La Jarochita Restaurant

I’ve heard really good things about this place for many years and have always wanted to go, but just never had the chance, until recently! I went around lunch time on a Tuesday and they weren’t very busy, so I was able to order pretty quickly. I only speak English, but I’ve a “brown skin” person, so Spanish people always want to speak Spanish to me first, but when I replied in English, that wasn’t a problem – I bring that up, because normally at authentic Mexican taquerías this normally is an issue. They make a large offer of proteins in any style of serving you want (Example: You can get Pollo in a taco, gordita, sopes, tortas, etc), so I got a pollo and an asada. They have a big bin of pico to scoop out once you get your food and that had the best, freshest flavor! Their green and red sauces were both very nicely done and both were spicy, with the red being very hot, but tasty. The pollo was excellent – Lots of great flavor, quite possibly one of the best pollo tacos I’ve had! The asada was dry and not flavored very well. The fresh lime I squeezed on top really helped to light it up, but it still needed more help, so I used lots of salsa. Overall, I really enjoyed my experience here. I can see why they’re rated so high, definitely worth the hype!

From the atmosphere to the food, everything is authentic and tasty. The tables and chairs are all beautifully decorated, each with its uniqueness. The menu has tons of options. I ordered Tacos, Torta, and cake, and my only complaint was that I wished I had ordered some more. Everything was beyond my expectations, and I’d happily return here for more. Hands down, I highly recommend this place.

After hearing quite a bit about this place on a Foodie group on Facebook, I decided to make the drive out to Manassas. The service is quick, friendly, and able to speak English. I tried the carnitas, asada, chorizo, and Al pastor, all topped with onion and cilantro. Despite the very generous amount of fillings in each taco (enough to make a second taco), the flavors and textures didn't live up to the hype. The fillings were pretty bland and drier than expected. The Al pastor, in particular, didn't hit the mark – it was just minced pork with some dry pineapple pieces, not the authentic flavor I was hoping for. The carnitas were also a letdown; they should have been juicy and flavorful, but turned out dry and hard to chew. On the flip side, the restaurant itself is really well-kept. Everything from the tables and floors to the bathrooms was clean and tidy, and they had plenty of trash cans around. It's a popular spot for families looking for an affordable meal, but based on my experience, I'm not able to recommend going out of your way to eat here. However, it's worth a try if you're already in the area.

The best authentic Mexican tacos you can find in the whole DMV. Be aware that the good taco stand inside opens until 3pm. They have a huge pastor trompo and other options like cecina, chorizo, etc. Their salsas are also really good. Please be aware that you will find always people in line and crowds since this is a really good spot for tacos. You always find seating, people move pretty fast after they eat. The place has everything don’t forget to buy some bread on your way out or a mangonada.