El Charrito Caminante

Elite '08

69

482

PC W.

Arlington, VA

I'm not a fan of Mexican food and I was hoping a trip to ECC for their authentic tacos would change that.  It didn't.  Don't get me wrong, if you like Mexican food, it's worth a try.

I got a beef taco and chorizo taco.  The ingredients were fresh but  I think it was the tortilla that I really didn't like. I guess the word I'll use is mealy - it was a very mealy tortilla.  I don't do well with food that tastes grainy.

I was in a rush and needed a quick dinner-to-go.  I put in my order and before I was able to sit down on one of their wobbly stools, my order was ready.  If you need food in a flash, this is a great option and you can't beat the $2 price tag.

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0

6

Long L.

Arlington, VA

You can't beat the price and its uber good.  You will miss it if you don't keep an eye out for it.  I went there for lunch today and ordered three tacos.  This isn't your grade D beef but edible taco from Taco Bell.  Don't get me wrong I love me some Taco Bell after a good night at the bars but you just don't feel right in the morning.  

The tacos from El Charrito Caminante are delicious.  It has beef, white onion, green onion, lil hot sauce (ask for extra next time), I think some lettuce (imma carnivore could care less) and cilantro.  I'm defiantly going to go back and try their pupusas.  The service is fast too, snatch and grab (^_^).

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Elite '08

42

128

Kristina B.

Cambridge, MA

El Charrito is a small blink-and-you'll-miss-it place right off of Washington Blvd.  I did indeed miss it many a time during my commutes to and from D.C. to Arlington or Falls Church.  It's tiny--only a few stools and countertop comprise the eating area.  The bustling kitchen churns out yummy tacos, burritos, pupusas and various other delights quicker than you can say "yummy tacos, burritos, pupusas and various other delights."    Utter chompability!

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13

91

Ben M.

Arlington, VA

I really want to deduct half a star just for being slightly out of walking range from my apartment, but that's really not fair.  And I can't do it, so yeah.  Anyway, we had a power outage today, so my roommate and I were sitting around with nothing to do around lunchtime.  I mentioned that I heard this place was good (from Yelp - see?  The system DOES work!), and I wanted to try out a Zipcar for the first time, so we went about doing both.  Like others have said, it's a little hidden, but easy enough to get to.  We parked in the last available spot (the lot is small and shared with Zpizza), and went in.  I got a beef taco, a chorizo burrito, and the plantains.  Everything was good and cheap.  The total meal cost me under $10, and was very filling, with a ton of plantains in the order.  On the minus side, I wanted a nice Slurpee to go with it, but the machines were only shooting out liquid.  But that's not El Charrito Caminante's fault in the least.  It was a nice day, so we drove to Quincy Park and ate outside.  I'll be back next chance I get.  

Also, they need to update their Yelp sign, since they're now a full five stars.

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Elite '08

9

136

Alex S.

Arlington, VA

I've probably run or driven by this place dozens of times and never really noticed it.  I never would've tried it without Yelp. They even have a "Find us on Yelp" sign inside.  

There was a crowd of about 14 people on a Sunday at 2pm.  The guy running the counter was nice and talked with customers while the cooks were preparing.  3 tacos and 1 burrito supreme was $10 and took about 10 mins to  prepare while we waited.  They take carry-out phone orders too.

Tacos ($2 each) are pretty spicy and probably the best I've had so far in the DC area.   There's a small counter with about 5 stools inside but I didn't see anyone eating here.  A lot of people were getting the food to go then getting the drinks and chips next door at 7-11.  I'll be back soon.

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Elite '08

31

142

Michele D.

Sterling, VA

Holy f'in COW!!!  Now THIS is close to So Cal for me!

Wow, so I started out trying to eat at Pho 75, but they were closed (on a Thursday?) and I needed somewhere else to go.  I decided to give ECC a try, since it was on the way back to the office.

I walked in and immediately took notice that everyone waiting for their food looked damn ready to eat.  I was first hit over the head with the aromas, then the visual of the busy ladies preparing food in the back.  

I placed an order for a goat and a beef taco, along with a side of rice and beans.  I took it back to the office, peeled the foil packets back, and knew I was going to be in for a finger licking treat.  Both tacos had onions and some radishes, along with cilantro.  The rice and beans (black), were put together in the same container.  The meat of the tacos was so tender and tasty.  Yum!  Almost better than the taste was the price:  $2.00 per taco and 3.00 for the container of rice & beans.  Not too shabby!

I had people stop by and ask what I was eating.  People were intrigued, they were curious, and then they were hungry.  I told a friend that I would take him there and buy lunch so he could try it, and if he didn't like it, I would buy a case of beer to make up for it.  

I didn't even bother to ask what kind of beer he liked.......

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0

1

Yani R.

Washington, DC

Very cheap tacos, and very yummy. You can down these like chips and ask for more theyre so good. Strongly recommend.

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10

29

Kyle R.

Washington, DC

Edit 3/23/2008: This is easily my favorite restaurant in the metro DC area.  I can't get enough.  I've been having the tortas here recently and they're absolutely amazing.  I can't even convey how many stars this place deserves.

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This place is amazing. I try to eat here about once a week for lunch.  I usually stick with the tacos, burritos, and pupusas.  I always get goat or chorizo tacos.  The goat tacos are the best i've found.  A while back I got some goat tacos with some cartilage or something in it, but that was a long time ago and hasn't happened since.  The pupusas are amazing as well.  My recent excursion into the herb pupusa has made me quite happy.  

