Guapo's Georgetown Waterfront

For years I avoided Mexican food, which I felt was heavy and fat-laden. This was reinforced by a good number of Happy Hour type restaurants, which serve nachos up so drenched in cheese and topics that one can't find the chips. Fortunately, a few years ago, I stumbled upon Guapo's Shirlington. The food was fresh and light. The large menu allows for "healthy choices" to be made. I began to enjoy Mexican food again. Curious about the new location on the Georgetown Waterfront I had the chance to stop by last week. While there is no view of the river they make the most of the location. Upscale lighting and elegant wall coverings mix with concrete columns and bare floor. Glass exterior walls allows diners to appreciate the fountain (or ice skating, depending on the season). The menu is, again, fairly large and even though special meal requests are not listed it is easy to pick through and find vegetarian options (vegans may have to settle for the fajitas or ensaladas, as most other dishes include cheese). I usually get the non-Mexican Plantanos Fritos and Tamale De Elote but opted this time for the Vegetable Burrito, served Chimichanga style with black beans instead of refried beans. As I waited, I got a bowl of chips and two salsas. Having recently returned from travel, where the chips were ... sad ... it was a real delight to return to the super-light and not salty tortilla chips here. The salsa fresca was true to its name (fresh) and the second sauce had a terrific earthy quality, most likely from smoked peppers. The dish I ordered arrived with rice, beans, diced tomatoes, guacamole and sour cream in addition to the chimichanga. The chimichanga itself had been lightly fried and had a crispy exterior without being greasy. The burrito was stuffed with various green and yellow squashes, along with red and yellow peppers and a good deal of cheese. Each of the other accompaniments were good in their own right -- flavorful and fresh -- but were even better when mixed. The total bill, with tax and tip, came to less than $20, which is unheard of for the upscale restaurants on the Georgetown Waterfront. This place is both attractive and affordable, with nicely filling food which won't make you feel guilty. It also has killer margaritas, which I haven't indulged in for a while, but are truly worth it. Yes, Guapo's will remain on my "regular restaurants to visit" for some time to come. Congrats on the new(er) location in the heart of the city.

Casual Mexican Cuisine
Multiple DC area locations
https://www.guaposrestaurant.com/

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