Lauriol Plaza $$

1835 18th St. NW
202/387-0035
www.lauriolplaza.com [1]

HOURS: Mon.-Thurs. 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m.,
Fri.-Sat. 11:30 a.m.-midnight, Sun. 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

COST: Most entrées between $10–20

Locals pack Lauriol Plaza for tasty pitchers of strong margaritas and the cuisine, which, like nearly every “Mexican” restaurant in DC, includes Peruvian and El Salvadoran dishes.

The interior is light and airy, a two-story restaurant with large windows and an outdoor patio.

Enchiladas, fajitas, and chiles rellenos are on the “Mexican favorites” menu; more adventurous choices can be found under “oven and sautéed dishes”: Cuban pork marinated and roasted with oranges or lamb with peppers, tomatoes, and potatoes.