Undoubtedly one of my favorite Mexican restaurants in the DC area. This family-owned restaurant offers much charm and great food, all at reasonable prices for Bethesda. The staff is super friendly and makes you feel right at home. As for the food and drink, the margaritas are outstanding!!! For appetizers, the soups are extremely flavorful, and the queso is loaded with chorizo. I have tried a variety of main courses and have never been disappointed. This is appointment dining for my wife and me at least twice a month.
(5)
Samuel N.
Pretty authentic style, but very bland. The beans were barely edible. The rice reminded me of boil in a bag. My meal, the chile rellenos, was small, bland, and not appetizing. The guacamole and salsa were pretty good. The staff was very nice. The restaurant was completely empty. That does not mean it's a hidden gem. It means avoid.
(2)
Janet L.
3.5 stars *TL;DR - A-OK! Good Mexican food! Service could be a little better.* Came here on a Thursday night... in the summer, can go upstairs for rooftop seating. I have been meaning to come here for the longest of time. I mean, WHY wouldn't you want to go to a restaurant with a STOPLIGHT on top of the house? Came in and it was seat yourself style, we were handed a menu right away. Complimentary chips/salsa were also brought promptly. The chips were good, the salsa tasted like it was from a can/jar but I ain't complaining. Twas good. The service was a bit spotty. It took a little to get the server's attention to get our orders. In addition, we also had to get their attention to bring us silverware. That being said, it wasn't anything to get upset over. The food was wonderful! Make sure you don't come here with tex-mex expectations... otherwise, you'll leave feeling unsatisfied. This afterall, is not texmex! Sangria (red) - Very tasty! Apples, oranges, and more! Chiles Rellenos - If you happen to like dishes where one type of food is stuffed with another type of food, you'll love this dish! Stuffed with cheese an fried in batter of egg whites covered in a lightly savory tomato & onion blend, how could one not love it? The cheeseeeee! Rice and beans on the side were okay. Tamales - Corn meal with chicken, moist enough and perfect with the green mole sauce provided to dip in. So cute, I hope the service is better next time but other than that, I'd be back for the food!
(4)
Bean J.
This place is as bad as everyone says it is. The salsa tastes like jarred (and sugared) congealed pasta sauce. The main courses were greasy and bland. The pre-mixed margaritas were as you would expect. The staff were friendly and attentive, but they can't make up for the terrible food.
(1)
Ronan M.
Probably the worst taco I have ever had. We were walking around Bethesda to try something new. I wish I would have stuck to the main street because this place was terrible. The steak was inedible, the menu states the taco comes on a flour tortilla which it did not etc... Want good Mexican go to Julio's
(1)
Ethan D.
Literally authentic Mexico... Not like oh this was a wonderful honeymoon... But, oh my god Dad got kidnapped and his kidneys are going to be sold on the black market. We went here with a group of four on a Friday night with three other parties in the restaurant. It was just sad and empty for a good reason. The service was terrible, and remember that Taco Bell dog that they stopped using in the ads? Well, they ground him up and tried to serve it as the salsa they brought out. It was beyond foul. Overall, I just have no idea how they are still open. It will be closed in a month.
(1)
Lindsay R.
I don't even know where to begin. We had been here before, and I thought it was great. However, I had consumed way too many drinks beforehand, thus compromising the full potential of my tastebuds. I just visited again (sober). Drunk me and sober me have very different tastes, apparently. I ordered some guacamole, which was fine, but the tortilla chips it came with tasted like a mixture between and old leather belt and seashells. I ordered some queso dip, which was okay. Then, I ordered the enchiladas suiza. They were absolutely TERRIBLE. They were soggy and tasted like a combination of tuna and lasagna (the kind you get in the frozen section). They were served with refried beans that were straight out of a can 3 days prior, and some rice that was slimy. To top it off, my SO had a margarita that was 1 part cheap math mix and 10 parts terrible tequila. What's up with that? No Bueno. No me gusta. Never again.
(1)
Mike S.
I wanted to like this place but my wife and I did not have a good experience on a Sunday evening. The staff are indeed very friendly, but the restaurant itself is very dingy. I just felt dirty there. The food was bland and the margarita and pina colada tasted terrible. Aside from the fish tacos, which weren't too bad, nothing tasted fresh at all. Chips looked like they came right out of a store-bought bag. Salsa tasted like Picante sauce. The guacamole had very little flavor. $75 for a plate of fish tacos, a plate of beef tacos, a side of guacamole, a margarita, a pina colada and two lemonades. I would not visit this place again. Guapos and Gringos and Mariachis are your best bets for mexican food in Bethesda.
(2)
Carolina R.
I wanted to like this place so much! For one, the people who work here are really friendly and endearing. Two, the restaurant has a lot of character and gives off the vibe that the food will be very authentic. Three, it has a nice little rooftop. However, the food was pretty bland and disappointing. I had the mole and wished I had ordered something different, but my date's food was also not great. Wanting to give it a second chance, we showed up for drinks on the rooftop on another occasion. The margarita was not very tasty, though the bar tender was super sweet. All in all, I still want to like it, but I wouldn't really go there again.
(2)
Tyler P.
Tia Queta, doesn't really get more authentic than this. Food is amazing, drinks are always cold, and the service is heartwarming. Every time I go here I feel like I'm a part of the family. Never had a bad meal here, would definitely suggest checking it out!
(5)
David M.
It's not particularly fancy or interesting. It's just good, home-cooked Mexican food. Really high quality approaches to classic dishes.
(5)
Allix H.
Margaritas were good and that's it. Enchiladas and tostados were tasteless and bland. Service was weird. Expensive menu for what you get. Even the chips and salsa were strange. Worst part was that our stomachs didn't agree with the food later that night... The rooftop terrace has a pretty cool atmosphere.
(2)
Vicki C.
Customer Service: Spotty. No hostess. Seat yourself. Servers all took turn serving us Drinks: Tia Queta Special Margarita, pretty strong, but not bad if you like tequila Sangria lots of fruit and ice *prices are not labeled. we should have asked how much the pitchers were turned out to be $30/each. Yikes!* Appetizers: Queso. Didn't realize it was broiled. It was stringy and cheese.. not too bad. Hard to eat with chips. We thought we were getting the gooey cheese sauce. Oops! Chips and salsa were pretty good! Entrees: Tacos Roquetas, crunchy and delicious Fajitas de Camaron, shrimp was not overcooked but they could have been cleaned a bit better...
(3)
J C.
Disappointing. There goes my theory that A tasteful well decorated place serves great tasting food. The salsa tasted like it came from a can of stewed tomatoes. The rest of the food pretty boring. Next time skip it and go to Guapos across the street
(2)
Samantha L.
Tia Queta is located directly behind my apartment. I probably should have tried it ages ago... but 2.5 years later i finally decided to see what it is all about. I didn't go in with the best expectations since most of the reviews I've seen have been just so-so... I'd definitely say Tia Queta is more authentic Mexican than some of the other choices in Downtown Bethesda (Guaops, Rio Grande, etc) They do have the staples like enchiladas and quesadillas, but most of their dishes are meat, or seafood with sauces like tomatillo, mole, etc. I went for a shrimp dish that had the shrimp wrapped in bacon and in a spicy green chilli sauce. It came with a small side of refried beans and rice. I also got a margarita on the rocks. The shrimp were VERY good... very well cooked and flavorful. Unfortunately, I left still kinda hungry because there were only 7 of them on the plate. The Margarita was just mediocre. So, was Tia Queta as bad as most of the reviews... I don't think so. Was it fantastic... no, not really. It was ok... but ultimately I think the small portions with the disproportionate price tags ($19.99 for my shrimp dish) would probably keep me from going back. I might wander over on a nice night to enjoy their roof bar. A drink and maybe some chips and guacamole might be a better way to enjoy Tia Queta rather than an entire dinner meal.
(3)
Alejandro B.
Bland food and watered down drinks. With so many Mexican options I would never go here again. The rooftop and the service are nice, but that's about it.
(2)
E. P.
Can't believe I've lived in the area for so long and only just got introduced to Tia Queta. After one visit, I became a huge fan. I love the vibe of the rooftop deck, thought the food was very fresh, and appreciated how family friendly it was. Margaritas were refreshing and strong. As others have said, this is MEXICAN food, not Tex-Mex. Mexican food is lighter, fresher and simplier. It's not drowning in lard and portioned humongously. One suggestion to the owners: When offering up daily specials, make sure you tell the customers the prices. It's awkward to ask. While I loved the blackened fish tacos with avocado I had there recently, I probably wouldn't have ordered it if I knew ahead of time it cost $18.50.
(4)
Cathryn L.
Tia Queta is a family owned gem in Bethesda. If you want delicious Mexican food and a strong margarita come here! The seafood dishes are always fresh. I will say they could peel the shrimp, but that's just my taste. The mole is outta this world as well!
(5)
PAT K.
Affordable, delicious, generous helpings. Can't ask for much more when you go out for Mexican. Not too mention the rooftop is the perfect place for a happy hour/date/family outing on a nice night. I'd recommend the Pollo Tlacolole, its a delicious dish I haven't been able to find anywhere else. All in all, a quality family owned restaurant that has become an institution in downtown Bethesda. A must visit!
