Surfside
Mexican restaurant · Tenleytown ·
Tacos, bowls, and frozen margaritas in a surf-themed spot
Tacos, bowls, and frozen margaritas in a surf-themed spot
"With two projectors and 14 televisions spread across the space (including the covered and heated patio area), everywhere you turn you’ll see the action. Food specials include island-styled nachos and jerk chicken wings to start, and drink deals feature $20 Miller Lite buckets and $20 Miller High Life pitchers." - Vinciane Ngomsi
"The Tex-Mex arm of the Georgetown Events family of restaurants (Millie’s, Due South, Jetties) has two locations in D.C., but the Dupont Circle stand is the only one that serves gourmet tacos, burritos, and more around the clock." - Eater Staff
"Dupont club hoppers known to congregate at the Surfside counter for late-night drunk food are no more during the pandemic, but its burritos are still available for takeout and delivery. Named after exotic locales, there’s the Tortola — a vehicle for teriyaki chicken — and the Andros, with grilled steak and grilled corn. The homegrown chain opened a huge location in Tenleytown a year ago and the latest arrival sits on the Wharf." - Gabe Hiatt
"Surfside tacks on $5 margaritas with any order on Cinco de Mayo (only at its new Tenleytown location). Splurge on the $99 family-style fajita box, which includes two types of meat, toppings galore, and a 32-ounce bottle of classic or spicy margarita." - Vinciane Ngomsi
"At its massive new Tenleytown location (4200 Wisconsin Avenue NW), Surfside is celebrating opening day with an expanded menu and a wider variety of tropical drinks than ever before. The full-service restaurant imports greatest hits from its tacos and burritos—flavors that nod to beach-side locales like Maui, Jamaica, and Thailand—and chef-partner David Scribner has added tamales, shrimp spring rolls, ceviche, fajitas, enchiladas, and colorful rice bowls packed with braised pastor pork, salmon, or fried tofu. Tropical cocktails come frozen, on draft, or in specialty mixed flavors such as a Mai Tai or a Blood Orange Crush, and the beer list includes Kona, Corona, Pacifico, and Modelo. A walk-up, 24-hour taco stand runs along the side of the corner restaurant to cater to college crowds, hospitals, and TV stations, while the interior leans into a vintage surf vibe—surfboards from California to North Carolina, corrugated metal-lined walls covered with postage stamps, a Pan Am Caribbean route map framing the kitchen, and a massive collage of license plates from Aruba, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Panama, and Puerto Rico. The kitchen and bar open at 11 a.m. on weekdays (10 a.m. for brunch) with closing times of 10 p.m. Monday–Thursday, 11 p.m. Friday–Saturday, and 9 p.m. Sunday." - Tierney Plumb
