District Taco

Whether you’re a local or a visitor, District Taco is the place to go. Fresh ingredients lead to delicious plates. The salsa bar provides for an awesome variety and the service is quick. Seating is limited, so many take it to go. Overall, fantastic experience at District Taco!

There needs to be more District Tacos outside of DC. At first I thought that this venue would be pretty similar to Chipotle, but they’ve secured their own place in DC and in my heart.
I ordered a burrito desnudo (a burrito without the tortilla) and enjoyed getting a bowl of rice, beans, chicken, lettuce, and pico de gallo. But what really made the meal? The mestizo salsa. MMM! They need to sell bottles of those! When you place your order, they hand you a card with a number, a word in Spanish, and its English translation. It’s a nice touch.
$ 7 for an awesome bowl of burrito is hard to beat. In addition to burritos, they also serve tacos, salads, nachos, and quesadillas, as well as huevos racheros and breakfast burritos for breakfast. Next time I’m in DC, I’m coming back here.

Was craving Torchy’s Tacos extremely badly and got sad when I realized the closest one is like 1500 miles away so I Unilocaled best DC tacos and District Taco popped up! While it of course cannot compare to the glory of true Houston tex-​mex, I was immensely satisfied with my meal and will definitely be coming back next time the craving hits!
The vibe is very casual and trendy. You walk in, order at the counter, and can help yourself to a huge salsa bar while waiting for your food. They have lots of options, from enchiladas to bowls to nachos, but I went with the tacos (3 tacos for only $ 8!) and a small side of the queso.
My choices were the barbacoa, pollo asado, and fish tacos, all «Mexican style» (just means cilantro and onions instead of «American style» — lettuce, cheese & pico). All three tacos were delicious. The best was definitely the pollo asado, but the fish was also fresh & very well seasoned. I was most excited for the barbacoa but was actually most disappointed in that one. I probably wouldn’t order it again, as it was pretty dry & needed more seasoning. The queso was also very good — not anything special, but will definitely do the trick for any queso craving.
Overall, I was really impressed by District Taco! It’s certainly no Torchy’s, but for DC these tacos are the way to go. I have a feeling I’ll be here a lot this summer!

Touring around Washington and found this awesome place. Straight to the point — fast service, HUGE portions, cheap. As a Canadian, i am impressed with how huge the burrito bowls are here! Everything was fresh and the salad bar is great! Loaded up with some more toppings. Once you order, you can sit down and someone will call out your number and deliver it right to your table (if you get one anyways). The portion was so huge, it feeds two people to the fullest.
Great service! Quick and easy.

This place was the real deal! I didn’t think I would find good tacos outside of Chicago –but this place had it going on! I liked all the Spanish jokes and sayings in the place –it was like a cooler, hipper Chipotle vibe (industrial, exposed ceiling etc.) –And, obviously, more authentic food than Chipotle. The only similarity is the design of the space. This was a modern taqueria as compared to the tiny local joints in Chicago which are kind of, frankly, ugly and old school. American vibe décor meets authentic Mexican food!
I ordered the chicken tacos and they were really good! Happy, overall, with my experience there!

This place is awesome. I usually like to avoid the taco chains, but I had to give this place a try. We ordered the Barbacoa, Carne Asada and Al Pastor. The trick with this place is to PILE ON THE TOPPINGS! Add all the toppings that’s listed on their menu and add the premium ones if you’d like. The Pastor had the nice pineapple marinated with their house made guajillo salsa. Barbacoa here is a little different not as sweet as other places, but the tender meat is a plus. I could tell the steak was just taken off the grill with each piece having the fresh hot grill marks. You can’t beat 3 tacos for $ 8 in the District. I’ll be back to try the ensalada and burrito’s. Parking is always tight around this area, but I seem to always find parking around the Staples about a 5 minute walk away.

Skip the tacos and go for the nachos! The Barbacoa, creamy queso, smoky grilled onions and crunchy chips are a heavenly combination. You can pile on the toppings from the salsa bar which is awesome! Definitely ask for the habanero salsa at the front counter if you can handle extra spicy; but go easy on it, I have to say I think I met my match!

District Taco is a popular Mexican chain in the DC area. My boyfriend and I visited a few weeks ago while in DC, and while it hit the spot at the time, it was definitely not the best taco joint I have encountered. We both ordered a set of three different tacos. The meat and toppings were fresh and delicious — and we loaded our tacos with those toppings even though they recommend limiting it to three. However, their corn tortillas were somewhat bland and had a weird texture, which really took away from the flavor of the meat and toppings. I am not sure if they were heated up/​fried before making the taco. I ended up eating most of the meat and toppings with a fork rather than including the tortillas.
The salsa bar was just okay as well, as all the salsa flavors were very similar to each other and just varied with the level of hotness.

