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[El Camino]

Spice Up Everyday Dining With a Dose of Chilaquiles

A fiesta in every bite

by Tajha Lanier
View as Map
by Tajha Lanier
[El Camino]

Good chilaquiles know how to play with texture. The crunch of tortilla chips is softened ever so slightly after being simmered with salsa. Add some flame-licked proteins, maybe an egg, and a few refreshing garnishes like queso fresco and cilantro, and the Tex-Mex staple becomes a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Traditionally, chilaquiles are eaten for breakfast or brunch. But here in D.C. the dish can be found on menus throughout the day, making it easy to score a zesty-crunchy-meaty fix just about any time. At Taco Bamba the dish inhabits the breakfast menu, but is served all day. Over at Taqueria Habanero in Columbia Heights it is a house specialty. Fare Well, the Atlas District’s vegan diner, even makes a version that late-risers can enjoy during lunch or dinner.

Here are a dozen spots to feast on chilaquiles in the DMV.

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La Fondita

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Fans rave about the authenticity of the food at this cozy neighborhood restaurant. Chilaquiles (both red and green) are included on the menu.

4901 Decatur St, Hyattsville, MD
(301) 699-0785
(301) 699-0785
[Dennis A./Yelp]

Fare Well

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Do vegan style chilaquiles here, where the dish comes topped with scrambled tofu and cilantro crema.

406 H St NE, Washington, D.C.
(202) 299-9700
(202) 299-9700
[Fare Well]

Also featured in:

Agua 301

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Soak up those mimosas with some scrambled egg and chorizo-topped chilaquiles here during weekend brunch.

301 Water St SE, Washington, D.C.
(202) 484-0301
(202) 484-0301
[R. Lopez]

Also featured in:

El Camino

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Chilaquiles appear on this Bloomingdale restaurant’s brunch menu accompanied by fried eggs and caramelized onions.

108 Rhode Island Ave NW, Washington, D.C.
(202) 847-0419
(202) 847-0419
[El Camino]

Also featured in:

El Torogoz Restaurant

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This popular Petworth spot serves chilaquiles in a spicy red sauce, and tops everything off with avocado.

4231 9th St. N.W., Washington, D.C.
(202) 722-6966
(202) 722-6966
[Matthew P./Yelp]

El Sol

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At $17.95, El Sol’s 3-course brunch is a steal. Chilaquiles verdes (made with green salsa) are available as a main. They are also featured during lunch and dinner.

1227 11th St NW, Washington, D.C.
202-815-4789
202-815-4789
[Hannah H./Yelp]

Also featured in:

El Chucho Cocina Superior

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A standard order of chilaquiles, featuring scrambled eggs, black beans, ranchero sauce, queso fresco, and cilantro, is $7 during brunch. Fold in a favorite meat ($4 for al pastor, carne asada or chicken) or vegetables ($2) at will.

3313 11th St NW, Washington, D.C.
(202) 290-3313
(202) 290-3313
[A.R.P./Yelp]

Also featured in:

Taqueria Habanero

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It’s hard to visit Taqueria Habanero and not order tacos. But those with an especially large appetite will be rewarded with the dish that features fried eggs and, if ordered, any protein featured on the menu (from steak and chicken to shrimp and tilapia).

3710 14th St. NW, Washington, D.C.
202-722-7700
202-722-7700
[Taqueria Habanero]

Also featured in:

Mezcalero Cocina Mexicana

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This Columbia Heights spot offers chilaquiles with salsa verde and eggs on its very substantial lunch and dinner menu.

3714 14th St NW, Washington, D.C.
(202) 815-4789
(202) 815-4789
[Mezcalero]

Also featured in:

Guajillo Mexican Cuisine

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The newly renovated Guajillo crowns its fried tortilla chips ($12) with salsa ranchera, queso fresco, scrambled eggs, and sour cream. Beef things up by folding in grilled chicken or marinated pork for $3 more, or add skirt steak or lamb for $4 apiece.

1727 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA
(703) 807-0840
(703) 807-0840
[Guajillo]

Also featured in:

Taco Bamba (Multiple Locations)

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The base of the chilaquiles at Taco Bamba is super simple: just tortilla chips, crema, beans and avocado. But diners can add any meat they’d like for just $2 more.

