Santa Rosa Taqueria
Mexican restaurant · Capitol Hill ·
Cult chef's Mexican counter-serve for tacos, margaritas, bowls
Cult chef's Mexican counter-serve for tacos, margaritas, bowls
"The cherished taco spot run by Sunnyside Restaurant Group (the team behind Good Stuff Eatery next door) is a stalwart for margarita happy hour. Head here for al pastor carved tacos from a gyro stick and birria tacos made with cheesy pot roast and consomé." - Tierney Plumb
"The cherished taco spot run by Sunnyside Restaurant Group (the team behind Good Stuff Eatery) made a triumphant return to Capitol Hill in 2022. Meat for al pastor tacos comes from a gyro stick wrapped in pineapple, a birria taco is made with cheesy pot roast and consomé, and a spicy chorizo option comes with an egg." - Tierney Plumb
"After shuttering its doors during the pandemic, Santa Rosa just made its long-awaited return to Capitol Hill. On Cinco de Mayo, the restaurant’s happy hour is extended from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., offering specials like a two margaritas plus chips and salsa deal for $18 alongside a mariachi band performance. Enter a raffle by leaving behind your business card for the chance to win “a year of Santa Rosa,” which will get you a different Santa Rosa-related promotion each week for 52 weeks (think branded T-shirts, event tickets, and free margarita coupons)." - Vinciane Ngomsi
"After being closed for the entire pandemic, I was relieved to see Santa Rosa Taqueria resurface next door to its original spot at 301 Pennsylvania Avenue SE; run by Micheline and Catherine Mendelsohn and part of Sunnyside Restaurant Group, the revived Capitol Hill taco spot opens for lunch and dinner (daily, 11 a.m.–10 p.m.) with takeout and delivery via GrubHub and UberEats and plans for weekend brunch and weekday happy hours. The menu expands on shareable bites and new taco spins from consulting chef Brian Lacayo — the al pastor is shaved from a gyro stick wrapped in pineapple, the birria taco is made with cheesy pot roast and consommé, and there’s a roasted harissa cauliflower taco — plus new moles channeling historical recipes from Dominican nuns in the convent of Santa Rosa in Puebla and a pickled bar of massive jars to top tacos or nachos. Mixologist Gina Chersevani returned to create 10 unique margarita options (from guava mango to passionfruit and rose and a greenish-blue version made with Milagro silver tequila, lime, and dehydrated seaweed), and sangria is another new drink option. The new space doubles outdoor seating compared with the original and offers 60 seats inside and 60 outside with greenery, whimsical decor, an awning, turquoise Talavera tiles, and graffiti murals (butterflies and a Day of the Dead theme) by Rodrigo Pradel; proceeds from opening-weekend sales will be donated to World Central Kitchen for Ukraine relief. Note: the opening date was pushed to later this month due to equipment and electrical failures." - Adele Chapin
"Reopened by the Mendelsohn family on Capitol Hill in a modern two-story space with a 60-seat patio and a large Day of the Dead mural, the Taqueria brings back beloved barbacoa and carne asada tacos from chef Brian Lacayo while adding new items like a Korean barbecue taco and wings, and a beverage program featuring about 10 margaritas and specialty beers." - Tierney Plumb