(5)
Ruth S.
Fajitas for two, flan and crepes with ice cream made a fantastic birthday lunch. We shall return!
(5)
Alicia G.
As an Asian, I feel that my face is a fairly accurate litmus test for whether or not there is alcohol in a drink. I usually turn red after 2 sips. So picture this: you're out with your friends on the upstairs deck at 10PM on Cinco de Mayo and you order a pitcher of margaritas. Except after finishing a whole glass (and pitcher, and then ordering a second pitcher...) your face doesn't turn red. Yeah. I think it's safe to say we paid $50 for two pitchers of lime juice, margarita mix and salt. Fail.
(1)
R Q.
Wish I could give 3.5 stars I've been here twice and the food was REALLY GOOD the first time and OK the second. It's family run and the service was second to none. The menu changed between the times we came and the new menu wasn't as good as the one we first tried. That said, when we asked staff about it (after the meal sadly) they told us that they would prepare any dish we asked if we remembered the name. Bummer.
(3)
Rebecca B.
Was not a fan of their verde chicken enchiladas- they tasted very bland and were loaded with way too much cheese. After reading others reviews I may go back to check out there rooftop deck, just definitely not ordering the verde chicken enchiladas again.
(2)
Sara B.
We ended up coming here one night for a drink because the restaurant we were going to was not open yet. We got drinks and some appetizers. We had chips and salsa, chips were standard and salsa was very tasty. Chicken tortilla soup was not good, the base tasted like condensed tomato soup and I prefer it to be more brothy. Tostadas Compuesta was enjoyable - refried beans, chicken, onions, cheese, sour cream on a flat fried tortilla. How could that be bad? It was early on a weekday, but the place only had like 2 other tables besides us, so we had attentive and friendly service.
(3)
Nina S.
I'm giving three stars because it was OK just not excellent. I would not go out of my way to go back there. I go to a lot of Mexican restaurants so I have high standards and they missed the mark on a few things. The first thing that I taste (&review) when I'm at any Mexican establishment is the salsa and chips. The chips were clearly not homemade. They were these round corn tortilla chips that are served at most movie theaters. Not a good first impression. The salsa was greasy and looked more like tomato sauce than an authentic salsa. I was disappointed in the salsa and chips. The chicken quesadilla was so good! I really enjoyed that. I ordered it because I thought how made can you screw up quesadilla ? Well, they did a fabulous job with them. Order these when you go!! Skip the 'ritas and order one of the Mexican beer selections. The margarita was not very good... too tangy and not enough tequilla to make it worth it!
(3)
Trish M.
Tia Queta has everything you could want...delicious food, friendly service, and a great rooftop area! Their dishes are authentically Mexican and very fresh. I would highly, highly recommend this place if you're coming from near or far!
(5)
Amanda N.
Tia Queta USED to be our favorite stop in Bethesda. We actually recommended this place to people. I have a lot of apologizing to do. Maybe it's because I have family in New Mexico and I know what real Mexican tastes like, and this is NOT it. We were served stale chips and canned salsa by a guy who looked like he didn't want to be there. What happened to the great homemade chips and salsa??!! there. After 15 minutes he decided to take our order. I order the enchiladas verdes and my fiance ordered one of the steak dishes. We waited a long time for food to come out and what came out was....disgusting. The plate was so hot the server couldn't handle it. If the plate is THAT hot, it has to have been sitting under a lamp or microwaved. Everything was soupy and soggy. The tortilla on the enchiladas was mushy and the chicken dissolved...it was like cardboard. There was a separated layer of oil on everything like it had been sitting. The steak was sitting in a puddle of water and oil. The rejenos had no texture and tasted horrible. One. Big. Soggy. Mess. We didn't even recieve an apology or an offer for something else from the kitchen. We used to love you, Tia Queta, but we will be seeing you again any time soon.
(1)
Richard M.
If you like seafood served up in a savory South of the Border way, Tia Queta is the place. Every time we've eaten here (over the past 25 years), the fish dishes set the standard for every "Mexican" restaurant in the DC area. Last night we feasted on fresh snapper, grouper tacos, jumbo shrimp veracruzana and ceviche. The owner is also an avid fisherman, so sometimes the restaurant's patrons are able to benefit from some of his success on the water. The service is excellent, the staff is super friendly and they've got an excellent tequila & beer selection. That said, if you're just looking for frozen margaritas, chips and salsa, go to some other fajita factory for your taste of Tex-Mex. The chips & salsa are average, but if you've got a favorite style of margarita, they will serve it up RIGHT. Bottom line, I gave Tia Queta 5 stars because on a bang for the buck basis its a fantastic place and you will not find better authentically prepared Mexican seafood fare anywhere in DC.
(5)
Jeff B.
Not only is this the best Mexican food in Bethesda, by far, but its rooftop terrace is the most enjoyable al fresco space in Bethesda. I think some of the reviewers here mistake Tia Queta for Tex-Mex. It's not. It's authentic Mexican food, in a family-run restaurant. The owner waits tables himself, his wife is in the kitchen, and the food is excellent. Pretty darned good Margheritas too. The service can be pretty bumpy sometimes, in a benignly neglectful sort of way, but it's always friendly. If you're looking for Tex-Mex, there's no shortage of places in Bethesda and surroundings. If you're looking for genuine, family-cooked Mexican food, this is your place.
(5)
Erin M.
my favorite mexican restaurant in bethesda!
(5)
Jonny V.
Service: 1/5. Half of the waitstaff couldn't carry out basic duties. Food: 1/5. Food poisoning. Yup, my wife and I were victims. Wasn't too severe, but neither one of us enjoyed waking up a combined 9 times (SERIOUSLY) to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night. There were bones in the Mole Bueno and undercooked chicken in the Enchiladas Verdes, that we foolishly thought we'd completely avoided. The cook told us that the chicken had been slightly smoked prior to cooking, which was her explanation for the color, but, um...no. Ambience: 2/5. This is for the dining area on the first floor. Nothing gauche, just nothing tasteful, either.
(1)
lisa w.
between 3-4 stars, the margaritas boosted it up to 4. Husband and I went on Friday night. Agree with previous posts: no one at the entrance, service pretty slow despite lots of staff. My chicken dish was ok, my husband liked his shrimp dish though it seemed a bit pricey (but this IS Bethesda) BUT, The Margaritas! at least a 60oz pitcher, brought to us with the glasses already full (pitcher still filled to the rim).. We actually had to give away the last quarter of our pitcher to another table (already had a lil buzz and didn't wanna see it go to waste. I thought the salsa was pretty darn good, didn't taste or look like jar salsa to me. I would go back for the cute rooftop and a pitcher of margaritas.
(4)
Cat H.
I've been here 4 times and enjoyed it every time - great food, great margaritas, more authentic than the other Mexican restaurants in Bethesda. The decor reminds me of Oaxaca.
(4)
Mariana M.
My major complaint is that twice now I've showed up during normal business hours, with the "Open" neon sign lit up out front. Walked in, and the place is a ghost town. No customers, no staff. Called out, but no response. Walked back out and gave our money to another of the many surrounding restaurants. Otherwise, love the deck (well, watch out for birds...they tend to camp out and poop on your head...), and I actually sort of like the food when there's actually someone there to seat us.
(2)
James B.
I probably go to several dozen restaurants every year, but only write a review when it's an awesome experience. This is the first time I've written one like this. We ended up at Tia Queta sort of by accident, we were looking for a dinner place, thinking that Mexican food sounded good. We had recently been to Uncle Julio's which was good and fun, but wanted to try something different since we are new to Bethesda and still trying new places. This place looked like one of those dive joints that serves fantastic food (found everywhere on the west coast), but this place was a joke the moment we entered. First the ownership has decided that a hostess is too much overhead, so you will wander around looking for someone who can seat you. An older Mexican fellow finally came by and asked if he could help us...I told him I would like a table (duh). He told me to go upstairs but didn't bother escorting us up. We then had what we thought was our waiter deliver menus..I tried to start a conversation with him about where the name Tia Queta came from, but he walked away while I was talking. Another guy came by and dropped off chips and salsa and asked us what we wanted to drink. The chips and salsa here are just awful...cold roof shingles and thick tasteless salsa....that's already a reason to consider walking out of a Mexican restaurant. We asked for a pitcher of the house Margarita and water for everyone in our group of 5. Never got the water, and the margarita tasted so strange that I had to ask the waiter what was in it. At least it was strong..but I still don't know if it was because of the generous amount of cheap Tequila or something else fowl. The menu had unfamiliar Spanish titles and was rather expensive considering the service and tacky decor, but we finally settled on tamales, burritos, carnitas, and chicken fingers from the kids menu. Everything we tasted was bland, the only thing with any flavor was the kids chicken. I wondered if they made those fresh, I doubt it. I was starting to feel like I was being a downer about this place, but everyone else in or group agreed that the place was a dump. But hey, maybe the dessert could change our minds right? We ordered their version of sopapillas, they came out looking and tasting like the awful cold chips, and had drizzled honey over them that tasted like cold medicine. I'm not kidding. I think the waiter knew how bad these were because he dropped them off he ran off away. I never complained about the food or service, and actually left 15% tip, but I will never go back. Sorry for the long review, but this is the worst "mexican" food I've ever had! (Casa Bonita in Denver runs a close second on the food, but at least it has ambiance and it is an icon in Denver)
(1)
Lenny C.
