Lauriol Plaza
Tex-Mex restaurant · Striver's Section ·
Spacious venue with rooftop, known for frozen margaritas
![Lauriol Plaza by Check, Please! DC [Official photo]](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62590083/LauriolPlaza_MarYTierraFajitas.0.0.jpg "Lauriol Plaza by Check, Please! DC [Official photo]")
Spacious venue with rooftop, known for frozen margaritas
"Lauriol Plaza is always a good time and always has space for you and the homies when you’re tired of Saturday afternoon restaurant-hopping while trying to find a place taking walk-ins. There’s nothing special about the Mexican food at the Dupont Circle institution, but the frozen margaritas will get you right and you can laugh as loud as you want. With all the hustle and bustle, it’s also a great spot to come if you’ve got kids in your group because no one will notice if they throw a tantrum. On a nice spring day, you can’t beat Lauriol’s patio, so if you can stand an extra wait (and there will be a wait), take advantage." - omnia saed
"Lauriol Plaza has a reputation for its frozen swirl margaritas. Expect a laundry list of options made with various agave spirits, in sizes ranging from a glass to pitchers." - Tierney Plumb
"A frequently recommended dinner option that figures into a typical evening out in the city’s dining landscape." - AFAR
"Food snobs will debate whether uber-popular Lauriol Plaza belongs on a list like this. But there’s a reason this restaurant, with some of the most expansive seating options around, is frequently crowded: reliable Mexican and Salvadoran-influenced dishes (don’t skip the fajitas or carne asada), fresh chips and salsa, speedy service, and boozy margaritas." - Missy Frederick, Eater Staff
"I note that Lauriol Plaza is a decades-old, two-block-south neighbor to Alfresco known for its tacos and enchiladas and for wildly popular frozen drinks; it was founded in 1983 by Raul Sanchez, who remains involved as a partner in the new Alfresco, and Cindy Sanchez grew up working there." - Evan Caplan
