Thumbs up, definitely. Love the taquitos.

If I ever go off the vegan wagon, I’m heading here first for some chicharron.

can anyone explain the deep meaning of the word rinconcito?

I remember from Spanish class something like Rincon translates to corner, but in reality it’s used like “cozy old neighborhood corner like we grew up near”

FYI, Burritos are not latin or hispanic food. They were invented in the U.S. and don’t originate from any latin country. So, really, they aren’t authentic in any real sense of the word. That said, I’m not commenting on the quality of Rinconcito’s food, I’ve never had it. But I have been in there to have a beer or two and watch a soccer game, and I’ve enjoyed it. Good, friendly service.

The owner is Bolivian and a group of us has been hoping she’s one day have a Bolivian food special but apparently they made Bolivian before and it didn’t sell so well. Wonder if anyone reading the blog would be supportive (ie show up) if she advertised a Bolivian food night…..sopa de mani = deliciosa!!

i’ve never been to the one on 11th St, but El Rinconcito on Park is awesome! i highly recommend the cheese enchiladas. they also have excellent refried beans and rice. its my favorite comfort food in the city. they also serve up an amazing margarita. i’ve never tried their soup before, but always think i should–i see them serve it heaping with seafood and it looks delicious!

The one on Park and this one on 11th are complete different from each other. The one on Park is a little “fancier” and has more options; I don’t care for the standard tacos/burritos their much but some of the other things are really good (big fan of the pork chicharrones (sp?)). However, I had to skip out on this place the last time I was there as there was a pretty nasty stench coming from the general seating area; hopefully that problem has been resolved!

@ Neener…I believe you are correct. This name probably means the happy little sports corner or something like that.

Name aside, this tiny hole-in-the-wall is magical. I am far from adventurous–I stick to their burritos and papusas–but they’re always in heaping portions and are very delicious. The green chile salsa that comes with the burritos? YUM. Oh, and the coleslaw/salsa that comes with the papusas are laced with crack, they’re so good.

The wait staff are always wonderful and nice. If I want a burrito, this is the first place I’ll go.

Oh, and does anyone else chuckle to themselves about their bar? They have one of every type of bar glass, but usually just one.

Yeap, asi es. Pupusas are like my beloved Arepas.

En este Rinconcito Deportivo la cerveza es barata, tres pesos por una Modelo Especial, esa es la que mas se parece a la Polar.

Pumito, si comes arepas, tienes que ser colombiano. And you should put in the accents in Spanish with alt 160, 161, 162, 163, 164. And alt 130 for é. I can’t help it. Soy profesora. And I will try arepas.

Neener, amigo, I am from Venezuela, I think I am the only Venezuelan in Mount Pleasant, lol. You can git a nice Arepa anyday at Nellie’s. I know the chef, he’s Venezuelan and the Arepas there “da bomb”, funk, I said da bomb…such a 90′s Miamian word….well, word…estoy borracho.

El puma venezolano

BTW, soy hembra (yo puse que soy profesora), y no sabía que se comen las arepas en Venezuela. In fact, my husband got some Venezuelan ayacas for Christmas Eve and we had never had them. He prefers tamales salvadoreños and for me, those ayacas were, as you say, da bomb.

neener, Nellie’s sports bar at 9th & U has arepas. I don’t know how authentic they are, having never eaten them at other places, but they were GOOD and I’ve seen good reviews online.

RCR- yes, there were issues about 3 years ago with rat problems in the back alley, and people dumping trash such as mattresses and sofa’s into El Rinconcito’s Dumpster. I’ve been a Rinconcito patron for over 5 years, and have had nothing but wonderful experiences each time. I thought it was a bit unfair for one business to be blamed for the rat problem in a public alley (don’t all alleys in DC have a rat problem?) shared with other businesses and homes, and for trash that was obviously illegally dumped behind their property (who hasn’t seen people place unwanted furniture and large items in the alleys, without regards to disposal regulations) Maria is a great neighbor, who lives right down the street from the restaurant and who is active in the community and has been in business for over 12 years in Columbia Heights. If you stop by, chances are you will see her helping her kids complete their homework, instead of the crowd of drunks people on the listservs claimed.

Thanks to Everyone.. for their support..

My Mom Mrs. Nunez runs “El” Rinconcito Deportivo.. We are a Family Restaurant. We’ve lived in the Community for the past 14 yrs. and as well as myself, my mother is a great support to the Community aswell as other programs. Even though our Rest. has faced several criticism that we’ve never actually agree too. We are still in business in our neighborhood serving our best hospitality to our clients at the Rest. If u know my mom personally she’s very cordial and Pleasant for she’s always treating our new client’s as well as regulars with great attention. Now with The Trash Dumping behind the Rest.. the person that’s to blame is a street guy known as Marvin who’s caused several problems for other neighbor’s. Is responsible for Dumping trash all over the Alleys on 11th. St.. the police is informed about it.. but they never seem to do nothing in re-guards to the issue.. To all thanks for the Support, and you are welcome to visit our Restaurant .. Thanks on Behalf of my Mom and my Family..