We were here for a large function, so my experience is based on a buffet-style offering. First of all, this place is a lot bigger than it seems from the outside - there's a second floor with a huge room in the back. Service was excellent, and the bar staff was very friendly... The margaritas and other tropical drinks were huge. The appetizers served were good and your standard fare (baked beans and cheese on a crunchy tortilla shell). For the dinner, they offered rice, refried beans, a very nicely done chicken and a midlinds to so-so fish.
(3)
Mikkela T.
If you can't resist this shlotskies-gone-wild tatty decor... come drunk. Fall-off-your-beach-flipflop-drunk. The service seems friendly but it's slow (why are there so many people in this place?), the chips are cold and out of the bag, the salsa is watery and bland, the drinks came via commuter bus, the veggie fajita vegetables were British public school boiled (does it make you think of Cancun bronzed bods?), the melted cheese was cold, and the best thing were the warm flour tortillas (so at least they know how to use the microwave). Sure, they have mole on the menu... so what, you wanna try it in a place like this? Only $46 for two people (and we were being gracious about the tip). Call now for a blah bland pasty white... it's online now... have your credit card handy... it's, ooh, ahhh, waiting for you...
(1)
S S.
We love this place!! The staff (owner and family) are so nice and friendly, and were great with my 5-year-old daughter and our friends. (The owner even gave them ice cream!) Wonderful senses of humor and genuine service. Food was delicious. Varied menu with choices for everyone, including for children. It has never been too noisy or felt crowded when we've been there, and there's good space between tables, which we appreciate. We've never been to the rooftop section, so I can't comment on that. We always eat on the main level. Highly recommend for an enjoyable night out for families, visiting friends, etc.
(5)
Jason S.
There's no better place for delicious, authentic Mexican food. Lots of great dishes to choose from; the mole is a personal favorite. The service is as good as the food. I've been going for years. Give it a try and you're likely to become a regular, too. Tia Queta deserves a sixth star during the Summer when their rooftop seating area and bar are open.
(5)
Matthew B.
Fantastic dining experience. I have eaten here many times and this is my favorite restaurant to go out to. The environment is fantastic and the entire staff is friendly and courteous. Best margaritas in the DC area, outdoes Cactus Cantina, Uncle Julio's and Guapo's combined. Entire menu is delicious but I love the Tacos Roquetas in particular. The seafood specials are also great and there's enough to eat something different every time I dine there.
(5)
Miyuki L.
Drink review only -- margaritas are a fail -- they did not taste like they had alcohol in it. I will goto Uncle Julios in the area next time. Chips were also not up to par. For me no need to try anymore..
(1)
Kim S.
I want to love this place; I really do. Service has improved over the years and the moles have received positive reviews from my friends. The ambiance has a nice, authentic Mexican feel and the shaded roof deck is a valuable space in the spring and fall. That being said, Mexican rice does not have rice and peas; it's obviously frozen. And while they don't give you attitude when you request more guac and sour cream, they need to not be so stingy especially if they're going to overcook and dry out the meat. As for drinks, yeah, labeled prices would be great on those. The margaritas are not worth $10.
(2)
An L.
Overprice and not that great. I think that people were right about the second deck when it opens. I would not recommend it.
(1)
Brayden D.
This is one of the few truly authentic homestyle Mexican restaurants around. Anyone who gives it bad ratings just doesn't understand. If you want franchise Tex-Mex this is not for you. If you want a corporate restaurant experience this is not for you. But if you want a real authentic experience this place is as good as it gets. I have been going here almost every week for a decade now and have had everything on the menu more times than I can count (as well as many things not on the menu). I live in Bethesda and eat out at least one meal a day, so I am very familiar with EVERY restaurant around and am a regular at most. Tia Queta remains my favorite restaurant, the first place I always take people from out of town, and the part of my week I look forward to most. I can not sing enough praise for the wonderful people who work there and the incredible authentic food they make. As I said, I am a regular at many restaurants in Bethesda. But let me tell you, Tia Queta did not win my heart by being anything less than excellent (food, incredibly nice staff, easy-going atmosphere) week after week, year after year.
(5)
Frank R.
One of the worst places I have ever been to. Period. Hop on the metro and go to Alero in cleveland park. Do not ever ever go here. Ever.
(1)
Anna F.
I have been here a couple of times and had identical experiences: great food and slow service. Both times the restaurant was not at all busy, but the wait staff was not attentive. However, the food is great and the ambiance on the upper/outdoor level is very pleasant. Three stars is an accurate rating of my overall opinion.
(3)
Merida F.
I went with 3 girlfriends for happy hour. They had all been there before and really liked it, but it was the first time for me. We ordered a pitcher of Red Sangria and then later White Sangria(only $21 for about 6 glasses). The Margarita's looked fabulous, and I will have to try those next! We also ordered Guacamole and Nachos-Especiales with Chicken. I liked their Guacamole but my other friend wasn't completely sold. We sat on their rooftop patio which had a nice breeze. Service was quick and it wasn't crowded.
(3)
Jonathan B.
This is a fantastic family-owned restaurant with very tasty and a really fun atmosphere! Always a fun time, definitely recommended
(5)
Katherine W.
Their mole is amazing, and their menu is great. I've always had great service there and friends that I have taken there have always wanted to go back. It's best during warm weather when you can enjoy the roof deck. I now can't eat there because they cook with soybean oil
(5)
Jaime C.
I totally agree with Laura V. The one thing this place has going for it is the second floor patio. It was exactly what we were looking for on the first spring-like day in DC. Otherwise it was horrible. The food was probably the worst tex-mex I have had in years. The chips for the chips and salsa were probably from an Utz bag. The refried beans were so salty and tasteless and my taquitos needed to be covered in hot sauce to give them any taste at all. The service was pretty bad too. We had to flag them down for anything we wanted..and also this may be silly, but I'd like my server to be able to pronounce the dishes on their menu. Needless to say, we will not be making another trip to Tia Queta's.
(1)
Chris B.
not my favorite Mexican spot... margaritas tasted like they used montezuma tequila, chips and salsa may have been fresh but tasted like cheap bag chips and tostitos salsa, guacamole was sub par, and my entree of enchiladas verde was sour, in a bad way. the only reason i gave two stars was because i tasted my dads carne enchilada's(pork) and it was pretty good. i might give it another shot trying some different menu options but my food experience wasn't the greatest. Ambiance is very nice and there is a nice rooftop seating area if you are into that sorta thing.
(2)
Nick A.
We have been coming to Tia Queta since we moved here three years ago. It was one of the first places we came for dinner in old Bethesda and we love it. The food tastes just like real authentic Mexican. Sure the atmosphere could use some work but no other Mexican restaurant can beat the feel of this place. The feeling of always being recognized when walking through the door and leaving stuffed with a great happy feeling. All around the restaurant has a great vibe and good feeling to it. It is a family run business and it has that family feel to it. This is why we keep coming back. The tacos roquetas are amazing. And the nachos especiales are the best appetizer on the menu.
(5)
Tanzer T.
Nachos are not home made, the fajita steak is thinly sliced and tasteless, the guacamole tastes from a can and so does the salsa. End of story. Not recommended
(1)
Monika D.
Horrible. A previous reviewer on Yelp mentioned they could get a table easily on a Saturday night at this restaurant...YES, READ BELOW TO FIND OUT WHY: I went to this restaurant over 10 years ago and had a fair to good experience. Now living in Bethesda, my husband and I walked into the restaurant to see an old dusty fridge that had to be at least 20 years old, and no hostess or anyone to greet us... not even a sign to indicate that we should go upstairs. Since I had been here years before, I figured we should go upstairs and that is when we found a bartender. The chips were STALE, the salsa horrible (even canned would have been better), tacos bland, and the margaritas awful. When the waiter came to give us new chips he used his BARE HANDS to transfer the old chips to the new basket of chips. So disappointing. What else do they touch without gloves there? I am considering calling the Montgomery County Dept. of Health. DO NOT GO HERE. All these other reviews on Yelp indicating that this restaurant has "authentic Mexican food" are highly incorrect. I am nervous that I might have food poisoning at this point and I barely ate any chips and salsa. I am writing this review so that the owners of this restaurant can see their fatal mistakes and try to turn this place around. Not many roof top bars/restaurants in Bethesda. They could make a killing if they revamped the place, food and customer service. So disappointing!
(1)
Rachael B.
The food is excellent, the margarita's are even better, and if you live in Bethesda, you can easily walk there. If I'm not mistaken, it's a family-owned restaurant, and all the staff are exceptionally friendly. You can order straight from the menu, or pick and choose items to make your own specialty. It's a really great place that I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys Mexican food.
(4)
Eric H.
Very fine meal. Our group of four arrived without reservations and were seated in the upstairs patio dining, great atmosphere! Service was excellent. Drinks refilled without asking, food came quickly. Had the Grouper Tacos which were very well prepared, presented and flavorful. Others in the group had the Carne Asaada and the Combo Fajitas, also very good. We also had desserts including the Crepes that were very good as well. I would highly recommend Tia Queta for a fun and tasty meal.
