Who makes the best Mexican food on Route 1? We need your help to find out.
Welcome to our bi-weekly “Best Of Route 1” contest, where Patch asks readers to visit our “Places” section and write their thoughts on which they like best.
You don’t have to be a professional critic. Just write down a few thoughts about what you like (or don’t like) about the featured Mexican restaurant. Your opinion counts!
Here’s how to play:
1. Create a free Patch login if you don’t already have one.
2. Visit the pages in our Places directory. Click on the links to go to the pages. This week’s contenders are:
- El Pollo Ranchero
- Tippy's Taco House
- Rosita's Restaurant and Carry Out
- Orale Mexican Restaurant
- Taco Grande
- New this week: nominate a restaurant as a write-in candidate!
3. Write a review at the bottom of the page where prompted. What makes it your favorite Mexican place? Are the margaritas served in birdbath-like glasses? Is the salsa extra-hot? Votes in the below poll will count as a vote, and reviews on the Places pages will count as two votes. One vote per person in the poll and one review per person on the Places pages, please!
4. The place with the most combined votes and reviews by Wednesday, Nov. 16 will be declared the winner.
5. Is Mexican food not your thing? Check back every two weeks for a new Best of Route 1 category. We’ve got the whole highway covered.
Thanks for playing, and may the best Mexican restaurant win! Ole!
DAVE
11:21 am on Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Unfortunately, my wife and kids think "real" Mexican food is Taco Bell and Chevy's.
Tom
11:22 am on Wednesday, December 7, 2011
You missed my favorite 2 Mexican Restaurants on Route 1 - la Mexicana bakery and Tacos Costalilla!
Cathleen Lewis
2:35 pm on Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Another recommendation for La Mexicana below!
Mary Porter, CHC
12:02 pm on Wednesday, December 7, 2011
El Pollo Ranchero does have the most amazing chicken, but we are fans of El Paso which is not on your list. The rice and beans side itself is fantastic.
Bodemp
1:45 pm on Wednesday, December 7, 2011
El Paso, on Cooper Road, just off Route 1, is fantastic. Everything we've had has been absolutely delicious, and we now try new things every time, and are always pleasantly surprised. Service is outstanding. Prices are very reasonable, especially considering everything appears to be freshly cooked. There are three other locations. We can attest that the one in the Woodlawn area is super.
Cathleen Lewis
2:34 pm on Wednesday, December 7, 2011
La Mexicana Bakery & Taqueria 2907 Arlington Drive Alexandria 22306. Real Mexican food, not drenched with cheese. Wonderful fresh slaw and a bakery, too. Excellent food.
DAVE
4:00 pm on Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Thanks for all the talk about Mexican food. I ended up going to El Paso for lunch and ate an entire steak and charizo burrito with extra cueso. Talk about yummy goodness.
Mary Ann Barton
6:54 pm on Wednesday, December 7, 2011
I wonder which Rt 1 Mexican restaurant has the best chips and salsa?
Greg Crider
11:00 pm on Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Mary Ann -- Chevy's, Mount Vernon Plaza, has the best chips and salsa in my book.
Jessie Biele
9:54 am on Thursday, December 8, 2011
I second Chevy's for best chips and salsa. They especially go well with their margaritas!
Mark Murphy
7:37 pm on Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Rosita's is relatively new, located in the old Arthur Treacher's. The food is really good and the owners are really nice.
JP Moery
10:28 pm on Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Agree w El Paso as best. Fresh, great service and excellent specials.
Greg Crider
11:07 pm on Wednesday, December 7, 2011
El Paso, Cooper Road, is the best. Agree with everything Bodemp & JP Moery said about them in rating them the best. And they serve their plates hot -- authentic Mexican.
T Ailshire
8:01 am on Thursday, December 8, 2011
Another for El Paso. Good food, outstanding service!
DAVE
8:32 am on Thursday, December 8, 2011
I agree Chili's. They also have the best guacomole. El Paso has fantastic fresh chips and salsa.
Janna Marks
9:11 am on Thursday, December 8, 2011
El Paso, hands Down. Great food, great service.
Jennifer Hemingway
9:42 am on Thursday, December 8, 2011
How can you not have El Paso on your list?? The best by FAR!!!
Mary O'Donnell
12:48 pm on Thursday, December 8, 2011
Another vote for La Mexicana!!
Daniel Lopez
8:54 pm on Thursday, December 8, 2011
I wanted to thank everyone who placed comments about EL PASO even though we are not on the list. I invite everyone who wants to try the real taste of mexican food to come by this December and say you voted for EL Paso in the Patch and get a free dessert.
located at: 8746 cooper rd, Alexandria Va 22309 (703) 619-5123.
Mary Ann Barton
9:09 pm on Thursday, December 8, 2011
OK, now I'm wondering Daniel what you have on the dessert menu?? :)
Tamara Wichelns
12:04 pm on Friday, December 9, 2011
El Paso-by far!
Greg Crider
12:24 pm on Friday, December 9, 2011
I think it's pretty obvious that EL PASO is the overall favorite & mine. Though I prefer local restaurants to the national chains, I think a great addition to Route 1 would be Don Pablos. How about it SFDC? Recommend you attract them, epecially with all the new BRAC folks needing places to eat.