Guajillo Restaurant - Review

After working 6 days in a row this week, I needed a beer .... and a nice dinner out. I didn't get a beer but did have a nice dinner. Jim picked me up after work and we drove in the general direction of several restaurants we were mulling over. As we exited from the GW Parkway our plans were to head to Kotobuki for sushi. But as it happens, there are several wonderful places to eat off this same exit, Ray's the Steaks and Guajillo to name two. Jim said, "Hey what about Guajillo?" and the next thing you know we're pulling into their parking lot.

Now the difficult thing about going to Guajillo is that Ray's is right next door. Finding a parking space is your first challenge. After that it's keeping your stomach from dragging you into Ray's for one of the best steak dinners in DC. But don't let the steaks tempt you if what you want is great Mexican food. Guajillo won't disappoint.

We were quickly seated and noticed that even at the early hour (5:30) the place was beginning to fill up. No sooner were we at our table when a fresh basket of chips and salsa as well as menus. The chips were paper thin and very fresh and the salsa tasty and hot (both temperature and spice-wise).

They have a nice list of tequila's to choose from as well as a killer Sangria and several beers. Jim got tequila and I got a glass of the (just made) Sangria. We decided to skip getting an appetizer and just ordered an entree each. Jim got the Carne Asada (a 12oz. grilled flap steak marinated in house marinade). I was trying to decide between the Chicken Enchiladas or one of the house specialties - Shrimp and Goat Cheese Enchiladas. The waiter said the shrimp ones were great so I got them.

The steak was incredibly tender and very flavorful. It was topped with grilled green onions and fresh tomato and came with refried beans and rice. Jim isn't a fan of refried beans but I am so I was more than happy to take those off his hands. They were very good, nice and smooth. This is a dish that will be ordered again.

My Shrimp and goat cheese enchiladas were good but nothing spectacular. The shrimp were but into dice size pieces which did make it easier to eat the enchiladas. The sauce was very rich and would have been ok with the dish but combined with the goat cheese sort of overpowered the shrimp. It was still very tasty (and I left nothing on my plate) but next time I'll try the chicken enchiladas instead.

Guajillo
1727 Wilson Blvd.
Arlington, VA 22201
703-807-0840