Cheap Eats 2007: Guajillo

Reviewed by Cynthia Hacinli , Michele Kayal , Todd Kliman , Ann Limpert , Don Rockwell

Guajillo

1727 N. Wilson Blvd.
Arlington, VA
Phone: 703.807.0840

Cuisines:
Tex-Mex, Mexican

Opening Hours:

Wheelchair Accessible:
Yes

Nearby Metro Stops:
Court House
Rosslyn

Price Range:
Inexpensive

Dress:
Informal

Noise Level:
Rowdy

Reservations:
Not needed

Special Features:
Kid Friendly

Website:
Click here to open in new window.

Best Dishes
Chips and salsa; queso fundido; shrimp ceviche; wine-braised rabbit with onions; chicken mole; tamales; mojitos.

Price Details:
Small plates $5 to $11; entrées $9 to $18.


An ambient din gives this Mexican restaurant the feel of an ongoing house party for Clarendon’s young and restless. Color-splashed walls add to the festive mood, as do the tart margaritas and warm house-made chips for dipping in salsa. The enchiladas, burritos, and tacos are all satisfying, but the regional Mexican dishes are what make Guajillo distinctive.

Ceviche, more like a lime-infused shrimp cocktail, is punctuated with hunks of avocado and tomato. Chipotle chilies give zip to cornmeal tamales. A nicely seared chicken breast gets a spill of velvety chocolate-spiked mole.

The flavors are bright and true, and it’s hard not to catch the festive spirit. After a couple of margaritas, the puffy white clouds painted on the ceiling seem to be drifting by.

Open Monday through Friday for lunch and dinner, Saturday for dinner, Sunday for brunch and dinner.