Restaurant review: Taqueria El Charrito Caminante
2710 N. Washington Blvd.
Arlington, Va.
703-351-1177

Taqueria El Charrito Caminante isn't an easy restaurant to promote, at least not outside the Latino community. Visit at any time of day and it's clear that this hole-in-the-wall takeout counter sees a lot of traffic, just not many gringos.

And that's too bad. With the scarcity of quality Mexican food in Washington, this gem is a perfect introduction for the uninitiated to delicious Mexican fast food.

The focus is on tacos and burritos, though Salvadoran pupusas make an appearance. Tacos, $2 each, feature a pair of corn tortillas, meat and garnish. Beware the tub of salsa verde, delicious but with quite a kick. The $3 burritos are also tasty, particularly the combination burrito.

For both the tacos and burritos, the typical beef and pork fillings are on the menu. But why not try something different? The beef tongue can be a bit chewy but is tasty, and the goat is also a winner. And the chorizo--greasy, wonderful chorizo--is utterly addictive.

The pupusas take a bit longer to cook and are on the bland side, but a baggie of marinated, grated cabbage and a red sauce help.

Honest taquerias are a wonderful thing, and all too rare in the capital region. High-quality taco trucks are a dime-a-dozen on the West Coast. Here's hoping that globalization brings about the decade of the taco!