El Centro D.F. - Georgetown

4.4 (2015)

$30 and under

Contemporary Mexican

1218 Wisconsin Ave., Washington, DC 20007

About this restaurant

Hot spot
Good for groups
Neighborhood gem

Chef Richard Sandoval invites you to gather, dine and raise a glass at El Centro, D.F. Authentic Mexican comfort food and fine Tequilas are served in three vibrant spaces.

Reaching back to his roots, internationally acclaimed Chef Richard Sandoval created El Centro DF to introduce Washington DC to signature authentic Mexican flavors and traditional dishes that he grew up enjoying. The dynamic two-story restaurant in Georgetown, with a back patio, is also home to over 300 tequilas, mezcals alongside craft Mexican-inspired drinks.

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Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Contemporary Mexican, Mexican, Comfort Food
Hours of operation
Brunch Sat, Sun 11:00 am–4:00 pm Dinner Mon–Fri 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Sat, Sun 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Happy Hour Mon–Fri 4:00 pm–7:00 pm Sat, Sun 4:00 pm–5:00 pm
Phone number
(202) 333-4100
Website
http://www.eatelcentro.com/georgetown
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Smart Casual
Executive chef
Chef Richard Sandoval
Private party facilities
Reaching back to his culinary roots, Chef Sandoval created El Centro DF to introduce Washington, D.C. to signature authentic Mexican flavors and traditional dishes that he grew up enjoying. The dynamic two-story restaurant in Georgetown, with back patio, is also the home to 200 tequilas and mezcals!
Delivery & takeout
Order direct

Location
1218 Wisconsin Ave., Washington, DC 20007
Neighborhood
Georgetown
Cross street
M Street NW
Parking details
There is both street parking and a public lot.
Public transit
Just North of the intersection of Wisconsin Ave NW and M St NW.
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Dancing, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Unlimited Chips & Salsa Duo$3.00
corn tortilla chips, habanero + molcajete salsas
Traditional Guacamole$16.00
avocado, tomato, onion, cilantro, lime, chili serrano
Tuna Guacamole* **$18.00
tuna, avocado, chili salsa, jicama salad, onion, cilantro, chipotle mayo
Corn Esquites$16.00
grilled corn, queso fresco, tajín chipotle mayo
Queso Fundido**$14.00
melted oaxaca & chihuahua cheese, chili morita salsa, flour tortillas
El Centro Chile con Queso**$16.00
pico de gallo, pickled chili, bacon

For the Table

Tuna Ceviche* **$16.00
lychee citrus broth, cilantro, mango, cucumber, onion, avocado
Cantina Nachos$14.00
requeson cheese sauce, cotija, guacamole, crema fresca, beans pico de gallo, jalapeño
Quesadillas**$13.00
melted mexican cheese, pico de gallo, chipotle mayo cilantro, crema fresca
Crispy Calamari**$17.00
jalapeño tartar, chipotle mayo, habanero salsa, tajín

Soup & Salad

Tortilla Soup$11.00
crema fresca, cheese, avocado, tortilla strips
Chipotle BBQ Salad$18.00
grilled chicken, panela, black beans, jicama, roasted corn avocado, tomato, tortilla strips, cilantro-ranch
Mexican Caesar Salad**$14.00
black beans, cherry tomato, avocado, roasted corn, jicama, croutons, smoky caesar dressing

Street Tacos

three soft corn or flour tortillas** + mexican rice & beans

Hanger Steak*$23.00
mexican cheese blend, onion, cilantro, chile de árbol salsa
Chicken Tinga$17.00
crema fresca, lettuce, pico de gallo
Crispy Shrimp**$22.00
chipotle slaw, pickled chili, pineapple
Al Pastor$18.00
adobo pork, grilled pineapple, onion, cilantro, salsa verde
Crispy Baja Fish**$22.00
poblano tartar, cabbage slaw, pico de gallo salsa verde cruda
Mix & Match$23.00
choose any three street tacos

