Adams Morgan’s Latino landmark

If you are looking for a drink first, and mozzarella sticks later, there are bars up and down 18th Street that litter Adams Morgan. But, if you are looking for comfortable, low-key surroundings and authentic Mexican and Salvadoran cuisine then walk past the bars and find El Tamarindo on the corner of U Street and Florida Avenue.

Across the street, restaurants stand right in a row. Meanwhile El Tamarindo stands alone. The bright sign that hangs above the entranceway is an inviting first look, and while the restaurant doesn’t employ a full-time host, the wait staff and manager are more than happy to oblige.

Abstract paintings adorn the walls and Latin music plays softly in the background, creating an ambiance perfectly suited for families and couples alike. Sit down, and within minutes you are greeted with a warm plate of tortilla chips and a small cup of homemade, spicy salsa complete with the obligatory glass of water.

If you are looking for something more creative to drink than water, the restaurant offers an extensive list of cheap Mexican and Salvadoran beers as well as a small selection of wine. But, seeing as the restaurant sells itself as an authentic Mexican and Salvadoran restaurant, El Tamarindo specializes in margaritas and their mojitos, which range in price from $6 to $8.

If you choose to indulge in one of their margaritas, you are in for a flavor-filled treat. The drink is a good blend of fruit flavor and tequila, and is served complete with a lime and small umbrella. Refills do not need to be asked for, and a fresh glass of water is brought to the table without provocation.

Service is prompt and the dishes cheap and tasty. The menu ranges in price anywhere from $8 to $20. The staples of Latin restaurants are all present. A variety of tacos, enchiladas and quesadillas are all offered, but the real specialties are the “Tacos de Carnitas” and the “Portobello Fajitas,” which packs a spicy punch.

The restaurant is small enough that the wait staff never loses track of you, and they come around to regularly to check if there is anything else needed to complete the experience. Once the plates are taken away, the dessert menu is procured. While small, the desserts offered are specialties of Mexican culture.

Hankering for an early lunch or late breakfast? The restaurant is open at 11 a.m. on the weekdays, and 10 a.m. on weekends. Also, if you are still hungry late at night, El Tamarindo keeps the grill going until 5 a.m. on the weekend. The restaurant is over 25 years old, and its dedication to remaining open late at night has contributed greatly to its notoriety.