El Cabrito Mexican Grill — Restaurant in Maryland

Update 2017: Best banana chips we've had. Still good friendly service and solid food offerings.

This is a small family run establishment. They have a simple menu printed on a single laminated page, lunch on one side and breakfast on the other. The food does taste somewhat like they use canned ingredients, but the overall result works for what you are getting here. For cheap prices they serve a quick no-frills filling meal.

What sets this place apart is the friendliness of the owners. They are very pleasant and take time to chat and make sure everything is just right. The chef came and asked about the food, what we liked and didn't, where we were from, etc. A true local joint that values it's community and patrons, locals and visitors alike.

Specifics to the food... The chorizo cheese dip had plenty of sausage and came with fresh warm chips. The flautas were nice and crispy, but quickly got soggy in a sauce that was watery. The burrito was filled with a good balance of rice, beans, chicken and other ingredients. The rice and chicken had a nice herb flavor to it. It was my daughter's favorite. I tried the pork and yucca. The meat was well seasoned if a tad dry, but the yucca fries were some of the best I've had. Again the sauce was watery though.

Overall a pleasant experience. Not fine dining but a solid roadside stop. We would...

The absolute best salsa. There's a super spicy orange salsa and a green salsa. AMAZING. Like seriously. Amazing. However the service is so so. Almost always our order is messed up or something is missing. Mostly because of the language barrier, but not always.

I go on taco Tuesdays a lot. A FEW of their tacos are $1.50. (They don't tell you that.) And their pupusas. The two porks that are on special are often not very lean. Meaning pieces of fat or gristle are in the meat. The chicken is pretty lean and the carne asada taco ($2.50 each, NOT part of the special) is also lean and really good and worth the extra money (though I would go a lot more if it were $1.50!). The tacos are very simple. Only meat, onions, and cilantro. No cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, etc. They often add a grilled green onion and jalapeno to the plate, but not always. The Pupusas are great, but I don't love the cabbage with it (though that's authentic). I always take it home and add cilantro. Wish beans or anything else could be substituted, but not allowed.

The food is good, especially the salsas, but don't expect perfection when it comes...

A fantastic collection of favorites for those looking for authenticity, with an excellent price point to bring in those on the fence. The menu is diverse, and doesn't skimp on flavorful options, with a great kid-friendly selection of mini meals.

While more visits are needed to explore the whole array of tastes on hand, my choice of a pambazo was rewarding, with the flavors celebrating the street food background of the dish. It was more than ample in size for the price, and showed excellent care in it's preparation, with the guajillo and chorizo shining through in my messy journey with the sandwich. Truly wonderful.

Overall, even with a somewhat odd location tucked into a small strip mall, El Cabrito carries a comforting atmosphere inside, with a menu that will keep you returning. It is a fantastic option for those looking to avoid the traffic in your search for a local dinner, and will surpass most options for similar food even for those willing to travel to find it. They also have several locations, making it even easier to get your fix. I look forward to my next visit,...