Taqueria Poblano, Owner Glen Adams in North Arlington, Del Ray, and South Arlington

[JLK]

Hello all,

I'm making my first trip to Taqueria Poblano tonight (Ballston location, near the home of a friend). I'm pretty excited about it quite frankly between my need for a beer (one Negra Modelo please!) and the inexpensive cuisine.

Looking at the online menu, I'm very interested in trying the tacos al pastor and, as always, I need to satisfy a craving for guacamole.

What are their other can't miss items?

[monavano]

The Oaxacan pork is very tasty. Got it in a taco. Also did the grilled steak taco, but there was way too much char on it for me. My husband got the duck, and loved it. Enjoy!!

[mdt]

Hello all,

I'm making my first trip to Taqueria Poblano tonight (Ballston location, near the home of a friend).  I'm pretty excited about it quite frankly between my need for a beer (one Negra Modelo please!) and the inexpensive cuisine.

Looking at the online menu, I'm very interested in trying the tacos al pastor and, as always, I need to satisfy a craving for guacamole.

What are their other can't miss items?

I had lunch at the Del Ray location the other day and the special chorizo and potato tacos were great. If your friend digs the creatures that swim, the fish tacos are pretty good as well.

[Stretch]

Second the fish tacos. They're great. I didn't know TP had a place in Ballston. Is that new?

[Jill Cheese Lady]

I actually really like the chicken mole verde. The chicken is like butter and it's covered in a sublime green mole sauce. Fabu!

Also, if you're a margarita fan, I have found the ones at Taqueria to be the best I've had. Not too sweet. Made from only fresh lime juice. They go down EASY!

[hillvalley]

Not to mention the rumarita, a brilliant use of run in stead of tequila in the perfect sometime drink.

I too highly recommend the fish tacos. The fish was expertly fried in a beer batter without the hint of grease that is so common in other fish tacos around here. We also had the pork taquitos which were great and served as a perfect vehicle for guacamole. The braised shredded beef taco was fine, but not the highlight of the menu.

My only complaint is that non of the salsas or the hot sauce on the table provided my heat which would have made my fish taco perfect.

[JimRice]

We went to Cheesetique this evening, and then popped across the street to Taqueria Poblano for dinner. This was our first trip, but it won't be the last. Mrs. Rice had the burrito with beef, and I had a taco al pastor (carved adobo seasoned pork), a fish taco, and a duck carnitas taco. All were good, but the standout for me was the taco al pastor. Slightly spicy, earthy, smoky, and complemented nicely by the pineapple and cilantro on top. The fish taco was my second favorite, if nothing else because I've had several bad fish tacos before and this was excellent. The duck carnitas were slightly different than I expected but good too. One note-the tacos al pastor are only served after 5:30 PM.

It's definately a family-friendly place. I think we were one of the few tables that didn't have a little one in tow. All of the kids seemed well behaved though, perhaps because of the food being easy for them to eat. Our server was knowledgeable about the food, and extremely gracious when there was a minor service error.

For us, we know a good place when we start planning to come back before we finish dinner. We'll definately be back.

[Sthitch]

The only thing other than the raw crap in the chip basket that I have not liked is the duck taco. The meat was tough and not flavorful, half of the meat fell out when I took my first bite, and the toppings did not do much to enhance it.

On the other hand, I agree about the Taco el Pastor, and the fish taco being quite good. The fish taco being my favorite and the Pastor being my wife's. I would also avoid the shrimp taco, it is edible, but not the best thing on the menu.

[Walrus]

If by "raw crap" you mean the jicama pieces provided along with the standard chips, I have to say that I really enjoy it -- sprinkle with a little lime juice from the slice provided and dip it in the salsa. Yum.

[Sthitch]

I do mean the Jicama, my wife likes it, I can't stand the stuff. But I would be happy to eat around it. The main issue I have with it in the basket is that it makes the chips that it touches soggy, and very unpleasent.

[ScotteeM]

Mr. S and I just had brunch at the North Arlington restaurant. My "Virgin Mary" was very nice, spicy and smoky (chipotles?). I'm not a tee-totaller, just lots to do today in the heat.

No Jicama in the basket--just chips. I think I remember having Jicama at the Del Ray branch--maybe it's just there?

I was disappointed that the grill wasn't on for brunch, after reading all of the posts in this thread, but I tried the special Mexican Tamales. I haven't had a lot to compare them to, but they were very good, second only to the ones that a coworker makes at home and brings in for lunch sometimes.

Mr. S had the Crab Quesadilla, and he said it was very good. The guacamole that came with both platters was delicious, as were the refried beans. I'm not much for their rice, but my husband enjoyed it.

I'll have to go back sometime when the grill is on and try the Oaxacan pork and the grilled steak taco. I have had the fish and duck tacos on previous visits, and I enjoyed them.

How is their mole?

Scottee

[DC in DC]

We were very excited to check out Taqueria Poblano (Del Ray location), and it really hit the spot after a leisurely afternoon at the Alexandria arts festival. We started with the margaritas, which were made with fresh lime juice and were great. Perfect for sitting outside and having a casual meal. We started with a dish whose name escapes me, but was grilled or roasted green peppers, onions, and cheese served with tortillas. It sounds pedestrian, from its appearance, looked the part, but was in fact quite tasty. There was some fresh herbs mixed in too.

We had the duck taco and the fish taco, and were as advertised-- fabulous. I believe the duck taco had a dollop of guacamole on top and was very good. As others have noted, the fish taco was not soggy.