(4)
Daniel A.
We went for a coworker happy hour on a Tuesday evening and were literally the only customers the entire night. When we entered, there was no one there, not even a hostess or any staff that I could see. After walking around a seemingly abandoned restaurant like some sort of "Saw" horror movie, we found a waitress upstairs on the patio. The covered patio is enjoyable enough on a good weather day. They also have space heaters for when it gets colder. The pitchers of margaritas were fine, not the best I've had. The food was pretty bland and definitely overpriced. The service was very attentive, though it's not like there were other customers to divert her attention. Honestly, I could have done with a little less hovering. Don't get the guac, it is completely without flavor. We still had fun, but that was more because of the company than because of anything to do with the restaurant. But at least I didn't get food poisoning.
(2)
Chris K.
An era has passed for Tia Queta. My sense of the place is simply tired. The owner, Roberto, wanders about and his wife sits idly watching TV. An older couple, perhaps they've already made enough money and simply don't care anymore or worse, simply exhausted by the amount of effort it takes to run a top notch place. Tia Queta is still popular with their friends and local police who happen in. Roberto is quite friendly and a big personality. Sadly, as other reviewers have pointed out, both the food and service have suffered. Give this one a pass.
(1)
Chris N.
Avoid. Enough said.
(1)
Alexandra K.
Tia Queta was OK. I went with an old friend who I was visiting and it provided a nice rooftop patio for the comfortable Bethesda weather. The food was not so outstanding. The sauce that coated my vegetable enchiladas tasted like marinara sauce, not like authentic enchilada or mole sauce. The vegetables were watery, not fresh tasting or warm. For such an expensive lunch, I would have expected better. More so, the guacamole tasted rather weird -- I can't even explain what it tasted like, but it was not great. The meal was $19 and while I ate what I ordered, I can't say that my palette was satisfied.
(3)
Christy R.
Eat here! The food is fresh, authentic and delicious!! IGNORE any negative reviews. Tia Queta is my go to spot for Mexican food and margaritas.
(5)
Scott W.
First of all, I am not the type to write these reviews. In fact this may be the first I've ever written. But as I read other reviews I wanted to set some things straight about Tia Queta. Full disclosure: we are "regulars" - we live in bethesda and have two kids and have been coming with them here since they were infants. If you are into the standard, overpriced, super salty tex-mex that you get at chains like Rio Grande, or you want to go to a trendy place, you should skip Tia Queta. Its authentic, family-owned, and the decor is totally kitschy. Let me start with the pluses: 1) Rooftop deck in the spring/summer, and you can actually get a table on a weekend night. Nuff said! 2) Margaritas. Ask for Andy to make them (strong). Rocks or frozen both great. Ask for a premium tequila - they have a good selection 3) Friendly service. The owner, his wife and son treat us and our kids like family. On some nights when they are slammed service can be slow, but that is pretty typical for a family-owned place with limited staff. 4) Authentic food. What we like most about the food is that it is tasty/spicy but not overly salted, and the portions are reasonable. That means you can have a nice meal and a few margs and not feel like guzzling a gallon of water when you get home, like you do when you go to most tex-mex places. Try the fish tacos, or ask what fresh fish they have that day (not on the menu) - they usually grill or saute it in a spicy sauce. Pork and chicken dishes are also good. Things they need to work on: 1) agree the old chips and salsa were bad. They recently changed them, but it still could be better/fresher 2) work on a better soundtrack, especially upstairs in the summer 3) Bring back the old chicken tenders - my kids are up in arms! 4) I think they could do more promoting the specialty tequilas - maybe a weekend tequila tasting upstairs in the party room? So - dont judge a book by its cover. Give this place a try. After a couple of margaritas you too may find yourself coming back.
(4)
Josie S.
This is the worst Mexican food I've ever had! The guacamole looked like it came out of a can. The enchiladas had uncooked tortillas, bland sauce, and plain flavorless rice. On top of being awful food, it was expensive. I will definitely not be returning!
(1)
Orlangela A.
She Said..." this is actually a really cute place once you get inside. If you want a more romantic quiet night then eat inside, its much fancier. If you want more of the bar scence then eat upstairs out on the roof. We ate out on the roof...where they played music and it was a bit more crowded. I wouldnt reccommend the pina colodas, it tasted like sugar water, but my sister had the strawberry daquris and she said they were good! I had the fajitas which is large enough to share between two people. Ask for cheese though, because it doesnt come with it. Overall, i enjoyed eating here becasue of the atmosphere not so much the food." He Said..."So this the first Mexican restaurant I ate where the waiters and watresses were not running away from the Feds. So I was skeptical to eat here...but here is a warning if you like nice looking places..don't go here. This place looks like they took the building straight out of a Mexican border town. It does have that small crammed cozy type of feel if you like that kind of stuff. As for the food the fajitas we got were good, but they don't come with lettuce, tomato or cheese, or salsa. So that was kinda odd. Overall its not that bad of a place, but I don't see us going back for seconds. "
(3)
Don M.
Give me a Dos XX and a seat on the patio and I'll while away as many hours as you want, listening to sultry Spanish tunes and casting lazy glances at the baseball game on TV by the bar. The Tia Queta folks are lovely and their food is cheap. What more could you want on a breezy spring evening?
(3)
Erica O.
Wow. I have to say I'm really surprised by the reviews here. I have never been to Tia Queta for dinner, but loved going for sangria on the roof when I lived in the area. The rooftop is unique to Bethesda and I always really liked the appetizers and again, the sangria. The best part of Tia Queta, however, it that it's not the Barking Dog, Caddies or Parker's.
(4)
Kinzea J.
Absolutely amazing authentic Mexican food with outstanding service. I would bring anyone here just to surprise them that a restaurant with a traffic light on the roof makes the best Mexican food they will ever have.
(5)
Frank F.
Boy I shoulda listened to all the reviews. Desperate to find a good Mexican close to home, we tried this place last night. Big mistake. The food was awful, almost inedible. Too bad, since the atmosphere was pleasant and the service friendly and attentive. But is it too much to ask for decent food? Queso fundido served with commercial tortilla chips...? And who would have thought that refried beans could be so tasteless?
(1)
Laura V.
The only thing this place has going for it is it's upstairs, outdoor patio. Really fun space on a nice day. That being said, I think I'd rather eat good mexican food indoors and never see the light of day again than have to come back here. First, their chips and salsa...um, let's see. Open a bag of tostitos and pour them in a basket. Then, do the same with some Pace Picante sauce. Now, I like Tostitos and Pace when I'm at home on my couch, but when I go out to a Mexican restaurant, I'd like them to be a little more, I don't know...home made or something. Second, their guacamole. Don't even get me started on this. Third, their margaritas. So-so at best. A little too much sour mix for my liking. Fourth, the main meal. The entrees were WAY over priced for what we got. Any of the other Mexican places in that area are $2-4 cheaper for each item than this place. There was no flavor. None. The refried beans came right out of a can, I'm certain. The BF did like his burrito and the shrimp in my fajitas were at least cooked properly. Fifth, the service. Oh I can't even go into that either. Once this place got busy (if you count the 7 tables up on the rooftop busy), it was as if no one knew what to do. So they all just stood in the back and watched as we fended for ourselves. The BF actually had to get up and bring his credit card over to the people standing in the back because the 3 times we waved at them to come over went ignored. Moral of the story: Don't be lured in by the cute patio deck. It's just not worth it.
(1)
Jonathan B.
This has to be a front because there is no reason for it to be open anymore. The food is barely edible, the service is as bad as it gets....thank god the beer is in bottles! This used to be worth it for the patio but that isn't even enough to get to me to climb the stairs anymore. Hasta Luego baby!
(1)
Jay B.
I can't believe this place is still open. Food = mediocre Service = awful, rude, and disrepectful Price = meh Don't waste your time or your money.
(1)
Kathy S.
Atmosphere -- roof top patio is great (and the only spot that I've ever sat Service -- I see mixed reviews about the service. We've been there dozens of times and had good service each time. The owner is frequently around and about to cover any lapses. Margaritas -- I have had better but the atmosphere compensates Food - Good but somewhat bland. Large portions!
(3)
H D.
Awful, awful food. Deserves one star only for the rooftop deck, neat if sharing a drink with friends. But don't consider eating here. Even the chips tasted like they came out of a bag.
(1)
Cassidy M.
The good thing about this place is the rooftop patio. It's great in the spring and summer. The bad thing is everything else. This food and service is terrible. The drinks were bad and the chips and salsa were stale and tasteless. The waitresses gave us bad looks all evening for only getting drinks and chips. I actually went here last year for dinner (non patio) and I had a good experience and gave the restaurant a good review. I don't know what I was thinking then, because this experience was 10x worse than the last dining experience was good.
(1)
Joanne C.
I'm totally torn with this place. The patio is nice. On a hot summer day, just sitting up there with friends drinking and laughing, it's great. If you go there for a happy hour (they don't have specials, we just made it our happy hour) there aren't that many people and the waiters are falling over themselves to help you. Any other time, be prepared for a long wait for service. The owner of this place also rents houses, so that could be why the service sucks so much - he's just looking to make a quick buck and doesn't care about hiring servers that are quick. Now to be fair I haven't been back since last summer so this could have changed, but the rooftop patio on a weekday right after work on a hot day is the only reason to go. Perhaps grabs some drinks, then walk the couple of blocks to Chipotle. You'll get fresher food....
