El Puerto Authentic Mexican Restaurant

I was so disappointed when El Puerto closed it’s doors. I am from San Diego and this was the closest thing I could find to the Mexican Food I grew up with. I now understand that they have just moved and have a new name. I’m looking forward to checking them out.
El Paso
8746 COOPER RD
ALEXANDRIA, VA 22 309
(703) 619‑5123
Their Margarita special is now $ 3.49 on Thursday. But if they are the same as they were before, it’s well worth it.

Good value for typical tex-​mex food. Friendly atmosphere.
This restaurant has relocated approximately 2 miles south of its old location to Cooper Road and is now named El Paso. Same people. Same food. Better parking.
**Edit: I stopped by for dinner last weekend and my waiter indicated this restaurant is NOT associated with the now closed El Puerto, but with the other El Paso in Springfield. The menu is identical and some of the staff look the same, but if waiter was correct, it is not a rebirth of El Puerto. Anyway, ok tex-​mex, nothing special, pretty much what you’d expect around here.**

I tried to go here this past Friday. This restaurant is closed. You have been warned.
I had been there with Rowland S. and some friends and agree it was pretty good when it was open.

I first went to El Puerto at a friends request four years ago and was a little put off by the way the exterior looked. I must say though as soon as i walked inside i knew the food was going to be great. Since then it has become one of my finance and I favorite places to eat and we pass several other well known Mexican restaurants to get there. The kind of place that when friends that used to live here visit us they make it a ‘must do’ item of the trip to have dinner there .
First things first, The margaritas are excellent, strong and well mixed unlike some places I have been. The food is amazing, granted I usually order off the numbered combination menu (different combinations of the 6 items or so). My finance enjoys the vegetable or chicken fajitas. I would be remiss if I did not mention the Queso Blanco as a highlight of any trip, very yummy!
Now for the bad, the service at times can be a little slow at the end of a meal in giving you the check which is annoying to me but tolerable.
All in all a great Mexican restaurant and i would recommend it to anyone.

We went to this restaurant because my fiancé told me it was his parents favorite mexican restaurant. We were seated quickly. And then waited 15 minutes for someone to take our drink order. Several waitresses passed us during this time. Finally I heard one waitress speaking loudly to another behind us in spanish. I asked my fiancé what they were saying, and he said that the waitress was yelling «Why didn’t you get them drinks?!» The waitress then came over and apoligized profusely. From then on our experience was great. We ordered this 16.99 special for two, which came with an assortmnt of yummy food, about 4 plates full! everything was hot and fresh. I definitely recommend this place despite the whole drink thing, the staff was friendly and courteous after the incident and the food is great and cheap!

The thing that first drew me into El Puerto was the sign for $ 2 happy hour margaritas. Well, ok it was my friend Heather who brought me there, but I was instantly intrigued by the margaritas. These weren’t watered down to equal $ 2 margaritas, but rather, really GOOD margaritas! Then I looked around… I knew it would be good food when I saw other hispanic families filling up many of the tables. That was 4 years ago and I consider myself a regular now.
Let’s start with the chips and salsa. It’s good. Not the best I’ve ever had, but solidly good. Now, this place does the combo platter like I’ve never seen before. I think they have something like 37 combos. Impressive. The newest item they have on their menu is by far my favorite — the street tacos. (I know that’s not their real name, but that’s what I call them since they’re exactly like what I had on the street in Mexico City.) The food is always fresh and piping hot (just watch out — I’ve burned my tongue more than once on their refried beans).
The staff at El Puerto are so friendly and charming. They always have smiles on their faces. And they are genuinely glad to have you in their restaurant.
Give this place a try. Especially on $ 2 margarita night. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.