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Restaurant Review: Gringos & Mariachis

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One of the great perks of working at a university is getting a few days off each year for Spring Break. Unfortunately, going to a tropical location and sipping drinks by the water wasn't in the cards for us this year (damn you adulthood!). Instead, we used Spring Break as an opportunity to check out a restaurant from our list and have some fun. Last week, we made our way to Bethesda, MD to have lunch at Gringos & Mariachis. We both really like Mexican food, so it was a very easy decision to check out this spot, eat some tacos, and enjoy some margaritas!

Simone's Review:

I love Mexican food. If guacamole were a person then I would marry guacamole along with my fiancé. While at Gringos & Mariachis, I immediately ordered the Guacamole and Damien chose the Chorizo Stuffed Dates. The Guacamole was very fresh and delicious, and was accompanied by homemade tortilla chips, fresh pico de gallo, and spicy salsa. I was content with the Guacamole and very happy with my choice. I ordered the Chicken Tacos and the Shrimp Tacos as my entree. Before I get to the tacos, I must say that no Spring Break is complete without an awesome drink. I ordered the Jalapeño-Cucumber Margarita, and it was great--very refreshing and slightly spicy. Unfortunately, the tacos were a bit of a letdown overall. The Chicken Tacos were well seasoned but they were dry as if the chicken was overcooked. The Shrimp Tacos were good and topped with shredded red cabbage, cojita cheese, and a hint of cilantro. I would definitely return to Gringos & Mariachis in the future for a good drink or for happy hour.

Damien's Review:

Did we mention that we were on Spring Break when we went on this food adventure? Well we were, which means I had to have a margarita (or two). I decided to keep it simple and ordered the House Margarita, and it was perfection. If you check out this place, don't be a fool--get a margarita. We shared the Guacamole and Chorizo Stuffed Dates as our appetizers. The Chorizo Stuffed Dates were really, really amazing. The chorizo was well seasoned and a little spicy, but that spiciness was balanced perfectly by the sweetness of the dates. The chorizo and dates were a great combination, and I would definitely order that appetizer again. I then ordered the Birria Tacos and the Barbacoa Tacos. Honestly, they were disappointing. The short rib (Birria) and the lamb (Barbacoa) both needed a bit more love and attention to add more robust flavor to the tacos. I was fortunate enough to taste one of Simone's Shrimp Tacos, and I think they were the only tacos that we had between us that were good. I would definitely order the Shrimp Tacos if I go back.

Our Review:

Overall, we would give our experience at Gringos & Mariachis a 3 out of 5. The appetizers and margaritas were delicious, and the restaurant decor was really cool (check out the awesome wall murals below!), but most of our tacos could have been much better. Don't get us wrong: if you are looking for a restaurant in the Bethesda area for a happy hour of margaritas and small bites, this is definitely a great spot to visit. And the other appetizers and entrees on their menu sound like they have lot of potential and are probably worth checking out. Until next time, treat yourself to a great meal soon!

Our margaritas!

Who doesn't love Guacamole?!

Chorizo Stuffed Dates! #nom

Birria (slow cooked short rib) Tacos

Barbacoa (slow cooked lamb) Tacos
Chicken Tacos (left) and Shrimp Tacos (right)

Wall Decal #1

Wall Decal #2


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