(3)
R L.
The food was TERRIBLE. Of the three dishes my family and I ordered not one had a redeeming quality. Perhaps close the place down and start a new restaurant? Plain gross! And the hair on the shrimp was the icing on the cake!
(1)
A P.
0 stars. I specifically called the day before to make sure they would be open for lunch on memorial day. I gave the guy my name and reserved a table. We got there and it was closed. My friend called and the guy who answered said he might be there in about an hour. No apology or anything. That's six customers that you'll never have, Tia queta. Bad customer service indeed.
(1)
Amar D.
Food bland and same sauce on several dishes
(1)
Steve F.
If you expect the standard Tex-Mex fare, go to a chain. I don't base my meal on chips. If you want fantastic seafood prepared in the authentic Mexican tradition, there is no place better. Ask about the daily specials, sit back, enjoy a margarita on the roof-top and have a great meal. The owners and staff are gracious and it is obvious the place has many regulars who know of this gem.
(5)
chuan h.
I have been here twice and had excellent food and fine service. It is a neighborhoody restaurant, so if you are expecting it to be fancy or to have servers fawn over you, go somewhere else. I like Mexican and Salvadoran pork ribs, and the ribs here are unique and tasty, tender and smoky. So I would definitely go back.
(4)
Kathleen M.
I used to LOVE this place when I lived in the area. Great food, great drinks, great fun. The food is definitely not like your typical tex-mex place, so be prepared to try something more authentic (and delicious!). What I didn't realize until my recent visit was the we always sat upstairs near the bar and were always with a friend who knew the management. These details, apparently, make a HUGE difference. Recently we tried to go on a Friday night for my brother's birthday (it's one of his favorite places). My sister-in-law had made a reservation for 9 people plus a high chair, which they accepted by phone. However, when we arrived, they seemed almost surprised that we were there. It took ~20-30 minutes for us to get a table. Once seated, there was no high chair for the baby. We were told that they were all being used and we would get one as soon as one was available. In the end, someone from our table had to obtain it (and clean it off!) when another party with a child left the restaurant. Throughout the evening, the service was abismal. It was really unclear which, if any, of the staff was actually responsible for serving our table. After sitting for ~15 minutes, we finally got someone's attention to give us menus. Another 15 minutes to order drinks, at which time one in our party was ignored. Once her drink was ordered, it took us another 15 minutes to get water for someone else who had ordered it during the initial drink order. The magarita I ordered was quite tasty, but I would have LOVED a second one. However, the opportunity never arose to actually order one. Food orders went smoothly, and all that we ordered actually arrived. Everyone was quite pleased with their food (I had the Puerco Yucateco: chunks of pork in a sauce of garlic, onions, tomatoes, bitter oranges, vinegar and axiote, which was amazingly delicious). We didn't have dessert because there were plans to have that elsewhere. We asked for the check. Didn't get it. Someone from our party got up to ask for the check again. Again, we didn't get it. Finally, after someone from our party got up a second time to ask for the check, we were able to pay our bill and leave. The whole scene was quite ridiculous, but all in our party were too polite to say anything while we were there. In the end my advice is to actually give this place a try if you want some fantastic mexican food. Just go with a small party on a weeknight and sit upstairs. Don't expect too much from the service, but expect great things from the food.
(3)
Kerry S.
Hands down, the worst Mexican food I have ever had that did not come out of a package. In fact, my husband and I both thought that it tasted like it had come from a package; if the refried beans were not from a can, Tia Queta has done something amazingly awful with beans... This is the worst review that I can give because this is the worst food I have eaten in the DC area. Please don't waste your money!
(1)
Chris N.
A friend kept raving about this place so I finally tried it. I was extremely surprised that anyone would find anything terribly interesting about this place. The meal started off with the usual chips and salsa, which was entirely mediocre. I ordered the chicken fajitas, which I found to be bland. The chicken was decent, the tortillas were OK, but the guacamole tasted almost store-bought and I was shocked that the fajitas didn't come with any pico de gallo. I'm somewhat picky about my Mexican food, but to me the meal was just incomplete. I'll give them this - the atmosphere is a fun, casual, family oriented type of place and they seemed very friendly. Unfortunately, I came for the food, so in all likelihood I will not be going back.
Sorry, Store hours have not been updated. If you are the owner of this restaurants. Please update the store hours.
Specialities
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
Daniel C.
Undoubtedly one of my favorite Mexican restaurants in the DC area. This family-owned restaurant offers much charm and great food, all at reasonable prices for Bethesda. The staff is super friendly and makes you feel right at home. As for the food and drink, the margaritas are outstanding!!! For appetizers, the soups are extremely flavorful, and the queso is loaded with chorizo. I have tried a variety of main courses and have never been disappointed. This is appointment dining for my wife and me at least twice a month.
(5)Samuel N.
Pretty authentic style, but very bland. The beans were barely edible. The rice reminded me of boil in a bag. My meal, the chile rellenos, was small, bland, and not appetizing. The guacamole and salsa were pretty good. The staff was very nice. The restaurant was completely empty. That does not mean it's a hidden gem. It means avoid.
(2)Janet L.
3.5 stars *TL;DR - A-OK! Good Mexican food! Service could be a little better.* Came here on a Thursday night... in the summer, can go upstairs for rooftop seating. I have been meaning to come here for the longest of time. I mean, WHY wouldn't you want to go to a restaurant with a STOPLIGHT on top of the house? Came in and it was seat yourself style, we were handed a menu right away. Complimentary chips/salsa were also brought promptly. The chips were good, the salsa tasted like it was from a can/jar but I ain't complaining. Twas good. The service was a bit spotty. It took a little to get the server's attention to get our orders. In addition, we also had to get their attention to bring us silverware. That being said, it wasn't anything to get upset over. The food was wonderful! Make sure you don't come here with tex-mex expectations... otherwise, you'll leave feeling unsatisfied. This afterall, is not texmex! Sangria (red) - Very tasty! Apples, oranges, and more! Chiles Rellenos - If you happen to like dishes where one type of food is stuffed with another type of food, you'll love this dish! Stuffed with cheese an fried in batter of egg whites covered in a lightly savory tomato & onion blend, how could one not love it? The cheeseeeee! Rice and beans on the side were okay. Tamales - Corn meal with chicken, moist enough and perfect with the green mole sauce provided to dip in. So cute, I hope the service is better next time but other than that, I'd be back for the food!
(4)Bean J.
This place is as bad as everyone says it is. The salsa tastes like jarred (and sugared) congealed pasta sauce. The main courses were greasy and bland. The pre-mixed margaritas were as you would expect. The staff were friendly and attentive, but they can't make up for the terrible food.
(1)Ronan M.
Probably the worst taco I have ever had. We were walking around Bethesda to try something new. I wish I would have stuck to the main street because this place was terrible. The steak was inedible, the menu states the taco comes on a flour tortilla which it did not etc... Want good Mexican go to Julio's
(1)Ethan D.
Literally authentic Mexico... Not like oh this was a wonderful honeymoon... But, oh my god Dad got kidnapped and his kidneys are going to be sold on the black market. We went here with a group of four on a Friday night with three other parties in the restaurant. It was just sad and empty for a good reason. The service was terrible, and remember that Taco Bell dog that they stopped using in the ads? Well, they ground him up and tried to serve it as the salsa they brought out. It was beyond foul. Overall, I just have no idea how they are still open. It will be closed in a month.
(1)Lindsay R.
I don't even know where to begin. We had been here before, and I thought it was great. However, I had consumed way too many drinks beforehand, thus compromising the full potential of my tastebuds. I just visited again (sober). Drunk me and sober me have very different tastes, apparently. I ordered some guacamole, which was fine, but the tortilla chips it came with tasted like a mixture between and old leather belt and seashells. I ordered some queso dip, which was okay. Then, I ordered the enchiladas suiza. They were absolutely TERRIBLE. They were soggy and tasted like a combination of tuna and lasagna (the kind you get in the frozen section). They were served with refried beans that were straight out of a can 3 days prior, and some rice that was slimy. To top it off, my SO had a margarita that was 1 part cheap math mix and 10 parts terrible tequila. What's up with that? No Bueno. No me gusta. Never again.
(1)Mike S.
I wanted to like this place but my wife and I did not have a good experience on a Sunday evening. The staff are indeed very friendly, but the restaurant itself is very dingy. I just felt dirty there. The food was bland and the margarita and pina colada tasted terrible. Aside from the fish tacos, which weren't too bad, nothing tasted fresh at all. Chips looked like they came right out of a store-bought bag. Salsa tasted like Picante sauce. The guacamole had very little flavor. $75 for a plate of fish tacos, a plate of beef tacos, a side of guacamole, a margarita, a pina colada and two lemonades. I would not visit this place again. Guapos and Gringos and Mariachis are your best bets for mexican food in Bethesda.
(2)Carolina R.
