Whenever I visit my daughter, who lives in Washington, D.C., I’m amazed by the sheer variety of food we can find there.
We’ve had fantastic falafel for $5 at Falafel Inc. in Georgetown, Michelin-star quality Middle Eastern and North African cuisine at Maydan, and everything in between.
We have also had a couple of favorite taco spots over the years, and now two are closing.
Two long-standing Mexican restaurants that helped define Washington, D.C’.s casual dining scene are shutting their doors for good, marking the end of an era in two of the city’s most popular neighborhoods. El Centro D.F. in Georgetown and Alero on U Street will soon serve their final meals.
Washington, D.C. will have two fewer Mexican restaurants for diners to choose from.
Image source: Getty Images
El Centro D.F. says goodbye to Georgetown
El Centro D.F., the stylish taqueria from Richard Sandoval Hospitality, will permanently close its Georgetown location on Sunday, June 29. The restaurant opened in 2013 in the space formerly occupied by the Third Edition bar at 1218 Wisconsin Avenue NW. Designed with Mexico City flair, the two-story cantina quickly became a hotspot for locals and tourists, offering upscale Mexican fare in a warm, eclectic setting.
The 160-seat restaurant features soaring vaulted ceilings, reclaimed wood accents, and custom murals crafted with metal and vintage Mexican newspapers. One of the venue’s standout features is its spacious back garden patio, which includes a full bar and a cozy fire pit — perfect for late-night margaritas or weekend brunches.
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El Centro D.F. in Georgetown was the second location. The original was in Logan Circle but closed in 2020 after nearly a decade in business. While these neighborhood outposts are disappearing, fans of Richard Sandoval’s cuisine won’t be entirely out of luck: his wood-fired Latin restaurant dLeña remains open in the Mount Vernon Triangle, and an El Centro D.F. location continues to operate at Reagan National Airport.
On the restaurant’s Facebook page today, the message to customers is: “Say adiós with salt and lime 🍋🟩 $6 Classic Margs ALL DAY – one last chance to raise a glass in Georgetown.”
Alero bids adios to U Street after 20 years
Meanwhile, another beloved Mexican eatery is closing its doors on U Street. Alero, which has served the neighborhood for two decades, recently announced it will close its original location at 1301 U Street NW.
A sign posted at the entrance broke the news: “The building has chosen not to renew our lease, so we will be closing our doors at this location.” No final day of service has been shared publicly, but the announcement marks the end of a chapter for the popular pre-concert destination near the 9:30 Club.
Known for its vibrant décor and lively crowd, Alero became a go-to spot for casual Mexican dining and strong margaritas. The menu features familiar favorites like quesadillas, enchiladas, burritos, and fajitas, along with a weekend brunch that drew large crowds. Its tequila-heavy drink selection and colorful ambiance made it a staple of the U Street nightlife scene.
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While the U Street location is closing, Alero isn’t disappearing completely, either. The restaurant’s Dupont Circle will stay open, and there are plans to open additional outposts on H Street NE and in the NoMa neighborhood.
The closures of both El Centro D.F. and Alero come amid broader changes to D.C.’s dining landscape, where rising rents and shifting customer habits have challenged independent restaurants.
Although neither closure was attributed directly to economic conditions, both reflect the pressures of operating in rapidly developing neighborhoods, where new concepts and real estate demands often force out longstanding venues.
Still, there’s reason for fans to stay hopeful. Richard Sandoval’s continued presence in the city, along with Alero’s expansion into new areas, suggests that while locations may change, the flavors and atmospheres that made these restaurants popular can still be found in new D.C. neighborhoods.
As Georgetown and U Street prepare to say goodbye to these two beloved Mexican restaurants, regulars have just a few more days to stop in for a final margarita, enchilada, or taco platter before the doors close for good.
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