Tortilla Cafe on 7th Street SE on Capitol Hill has been serving authentic Salvadoran and Latin American food to the D.C. community since it opened, building a loyal following around pupusas, tamales, and the kind of from-scratch Central American cooking that is rare even in a city as culinarily diverse as Washington. It appeared in Season 11, Episode 1 of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, “Pub, Grub and More,” which aired January 3, 2011. Guy Fieri found a Capitol Hill kitchen doing real Salvadoran food without shortcuts — fresh masa, house-made fillings, and the salsas and curtido that complete the tradition.
Quick Facts
Restaurant: Tortilla Cafe
City: Washington, D.C.
Cuisine: Salvadoran / Latin American
DDD Season: 11
DDD Episode: 1
Episode Title: Pub, Grub and More
Original Air Date: January 3, 2011
Address: 210 7th St. SE #1, Washington, D.C. 20003
Phone: 202-547-5700
Website: https://tortillacafe.com
Status: Open
What to Eat
The Pupusas are the Salvadoran centerpiece — thick handmade corn cakes stuffed with cheese, beans, chicharrón, or loroco, served with curtido and tomato salsa. The Tamales Salvadoreños wrapped in banana leaves are the item that separates this from Mexican tamale traditions. The Yuca Frita with chicharrón and curtido is the fried appetizer worth ordering before the main dishes arrive. The Pollo Guisado — chicken braised in a tomato and pepper stew — is the daily plate lunch that earns repeat visits throughout the week. The Platanos Fritos, sweet fried plantains, are the side that belongs on every table. Compare Washington D.C. hotel rates on Trivago.
Plan Your Visit
Check the website for current hours. Tortilla Cafe is a short walk from the Eastern Market Metro station.
Address: 210 7th St. SE #1, Washington, D.C. 20003
Phone: 202-547-5700
Website: https://tortillacafe.com
Status: Open
Triple D Essentials
Stream the Pub, Grub and More episode on Amazon.
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Tortilla Cafe appeared in Season 11, Episode 1 of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, “Pub, Grub and More,” originally aired January 3, 2011.