While I have explored Washington D.C.’s many neighborhoods and eaten all over the nation’s capitol, I have not spent much time in the surrounding areas- such as historic Alexandria just a Metro ride away.
After spending a morning exploring George Washington’s estate- Mount Vernon- I decided to stop by Alexandria for lunch. When exploring options for where to dine, Don Taco caught my eye because I am always in search of good tacos. With lots of gluten-free options marked on their menus, I decided to set my sights on a late lunch there.
Located on historic King Street, the dining and shopping heart of old town Alexandria, Don Taco combines traditional Mexican flavors with modern elements.
Gluten-free items at Don Taco are marked but as I always say, be sure to let the staff know about all of your restrictions and the severity. The fryers are shared, so items like tortilla chips are not safe. The menu is choose-your-own-style, so be sure to double check that everything is safe. I know when I mentioned being dairy-free, some of the toppings on the tacos were not safe, so the kitchen omitted them.
For starters, I ordered the small guacamole, which could easily feed 2 or more people. Because Don Taco’s tortilla chips were a no-go, the manager brought out steamed tortillas for dipping. Steamed perfectly, I liked rolling them into guacamole-filled “taquitos.” The guacamole is really good- smooth and creamy with chunks of tomato and onion. Unlike other restaurant guacamoles I have tried, this tasted freshly made and had the perfect balance of flavor.
For tacos, I ordered the chicken siracha, buffalo chicken, and the sweet and spicy mahi mahi. The first two were meat-only because the added toppings were not dairy-free. I loved the succulent tenderness of the chicken tacos, which were bursting with flavor in every bite. The siracha had a bit of a kick while the buffalo chicken channeled the tailgate staple perfectly, bringing a different time of spiciness with intense flavor. The third taco was a flavor departure away from the first two, with sweetness coming from the mango and spiciness coming chili sauce. Of the three it was the most interesting, but I’m not sure if it was my favorite. The tortillas held up well to the heavy fillings and the portioning of each filled me up without leaving me too stuffed.
Don Taco delivered a good gluten-free meal, and I am glad that the wait staff and manager took care to make sure my meal was prepared safely. Each taco I tried and the guacamole were excellent, and I relished every bite of my meal. I left full and happy, which is always my goal when eating tacos.