I had high hopes for this place given the reviews but I was really disappointed with the quality.
I came here for a late lunch with a friend. We both got the three taco platter: barbacoa, al pastor, and pollo, all made the Mexican way. The barbacoa was great. The other two were not good. The chicken was tough and tasted over cooked. The other taco was rubbery and had no flavor except for the pineapple and the salsa I added myself. I have had much better tacos elsewhere and with more filling.
The place was also a mess. Trash everywhere, tables a mess, salsa spilled around, and table legs propped up with wads of napkins.

After a day of museum hopping, I was famished but I just couldn’t eat another sandwich, then I remembered that District Taco was close to the Museum for Women in the Arts.
I got three corn tacos for $ 8.00 (one carne, one barbacoa and the Al Pastor) and got one taco the American way and the other the Mexican way.
My favorite was the Al Pastor – I just love the savoryness (yes, I know this is not a word) of the pork with the sweetness of the pineapple.
While you wait, they give you a flash card with a number and a word of a noun – mine was Rana which is frog in Spanish. See, you get a little Spanish lesson as you eat.
The service was good, can’t complain and you can get salsa toppings at the salsa bar – they have plenty to choose from and they are pretty as far as spice/​heat level is concerned. All in all, I enjoyed my tacos and I look forward to trying out some other ones.

You know, the funny thing about Mexican food places is that they always carry the same things. So for me, that means I want EVERYTHING.
Love:
+ Big breakfast burrito ($ 7)
+ Tacos (3 for $ 8) with all the greats: al pastor, barbacoa, carne asada, etc.
+ Variety of veggie tacos too
+ Fast and friendly service
Not so love:
— The space is not spacious. Cross your fingers you get a seat!
I didn’t get to try the tacos this time, so another visit is def in the works for me.

The tacos are good and the service is fast. Overall, the food was average.
We ordered pretty much the entire range on the tacos– barbacoa, carnitas, chicken, and carne asada. All of the meats were pretty good. The carnitas were a little dry and very peppery; otherwise, very little flavors. The barbacoa was probably the best if we had to rank. It would be nice if they had a different ordering system. either Chipotle style where you can customize on the spot as you go or a paper menu, but that’s a personal preference. We also ordered the Huevos Rancheros and it was also pretty average. I liked that it was fresh black beans instead of refried beans, but I think some people would dislike this.
The salsa bar is nice. We particularly loved the Colorado salsa, super intense spicy. But in general, all of the salsas were very good.

I’m always optimistic about District Taco because lots of people rave about it. I’ve only had DT a few times, always ordering the burrito desnudo. Each time, I still don’t get all the hype. The food is pretty average; there’s nothing about the food that was special to me… Although sliiightly cheaper (less than $ 1), I’d rather have Chipotle.
There was no line when I went in and ordered, around 7:30pm on a Wednesday, but shortly afterwards the line started getting really long. They have some seating on the second floor but it was all filled. They also have some outdoor seating, which is fine if the weather is nice.
I really appreciate the personality and signs at DT. There’s a sign for everything, telling you how to order, what comes with your order, etc. Everything is laid out — which is helpful if this is your first time at DT. Also, when you’re at the counter ordering, they have a screen facing you that shows you an itemized list of your order and toppings. Great way to minimize error. The cashier was really friendly and my order was made fairly quick — the wait was probably five minutes.
I got the burrito desnudo (aka burrito bowl — no tortillas on the side allowed here!) with the pollo asado (grilled chicken) as my protein. I loaded it up with toppings — basically all of them minus the beans and jalapenos. One burrito bowl here costs $ 7.70. The «garlic-​lime» rice that is the base of the burrito bowl had no flavor; it wasn’t garlic-​y or limey at all. The chicken was tender and flavorful. The grilled veggies (aka fajitas/​onions and peppers) gave the bowl a fresh bite and some texture. All the other toppings that I got — pico de gallo, sour cream, lettuce, cheese, onions, etc. — were all pretty standard. Since I skipped the beans, I feel like my portion was actually smaller. I prefer Chipotle because they make your order in front of you so you can ask for more toppings (and I like to ask for more rice because I get no beans). Here at DT, you don’t see them make your order so the portions and amount of toppings are a gamble.
The only distinguisher here is DT’s salsa bar. They have a self-​serve salsa bar, along with other toppings like raw onions, limes, cilantro, etc., that you can add to your dish. I got the tomatillo (mild) and chiltomate (medium) salsas. Both gave my bowl some additional flavor, and makes DT different from other, similar Mexican joints.
They say insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. I must be insane because that is my relationship with District Taco, since despite the average food, I’ll be back. But, after reading some other Unilocal reviews, maybe I’ll try a taco next time (as another Unilocaler pointed out, it’s called District TACO for crying out loud). The fish tacos sound tempting.