I wanted to like this place so much! For one, the people who work here are really friendly and endearing. Two, the restaurant has a lot of character and gives off the vibe that the food will be very authentic. Three, it has a nice little rooftop. However, the food was pretty bland and disappointing. I had the mole and wished I had ordered something different, but my date's food was also not great. Wanting to give it a second chance, we showed up for drinks on the rooftop on another occasion. The margarita was not very tasty, though the bar tender was super sweet. All in all, I still want to like it, but I wouldn't really go there again.
(2)Tyler P.
Tia Queta, doesn't really get more authentic than this. Food is amazing, drinks are always cold, and the service is heartwarming. Every time I go here I feel like I'm a part of the family. Never had a bad meal here, would definitely suggest checking it out!
(5)David M.
It's not particularly fancy or interesting. It's just good, home-cooked Mexican food. Really high quality approaches to classic dishes.
(5)Allix H.
Margaritas were good and that's it. Enchiladas and tostados were tasteless and bland. Service was weird. Expensive menu for what you get. Even the chips and salsa were strange. Worst part was that our stomachs didn't agree with the food later that night... The rooftop terrace has a pretty cool atmosphere.
(2)Vicki C.
Customer Service: Spotty. No hostess. Seat yourself. Servers all took turn serving us Drinks: Tia Queta Special Margarita, pretty strong, but not bad if you like tequila Sangria lots of fruit and ice *prices are not labeled. we should have asked how much the pitchers were turned out to be $30/each. Yikes!* Appetizers: Queso. Didn't realize it was broiled. It was stringy and cheese.. not too bad. Hard to eat with chips. We thought we were getting the gooey cheese sauce. Oops! Chips and salsa were pretty good! Entrees: Tacos Roquetas, crunchy and delicious Fajitas de Camaron, shrimp was not overcooked but they could have been cleaned a bit better...
(3)J C.
Disappointing. There goes my theory that A tasteful well decorated place serves great tasting food. The salsa tasted like it came from a can of stewed tomatoes. The rest of the food pretty boring. Next time skip it and go to Guapos across the street
(2)Samantha L.
Tia Queta is located directly behind my apartment. I probably should have tried it ages ago... but 2.5 years later i finally decided to see what it is all about. I didn't go in with the best expectations since most of the reviews I've seen have been just so-so... I'd definitely say Tia Queta is more authentic Mexican than some of the other choices in Downtown Bethesda (Guaops, Rio Grande, etc) They do have the staples like enchiladas and quesadillas, but most of their dishes are meat, or seafood with sauces like tomatillo, mole, etc. I went for a shrimp dish that had the shrimp wrapped in bacon and in a spicy green chilli sauce. It came with a small side of refried beans and rice. I also got a margarita on the rocks. The shrimp were VERY good... very well cooked and flavorful. Unfortunately, I left still kinda hungry because there were only 7 of them on the plate. The Margarita was just mediocre. So, was Tia Queta as bad as most of the reviews... I don't think so. Was it fantastic... no, not really. It was ok... but ultimately I think the small portions with the disproportionate price tags ($19.99 for my shrimp dish) would probably keep me from going back. I might wander over on a nice night to enjoy their roof bar. A drink and maybe some chips and guacamole might be a better way to enjoy Tia Queta rather than an entire dinner meal.
(3)Alejandro B.
Bland food and watered down drinks. With so many Mexican options I would never go here again. The rooftop and the service are nice, but that's about it.
(2)E. P.
Can't believe I've lived in the area for so long and only just got introduced to Tia Queta. After one visit, I became a huge fan. I love the vibe of the rooftop deck, thought the food was very fresh, and appreciated how family friendly it was. Margaritas were refreshing and strong. As others have said, this is MEXICAN food, not Tex-Mex. Mexican food is lighter, fresher and simplier. It's not drowning in lard and portioned humongously. One suggestion to the owners: When offering up daily specials, make sure you tell the customers the prices. It's awkward to ask. While I loved the blackened fish tacos with avocado I had there recently, I probably wouldn't have ordered it if I knew ahead of time it cost $18.50.
(4)Cathryn L.
Tia Queta is a family owned gem in Bethesda. If you want delicious Mexican food and a strong margarita come here! The seafood dishes are always fresh. I will say they could peel the shrimp, but that's just my taste. The mole is outta this world as well!
(5)PAT K.
Affordable, delicious, generous helpings. Can't ask for much more when you go out for Mexican. Not too mention the rooftop is the perfect place for a happy hour/date/family outing on a nice night. I'd recommend the Pollo Tlacolole, its a delicious dish I haven't been able to find anywhere else. All in all, a quality family owned restaurant that has become an institution in downtown Bethesda. A must visit!
(5)Ruth S.
Fajitas for two, flan and crepes with ice cream made a fantastic birthday lunch. We shall return!
(5)Alicia G.
As an Asian, I feel that my face is a fairly accurate litmus test for whether or not there is alcohol in a drink. I usually turn red after 2 sips. So picture this: you're out with your friends on the upstairs deck at 10PM on Cinco de Mayo and you order a pitcher of margaritas. Except after finishing a whole glass (and pitcher, and then ordering a second pitcher...) your face doesn't turn red. Yeah. I think it's safe to say we paid $50 for two pitchers of lime juice, margarita mix and salt. Fail.
(1)R Q.
Wish I could give 3.5 stars I've been here twice and the food was REALLY GOOD the first time and OK the second. It's family run and the service was second to none. The menu changed between the times we came and the new menu wasn't as good as the one we first tried. That said, when we asked staff about it (after the meal sadly) they told us that they would prepare any dish we asked if we remembered the name. Bummer.
(3)Rebecca B.
Was not a fan of their verde chicken enchiladas- they tasted very bland and were loaded with way too much cheese. After reading others reviews I may go back to check out there rooftop deck, just definitely not ordering the verde chicken enchiladas again.
(2)Sara B.
We ended up coming here one night for a drink because the restaurant we were going to was not open yet. We got drinks and some appetizers. We had chips and salsa, chips were standard and salsa was very tasty. Chicken tortilla soup was not good, the base tasted like condensed tomato soup and I prefer it to be more brothy. Tostadas Compuesta was enjoyable - refried beans, chicken, onions, cheese, sour cream on a flat fried tortilla. How could that be bad? It was early on a weekday, but the place only had like 2 other tables besides us, so we had attentive and friendly service.
(3)Nina S.
I'm giving three stars because it was OK just not excellent. I would not go out of my way to go back there. I go to a lot of Mexican restaurants so I have high standards and they missed the mark on a few things. The first thing that I taste (&review) when I'm at any Mexican establishment is the salsa and chips. The chips were clearly not homemade. They were these round corn tortilla chips that are served at most movie theaters. Not a good first impression. The salsa was greasy and looked more like tomato sauce than an authentic salsa. I was disappointed in the salsa and chips. The chicken quesadilla was so good! I really enjoyed that. I ordered it because I thought how made can you screw up quesadilla ? Well, they did a fabulous job with them. Order these when you go!! Skip the 'ritas and order one of the Mexican beer selections. The margarita was not very good... too tangy and not enough tequilla to make it worth it!
(3)Trish M.
Tia Queta has everything you could want...delicious food, friendly service, and a great rooftop area! Their dishes are authentically Mexican and very fresh. I would highly, highly recommend this place if you're coming from near or far!
(5)Amanda N.
Tia Queta USED to be our favorite stop in Bethesda. We actually recommended this place to people. I have a lot of apologizing to do. Maybe it's because I have family in New Mexico and I know what real Mexican tastes like, and this is NOT it. We were served stale chips and canned salsa by a guy who looked like he didn't want to be there. What happened to the great homemade chips and salsa??!! there. After 15 minutes he decided to take our order. I order the enchiladas verdes and my fiance ordered one of the steak dishes. We waited a long time for food to come out and what came out was....disgusting. The plate was so hot the server couldn't handle it. If the plate is THAT hot, it has to have been sitting under a lamp or microwaved. Everything was soupy and soggy. The tortilla on the enchiladas was mushy and the chicken dissolved...it was like cardboard. There was a separated layer of oil on everything like it had been sitting. The steak was sitting in a puddle of water and oil. The rejenos had no texture and tasted horrible. One. Big. Soggy. Mess. We didn't even recieve an apology or an offer for something else from the kitchen. We used to love you, Tia Queta, but we will be seeing you again any time soon.
(1)Richard M.
If you like seafood served up in a savory South of the Border way, Tia Queta is the place. Every time we've eaten here (over the past 25 years), the fish dishes set the standard for every "Mexican" restaurant in the DC area. Last night we feasted on fresh snapper, grouper tacos, jumbo shrimp veracruzana and ceviche. The owner is also an avid fisherman, so sometimes the restaurant's patrons are able to benefit from some of his success on the water. The service is excellent, the staff is super friendly and they've got an excellent tequila & beer selection. That said, if you're just looking for frozen margaritas, chips and salsa, go to some other fajita factory for your taste of Tex-Mex. The chips & salsa are average, but if you've got a favorite style of margarita, they will serve it up RIGHT. Bottom line, I gave Tia Queta 5 stars because on a bang for the buck basis its a fantastic place and you will not find better authentically prepared Mexican seafood fare anywhere in DC.
(5)Jeff B.