164 Maple Avenue West, Vienna, VA
[R. Lopez]

Los Toltecos (Multiple Locations)

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This homegrown chain of restaurants heaps stewed chicken atop tortilla chips, then smothers it all with zesty salsa and fried eggs. Mounds of seasoned rice, shredded lettuce and guacamole round out the generously proportioned meal.

5614 Ox Rd, Fairfax Station, VA
(703) 425-8844
(703) 425-8844
[Los Toltecos]

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La Fondita

4901 Decatur St, Hyattsville, MD

Fans rave about the authenticity of the food at this cozy neighborhood restaurant. Chilaquiles (both red and green) are included on the menu.

4901 Decatur St, Hyattsville, MD
(301) 699-0785
(301) 699-0785
[Dennis A./Yelp]

Fare Well

406 H St NE, Washington, D.C.

Do vegan style chilaquiles here, where the dish comes topped with scrambled tofu and cilantro crema.

406 H St NE, Washington, D.C.
(202) 299-9700
(202) 299-9700
[Fare Well]

Agua 301

301 Water St SE, Washington, D.C.

Soak up those mimosas with some scrambled egg and chorizo-topped chilaquiles here during weekend brunch.

301 Water St SE, Washington, D.C.
(202) 484-0301
(202) 484-0301
[R. Lopez]

El Camino

108 Rhode Island Ave NW, Washington, D.C.

Chilaquiles appear on this Bloomingdale restaurant’s brunch menu accompanied by fried eggs and caramelized onions.

108 Rhode Island Ave NW, Washington, D.C.
(202) 847-0419
(202) 847-0419
[El Camino]

El Torogoz Restaurant

4231 9th St. N.W., Washington, D.C.

This popular Petworth spot serves chilaquiles in a spicy red sauce, and tops everything off with avocado.

4231 9th St. N.W., Washington, D.C.
(202) 722-6966
(202) 722-6966
[Matthew P./Yelp]

El Sol

1227 11th St NW, Washington, D.C.

At $17.95, El Sol’s 3-course brunch is a steal. Chilaquiles verdes (made with green salsa) are available as a main. They are also featured during lunch and dinner.

1227 11th St NW, Washington, D.C.
202-815-4789
202-815-4789
[Hannah H./Yelp]

El Chucho Cocina Superior

3313 11th St NW, Washington, D.C.

A standard order of chilaquiles, featuring scrambled eggs, black beans, ranchero sauce, queso fresco, and cilantro, is $7 during brunch. Fold in a favorite meat ($4 for al pastor, carne asada or chicken) or vegetables ($2) at will.

3313 11th St NW, Washington, D.C.
(202) 290-3313
(202) 290-3313
[A.R.P./Yelp]

Taqueria Habanero

3710 14th St. NW, Washington, D.C.

It’s hard to visit Taqueria Habanero and not order tacos. But those with an especially large appetite will be rewarded with the dish that features fried eggs and, if ordered, any protein featured on the menu (from steak and chicken to shrimp and tilapia).

3710 14th St. NW, Washington, D.C.
202-722-7700
202-722-7700
[Taqueria Habanero]

Mezcalero Cocina Mexicana

3714 14th St NW, Washington, D.C.

This Columbia Heights spot offers chilaquiles with salsa verde and eggs on its very substantial lunch and dinner menu.

3714 14th St NW, Washington, D.C.
(202) 815-4789
(202) 815-4789
[Mezcalero]

Guajillo Mexican Cuisine

1727 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA

The newly renovated Guajillo crowns its fried tortilla chips ($12) with salsa ranchera, queso fresco, scrambled eggs, and sour cream. Beef things up by folding in grilled chicken or marinated pork for $3 more, or add skirt steak or lamb for $4 apiece.

1727 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA
(703) 807-0840
(703) 807-0840
[Guajillo]

Taco Bamba (Multiple Locations)

164 Maple Avenue West, Vienna, VA

The base of the chilaquiles at Taco Bamba is super simple: just tortilla chips, crema, beans and avocado. But diners can add any meat they’d like for just $2 more.

164 Maple Avenue West, Vienna, VA
[R. Lopez]

Los Toltecos (Multiple Locations)

5614 Ox Rd, Fairfax Station, VA

This homegrown chain of restaurants heaps stewed chicken atop tortilla chips, then smothers it all with zesty salsa and fried eggs. Mounds of seasoned rice, shredded lettuce and guacamole round out the generously proportioned meal.

5614 Ox Rd, Fairfax Station, VA
(703) 425-8844
(703) 425-8844
[Los Toltecos]

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