El Rinconcito Café

I came here for a quick lunch before my flight out of DC. It isn’t very big inside but the people are very friendly. The food was also amazing! Probably some of the best Mexican food I’ve had in a while.

Everything was DELICIOUS and the folks there are so friendly. We tried their Salvadoran dishes and enjoyed each one!

Super delicious food!!! It’s a small place, but very authentic and you know you’re gonna get good food. I don’t know if it was just that day but the waitress got a couple of our orders wrong. It wasn’t the end of the world though. Every time I go to DC, I make it a point to stop by here. Love the food here!

I spent $112.17 I got 6 items 2 huevos rancheros 2 chicken burritos And 2 tipico desayuno A side of rice and a side of beans Food started off REALLY good but then I bit into the burrito. As I started chewing I felt a weird slimy thing in my mouth. I open my mouth and pulled out a BIG piece of PLASTIC. Looks like plastic wrap or like someone was moving too fast and didn’t check this. How does this end up in your food? I’m not sure what the heck it is but it definitely was off putting. I immediately lost my appetite. Need to pay more attention to detail.

Small but ..amazing food. Fast service..my burrito was amazing!!! Waitress are attentive and always smiling ..will be back..well worth the walk from convention center .

The food was great . Tasty hot, very good. The service was a bit lacking . Seems like it was a bit too early in the morning for them. (11:30AM) waitress was running around and kind of neglected the customers a bit. Over all 4 stars cause of food and coziness . Price might be a little on the high side.

A small and simple El Salvadoran eatery with simple but delicious meals. High recommend the freshly made Pupusas.

Very very good food. The plantine, the rice, the beef everything was very good. I did not like the fact that, there are service charge on top of the food price and then you are expected to tip. Why there is service charge and why don't they mention it in the price? You pay the food price, then service charge and then tax. So you are paying around 25-30% on top of the food price and then there are tips, why?

A very cozy place with affordable, filling, delicious meals! I've never ordered something that I did not immensely enjoy. On my latest visit, I ordered the El Salvadorian specialty, which was flavorful and spicy. You can not go wrong with anything on the menu. Highly recommended!

so much of good food at such a good price ! the service was quick too and the portions were generous to say the least. i loved the pupusas so much! i would definitely get the chicken pupusa and the loroco con queso !! the seating can be a little bit tight and when we went for lunch on MLK day, it was packed. i would also recommend the tamales too

Absolutely amazing food! So glad we found this lil gem. I would gladly come back here again.

This is THE pupusa spot! I have been coming for 7+ years and the quality and service have remained consist. It's my favorite pupuseria in the area, that's saying something. Most recently, I got 2 pupusas with rice and beans, and a side of plantains and sour cream. The pupusas are delicious, filled with cheesy bean-y goodness, and delicious slaw. It was so tasty and filling. The plantains were also delicious, I like that they are little thinner so the texture doesn't get too soft and mushy. This is a small restaurant but let's be honest, you're here for the decor, you're here for good food and service. The servers are so nice. If you're not into pupusas, the tamales and burritos are also good!

I ended up looking on yelp for a restaurant close to the convention center, and I'm glad this one popped up. Everything was delicious!! A small place but serves up big flavor! The food was incredible and very affordable. I got the carne asada along with a side of plantain and the fruit juice. And it was all delicious. My bestie opted for chicken tacos which we shared and they were extremely flavorful. We sat down immediately after being greeted and the service was quick and friendly. I will definitely be back to try to soup, it seems like that was the menu item of choice by the other patrons.

Deliciousness - 3.5/5 Happiness - 4/5 This is a fine little spot if you desire some authentic Salvadorean/Mexican food. It won't change your world, but you get big portions and fun options. I got 3 things - the lengua tacos (I'm a sucker for tongue!), a chicken tamale wrapped in a banana leaf, and a Salvadorean special, bistec a lo macho (steak sauteed in peppers and onions). Far and away, the best thing was the steak. It absolutely earned the title of "macho." Four well-cooked slices of steak slathered in expertly sauteed peppers (not slimy, still maintaining some crunch) and the habaneros provided some exceptional heat without burning out my mouth. It came with a thick tortilla (more like a pita) that I didn't care for, it was too dry (even when slathered with the steak and peppers) and buried too much of the flavor. The lengua tacos were just OK, lacking a bit in the flavor department and the tongue was slightly too chewy for my liking. I was very disappointed with the tamale, with the entire thing far too moist and in need of more filling or a strong sauce on top of it. This restaurant is very tiny and they were pumping out a bunch of to-go orders (including mine). I definitely recommend that you use take-out as well given the limited seating. The people running the place were very friendly!