Not only is this the best Mexican food in Bethesda, by far, but its rooftop terrace is the most enjoyable al fresco space in Bethesda. I think some of the reviewers here mistake Tia Queta for Tex-Mex. It's not. It's authentic Mexican food, in a family-run restaurant. The owner waits tables himself, his wife is in the kitchen, and the food is excellent. Pretty darned good Margheritas too. The service can be pretty bumpy sometimes, in a benignly neglectful sort of way, but it's always friendly. If you're looking for Tex-Mex, there's no shortage of places in Bethesda and surroundings. If you're looking for genuine, family-cooked Mexican food, this is your place.
(5)Erin M.
my favorite mexican restaurant in bethesda!
(5)Jonny V.
Service: 1/5. Half of the waitstaff couldn't carry out basic duties. Food: 1/5. Food poisoning. Yup, my wife and I were victims. Wasn't too severe, but neither one of us enjoyed waking up a combined 9 times (SERIOUSLY) to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night. There were bones in the Mole Bueno and undercooked chicken in the Enchiladas Verdes, that we foolishly thought we'd completely avoided. The cook told us that the chicken had been slightly smoked prior to cooking, which was her explanation for the color, but, um...no. Ambience: 2/5. This is for the dining area on the first floor. Nothing gauche, just nothing tasteful, either.
(1)lisa w.
between 3-4 stars, the margaritas boosted it up to 4. Husband and I went on Friday night. Agree with previous posts: no one at the entrance, service pretty slow despite lots of staff. My chicken dish was ok, my husband liked his shrimp dish though it seemed a bit pricey (but this IS Bethesda) BUT, The Margaritas! at least a 60oz pitcher, brought to us with the glasses already full (pitcher still filled to the rim).. We actually had to give away the last quarter of our pitcher to another table (already had a lil buzz and didn't wanna see it go to waste. I thought the salsa was pretty darn good, didn't taste or look like jar salsa to me. I would go back for the cute rooftop and a pitcher of margaritas.
(4)Cat H.
I've been here 4 times and enjoyed it every time - great food, great margaritas, more authentic than the other Mexican restaurants in Bethesda. The decor reminds me of Oaxaca.
(4)Mariana M.
My major complaint is that twice now I've showed up during normal business hours, with the "Open" neon sign lit up out front. Walked in, and the place is a ghost town. No customers, no staff. Called out, but no response. Walked back out and gave our money to another of the many surrounding restaurants. Otherwise, love the deck (well, watch out for birds...they tend to camp out and poop on your head...), and I actually sort of like the food when there's actually someone there to seat us.
(2)James B.
I probably go to several dozen restaurants every year, but only write a review when it's an awesome experience. This is the first time I've written one like this. We ended up at Tia Queta sort of by accident, we were looking for a dinner place, thinking that Mexican food sounded good. We had recently been to Uncle Julio's which was good and fun, but wanted to try something different since we are new to Bethesda and still trying new places. This place looked like one of those dive joints that serves fantastic food (found everywhere on the west coast), but this place was a joke the moment we entered. First the ownership has decided that a hostess is too much overhead, so you will wander around looking for someone who can seat you. An older Mexican fellow finally came by and asked if he could help us...I told him I would like a table (duh). He told me to go upstairs but didn't bother escorting us up. We then had what we thought was our waiter deliver menus..I tried to start a conversation with him about where the name Tia Queta came from, but he walked away while I was talking. Another guy came by and dropped off chips and salsa and asked us what we wanted to drink. The chips and salsa here are just awful...cold roof shingles and thick tasteless salsa....that's already a reason to consider walking out of a Mexican restaurant. We asked for a pitcher of the house Margarita and water for everyone in our group of 5. Never got the water, and the margarita tasted so strange that I had to ask the waiter what was in it. At least it was strong..but I still don't know if it was because of the generous amount of cheap Tequila or something else fowl. The menu had unfamiliar Spanish titles and was rather expensive considering the service and tacky decor, but we finally settled on tamales, burritos, carnitas, and chicken fingers from the kids menu. Everything we tasted was bland, the only thing with any flavor was the kids chicken. I wondered if they made those fresh, I doubt it. I was starting to feel like I was being a downer about this place, but everyone else in or group agreed that the place was a dump. But hey, maybe the dessert could change our minds right? We ordered their version of sopapillas, they came out looking and tasting like the awful cold chips, and had drizzled honey over them that tasted like cold medicine. I'm not kidding. I think the waiter knew how bad these were because he dropped them off he ran off away. I never complained about the food or service, and actually left 15% tip, but I will never go back. Sorry for the long review, but this is the worst "mexican" food I've ever had! (Casa Bonita in Denver runs a close second on the food, but at least it has ambiance and it is an icon in Denver)
(1)Lenny C.
We were here for a large function, so my experience is based on a buffet-style offering. First of all, this place is a lot bigger than it seems from the outside - there's a second floor with a huge room in the back. Service was excellent, and the bar staff was very friendly... The margaritas and other tropical drinks were huge. The appetizers served were good and your standard fare (baked beans and cheese on a crunchy tortilla shell). For the dinner, they offered rice, refried beans, a very nicely done chicken and a midlinds to so-so fish.
(3)Mikkela T.
If you can't resist this shlotskies-gone-wild tatty decor... come drunk. Fall-off-your-beach-flipflop-drunk. The service seems friendly but it's slow (why are there so many people in this place?), the chips are cold and out of the bag, the salsa is watery and bland, the drinks came via commuter bus, the veggie fajita vegetables were British public school boiled (does it make you think of Cancun bronzed bods?), the melted cheese was cold, and the best thing were the warm flour tortillas (so at least they know how to use the microwave). Sure, they have mole on the menu... so what, you wanna try it in a place like this? Only $46 for two people (and we were being gracious about the tip). Call now for a blah bland pasty white... it's online now... have your credit card handy... it's, ooh, ahhh, waiting for you...
(1)S S.
We love this place!! The staff (owner and family) are so nice and friendly, and were great with my 5-year-old daughter and our friends. (The owner even gave them ice cream!) Wonderful senses of humor and genuine service. Food was delicious. Varied menu with choices for everyone, including for children. It has never been too noisy or felt crowded when we've been there, and there's good space between tables, which we appreciate. We've never been to the rooftop section, so I can't comment on that. We always eat on the main level. Highly recommend for an enjoyable night out for families, visiting friends, etc.
(5)Jason S.
There's no better place for delicious, authentic Mexican food. Lots of great dishes to choose from; the mole is a personal favorite. The service is as good as the food. I've been going for years. Give it a try and you're likely to become a regular, too. Tia Queta deserves a sixth star during the Summer when their rooftop seating area and bar are open.
(5)Matthew B.
Fantastic dining experience. I have eaten here many times and this is my favorite restaurant to go out to. The environment is fantastic and the entire staff is friendly and courteous. Best margaritas in the DC area, outdoes Cactus Cantina, Uncle Julio's and Guapo's combined. Entire menu is delicious but I love the Tacos Roquetas in particular. The seafood specials are also great and there's enough to eat something different every time I dine there.
(5)Miyuki L.
Drink review only -- margaritas are a fail -- they did not taste like they had alcohol in it. I will goto Uncle Julios in the area next time. Chips were also not up to par. For me no need to try anymore..
(1)Kim S.
I want to love this place; I really do. Service has improved over the years and the moles have received positive reviews from my friends. The ambiance has a nice, authentic Mexican feel and the shaded roof deck is a valuable space in the spring and fall. That being said, Mexican rice does not have rice and peas; it's obviously frozen. And while they don't give you attitude when you request more guac and sour cream, they need to not be so stingy especially if they're going to overcook and dry out the meat. As for drinks, yeah, labeled prices would be great on those. The margaritas are not worth $10.
(2)An L.
Overprice and not that great. I think that people were right about the second deck when it opens. I would not recommend it.
(1)Brayden D.
This is one of the few truly authentic homestyle Mexican restaurants around. Anyone who gives it bad ratings just doesn't understand. If you want franchise Tex-Mex this is not for you. If you want a corporate restaurant experience this is not for you. But if you want a real authentic experience this place is as good as it gets. I have been going here almost every week for a decade now and have had everything on the menu more times than I can count (as well as many things not on the menu). I live in Bethesda and eat out at least one meal a day, so I am very familiar with EVERY restaurant around and am a regular at most. Tia Queta remains my favorite restaurant, the first place I always take people from out of town, and the part of my week I look forward to most. I can not sing enough praise for the wonderful people who work there and the incredible authentic food they make. As I said, I am a regular at many restaurants in Bethesda. But let me tell you, Tia Queta did not win my heart by being anything less than excellent (food, incredibly nice staff, easy-going atmosphere) week after week, year after year.
(5)Frank R.
One of the worst places I have ever been to. Period. Hop on the metro and go to Alero in cleveland park. Do not ever ever go here. Ever.
(1)Anna F.
I have been here a couple of times and had identical experiences: great food and slow service. Both times the restaurant was not at all busy, but the wait staff was not attentive. However, the food is great and the ambiance on the upper/outdoor level is very pleasant. Three stars is an accurate rating of my overall opinion.
(3)Merida F.
