words and photos by Dakota Fine
…
If it’s one food complaint I hear on a regular basis from DC residents, it’s a lamentation for the lack of good Mexican food in the District. Well, while one restaurant alone can’t single-handedly wipe away the plague that is Chipotle, it can certainly brighten up 14th street a whole heck of a lot. To the uninitiated the D.F. stands for “districto federal,” Spanish for “federal district” (i.e. District of Columbia) but should not be confused with everyone’s favorite little local Petworth taqueria.
Capitalizing on every gringos favorite Mexican-American (non?) holiday/excuse-to-get-wasted-day, El Centro D.F. is throwing it’s doors open today to the public. Featuring a taqueria in the front with a taco and burrito ordering station and a sit down dining area (“tequileria”) in the back and downstairs, El Centro D.F. is here to serve up all your Mexican inspired cravings.
Some very cool lighting, above they have installed tiny light bulbs inside of repurposed sprinkler heads. Below, a view from the front of the restaurant as you’re approaching the taqueria ordering station and a little sneak peak of what the tables look like at the front of the house.
A lot of great Mexican inspired artwork downstairs on the walls give the place both an authentic feel and a romantic atmosphere.
Very cool washroom area, with a hollowed out tree as your washing basin.
On to the food! I tried the ceviche, the tacos and the beef ribs, all of which were amazing.
COZUMEL CEVICHE
white fish / citrus sauce / tomato / onion /cilantro / avocado … 10.95
AL PASTOR (3 tacos served with Mexican rice & charro beans)
adobo marinade pork belly / grilled pineapple / cilantro / onion … 10.95
SMOKED BEEF SHORT RIBS
sauteed market vegetables / citrus-achiote pibil sauce / refried black beans / mexican rice … 17.95
Chef Richard Sandoval has put together an instant winner and fan favorite in the tacos, which honestly made me want to dance they were so delicious. Granted they were filled with pork belly, so it’s probably not the healthiest thing you can eat, but he mixes in grilled pineapple bringing out a very sweet citrus flavor. Just top it of with a little of the green spicy salsa, and it is totally delectable.
Tequila sommelier Danielle Griffin has also put together a number of specialty tequila cocktails to accompany the food, below right we have a summery blueberry mint concoction.
El Centro DF is located at 1819 14th, just a few doors down from the Black Cat. Doors are open TODAY. Cinco de Mayo, hooray!
You *can* get good Mexican food on 14th street already. Just up in Columbia Heights at Taqueria D.F., which is awesomest and will pwn this place with its eyes closed.
Taqueria DF is the best burrito in DC. Dakota knows that-he had his birthday there last year. BUT! NO liquor license so kind of a stumbling block on drinking nights
Tacos al pastor in the district? Wonder if they put the pork on a spit with the pineapple and onion on the top? That’d be a welcome first for this city. And yeah, TDF is the legit joint if you want a taste of mexico, not sure if they use a spit, would like to know.
3 tacos for $11? Another place I won’t go. And yes, there are tons of good tacos in DC, honkeys just won’t go to them.
say word son. tell ‘em honkeys
“Honkey’s” Really? Is this 1974?
true about the honkeys though
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