Overall, I added it to the list of places I wish were down the street so I could dash in once a week for a quick dinner.

[zoramargolis]

  We started with a dish whose name escapes me, but was grilled or roasted green peppers, onions, and cheese served with tortillas.  It sounds pedestrian, from its appearance, looked the part, but was in fact quite tasty.  There was some fresh herbs mixed in too.

Rajas de poblanos, is my guess.

[brr]

hmm, stopped by here yesterday afternoon prior to a Cheesetique expedition

maybe we got it on a bad day but we left feeling a little underwhelmed

The chicken taquitos were good but neither my duck nor fish tacos had much flavor - my wifes shrimp taco was a little better

pity, as we really wanted to like this place

[Chris W]

Ate here Sunday night (Arlington) Great steak Tacos El Carbon, and a Tacos El Pastor. I always say I'm going to try the mole and then get sucked back into the tacos....

[xdcx]

Ate here Sunday night (Arlington) Great steak Tacos El Carbon, and a Tacos El Pastor.  I always say I'm going to try the mole and then get sucked back into the tacos....

the mole verde is insanely good.

[DanielK]

Ate here tonight after a tasting at Cheesetique. I can't say that I completely understand the fuss.

I agree with the previous comments about the chips and salsa. The chips seemed a bit soggy, and the salsa nothing to write home about.

The fish tacos were good, but not great. The fish was very good, and the breading started crispy, but they were not served hot enough. So the ICE COLD slaw and toppings quickly made a cold, soggy mess of the taco. I also thought the ratio of stuff-to-fish was a bit high. And I've been in Baja before, and had just-off-the-boat fish tacos. Not to compare TP to Baja, but my wife opined that when we get stuck at Cheesecake Factory (not by choice), THEIR fish tacos are better than TP's.

The duck was very very tasty, not dry at all, and wonderfully seasoned. However, that was only after picking off most of the very strong pickled onions, which completely overwhelmed the duck.

The tacos al pastor were a disaster, because the pork was very very dry, and the taco had been sitting under the heat lamp long enough to make the tortilla brittle.

Total for 5 tacos and 2 iced teas with tax and tip: $30.

We find ourselves at El Tapatio or La Sirenita in Little Mexico about once a month on the way to DC United games. I usually pay about $30 for dinner for us AND the kids, which includes 6 tacos, a table full of rice and beans, and 4 drinks. And I think that the food there is much better than at TP.

[Joe H]

La Sirenita is entirely different from Taqueria Poblano. For one thing it has the loudest juke box of any restaurant I have ever been into as well as awesome chili rellanos. It is also "authentic," cutting no corners for the occasional gringo who wanders in. Very good mole, too and really interesting soups and stews.

My wife loves Taqueria Poblano favoring the one off of Lee Highway to Alexandria. She has not been to the Riverdale places but I have a feeling that she would not like them as much. Poblano fills a vey different "need" as they do in their own way.

Edited October 10, 2005 by Joe H

[Walrus]

I've never been to the Del Ray version of TP, but we do enjoy the one on Lee Highway. In Alexandria, we head straight for Los Tios...mmmmm...

[The Doctor]

Note to all: The Del Ray location is closed on Tuesdays, as I found out last night to my disappointment. I knew in the back of my head that the Dreamery was too, but forgot that as well. So my trip to the hood last night was a dismal failure. However, their loss was Cheesetique's gain!

[mame11]

Having had many yummy meals at Los Tios in Del Ray, I switched to TP this weekend. I have some questions: 1) how is this place on the cheap eats lists? 2) shouldn't salsa that is not free be insanely good or at least above average? 3) how much salt is used in the verde mole?

Hmmmmm....

[JLK]

Seems cheap to me. What did you order?

[Meaghan]

Having had many yummy meals at Los Tios in Del Ray, I switched to TP this weekend.  I have some questions:  1) how is this place on the cheap eats lists?  2) shouldn't salsa that is not free be insanely good or at least above average?  3) how much salt is used in the verde mole? 

Hmmmmm....

Why, Taqueria Poblano is cheap. Margaritas, granted they aren't the best in town, are impossible to beat at $5.95. And you can have a few fish tacos or a duck carnita, etc. as a meal, the total cost way less than a middle of the road place in town. I'm very familiar with Guajillo since it's really close to where I live, and I know that Taqueria Poblano is about half the price and at this point, twice as satisfying. One of the most expensive meals I know at Poblano was with just one other, a scarfing mavin, a desperately hungry gastronome...and still, after eight margaritas between us two and many refills of chips, the bill was shy $80 bucks . Go anywhere else and order 80% of the menu and 7 or 8 cocktails and enjoy for under $ 100.

[mame11]

Perhaps because I don't really drink that much or that often, inexpensive margaritas don't make a place a good deal for me. I think close to $4 per taco is expensive even for fish tacos. Granted, we had an egg dish and the chicken mole, an order of chips and sodas. The bill was close to $30 not including tip. Still, didn't seem like a bargain for Tex-Mex. Nor did I think it that impressive. I like Los Tios much better. But that is just my personal preference.

[bookluvingbabe]

I tried to go today for lunch. No luck--they just put in a new floor and were closed.

For the love all things holy, can't a restaurant put something on their website when this comes up? I looked at the website just this morning to confirm what I wanted to order.

The trip was not a total waste--I bought many lovely cheeses but...

Sigh...

[mdt]

I tried to go today for lunch.  No luck--they just put in a new floor and were closed.