My review is for the chicken chichanga only. Overall, it was reallly good! The platter is well worth it. It came to be a total of $15 (I think the prices were raised slightly. It's a small restaurant, with a few tables but felt mostly like a takeout spot. After ordering my dish, the wait time was 20-25 for the food to come out. I had it soon after and everything was fresh. I loved the guac and sour crème, but wished it came with hot sauce like el yucateco on the side. The chichanga itself was good however I don't believe fried tortilla added much flavour; it lacked crispiness. The inside filling was good, the chicken was fried and cut into small savoury pieces. Wish there was more cheese. Overall, I really enjoyed the meal and the portion size was large (could easily split into 2 meals). I'll definitely be back for the pupusas!

Came for dine in on a weekday. No frills place with great food! We came for pious as and they did not disappoint. I didn't care for the chicken tamale but I will be back for the rest. The pickled cabbage was also so good!

El Rinconcito Cafe (translating to "The Little Corner Cafe") is a small Salvadorian restaurant that provides a breath of fresh (tasty) air to the largely new American flavors in this area of D.C. With friendly staff, their menu is pretty big - but the pupusas are the star here. The chicken and pork pupusas provide a hearty bite for under $5 each, though my favorite is the lorocco (edible flower), which adds a mild taste reminiscent of a faint artichoke or asparagus. The pupusas themselves are seared perfectly, with just a bit of cheese oozing out. And while some pupusas can be quite oily and wet, El Rinconcito manages to let the bread and fillings shine without overusing additional fats. A+ pupusas through and through. The slaw and sauce on the side is a perfect fresh accompaniment to the pupusas. I just wish they provide more of the sauce as the Salvadorian style salsa really brings life to pupusas. The corn tamale is also pretty tasty (moist with little chunks of smashed sweet corn) and saved me from starving during a long wait from delayed flights. They also have Horchata, but the flavor is a bit different from what you might traditionally expect - and, as I found out later, that's because Salvadorian Horchata is made differently than Mexican Horchata! Using Morro, cocoa, and other bold flavors, the Horchata has a sweeter, chocolate-y, earthy flavor to it. Sitting near a street corner, the restaurant is snug and ideal for an outing with a friend or two rather than a large group. For a very affordable and delicious snack or lunch, El Rinconcito is a fantastic spot to visit in D.C.

Hungry looking for a good lunch? This is it! Lay back Latin place with authentic Central American food.

It's a quaint hole in the wall type place that serves tasty food! 6 pupusas for $23! I'll be back again and again. I came with a friend who was influenced by Tiktok and I'm so glad we tried it! Pro tip: Pupusas take about 10-20 minutes. Order ahead and if you get there and there's seats at the bar, might as well eat there!

Would definitely come back again for the enchiladas. We got the pupusa, enchiladas, carne asada, and tamales. We were absolutely stuffed there was so much food for the price we paid. The enchiladas were my favorite dish I would 110% come back to get it again. I wouldn't recommend the carne asada, but thought the pupusas were very tasty as well. Personally I'm not a big tamales fan but I think it was above average.

My husband and I were in DC for a trip and found this humble spot not too far from where we were staying. We ordered the pupusas, the el jornalero steak, pupusas and aguas de Jamaica. The pupusas were excellent - crunchy on the outside and soft and flavorful on the inside. The aguas de Jamaica were lovely and refreshing drinks to go with the meal. The steak was fantastic, and the portion was so large that my husband ended up taking half of it to go for his next meal. The prices were also very reasonable for the amount of food we got. We will definitely be coming back here on our next trip to DC!

This place far exceeded my expectations!! Authentic, so it takes a minute to get your food when you order! Well worth the wait! It's very small so I wouldn't recommend larger groups. There were 4 of us and we lucked up on a table. I gather it's a pretty hot spot as we were leaving there was a line forming at the door just to get in or to wait outside for food orders. Servers were very friendly which is always a plus!

I love love love this place! The food is so authentic and delicious. I always try to get new items but my favorites always call me back. Pro tip- stick with the Salvadoran specialties. They're all amazing. Don't sleep on the rice and beans, and the plantains!

So so glad I came out to DC to try the local El Salvadoran food because restaurants like these deserve all the love. It's located in a small little corner (hence the name) and the small homey restaurant makes you feel well taken care of. The only waiters were so kind and friendly and willing to accommodate for our big party of 8 even though the restaurant was so small. We got the revuelta pupusas, the pollo tamales, and the yuca con chicharrón. They're all so flavorful, delicious, and authentic. I can't wait to come back here for more good home-cooked style meals whenever I'm craving a good puousa and Salvadorian tamales!

This another DC staple, the pupusa....so, when I was here for work, I just had to try it. The serving size was massive, and everything tasted really good! I'm very glad I got to try it, and I recommend this location for a really delicious pupusa.