Chef's Specials

Pork Shank Carnitas$24.00
salsa trio, refried beans, corn tortillas
Diablo Shrimp$27.00
charred citrus shrimp marinade, chipotle tomato sauce sweet plantain, mexican rice, charred lemon
Carne Asada*$31.00
hanger steak, poblano rajas, cheese enchilada crema fresca, charred salsa
Salmon Adobado* **$25.00
grilled broccolini, salsa criolla, corn pico de gallo charred lemon
Seafood Chile Relleno$26.00
crab, shrimp, roasted poblano, melted cheese, crema fresca black bean purée, mexican rice, chile de árbol sauce
Del Campo Mexican Burger**$20.00
veggie burger, melted cheese, fajita pepper, chimichurri chipotle mayo, pretzel bun, fries

Fajitas, Enchiladas y Burritos

served with mexican rice & refried beans

Chicken Enchiladas**$18.00
tomatillo sauce, oaxaca cheese, crema, lettuce, onion
Cheese Enchiladas**$16.00
melted cheese, crema fresca, lettuce, tomatillo sauce
Achiote Hanger Steak Fajitas* **$31.00
guacamole, crema fresca, pico de gallo, flour tortillas
Adobo Chicken Fajitas**$27.00
guacamole, crema fresca, bell pepper, onion pico de gallo, flour tortillas
Shrimp Fajitas**$28.00
guacamole, crema fresca, bell pepper, onion pico de gallo, flour tortillas
Vegetable Fajitas**$26.00
mixed vegetables, bell pepper, onion, guacamole, crema fresca, pico de gallo, flour tortillas
Mix & Match Fajitas**$32.00
choice of 2 proteins

Street Tacos

Mexican Rice & Beans$7.00
Sweet Plantains$7.00
crema
French Fries$7.00
Mexican Mixed Greens Salad$7.00

Postres

Churros**$10.00
cinnamon, sugar, cajeta, chocolate sauce
Corn Cheesecake$12.00
agave berry salsa, tajín sorbet, whipped cream

Reviews

OpenTable reviews from verified diners

Reviews from people who have dined at El Centro D.F. - Georgetown.

4.4

(2015)

4.3Food
4.3Service
4.3Ambience
4.1Value

Noise • Moderate

1,970 Reviews

J
Jamie
Washington DC4 reviews
4.0
Dined on June 28, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Food was good. Pricey but good. Server was great!!
Is this helpful?
C
Carolina
New York City1 review
1.0
Dined on June 27, 2025
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 1
La comida es muy mala, el Margarita terrible, los precios muy altos, el sitio con muchísimo ruido.
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C
Chad Gold
Washington DC10 reviews
5.0
Dined on June 23, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We loved the food at El Centro DF!! What is sad is that they are closing due to the end of their lease on June 30. Let's hope that they relocate somewhere else soon!
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R
Robert
Washington DC2 reviews
4.0
Dined on June 21, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 3
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
I went for the bottomless brunch for $37.00 and bottomless cocktails for $12.00. The server was fantastic. The food was flavorful and the vibe upstairs was enjoyable. The taco and tuna aguachile servings were tiny particularly for the prices listed. The brunch menu included prices which I was amazed by. The el centro hotdog was listed as $12.00 for a third of the hotdog. It took three orders for one full size hotdog. The shrimp and steak tacos were tiny and averaged $20.00 for one. Again, the bottomless is a set price for all you can eat but still blown away by what they are serving considering the price listed. I ordered about 15 dishes and was not full when I left.
Is this helpful?
T
Tatiana
Washington DC1 review
3.0
Dined on June 15, 2025
1. Overall 3
2. Food 2
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
Went here for Father’s Day and the staff was very accommodating and friendly. The food on the other hand was just okay. It was very heavy, overly acidic qnd heavily seasoned. We did the bottomless brunch and it was quite expensive for what we had. Their drinks were great though.
Is this helpful?
D
Deepa
Washington DC2 reviews
5.0
Dined on June 14, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
It was a casual dining with delicious entrees. The steak entree was absolutely delicious and amazing. The server was very nice and friendly. She recommended the entrees and was absolutely impressed. A great experience and will definitely go back.
Is this helpful?
f
franky
Washington DC1 review
3.0
Dined on May 25, 2025
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 2
food took too long to come out during Brunch and the bartender didnt wanna make us our last round of drinks at 3:50pm
El Centro D.F. - GeorgetownResponded on June 3, 2025
We're really sorry to hear this. That’s not the experience we aim to provide during brunch, and we understand how frustrating delays can be—especially near the end of your time slot. We’ll pass this feedback along to the team so we can improve. Thank you for letting us know.
Is this helpful?
J
Joy
Pittsburgh11 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 25, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We had the BEST time at El Centro during Sunday brunch! We were able to grab a last-minute reservation when we found ourselves unexpectedly free in Georgetown over lunchtime, and it truly couldn't have been better. Even for how busy the place was during "bottomless brunch," we received excellent service and incredibly delicious food. We will definitely return the next time we're in DC!
El Centro D.F. - GeorgetownResponded on June 3, 2025
We’re so happy to hear this! Thank you for spending your Sunday brunch with us—we’re thrilled you had such a great experience. Can’t wait to welcome you back next time you’re in DC!
Is this helpful?
N
Natalie Gold
Central Coast16 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 24, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Really impressed with this spot. The guac and chips were next-level—super fresh with just the right kick. Service was on point, and the whole place had a fun, lively energy without being too loud. Great place for dinner!
El Centro D.F. - GeorgetownResponded on June 3, 2025
So glad you had a great time! We take pride in keeping our guac fresh and our energy just right. Thanks for the kind words—we hope to welcome you back again soon!
Is this helpful?
E
Eva
New York City3 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 17, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great tasting Mexican food. The ambiance and service are great to top it off with great margaritas.
El Centro D.F. - GeorgetownResponded on June 3, 2025
Thank you so much! We're thrilled you enjoyed the food, ambiance, and margaritas. Hope to welcome you back again soon!
Is this helpful?