For the love all things holy, can't a restaurant put something on their website when this comes up?  I looked at the website just this morning to confirm what  I wanted to order.

The trip was not a total waste--I bought many lovely cheeses but...

Sigh...

Right up the street was Los Tios or you could have switched cuisine and gone to Bombay Curry Company or Del Merei...

[shogun]

Man, so that's Taqueria Poblano! Went for the first time today as part of a nice afternoon in Del Ray (Coffee at St. Elmo's while planning something culinarily devious, and naturally, picking up meats and cheeses at Cheesetique)

Went with three tacos: The beef L.A-Style, fried fish, and duck carnitas. Of the three, I think beef LA-style and fish would have to fight it out amongst themselves for my favorite of the day. The duck was good too, and I'd get it again in a second, but it had a lot of guacamole, something I'm not historically that crazy about. On the other hand, all the guac and onions (DanielK was right, there are a lot but I like them!) that fell out was eagerly scooped up with chips once the taco itself was finished! The fish was perfectly crispy and was complemented nicely by the slaw on top. I think now in the end the beef taco was my favorite. The beef was juicy and flavorful, and the toppings were very fresh and crunchy to go with the fried taco shell. These were not wimpy tacos, either. Three were more than ample for me as dinner. In fact, I had origonally intended to sample all four (the fourth being shrimp) as a good intro for my first trip to TP, but was disuaded when I asked if that would be too much food, and indeed it would have been!

[hillvalley]

bump

Anyone know if they have stopped serving the pieces of jicama altogether or do I just have bad timing? I have been there twice in the past 6 weeks and they didn't have my beloved jicama either time.

Last nights dinner was a good as I expect it to be. I had the LA style pork taco for the first time and it was okay, but I wasn't overly impressed. The fish tacos continue to be the standout for me. The last time I was there they had a grilled fish option (instead of their usual fried fish) and I liked that one better. Last night my mom got chile relenios (sp?) and declared it better than the one she had last week in Sonoma. I think our only major complaint was that the salsa was one the sweet side and even the addition of hot sauce didn't provide the heat we were looking for.

The rumaritas were fantastic and provided the necessary lubricant to get my sister to dish out stuff we didn't necessarily needed to hear

[zoramargolis]

bump

Anyone know if they have stopped serving the pieces of jicama altogether or do I just have bad timing? I have been there twice in the past 6 weeks and they didn't have my beloved jicama either time.

Last nights dinner was a good as I expect it to be. I had the LA style pork taco for the first time and it was okay, but I wasn't overly impressed. The fish tacos continue to be the standout for me. The last time I was there they had a grilled fish option (instead of their usual fried fish) and I liked that one better. Last night my mom got chile relenios (sp?) and declared it better than the one she had last week in Sonoma. I think our only major complaint was that the salsa was one the sweet side and even the addition of hot sauce didn't provide the heat we were looking for.

The rumaritas were fantastic and provided the necessary lubricant to get my sister to dish out stuff we didn't necessarily needed to hear

I was at the Arlington branch yesterday for a late lunch. Too early for tacos al pastor, which is my favorite dish there, but which is not available before 5 p.m. I also had the crispy pork taco, which was so-so, and my daughter had a chile relleno, which was quite good. No jicama. I don't eat there very often, so I am unable to identify this as a trend. In general, though, it is just okay.

Then again, I am one of those snobbish, sniff-y Southern Californians. To quote Todd Kliman, in his new Cheap Eats issue revue of La Sirenita: "...we're now getting our first tastes of authentic Mexican cooking. Southern Californians may sniff at the results, but it's a promising development."

[Meaghan]

Drew and I had that chocolate sorbet tonight with the candied lime zest, floating in that moat of tequia. Who elses loves that stuff? We asked for shots of tequia on the side so that we could go home and prank call people drunk and watch dirty television. Dinner was middling (a chili braised beef burrito and a fish taco), but I still thoroughly enjoy this place for an emotional scarf here and there.

[mdt]

After an interesting class in Ancient & Historical cheeses at Cheesetique we stopped in for dinner at TP. We had a couple of the tacos al pastor and I was not impressed. The tasteless and dry pork strips with toppings that really did not integrate well. The only flavors I could detect were pineapple and chili sauce. I should have stuck with the regular fish tacos which seem to be a reliable quantity.

Oh well, the margaritas before and the custard from the DG (caramel heath bar crunch) were good.

[DanielK]

...with toppings that really did not integrate well...

This has always been my chief complaint at TP - when they deviate from "traditional" recipes, they always go astray. You have to order things unadorned, and it's not a real bargain.

That said, we almost always land up here after a Cheesetique class, because there's nothing better within a block or two.

[mktye]

After an interesting class in Ancient & Historical cheeses at Cheesetique we stopped in for dinner at TP. We had a couple of the tacos al pastor and I was not impressed. The tasteless and dry pork strips with toppings that really did not integrate well. The only flavors I could detect were pineapple and chili sauce. I should have stuck with the regular fish tacos which seem to be a reliable quantity.

Oh well, the margaritas before and the custard from the DG (caramel heath bar crunch) were good.