Pupusas are delicious here! People are extremely nice. Restaurant is very small and food can take a while as it's all freshly made by the amazing chefs there. I give it a 4/5 because I don't think the prices align with the food it's a bit much BUT considering DC prices this is fair + labor. I think maybe add an extra side to make up but again, delicious food.

very small venue and crowded. it was very challenging to hear your own conversation. the food was eh

At best it's mediocre pupusas. Both my pupsasas didn't taste soft or flavorful enough. They were cheap on the cheese and beans. The cheese one was good. For $3.50 I expect pupusas to be top notch. They were also cheap with the maduros and crema. Maybe this spot used to be legit for Salvi food, but it's lacking these days. The staff was really nice which is the only reason it isn't a one star. I probably would seek other options.

Taco lovers rejoice! From the perfectly seasoned meats to the fresh toppings and handmade tortillas, each element contributes to a satisfying and delicious El Salvadoran/Mexican culinary experience. My favorite meal are the steak tacos with the rice platter. Their vegetarian burrito is amazing as well!

Pupusas were soooo good and they were big. We were visiting from Houston where we get to enjoy a lot of Salvadorian food, but I will say these were probably one of the best pupusas we've ever had!

Authentic and delicious. Order for lunch, order for dinner. Either way you'll be a winner!!!

Great experience. Adequate options and portions. My go to place in DC. Will keep returning to el Rinconcito. The photos speak for themselves.

Delicious Salvadoran food at an authentic, welcoming restaurant!! I went with friends originally from El Salvador and they gave it an official "2 Thumbs Up"!!

Food was good overall for price. Pupusas good but a bit dry, tamales were not really warm inside so that drove the 3 stars. Love my pupusa places though.

I'm thoroughly impressed and enamored with El Rinconcito Cafe in DC. Purveyors of Salvadoran cuisine are often hard pressed to find genuinely authentic restaurants..this restaurant was certainly a mold breaker in that regard. I ordered a dish that I typically get less frequently than others, ropa vieja. The dish arrived perfectly cooked, well plated and in a timely manner. The plantains I ordered on the side were of similar quality. My boyfriend ordered shredded beef enchiladas with green sauce and made a point to comment on how consistently tender the meat was and how well flavored in general the entree was. I will highly recommend paying a visit if you happen to be in DC for the day.

The best Hispanic food. Taste quality and flavors on points . Service is very professional and amazing .the ambiance is very chill and home comfort.

Good food. The pupusas were large and nicely filled. The beans & crema were especially good. Service was pretty good, As was the decor of this bar and restaurant. If I'm ever back in DC, I'll surely go back.

Found great pupusas in DC! The staff was friendly and made nice recommendations. The food and coffee were delicious! Muchas gracias!

This place is the closest thing near my brother's apartment ( I visit a lot from virginia) and the food will do it for me every time. It comes out super quick and hot. They are always kind to me, and we order to go from there a lot. I recommend everybody trying their pupusas, SO GOOD!

Pupusas do not disappoint! Also try the fresh drinks! Everything was very good and waitresses are very informative and patient. Thank you for such a delicious meal on my 1st day in DC!

What a pleasant and pleasantly priced meal! This is clearly a neighborhood place, with a small bar in back and a largely local, Spanish speaking clientele. So go for it! The pupusa with veggie and the pulida with chícharon, oh baby, transported me back to El Salvador even though I have never been there. The elote tamale, just the most delicate and sweet tamale I have ever laid taste buds on! The son had a shredded beef quesadilla that was greasy but good! 25 bucks for everything, and we three left stuffed! The service was friendly and the fact that they were watching soccer only helped!

Delicious Salvadoran and Mexican food. I got the bean and cheese pupusa and a steak chimichanga. They can make you a cocktail and serve beer as well as non alcoholic beverages. Small spot with a few tables and countertop seating. The server was pleasant and the service was quick.

Delicious pupusas and tamales at very decent price for a place near Mt Vernon square. Really grateful that we got our food fast after spending a whole day dancing. People were flooding to this place.

Tasty food and big portions. Busy but small eating area. Quick service. Friendly staff. Loses a star because they automatically add an 18% gratuity and then ask for more (this was for a party of two).

This place was very good at what they do. El Salvadoran food with a smattering of Mexican. A couple of friends from Philadelphia told us that we HAD to try this place. They make it their business to visit whenever they're in DC. Since my family is from Queens, and we have a ton of places just like this in Corona, it wasn't special at all to us, but it was very good regardless. The teenage daughter had some chicken enchiladas and polished off everything on the plate (except for the lettuce, of course). I had pescado, and they fried the living daylights out of this thing, but it was tasty. Just took a little long... they warned me it could be 20 to 25 min... but I think it may have been more like a half hour, and of course it caused my whole family to have to wait for their food. They forgot to bring out my wife's tacos de lengua, but she was full on her pupusa and tamal which she enjoyed, so she canceled them. I really liked the lemony vinaigrette that was on the side of salad they gave me. Yum! Good Flor de Jamaica, and decent horchata as well.