I used to love District Taco, but lately it’s been so packed during lunchtime it’s ridiculous. You place an order for pickup online and either
1) no one is there to give you your pick up order 2) you’re expected to wait in line at the rear register with people who didn’t even place their orders yet
3) they prepped your food so far in advance it’s already cold
I’ve even gone for dinner after work and it would sometimes STILL be packed. I think it’s one of those small venues that became so popular that it now gets overcrowded. And as a result, the food quality has just gone down. I really loved this place and was a regular, but the past couple experiences have been so frustrating I’m kind of over it.
They still get a three for having been my favorite taco place, serving decent tacos, that salsa bar, the huge burritos, and friendly staff. I just wish there were some way to better manage the crowd and that the fish tacos would taste as good as they used to.

FANTASTICO! I ordered 12 different tacos. I wanted to eat more…
Taste: Delicious!
Price: Not bad.
Choice: Many. There is a free salsa and sauce bar. You can make your favorite taco with it for sure!
Customer service: OK. Not that friendly nor flexible…
Seats: Outside and 2 floor.
Atmosphere: Pretty casual.
Location: Awesome. At the heart of DC.
Parking: Garages! Not cheap.

After my 7^th check-​in, I must update my review with 5 stars. Except for the first visit, I have ordered online. Every time I went to pick up my order, my food ready at my designated time. People at the «Online Order Pick Up» are all so nice. I l was so grateful when I went there to pick up but realized my order didn’t go through. The male staff was kind nod enough to take my order right there (instead of sending me to the very long line all the way out of the store.) and my order was made immediately! I was so impressed!
This District Taco has both the quality food and quality service!

I did not partake as I picked up food for a client, associate & Ghost writing as a second hand customer… I was not impressed.
The wait was aggravatingly long as the people who were just as waiting still didn’t know what they wanted. Then taking additional time at the register to decide upon what they wanted to order/eat…made no sense.
The order was so simple, 3 Shrimp Tacos fully loaded & one Shrimp Taco fully loaded W/​O tomatoes.
When I delivered the fast Yucatan style food & tacos were unwrapped, sets of eyes were on me as I if was Chef Señorita. My poor associate who was salivating for her taco for over an hour ended up with a flour tortilla with lonely shrimp… I guess no tomatoes means nothing but shrimp. The other 3 tacos were edible per our client, but hey, what do you expect for quick made tacos at such a cheap price?
I will say the inside was very colorful paying true honor to the heritage of Mexican décor & the wall art gave off a flare of fun foodism.
My 3 cents… even I though I did not consume any vegan-​itas (carnitas w/​o meat) I would like to see Tofu or Vegan Chorizo on the menu.
For the pescado lovers, Fish (Tilapia) on Tues & Thurs, adiós!

Breakfast tacos! Do yourself a favor and eat these.
I used to regularly frequent DT in Arlington, VA. So, when I learned DT was close to my office, my love of DT was renewed.
I usually order 2 healthy corn tortilla tacos and make them unhealthy. Egg whites, cheese, potatoes, & chorizo. Then I add tomatillos salsa & cilantro. Oh so good and my belly is happy.
Service is always delivered with a smile. And your food is fresh and delivered to you quickly. Bön Appétit!

Pretty darn good tacos especially in DC. I mean, I usually go to a hole in the wall joint for tacos, but getting tacos in downtown DC, right next to a metro station is a whole new experience.
Come hungry and go for the 3 for $ 8 taco deal. Carne asada was my favorite. Salsa bar was stocked and had some mild to the super hot sauces.
I like their little patio seating so you can enjoy your tacos and people watch at the same time.
They also have breakfast items here too.

I had to. Visiting from Mexico, and I just HAD TO.
Rewarded. The signs as I walked in made me laugh and I could actually read it all in Spanish, lol, and appreciate the bench the directions, the craziness behind the counter, the food.
Loved the guacamole, chips, and the busy — ness? it was quite familiar.
I loved the way you order your protein choice, loved saying Pollo, and loved the card they hand you in Spanish (mine was la estufa and yes, you show the card in Spanish when your order is ready) — the place rocks — the portions HUGE, I did not eat the rest of the DAY after the burrito Mojado I had, and the service is FAST. PACKED with people, the food huge, lingering to TRY and finish the oven-​baked and fresh tortilla, chips, and loving the soda fountain drinks that were not the standard, but specialized and delicious, — while not Mexico — this was well worth the visit — sat outside on an unseasonably warm day and everything was great here. :)