You almost got it right:

Step 1: Cheesetique -- something smelly, something runny, something blue, something hard

Step 2: Taqueria Poblano -- 1 fish taco, 1 duck taco (alternate bites between the two)

Step 3: The Dairy Godmother -- 1 medium frozen custard (the small size melts too fast)

[cucas87]

I've wanted to try this place for a long time and last night seemed like the perfect time to do so: a little cold, rainy, I didn't want to think about "cooking," and my recently-graduated-from-college cousin called for suggestions of a(nother) cheap place to eat. So we headed to the Arlington (Lee Harrison shopping center) location. When we arrived there at 6 we were some of the only people in the restaurant, but by 6:30 it was hopping. We each had a margarita (tasty and a relief that they are not made from a mix) and then we each ordered one of the day's specials: my cousin ordered the sirloin tacos and I ordered the grilled salmon (dr.com fit for summer challenge in my mind). The salmon was nicely grilled but the portion was pretty small. It came with rice, pickled onions, tomatoes and some slaw as well as corn tortillas. My cousin said the sirloin tacos were good and they came with rice. The food was good, not great, and we spent, including the tip, $49.00. Had we ordered off of the regular menu we would have spent much less, which is something I'll keep in mind for the future. The Arlington location is close to me and just for the drinks alone I'll go back, but I don't know that I'd bump Sushi Zen -- my usual Lee-Harrison hangout-- out of rotation for a trip to Taqueria Poblano.

[monavano]

It's been a while since I've been to TP, so we stopped by today for lunch after the market across the street. I have to say, this visit left us feeling more positive than we ever been have about a meal. Perhaps it's that the food is fresher, and just cooked at the beginning of the day, but the chili braised beef was excellent. Mr. MV had this in his obscenly large burrito. For $8.75, it could feed two, and was filled with good proportion of meat to bean to cheese.

I had 2 L.A. style crispy tacos which came out perfectly crunchy however did not fall apart after the first bite. Nice. One had the chili braised beef and I opted for adobo pork for the other. The beef was so delicious today, I wished I'd had orderd 2. Not that the pork was not good. It was.

They still have a free basket of warm chips with homemade salsa to start. No jicama as I seem to recall before. Another basket is only a buck, and I think that's a ncie bargain.

The lime cooler was puckerlicious.

[Joe H]

Taqueria Poblano was seemingly empty (yes, empty!) on a recent Friday night. Probably about half full. Next door was a mobbed pizza joint with a wood burning oven that was new. We didn't go there so we don't know exactly how good their pizza was. Still, given my obsession with coal oven pizza, it's just a matter of time until I "discover" it. But TP was not as good as it has been in the past. Frankly, in combination with a less than half full dining room on a Friday night this was not, well, encouraging. I've liked this place in the past and now, with competition from the adjacent family friendly pizzaria it seems to be fading. I would like to believe that TP will return to what it served for several years before the pizza chain's opening and recapture my heart and stomach. BUT, based on what we were served on a recent Friday night, some one seems to have thrown in the towel! For myself and for the neighborhood this is NOT an encouraging development...

[pizza man]

I do mean the Jicama, my wife likes it, I can't stand the stuff. But I would be happy to eat around it. The main issue I have with it in the basket is that it makes the chips that it touches soggy, and very unpleasent.

No jicama in the chip basket last night. I kind of miss it now.

The rest of the meal was good, and cheap. Great place to take the kids.

At 8:30 the place was full except for the final table where we were seated.

[DonRocks]

Don't let the two Pennsylvania locations of Faccia Luna throw you off ... certainly not when there are two New Zealand locations of Taqueria Poblano. No, really ... there are! Click, and scroll to the bottom. Who knew?

Cheers,

Rocks.

[Joe H]

Sounds like an amicable dissolution of a divorce. And, one needed to move as far away from the other as possible!

[lperry]

I had a nice lunch/brunch in Del Ray yesterday. Two of us had the egg and cheese enchiladas which were very nicely done and just delicious. The other plate was the pork tamales which were pronounced very good, but they would have been excellent if they had been heated up a little more before serving.

[DannyNoonan]

Another weeknight dinner TP in Arlington last night. I ordered my usual Pacifico, shrimp tacos al carbon and my wife had fish taco & shrimp taco with side of refried beans. Our 2yr old had guacamole and cheese quesadilla. As usual, the food was quite good, service was friendly & attentive. The guacamole could use a little more punch - maybe lime or jalapeno but overall it's a nice effort. Fish tacos and shrimp tacos are very good. Nice soft tortillas, good fillings. Overall, nice neighborhood place that we are fortunate to have nearby.

[DonRocks]

Here's what happens when a restaurant owner spends her 25th anniversary working, and cheerful customers walk in thirty minutes before closing time:

Happy Anniversary, Lindsay!

[ktmoomau]

I am very happy to have Taqueria Poblano near our house, and while the condo was being renovated it was a nice affordable meal. Went recently ate there and I got the shrimp tacos al carbon, which were very good, might have to get them again next time. Not tough, but a good flavor and I can't lie that I like the melted cheese part. Hubby gets the crispy LA tacos, but recently he got the enchiladas and those were really good, as well, I kept stealing bites. And they have a good breakfast burrito.

They now have ads now and then in the Clipper magazine for a buy one entree get the second half off deal, which makes it a very tasty bargain.

[lperry]

I want to send out kudos to Taquerîa Poblano for staying open as late as possible during recent snow events, and having excellent food and service despite being run by what was clearly a fraction of the usual staff. Both of us work from home quite a bit, and lunches out in Del Ray sometimes happen five days a week. Poblano has become a favorite because we can always count on consistently good food and service. Favorites include shrimp tacos, veggie tacos, and whatever fish is on the special menu, particularly mahi mahi. The margaritas are pretty good too.

