Location: 1227 11th St.
Readers’ pick: One Fish, Two Fish
For the adventurous diner seeking their next authentic Mexican meal, look no further than the critically acclaimed-yet-unassuming, El Sol Restaurante & Tequileria.
Located in the Logan Circle neighborhood, El Sol isn’t the flashiest destination in town to take a date on a Friday night, but the quality and variety of classic Mexican dishes difficult to find elsewhere in D.C. will have you scrounging through your calendar to plan your next trip back. Chefs Alfredo and Jessica Solis, siblings who grew up in Mexico City, center their menu around foods from home, ranging from nopales tacos filled with cactus to street food like huitlacoche, a Mexican flatbread stuffed with Mexican corn truffle.
The two-floor restaurant provides a cozy dining area with a bar accompanying each level, lovely for a casual atmosphere that still feels like going out. The tables are packed in the somewhat-small space, giving the area a familiar, communal dining feel.
A few calaveras – decorated clay skulls used for Mexican holiday Día de los Muertos – adorn the walls, and behind the bar, you’ll find a TV playing traditional Mexican music, including a performance from ranchera singer Vicente Fernández. Adding a dash of color, an assortment of art lines the walls, from a portrait of world-renowned artist Frida Kahlo to a small painting of cacti with a backdrop of warm hues depicting the sun setting.
To start off your meal, choose from a selection of margaritas ($10 to $13), including the spicy mango margarita, and don’t skip out on the queso fundido ($10), a melted cheese dish with chorizo served in a molcajete bowl. Accompanied by four flour tortillas, the waiters serve the queso fundido while the cheese is still bubbling, and the dish provides a soft, warm bite so mouthwatering you’ll have to make sure you don’t accidentally fill up on the appetizer alone.
From burritos to sandwiches to Mexican specialties, the restaurant’s vast entree menu offers something for whatever mood you’re in. Try their shrimp and chorizo quesadilla ($13.50) or the enchilada de mole rojo ($13.50) for a classic taste of Mexico.
For the diners looking to try something new, check out the nopales tacos ($3.25 each) crafted with shreds of grilled cactus, pico de gallo and topped off with some fresh cheese. Or, if slow-braised beef tongue piques your interest, try out a popular Mexican street food dish, the lengua taco ($3.50 each).
Whether you stick with a simple chicken burrito or opt for an artful blend of new ingredients in a specialty dish you’ve never heard of before, you’ll find homey, authentic plates at this hole-in-the-wall eatery.
