Tacos El Costalilla — Restaurant in Virginia

The Flautas Platter consists of 3 rolled corn tortillas filled with chicken breast and cooked, or rather overcooked, so that both ends of the chicken are crunchy and dark brown or burned, while the chicken in the center is white and moist. The flautas were evidently unseasoned, as they were flavorless. So it's just tortillas filled with small rolls of plain unseasoned chicken and overcooked. The thin, watery sauce provided with the meal added some moisture but very little flavor. The whole mess was presented under a thick camouflage of lettuce so you can't see that it is burned. To add salt, you have to open up the flautas, which defeats the purpose of ordering food already made. Might as well just cook at home and season to taste! (and you could follow a recipe, that is, add onions and peppers and spices, which will make the plain chicken taste much better!) The beans and rice were better but nothing special. My companion reports that the burrito was large and tastes ok. Aside from dismal food, my complaint is that prices posted on the menu are not correct, which fact is noted on the front of the menu. I guess you find out how much your food costs when you are handed the receipt. That's how I found out. Wait staff are friendly and explain that prices will be posted when the owner deigns to do so. Good on me for trying something different in the neighborhood, but we won't be back for overcooked, overpriced food with no...

Love this hole-in-the-wall Mexican place! I happened upon it one day when I was craving La Mexicana Bakery but unfortunately La Mexicana Bakery was closed for the day. Doing some Yelp research, I found Tacos El Costalilla just down the street and decided to try it.

Tacos are really good, although a bit on the small size for $2.20 each. I like the spiced pork, al pastor, and carnitas tacos the most. Definitely get the al pastor taco! I haven't had a better al pastor taco anywhere else in the DC area yet.

There's a "salad bar", where you can build your tacos by loading them with cilantro, lettuce, onions, limes, radishes, etc. The burrito was very good, probably the best I've had in the area so far. I like that the food here isn't saturated in oil. The more I come here, I more I prefer their tacos to that of La Mexicana Bakery. Don't get me wrong, I still like La Mexicana Bakery and I would still go there to eat, but the tacos here are less oily. Burritos are definitely better here too. There's so much stuff in a single burrito.

Also, I had an Aqua de Jamaica (hibiscus punch) that was sweet and tasty. Never had it before, but I'm glad I tried it! Another good thing about this place is that it's open late (like I mentioned before, came here after trying to go to La Mexicana on a Sunday at 6pm and found out this place opens till 9pm on Sundays). Great...

I'm not really impressed as I heard about it too much and had much higher expectations!! It's ok! Still my favorite is La Jarochita in Manassas!

When it comes to Authentic Ethnic Eats , I can let it go with unfriendly service, and not speaking English but only if your food is really exceptional !

The menu is easy , clear and English! Which is good! They kept calling my order in Spanish and I didn't know it's for me ! It took us long time to figure it out! LOL

I liked the food very much by the way! But the Carne Asada was a little hard and not easy to chew!

Nice toppings on the bar but doesn't include Pica de gallo like La Jarochita in Manassas and also wasn't really fresh!

I wanted to try their version of the Flan but it wasn't available! Disappointing!

They have a huge selection of Mexican soda products! Next time I'll try the non alcoholic Sangaria!!

I'll go again if I'm in the area! But I don't think I'll ever drive especially for them again!

Finally I'd say, Go try it and pray for me! Lol yeah people!! It's still 4 stars...