[DonRocks]

I want to send out kudos to Taquerîa Poblano for staying open as late as possible during recent snow events, and having excellent food and service despite being run by what was clearly a fraction of the usual staff. Both of us work from home quite a bit, and lunches out in Del Ray sometimes happen five days a week. Poblano has become a favorite because we can always count on consistently good food and service. Favorites include shrimp tacos, veggie tacos, and whatever fish is on the special menu, particularly mahi mahi. The margaritas are pretty good too.

I had brunch at Taqueria Poblano this past Sunday. A large pint glass of fresh-squeezed orange juice was $2.75 and worth every penny. Huevos Motuleños (Motul is a town in the northern Yucatán) was a nice change of pace (for me) from Huevos Rancheros. Tacqueria Poblano's version uses tomatillo sauce and chorizo to accompany two runny fried eggs, refried beans, and tortillas. Their salsa, which comes gratis with a basket of chips, has really improved over the years - the flawed fruity overtones have evolved into subtle fruity undertones.

Cheers,

Rocks.

[wendydb22]

I love the Poblano! My husband and I eat at the Harrison St. location about once every two weeks.

The food is always consistent and the margaritas hit the spot after a particularly rough week/end.

I order the pork tacos or tostada probably the most. Yum.

[DannyNoonan]

I love the Poblano! My husband and I eat at the Harrison St. location about once every two weeks.

The food is always consistent and the margaritas hit the spot after a particularly rough week/end.

I order the pork tacos or tostada probably the most. Yum.

I wholeheartedly concur about the margaritas. I live nearby the Harrison St location so we frequent that spot on Fridays. A couple margaritas and shrimp tacos al carbon are a comforting elixir no matter what kind of week I have had.

[DonRocks]

Calorically deprived, I was in the mood for a good, old-fashioned gooey Bean and Cheese Burrito ($6.75) yesterday. Ordered carryout, it came with everything I needed - including three types of sauce. Everything, that is, except napkins. Ouch.

Nevertheless ... scarfed with gusto in the car. It was exquisite.

Cheers,

Rocks

[monavano]

Calorically deprived, I was in the mood for a good, old-fashioned gooey Bean and Cheese Burrito ($6.75) yesterday. Ordered carryout, it came with everything I needed - including three types of sauce. Everything, that is, except napkins. Ouch.

Nevertheless ... scarfed with gusto in the car. It was exquisite.

Cheers,

Rocks

Mr. MV loves their burritos-they're about the size of a cruise missile.

[ktmoomau]

Went to the Lee-Harrison location last night and just felt like things weren't entirely on. Tres Enchiladas were lacking the flavor they have had in the past, and seemed to be missing a flavor component while they had a decent amount of heat. Salsa seemed not quite as good, chips not quite as fresh as normal. Perhaps it was an off night, or maybe I was just grumpy. It was ok, just not up to normal.

The live guitar music was really nice though. And hubby seemed as happy as normal with his tacos.

[ktmoomau]

Went for brunch the other morning. I had Huevos Mexicanos. I really like their eggs, they are creamy and light with good veggies and spicy chorizo, it just all had a really nice flavor. Huge plate of eggs. I got a side or corn tortillas and some salsa with it, mmm. I like the breakfast here generally, but a lot of the specials end up being the best things. And they will make you pretty much anything off the other menu minus a few proteins if you ask, they are really nice.

[Sundae in the Park]

We were in the other night and enjoyed the beef and fish tacos as usual. We've been sampling the Mexican places out here in Fairfax and were wishing that they would set up an outpost.

[liz2041]

Coming soon signs are up for the new Taqueria Poblano on the Pike. Prime location in the new Penrose Square complex. I am insanely excited for this to come to Southie!

[Josh Radigan]

We were in the other night and enjoyed the beef and fish tacos as usual. We've been sampling the Mexican places out here in Fairfax and were wishing that they would set up an outpost.

Went in a couple of weeks ago, the Del Ray outpost and had a blah kind of meal. Nothing great, but then again nothing tow rite home about. I had the vegetable tacos, hard shell and they were ok. Bland flavors, but then again it could have simply been the vegeratbles themselves. My wife had the Bean burrito and it was cold on the isnide as well as the queso with it, cold. Will go back and rsutle up another try. Just waiting to see how the Los Tios expansion takes off.

[DanCole42]

Just got back from Mexico. Wanted to go back. Saw tacos al pastor ($3.95). Couldn't resist.

The tacos were great: well spiced, wrapped in corn tortillas, with just a hint of the traditional pineapple.

I will echo what someone else said: the tortilla chips tasted stale. Like they'd come from a bag that had been sitting out. For shame. You monster.

Try the Mayan chocolate fritters. They're kind of like chocolate truffles that have been deep fried and served over vanilla ice cream.

[ktmoomau]

Had puffy tacos chicken and pork from the Lee-Harrison location that were really good the other night. Restored my spirits. I also like that the server mentioned they do not use margarita mix (although I stuck to coke this time). I love the LA Crispy style tacos...

[dcs]

Cold meat in the fish taco and duck taco for take out lunch at Harrison Street today will probably delay any quick return visit by me. That cannot be how they intended to serve them, can it? It was not attributable to the 10 minute ride home, either. This was not room temperature. It was cold.

[DonRocks]

Cold meat in the fish taco and duck taco for take out lunch at Harrison Street today will probably delay any quick return visit by me. That cannot be how they intended to serve them, can it? It was not attributable to the 10 minute ride home, either. This was not room temperature. It was cold.

