crab Enchiladas with oaxaca cheese, corn, rajas and crema fresco, as well as Carne Asada with grilled skirt steak, sautéed chile poblano, chimichurri, chile morita sauce, sweet corn tamale and charro beans. I especially enjoyed the chunky texture and flavorful spices in the guacamole and the ceviche. As a main course, I tried the Pork Carnitas which was perfectly cooked and very tasty. I also tasted the baja (fish tacos) which were very good.
The 260-seat restaurant is divided into three sections: the Taqueria, Tequileria and the upstairs Rooftop. The Taqueria can accommodate 52 guests for dining in the café and 10 seats at the bar; the Tequileria can seat 50 in the lounge and 12 seats at the bar. The Rooftop has a capacity for 94 guests with two levels, each with its own bar. The decor is warm and cozy, and the dining areas are dimly lit. The furnishing are unique, featuring stone walls with ancient Mayan-looking masks, reclaimed wood, vintage Mexican newspapers, rough concrete surfaces and antique chandeliers. The dining room in the lower level is relatively quiet, while the ground-level offers casual dining and tacos-to-go in a livelier atmosphere.
The 260-seat restaurant is divided into three sections: the Taqueria, Tequileria and the upstairs Rooftop. The Taqueria can accommodate 52 guests for dining in the café and 10 seats at the bar; the Tequileria can seat 50 in the lounge and 12 seats at the bar. The Rooftop has a capacity for 94 guests with two levels, each with its own bar. The decor is warm and cozy, and the dining areas are dimly lit. The furnishing are unique, featuring stone walls with ancient Mayan-looking masks, reclaimed wood, vintage Mexican newspapers, rough concrete surfaces and antique chandeliers. The dining room in the lower level is relatively quiet, while the ground-level offers casual dining and tacos-to-go in a livelier atmosphere.
