Washington's 4 best spots to score inexpensive Latin American eats

Washington's 4 best spots to score inexpensive Latin American eatsPhoto: El Pollo Sabroso/Yelp
Hoodline
Published on June 22, 2020

Craving Latin American food?

Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the best affordable Latin American restaurants around Washington, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of where to fill the bill.

1. Wapa Cafe Boutique

photo: m. a./yelp

Topping the list is Wapa Cafe Boutique. Located at 6230 Georgia Ave. NW in Brightwood, it is the highest-rated low-priced Latin American restaurant in Washington, boasting 4.5 stars out of 122 reviews on Yelp. 

We looked there for an overview of Wapa Cafe Boutique.

"In Brightwood, D.C., some friends decided to bring a new concept in cafe, bar/restaurant, fresh food for a reasonable price, music, art and food in one place with a Latin spice," according to the business's Yelp profile.

Regarding signature items, "Best crêpes, wraps, arepas and paninis in Washington," it writes on Yelp.

2. J & J Mex-Taqueria

photo: maria o./yelp

Next up is Brightwood's J & J Mex-Taqueria, situated at 6231 Georgia Ave. NW. With 4.5 stars out of 65 reviews on Yelp, it has proved to be a local favorite for those looking for a cheap option. 

Yelper Jorge J., who reviewed J & J Mex-Taqueria on Feb. 1, wrote, "Excellent food. Great price. Tacos — fish and steak, both magnificent. And Brenda's customer service is second to none."

 Clayton R. wrote, "I had a carnitas, pastor and Barbacoa taco on corn tortilla, Mexican style with a side of beans and rice. The pastor and Barbacoa were simply otherworldly, the best I've ever had."

3. Maizal South American Street Food

photo: karen w./yelp

Maizal South American Street Food, located at 429 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Suite 450, is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the low-priced Latin American spot 4.5 stars out of 38 reviews. 

Yelper Namrata S., who reviewed the spot on March 5, wrote, "I have tried the chorizo arepas once. It's definitely different from a regular arepa, even in terms of the toppings they use. There is a lot going on — it has fatty chorizo, guacamole, plantains and crushed potato chips. It was a texture overload for me."

Tamara W. wrote, "Yummy food. Quinoa, carne asada, plantains, sweet potatoes, cucumbers, beets, etc. So good."

4. El Pollo Sabroso

photo: nicolas r./yelp

El Pollo Sabroso in Mount Pleasant, is another cheap go-to, with four stars out of 88 Yelp reviews. Head over to 3153 Mount Pleasant St. NW to see for yourself. 

The site has more information about El Pollo Sabroso.

"Our family started with a dream of someday bringing our home traditional recipes and opening a restaurant of our own with them," per the business's Yelp profile. "We are almost into 20 years of being open and bringing joy through the love of food."

Regarding signature items, "El Pollo Sabroso serves a variety of traditional dishes from rotisserie Peruvian chicken, pupusas and tacos to a variety of Central American dishes," it writes on Yelp. "We're best known for our Peruvian rotisserie chicken and other great dishes like fried yucca and plantains, pupusas, sandwiches, tacos, seafood, salads and soups."


This story was created automatically using local business data, then reviewed and augmented by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.