This is a common mishap with restaurants that shred meat, store it in tubs, and refrigerate it overnight (which many places do - think Surfside, Shophouse, and Chipotle). In general, I find this location of Taqueria Poblano to serve fairly room-temperature offerings including burritos (I never consciously noticed this before now).

[dcs]

This is a common mishap with restaurants that shred meat, store it in tubs, and refrigerate it overnight (which many places do - think Surfside, Shophouse, and Chipotle). In general, I find this location of Taqueria Poblano to serve fairly room-temperature offerings including burritos (I never consciously noticed this before now).

The tell should have been when they said it would take 15 minutes for my order and I ran next door for 5 minutes and it was ready and bagged when I returned. I made up for the disappointment with dinner at Masa 14 tonight.

[ktmoomau]

Not normally how they serve them... We went Sunday morning-ish with the BIL and a friend and had crispy tacos which were good, and warm (but the crispy hot taco shell probably helps with that). Although it was hard to pass up breakfast tacos.

[ktmoomau]

Came back from France wanted some tacos so we came for some crispy tacos, mmmm. Very fresh, hot and crispy shells of goodness. Those shells really make the difference between a normal taco and a great taco for me, not that normal tacos can't be great for other reasons, but it really elevates a taco for me. I just love the crispiness of it.

[goodeats]

And now on Columbia Pike.

[goldenticket]

Taqueria Poblano is donating 20% of today's sales to the Red Cross for Sandy-related relief efforts. All three locations are included.

Sounds like a good day for Mexican brunch to me...

[DonRocks]

I long for the days of childhood when I could have bad Mexican food and not notice or care.

Between my dinner at Los Toltecos last week, and my inedible lunch at Taqueria El Poblano today (infuriating because I was starving and it was a carryout order), I'm cured of slutty Tex-Mex for the immediate future.

I had downgraded this place in the Dining Guide awhile back, and have just downgraded it further. My apologies to District Taco which is also upgraded (it's not awesome, but it's better than this).

Cheers,

The Sysco Kid

[zoramargolis]

When it opened, Taqueria (el) Poblano was supposed to be California-style, not Tex-Mex. But no point in quibbling. Bad is bad, whatever the style.

[mtureck]

Used to love that place, but haven't been back in a while. What's wrong with the food now?

[lperry]

Oh no! We had a really fresh and good meal at the North Arlington location on Saturday. Which one was it, and what happened?

[DonRocks]

When it opened, Taqueria (el) Poblano was supposed to be California-style, not Tex-Mex. But no point in quibbling. Bad is bad, whatever the style.

I think you're right, but I don't exactly know the difference. I know it when I see it (California-style seems greener, fresher, "cleaner"), but if someone asked me to define it, I don't think I could. Could you write a post "Tex-Mex vs. California Mex" in Shopping and Cooking?

Used to love that place, but haven't been back in a while. What's wrong with the food now?

My last couple of meals here tasted so ... Sysco-y. I was ravenous today, and when I was driving home, I was thinking "Burrito! Burrito! Burrito! Yes! Yes! Yes!" Then, I got home and started eating. The food was cold (I got a bean and cheese burrito), but I'm not that concerned about that. About the third bite in, something tasted "off," and I'm reminded of my very first meal of ... 2005? 2004? (NB - Interesting argument between Zora and Todd here). I was in Little Mexico, I can't remember where, and got some horrifically rank queso blanco on a burrito, the smell from which stayed in my car for about a week. This wasn't that bad, but there was something sour that couldn't be attributed to the sour cream (which I tasted separately and was fine). That aside, the (large) guacamole was really mediocre, and the food truly did taste like it all came from a Sysco truck - crummy chips, stale tortilla, run of the mill sauce. I finished about 1/4 of it, and decided it wasn't worth the calories (and the lunch, plus tax and tip, was over $17!) - I love guacamole, and for me not to eat it says something, though I'm not sure what. I have since taken a nap and realize I may have been a bit harsh, but my last few meals here have disappointed me. I was going to ask if there were any dissenting opinions, hoping that my last couple of visits (to the Arlington location) were aberrations, and I'm happy to have found this:

Oh no! We had a really fresh and good meal at the North Arlington location on Saturday. Which one was it, and what happened?

Because I really think the people who run this store are super-friendly, and the times that I've eaten in, I've really enjoyed the neighborhood vibe and the gently priced margaritas. Well anyway, I apologize for writing in a huff - I'm a little bit run down and my palate may be off a bit as well. Back in the 1990s, I used to love the Del Ray location, and would make special trips to go there - I cannot imagine the quality hasn't declined because I would never make a special trip for food like this, even when my palate was a lot less cultivated. On a side note, I used to *love* Burrito Brothers (Super Spinach Burrito, extra hot sauce, yum) but that, too, went way, way downhill before finally vanishing.

[zoramargolis]

I was in Little Mexico, I can't remember where, and got some horrifically rank queso blanco on a burrito, the smell from which stayed in my car for about a week.

That happened to me at Mixtec in Adams Morgan--a chile relleno filled with spoiled cheese. They replaced it with something else, but there was no apology of any sort. I've never been back. If a cook can send out food that stinks of spoilage, there is something rotten in the kitchen beyond a bad ingredient.

