If you’ve tried one taco spot, you’ve tried them all, right? Wrong. I recently discovered a new taco restaurant in Washington, DC that I could not wait to share with you.
The funny thing is, I stumbled across this joint entirely by accident. I was actually on my way to another one of my favourite restaurants, Wiseguy Pizza, when the bright lights of Rebel Taco caught my eye.
Many of you might not know this, but I am a huge lover of Mexican food. Tacos, enchiladas, Mexican street corn, cervezas, I’ve tried them all. So, I’m always on the lookout for great taco restaurants in my city, particularly those with great atmosphere.
First Impressions Are Everything
It’s hard to miss Rebel Taco. The bright marquee lights summon customers to its front door in the most fabulous way. That was the first thing I saw when passing the restaurant on my way to another eatery.
The restaurant is located in northwest DC at a busy intersection, which gives customers lots of opportunity to people watch and feel part of the excitement. It features Mexican-inspired food with some of freshest ingredients.
The entire eatery is Insta-worthy with its vibrant colours, abundant flowers (they’re artificial, but still look terrific) and exciting interior. I was too hungry to snap a few photos for Instagram, but I got a couple cool shots.
The Service Was Terrific
The entire waiting staff were very accommodating. I wanted to sit outside but all of the chairs and tables were occupied, so one of the waiters pulled one of the benches and tables for me and my partner to sit at.
Rebel Taco has a unique vibe. It’s not the type of eatery where you sit down and order from a waiter. You have to go inside to place your order, take a number and then the waiter brings out your food.
There are no complimentary chips and salsa; you have to pay for that. Water is complimentary, but it’s located in a cooler outside and you have to pour your own cup. If you prefer bottled water, you’ll have to buy it on the inside.
But, How Was The Food At Rebel Taco?
First things first, I have to say that their chips and salsa were amazing. Yes, amazing. The chips were perfectly seasoned with salt and the salsa struck a perfect balance between being chunky, but not overwhelmingly so. If I had one complaint, it’s that the chips were too thin to withstand the weight of the salsa. So, they often broke while dipping.
Holy Moley, I Loved The Guacamole
I happen to be a huge fan of guacamole. Some restaurants hit it out the ballpark, like Rosa Mexicano and unfortunately, some restaurants are a complete miss (cough cough Yard House). But, Rebel Taco’s guacamole was a hit. It had the right amount of vegetables and seasonings and paired rather nicely with the chips.
Next Up, Mexican Street Corn
I don’t go to any taco spot without trying the Mexican street corn. The very first time I tried Mexican street corn was at Don Taco in Alexandria, Virginia. Since then, I’ve been hooked.
I will say that Rebel Taco’s street corn was not as delicious as Don Taco or even Gringos & Mariachis, but it was good and I will likely order it again.
What About The Tacos?
I’m not very adventurous when it comes to food, so I ordered the carne asada taco just to be on the safe side. At the same time, I wanted to try something completely different from what I typically eat, so I ordered the lamb birria. The birria features braised lamb shoulder, a Mexican cheese blend, onions, cilantro and a consommé broth for dipping.
What I didn’t know is that the birria was crunchy. I am so glad I stepped out of my box because I ended up enjoying the birria much more than the carne asada. The presentation was much better, the taco had a delightful crunch and the dipping sauce was to die for.
I know for sure that I wouldn’t order the carne asada again because it doesn’t hold a candle to the birria.
I opted for water and a Corona to wash down my meal.
The Final Verdict On This Taco Restaurant In Washington, DC
I truly enjoyed my time at Rebel Taco. I thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere, it gave me a great opportunity to blog and vlog and the food was delicious. I can’t wait to go back.
I would definitely recommend that you head to this spot with friends on the weekend. You’ll enjoy taking photos, downing drinks and eating some tasty food all at a great price.
Bon Appétit!
XOXO,
This Bahamian Gyal