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Contemporary Mexican, Mexican, Comfort Food
Hours of operation
Brunch Sat, Sun 11:00 am–4:00 pm Dinner Mon–Fri 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Sat, Sun 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Happy Hour Mon–Fri 4:00 pm–7:00 pm Sat, Sun 4:00 pm–5:00 pm
Phone number
(202) 333-4100
Website
http://www.eatelcentro.com/georgetown
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Smart Casual
Executive chef
Chef Richard Sandoval
Private party facilities
Reaching back to his culinary roots, Chef Sandoval created El Centro DF to introduce Washington, D.C. to signature authentic Mexican flavors and traditional dishes that he grew up enjoying. The dynamic two-story restaurant in Georgetown, with back patio, is also the home to 200 tequilas and mezcals!
Delivery & takeout
Order direct

Location
1218 Wisconsin Ave., Washington, DC 20007
Neighborhood
Georgetown
Cross street
M Street NW
Parking details
There is both street parking and a public lot.
Public transit
Just North of the intersection of Wisconsin Ave NW and M St NW.
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Dancing, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Permanently Closed

This restaurant is permanently closed.

El Centro D.F. - Georgetown

About this restaurant

Permanently Closed

There’s more to explore

Additional information

Guacamole & Queso

Unlimited Chips & Salsa Duo$3.00

Traditional Guacamole$16.00

Tuna Guacamole* **$18.00

Corn Esquites$16.00

Queso Fundido**$14.00

El Centro Chile con Queso**$16.00

For the Table

Tuna Ceviche* **$16.00

Cantina Nachos$14.00

Quesadillas**$13.00

Crispy Calamari**$17.00

Soup & Salad

Tortilla Soup$11.00

Chipotle BBQ Salad$18.00

Mexican Caesar Salad**$14.00

Street Tacos

Hanger Steak*$23.00

Chicken Tinga$17.00

Crispy Shrimp**$22.00

Al Pastor$18.00

Crispy Baja Fish**$22.00

Mix & Match$23.00

Chef's Specials

Pork Shank Carnitas$24.00

Diablo Shrimp$27.00

Carne Asada*$31.00

Salmon Adobado* **$25.00

Seafood Chile Relleno$26.00

Del Campo Mexican Burger**$20.00

Fajitas, Enchiladas y Burritos

Chicken Enchiladas**$18.00

Cheese Enchiladas**$16.00

Achiote Hanger Steak Fajitas* **$31.00

Adobo Chicken Fajitas**$27.00

Shrimp Fajitas**$28.00

Vegetable Fajitas**$26.00

Mix & Match Fajitas**$32.00

Street Tacos

Mexican Rice & Beans$7.00

Sweet Plantains$7.00

French Fries$7.00

Mexican Mixed Greens Salad$7.00

Postres

Churros**$10.00

Corn Cheesecake$12.00

Additional information

Permanently Closed