[ktmoomau]

We are here between once and month every other weekend for lunch between errands. But I never get a burrito, I am just not a burrito person, I don't like the way they are all big and smushed and well, just a personal thing. I like their crispy tacos, some weekends they are better than others in terms of the flavor of the meat and ratios. Sometimes the chips are up and down a little, but we have never had anything stale or bad, sometimes they are thicker, sometimes thinner, sometimes hot sometimes you know they are prob leftover from the night before. But we pretty much stick to basics- chicken, steak or pork crispy tacos and we stray very little from our normal order. Always North Arlington location. I don't think it is like stand out stellar, or drive out of your way for, and I do think District Taco, except for the taco shell itself is better. (And DT's chips are better, but I like TP's salsa better.) And I have never done take out. They are always really nice though. Last time I was there I accidentally ripped off a scab on my hand on the way out the door to grocery shop, they had a bandaid for me. I am sure if they knew what happened with your burrito they would try to make it right, they are always so nice. I can't say much about a lot of the other items on the menu because I don't get a lot of other things. But I can say they make good margaritas.

[Mark Dedrick]

On a side note, I used to *love* Burrito Brothers (Super Spinach Burrito, extra hot sauce, yum) but that, too, went way, way downhill before finally vanishing.

It hasn't completely vanished, the one on Pennsylvania Avenue on Capitol Hill is still trucking along. When I first moved to DC and had no money they had a special where if you bought four burritos you got one free. The trick was to convince at least three (ideally four) of your coworkers that they wanted to eat Burrito Brothers for lunch that day, offer to pick their food up for them, and end up with a free burrito out of it. I'd often eat that extra burrito for dinner. I was sad when they got rid of that deal.

[anhdeluxe]

Ate at the Del Ray location last weekend and loved it. Had the special crab quesadilla and my usual duck carnitas. DH likes a crispy shell so he got one beef, one chicken, and one pork. He wouldn't share.  My quesadilla was simple, cheesy, generous with fresh crab meat, not a speck of cartilage. With a couple tablespoons of guacamole, but a healthy serving of rice and beans too. My duck, my favorite, as always, came with addictive hot pink pickled onions. Deeply satisfying fare in a great eating neighborhood.

[DonRocks]

Ate at the Del Ray location last weekend and loved it. Had the special crab quesadilla and my usual duck carnitas. DH likes a crispy shell so he got one beef, one chicken, and one pork. He wouldn't share.  My quesadilla was simple, cheesy, generous with fresh crab meat, not a speck of cartilage. With a couple tablespoons of guacamole, but a healthy serving of rice and beans too. My duck, my favorite, as always, came with addictive hot pink pickled onions. Deeply satisfying fare in a great eating neighborhood.

Old Town Crier has a fun interview with Owner Glen Adams here.

[Johnf]

Del Ray location: Seriously? I dont even want to bother writing a review so as not to waste any more time on this place. First, the server couldnt care less. Another server for another table was very friendly, ours didnt seem to care. Ok, but we were there to eat, so ok. I dont eat chips all that much, but they were completely stale, and the salsa was some sort of pebbly crap. Then our food came, the shrimp dish had 5 shrimp, then a heaping helping of grilled onions and peppers with some sort of cheese on it (not even machengo). Then the rice was poorly cooked, so I couldnt even fill myself on that. Seriously, i want my time back so I can eat something that doesnt make me want to wretch. One of the first meals in a long time where I almost left when we got our food.

[ktmoomau]

Harris-Lee location- had the smothered beef burrito for the first time last night no crema.  I don't typically eat burritos, I don't know if I would have loved it stand alone a little texturally one note inside, but it was good smoothered with red sauce, guacamole and habenero sauce (we must go here enough they now know one of us likes the haberno brought over.  Hubby got his typical crispy taco order, which is what we normally get.  We never go to any other locations though.

[ktmoomau]

If you can't tell this is one of our fall back places to eat.  We went here Sunday morning before grocery shopping.  I had the hash.  It was ok, but the potatoes weren't crispy enough. All the flavor was there it just needed some super crisp potatoes so there was more varying texture.  MK got crispy tacos as usual.  Also their salsa was particularly good and fresh with a little more heat than usual in a good way (I would still categorize it as mild).  Service was great.  

[ktmoomau]

Back to the crispy tacos with their house habenero sauce... mmmm.  Sometimes I get these and they are like a dream come true and sometimes I get them and they are just good, but I have never ate one that is bad.  I think the difference for me is how seasoned and/or soupy the meat in the tacos is, for me the more seasoning the better and not too soft of a filling inside, but not dry.  I would REALLY like to know exactly how they make their salsa.  On Twitter they said everything was roasted.  I adore their salsa to the point I have thought about buying it bottled.

[ktmoomau]

So I had a really horrible meal the other night at the Lee Harris location.  I should have known better, I normally don't stray too far- crispy tacos, tostada, breakfast items, maybe some steak fajitas, enchiladas aren't bad.  But normally it's crispy tacos all the way.  Instead I foolishly got the chicken mole.  The chicken was so hard, not sure how you get chicken to the point of being that solid.  I didn't really have any texture besides being overcooked, just not a winner at all.  Anyway that just made me crave crispy taco goodness more because I knew in my heart I should have ordered them.

[DonRocks]

So I had a really horrible meal the other night at the Lee Harris location.  I should have known better, I normally don't stray too far- crispy tacos, tostada, breakfast items, maybe some steak fajitas, enchiladas aren't bad.  But normally it's crispy tacos all the way.  Instead I foolishly got the chicken mole.  The chicken was so hard, not sure how you get chicken to the point of being that solid.  I didn't really have any texture besides being overcooked, just not a winner at all.  Anyway that just made me crave crispy taco goodness more because I knew in my heart I should have ordered them.