I recommend to all for some very affordable great food.

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0

25

Katie G.

Arlington, VA

Burrito!

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Elite '08

154

349

Liz D.

Boston, MA

Ok ok...look past the laminated pictorial window store front with the pixelated photos of their food and Comic Sans descriptions and just go inside...no really...they don't bite.

The backstory of this place warms my little icequeen heart(unless its made up, then i just feel f^ckin' duped), but I guess the owner started this place in a little pushcart and then eventually had enough money to open this storefront next to 7-11 and ZPizza.

Just a countertop, a stool or two, nothing fancy.  Menu overwhelmingly spelt out above you.

Let me help you out, this is how I rolled:

Chicken burrito-with all the trimmings $4
Plantains, refried beans and sour cream $3.50
Passion Fruit Fountain Drink $2

The burrito-it was amazing.  It just TASTED fresh for whatever reason.  All the contents, the guac, the tortilla. A+

The plantains-i absolutely loved them.  warm and delicious, and came in a massive carton with plenty of beans and sour cream.  Such a steal for $3.  I'm drooling at my desk now. no seriously.  

Passion fruit bev-perfect accompaniement to the meal.  I believe they also had mango, chocolate(?!), and strawberry drinks on site as well.

I will definitely make it a point to go here next time i'm in town.  F, taco bell, support your local eateries :)

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9

148

Anna R.

Arlington, VA

Great, humble, good food.  I love the pupusas and the beef tacos are a little slice of heaven.  We first stopped by a couple of Saturdays ago when it was a little overcast and there was no one in there except for us.  We chatted with the owner over neighborhood issues and ate an early lunch.  The cost of a meal for three?  I think it came in under $12.  I'm not a big fan of Mexican/Salvadoran food, but I know when something is fresh and made authentically and therefore, tastes great.  I will definitely come here again if the mood strikes...and what a nice walk back home.

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2

36

Joe W.

Arlington, VA

The goat burrito is one of the greatest meals I've ever had.  The combination tacos (all the meats; goat, tongue, chicken, beef, etc.) are quite FN tasty as well.  Even the pupasas are stand out offerings and I highly recommend the pupusas with loroco.  I go supreme on the burrito to get a little guac and cheese and it makes it enough for a meal unless you're absolutely starving or a big fat person.  Made a chupacabra out of me.

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Elite '08

82

247

Takaki K.

Arlington, VA

My pork burrito was really good.  The tortilla was fresh, and the cubes of pork were well fried.  It reminded me of my days in Cali.  Takeout only, cash only, no receipt.  You can't beat the price ($4)!

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1

3

Tom H.

Arlington, VA

Best tacos this side of the Rio Grande!  The owner is not rude like the gentleman below suggested.  He is merely busy because the world cant get enough of his tacos.  I like to call ahead my orders and then go  around the corner where there is a park with picnic tables.  I also like to take them home, or eat them there, or perhaps on the trunk of my car, in a boat, with a goat,  you get the point.  

I make it a point to eat here at least once a week weather i need it or not.  

One point, they are closed on tuesday.

Go there, order some tacos! You will not be disapointed.

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368

434

Jennifer S.

Arlington, VA

For about 15 years before this taqueria was born, the family that owns it sold their tacos via street carts. The shop isn't that much bigger, with only a handful of stools at a counter, as ECC focuses on carryout. With weekends comes lines, so plan ahead.

The tacos (the stars of the show) are light years better than the ones mom made you as a kid out of a box. They are stuffed with your choice of meat (beef, tongue, chorizo, goat or chicken (my choice)) and finished off with accompaniments like salsa, cilantro, lettuce, etc. and made hot or mild to your liking. At $2 a pop - you can't beat it. Also on the menu are burritos ($3), torta (steak sandwich $4), papusas - one is made with a flower bud and is delish, plantains with sour cream, and tamales. Wash it all down with one of the fresh fruit juices (like Mango) for another $2.

This is the REAL MEAL DEAL.

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1

7

shehzad s.

Arlington, VA

Went there for the first time today. Jose was behind the counter. Very helpful in picking stuff out from the menu, very friendly guy, and VERY good food. My wife and I just gobbled 4 beef tacos, 1 chicken burrito, and 1 cheese papuso . . . And we're thinking about going back right now to get round 2.  I loved this place!

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27

94

Lex G.

White Plains, NY

My favorite place in Arlington (or pretty much anywhere, so far) for tacos and pupusas.  Try the goat or beef tacos (the chicken is pretty good, but not quite as good!), and the loroco pupusas, which have cheese and a special type of flower/herb that tastes especially yummy.

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27

81

Jason Y.

Arlington, VA

Awesome goat, chorizo, pork, and beef tacos, and lorocco pupusas (herb/cheese).  They have tongue tacos too.  The yuca con chicharon is good too.  Its a dive witha  few stools.   The DC competition is Distrito Federal in Columbia Hts.

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23

119

Rocky A.

San Francisco, CA

A great place to go for Mexican and Salvadorean food. It's the closest I've found to the taqueiras in San Francisco's Mission District. (It's not that close, but as good as it gets in DC.)

I like their pupusas and burritos.

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