Great food for an unbeatable price. We had a chicken and cheese papusa, Salvadorian sausage, corn tamale and a shredded beef chimichanga for under $40! Authentic and locally owned. We'll be back for more!

Talk about a gem!!! This restaurant is so delicious and so cozy! I order 1 pupusa and 1 tamal de pollo combo Togo. First of all it was only $12 which I feel like is unheard of for a full meal in DC. There was so much food and it was really filling. The taste of the pupusa and tamal were authentic and incredible! I felt like I was in someone's home getting a fresh cooked meal with every bite! The black beans were so smooth. The cabbage so tangy. The tamal was falling apart and tender. The pupusa was just heaven. I loved every bite and can't wait to stop by again. I'll be a regular for sure. I ordered to go but the inside is very small. Not a place for large groups. An intimate dinner by yourself or with a close friend is best.

It was so delicious I highly recommend it. The pupusas were all amazing and cooked perfectly. It's a hole in the wall worth trying.

Good authentic food. Small place, only 2 tables with 4 seats, 3 more with two seats, and 4-5 seats at the bar.

Food was excellent, but the inside smells like a cat litter box. I'd recommend take out.

Ordered carry out online and it was fast, piping hot, and delicious. An excellent "hole in the wall"--exactly what I hoped for! Papusas we're good, and generous portion. But the tamale--just wow. So tender. So flavorful. It'll be tempting to order nothing but tamales when I return. The beans, rice, and vegetables (cabbage?) they came with were yummy too. Also tried a taco that, like the papusas, was a great deal for the price and didn't skimp on toppings.

Absolutely amazing Salvadoran food!! This little hole in the wall has really homey and authentic vibes, with great music and conversation in Spanish. The service is so friendly and fast. The location is nice, though the storefront would (sadly) be easy to pass by without noticing it. The food is impecable. The rice and beans are standard but great. The tamales are quality and fresh. And the pupusas--oh my god the pupusas! They are incredible. If you are unfamiliar with pupusas, they are similar to quesadillas in taste but are a stuffed piece of masa rather than tortillas with ingredients inside, and they are delightful. Highly recommend trying this gem!!

Went for lunch as I haven't had pupusas in ages. This restaurant did not disappoint. Knew we were in the right place when we walked in. 3pm and it was almost full. Had the pupusa and tamal combo. Waiter was very helpful and gracious (when I tried to speak Spanish). Large portions and very tasty! However, several folks around me had the seafood soup. It looked fantastic! Will have to try on my next trip back. And I will be going back. Highly recommended if you like small hole in the wall joints with authentic ethnic cuisine!

Was looking for a reasonably priced place in DC and came across this amazing little Salvadoran restaurant. Food was great; I had a chimichanga platter with shredded beef, my companion had the enchiladas. The meal was delicious, huge portions, and very reasonable prices. Service was friendly also. Clean space even if small, and even a little bar area. Very cozy. Would recommend

I was looking for some El Salvadorian food, and this just takes the cake! You must try the chicken taquitos. It comes with refried beans, rice, sour cream/lettuce/guac/tomato salsa for dipping. SO DELICIOUS. It is now a takeout staple

DC is in Phase one of reopening. To go and patio dining are keeping some businesses afloat. A group of 8 people were ordering. I helped pick up the items. The food is wonderful. This looks like a "mom & pop" shop. The phone was ringing the entire time we were inside. We didn't check our order. When we returned to our destination, several items were missing. It took about 30 minutes to correct the mistake. It is nice for the restaurant to have the stress of too many orders instead of not enough of them. I would strongly suggest that you check your order before you leave. Someone ordered the cabbage. I tried it out of curiosity. It was my favorite item. The plantain was delicious. The "burrito" was tasty. The side items are a decent portion. This restaurant is near the convention center. Street parking is hit or miss. Metro has closed certain locations. We walked from the convention center & someone picked us up. The staff members need to just take a moment to make sure they understand what is being ordered and that they completed the order. We had at least two missing items. The order was eventually corrected, but required a second trip. Whatever you get, include an order of that yummy cabbage.

Found this little gem quite by accident. Was at a conference at Marriott Marquis and refused to pay 40 bucks for a 2 dollar sandwich. The food was outstanding, the service was amazing. My friend and I was welcomed and made to feel like family. I would eat there everyday if I were in DC.

The food is amazing. The staff is friendly and the prices are fair. What Else can I ask for?! Nada. Was feeling home sick and this place brought me back to life. Lots of meet in the pupusa revuelta, giant pastelito de platano con crema. Excellent huevos rancheros. I'm Not a big fan of their Salvadorena sausage. Do expect a long wait. It's a small place & they get a lot of orders but the quality remains intact.