I hate to say this, because the owner there is *so nice*, but I kind of gave up on Taqueria Poblano a few years ago - you can see where it is in the Multiple Locations Guide, and that isn't by accident. I was finding my food there to be served merely warm; not hot, and it just wasn't doing it for me. Remember when they had only one location in Del Ray? I used to drive there from McLean for dinner. Still, it's the best place in Lee-Harrison Shopping Center to sit at a bar (which admittedly isn't saying much).

[ktmoomau]

Ok, so Taqueria Poblano needs to have nachos on the regular menu and not just as a special, OMG they are my nacho nirvana.  I got beef and they were just the perfect amount of cheese, shredded meat, pinto beans, chips, sauce ratio to my liking- lots of cheese and not a weird type, a fair amount of beans and meat, chips and then wizzled and not an excessive dollop of sauce.  I had them pre-Super Bowl and it was a delightful gluttony of nachos.  They didn't gourmet it up, it was just the bar nachos you want when you want nachos, but they also weren't overly sloppy as they had a good ratio going.  I know many people don't like this place, and I feel they do have a limited menu they execute well.  They should just take burritos off the menu and add nachos.  

[ktmoomau]

Went Friday night after the gym- as I was feeling a bit weak and wasn't up for cooking.  Hubby and I had enchiladas and crispy tacos.  The enchiladas are nothing to write home about, but acceptable.  The crispy tacos continue to be the thing that will always bring me back here.

[Davo99]

What brings me back are the margaritas - for my 5 cents among the best in the area - and the tacos al carbon (for me, either steak or pork), which are fine by themselves but come with an absolutely delicious side of cheese-topped grilled veggies that are placed under the broiler.  Their sour mix is nice and tart - and steeps overnight with lime zest for a nice pop.

[ktmoomau]

Anytime I am out of the country for a while I crave tacos, so upon arrival home, Matt and I took me to Taqueria Poblano to get our normal order of one of each kind of crispy taco.  If anyone read this thread they should notice a theme... get the crispy tacos here, I rarely bother with anything else, but I crave their crispy tacos from other countries even.  

[dcs]

Lee-Harrison location closed through January 7 "for a boring floor repair."

[ktmoomau]

Luckily Lee Harrison was back open on time for my post International Travel crispy taco craving.  Miriam is our normal server there, and we talked a little bit as Matt wasn't with me.  I got my normal order, although the beef taco plate on special was tempting.  The beef are definitely the best of the best of the crispy tacos, I like it with the habenero sauce, the pork are the second best and are good with the hot sauce on the table which has more vinegar, the chicken are still good, but sometimes are better than others- I really prefer these when Matt orders something other than tacos and I can steal his guacamole to add to it, but also very good with their salsa.  I really like their salsa, I know it is roasted, but I haven't figure out exactly what type of pepper, tomato and onion they use to get it exactly like it is...  I just really like the flavor, it is similar to my Rick Bayless recipe, but the varietals are just slightly different.

[dcs]

Maybe it's not your favorite restaurant (or, maybe it is).  In any event, just do it for the kids for crying out loud.  Would it kill you to stop by for a couple of margaritas and some food?

Quote

Dine-out night:  Taqueria el Poblano on May 16
Eat at Taqueria el Poblano in the Lee Harrison Shopping Center to support Yorktown Theatre! Have  lunch (11:30 am-3 pm) or dinner (5-10 pm) there on Wednesday, May 16, and Taqueria will donate a portion of the proceeds from your meal. Tell your server that you are there to support Yorktown Theatre.

 

[ktmoomau]

Got crispy tacos this past weekend at Del Ray and they were on point.  This is going to sound terrible, but I miss the ambiance of North Arlington.  You just have a little more space and it feels a bit more leisurely.  But you can't deny the crispy tacos.

[captcourt]

On 1/18/2018 at 11:39 AM, ktmoomau said:

... Miriam is our normal server there

Miriam, who is a joy, has been our normal server since TP was only in Del Ray.  We were so excited to see her at the then-"new" location on Harrison St., since we live about a 6-minute drive away.    

[ktmoomau]

So... I don't know why, but I just don't like the Del Ray location- at all.  I don't think the food is as good and it is too small inside to really enjoy the experience. Just my unpopular opinion.  I need to try the Columbia Pike location a few times.  We had to be in Arlington the other day, so went back to our old stomping grounds of the Lee Harrison location- and we got crispy tacos and a margarita.  It was just soo much better than the same version in Del Ray.  Maybe it's because the kitchen is so much smaller, or a difference in the chefs.  Not sure, and I thought maybe I was just crazy, but Hubby also shares this opinion.

[DonRocks]

On 2/11/2019 at 11:33 AM, ktmoomau said:

This is going to sound terrible, but I miss the ambiance of North Arlington.  You just have a little more space and it feels a bit more leisurely.  

That extra space also highlights the generous (if oafish) sizing of their margaritas, which come in something resembling a water glass.

[ktmoomau]

4 minutes ago, DonRocks said:

That extra space also highlights the generous (if oafish) sizing of their margaritas, which come in something resembling a water glass.

Not sure which Margarita you get- mine always come in a normal size rocks/normal small drinking glass!  I will have to branch out.  But I will admit to order at other Tex-Mex places those giant corona-ritas on occassion.

[ktmoomau]

We have gotten take out from the Taq a few times during Covid.  I want to get their nacho kit.  But the other day, while it wasn't quite so cold yet, I ate outside at Harrison St and got three crispy tacos.  Man it was good to have someone else cook for me, and to eat it hot and fresh.