I went with 3 girlfriends for happy hour. They had all been there before and really liked it, but it was the first time for me. We ordered a pitcher of Red Sangria and then later White Sangria(only $21 for about 6 glasses). The Margarita's looked fabulous, and I will have to try those next! We also ordered Guacamole and Nachos-Especiales with Chicken. I liked their Guacamole but my other friend wasn't completely sold. We sat on their rooftop patio which had a nice breeze. Service was quick and it wasn't crowded.
(3)Jonathan B.
This is a fantastic family-owned restaurant with very tasty and a really fun atmosphere! Always a fun time, definitely recommended
(5)Katherine W.
Their mole is amazing, and their menu is great. I've always had great service there and friends that I have taken there have always wanted to go back. It's best during warm weather when you can enjoy the roof deck. I now can't eat there because they cook with soybean oil
(5)Jaime C.
I totally agree with Laura V. The one thing this place has going for it is the second floor patio. It was exactly what we were looking for on the first spring-like day in DC. Otherwise it was horrible. The food was probably the worst tex-mex I have had in years. The chips for the chips and salsa were probably from an Utz bag. The refried beans were so salty and tasteless and my taquitos needed to be covered in hot sauce to give them any taste at all. The service was pretty bad too. We had to flag them down for anything we wanted..and also this may be silly, but I'd like my server to be able to pronounce the dishes on their menu. Needless to say, we will not be making another trip to Tia Queta's.
(1)Chris B.
not my favorite Mexican spot... margaritas tasted like they used montezuma tequila, chips and salsa may have been fresh but tasted like cheap bag chips and tostitos salsa, guacamole was sub par, and my entree of enchiladas verde was sour, in a bad way. the only reason i gave two stars was because i tasted my dads carne enchilada's(pork) and it was pretty good. i might give it another shot trying some different menu options but my food experience wasn't the greatest. Ambiance is very nice and there is a nice rooftop seating area if you are into that sorta thing.
(2)Nick A.
We have been coming to Tia Queta since we moved here three years ago. It was one of the first places we came for dinner in old Bethesda and we love it. The food tastes just like real authentic Mexican. Sure the atmosphere could use some work but no other Mexican restaurant can beat the feel of this place. The feeling of always being recognized when walking through the door and leaving stuffed with a great happy feeling. All around the restaurant has a great vibe and good feeling to it. It is a family run business and it has that family feel to it. This is why we keep coming back. The tacos roquetas are amazing. And the nachos especiales are the best appetizer on the menu.
(5)Tanzer T.
Nachos are not home made, the fajita steak is thinly sliced and tasteless, the guacamole tastes from a can and so does the salsa. End of story. Not recommended
(1)Monika D.
Horrible. A previous reviewer on Yelp mentioned they could get a table easily on a Saturday night at this restaurant...YES, READ BELOW TO FIND OUT WHY: I went to this restaurant over 10 years ago and had a fair to good experience. Now living in Bethesda, my husband and I walked into the restaurant to see an old dusty fridge that had to be at least 20 years old, and no hostess or anyone to greet us... not even a sign to indicate that we should go upstairs. Since I had been here years before, I figured we should go upstairs and that is when we found a bartender. The chips were STALE, the salsa horrible (even canned would have been better), tacos bland, and the margaritas awful. When the waiter came to give us new chips he used his BARE HANDS to transfer the old chips to the new basket of chips. So disappointing. What else do they touch without gloves there? I am considering calling the Montgomery County Dept. of Health. DO NOT GO HERE. All these other reviews on Yelp indicating that this restaurant has "authentic Mexican food" are highly incorrect. I am nervous that I might have food poisoning at this point and I barely ate any chips and salsa. I am writing this review so that the owners of this restaurant can see their fatal mistakes and try to turn this place around. Not many roof top bars/restaurants in Bethesda. They could make a killing if they revamped the place, food and customer service. So disappointing!
(1)Rachael B.
The food is excellent, the margarita's are even better, and if you live in Bethesda, you can easily walk there. If I'm not mistaken, it's a family-owned restaurant, and all the staff are exceptionally friendly. You can order straight from the menu, or pick and choose items to make your own specialty. It's a really great place that I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys Mexican food.
(4)Eric H.
Very fine meal. Our group of four arrived without reservations and were seated in the upstairs patio dining, great atmosphere! Service was excellent. Drinks refilled without asking, food came quickly. Had the Grouper Tacos which were very well prepared, presented and flavorful. Others in the group had the Carne Asaada and the Combo Fajitas, also very good. We also had desserts including the Crepes that were very good as well. I would highly recommend Tia Queta for a fun and tasty meal.
(4)Daniel A.
We went for a coworker happy hour on a Tuesday evening and were literally the only customers the entire night. When we entered, there was no one there, not even a hostess or any staff that I could see. After walking around a seemingly abandoned restaurant like some sort of "Saw" horror movie, we found a waitress upstairs on the patio. The covered patio is enjoyable enough on a good weather day. They also have space heaters for when it gets colder. The pitchers of margaritas were fine, not the best I've had. The food was pretty bland and definitely overpriced. The service was very attentive, though it's not like there were other customers to divert her attention. Honestly, I could have done with a little less hovering. Don't get the guac, it is completely without flavor. We still had fun, but that was more because of the company than because of anything to do with the restaurant. But at least I didn't get food poisoning.
(2)Chris K.
An era has passed for Tia Queta. My sense of the place is simply tired. The owner, Roberto, wanders about and his wife sits idly watching TV. An older couple, perhaps they've already made enough money and simply don't care anymore or worse, simply exhausted by the amount of effort it takes to run a top notch place. Tia Queta is still popular with their friends and local police who happen in. Roberto is quite friendly and a big personality. Sadly, as other reviewers have pointed out, both the food and service have suffered. Give this one a pass.
(1)Chris N.
Avoid. Enough said.
(1)Alexandra K.
Tia Queta was OK. I went with an old friend who I was visiting and it provided a nice rooftop patio for the comfortable Bethesda weather. The food was not so outstanding. The sauce that coated my vegetable enchiladas tasted like marinara sauce, not like authentic enchilada or mole sauce. The vegetables were watery, not fresh tasting or warm. For such an expensive lunch, I would have expected better. More so, the guacamole tasted rather weird -- I can't even explain what it tasted like, but it was not great. The meal was $19 and while I ate what I ordered, I can't say that my palette was satisfied.
(3)Christy R.
Eat here! The food is fresh, authentic and delicious!! IGNORE any negative reviews. Tia Queta is my go to spot for Mexican food and margaritas.
(5)Scott W.
First of all, I am not the type to write these reviews. In fact this may be the first I've ever written. But as I read other reviews I wanted to set some things straight about Tia Queta. Full disclosure: we are "regulars" - we live in bethesda and have two kids and have been coming with them here since they were infants. If you are into the standard, overpriced, super salty tex-mex that you get at chains like Rio Grande, or you want to go to a trendy place, you should skip Tia Queta. Its authentic, family-owned, and the decor is totally kitschy. Let me start with the pluses: 1) Rooftop deck in the spring/summer, and you can actually get a table on a weekend night. Nuff said! 2) Margaritas. Ask for Andy to make them (strong). Rocks or frozen both great. Ask for a premium tequila - they have a good selection 3) Friendly service. The owner, his wife and son treat us and our kids like family. On some nights when they are slammed service can be slow, but that is pretty typical for a family-owned place with limited staff. 4) Authentic food. What we like most about the food is that it is tasty/spicy but not overly salted, and the portions are reasonable. That means you can have a nice meal and a few margs and not feel like guzzling a gallon of water when you get home, like you do when you go to most tex-mex places. Try the fish tacos, or ask what fresh fish they have that day (not on the menu) - they usually grill or saute it in a spicy sauce. Pork and chicken dishes are also good. Things they need to work on: 1) agree the old chips and salsa were bad. They recently changed them, but it still could be better/fresher 2) work on a better soundtrack, especially upstairs in the summer 3) Bring back the old chicken tenders - my kids are up in arms! 4) I think they could do more promoting the specialty tequilas - maybe a weekend tequila tasting upstairs in the party room? So - dont judge a book by its cover. Give this place a try. After a couple of margaritas you too may find yourself coming back.
(4)Josie S.
This is the worst Mexican food I've ever had! The guacamole looked like it came out of a can. The enchiladas had uncooked tortillas, bland sauce, and plain flavorless rice. On top of being awful food, it was expensive. I will definitely not be returning!
(1)Orlangela A.
She Said..." this is actually a really cute place once you get inside. If you want a more romantic quiet night then eat inside, its much fancier. If you want more of the bar scence then eat upstairs out on the roof. We ate out on the roof...where they played music and it was a bit more crowded. I wouldnt reccommend the pina colodas, it tasted like sugar water, but my sister had the strawberry daquris and she said they were good! I had the fajitas which is large enough to share between two people. Ask for cheese though, because it doesnt come with it. Overall, i enjoyed eating here becasue of the atmosphere not so much the food." He Said..."So this the first Mexican restaurant I ate where the waiters and watresses were not running away from the Feds. So I was skeptical to eat here...but here is a warning if you like nice looking places..don't go here. This place looks like they took the building straight out of a Mexican border town. It does have that small crammed cozy type of feel if you like that kind of stuff. As for the food the fajitas we got were good, but they don't come with lettuce, tomato or cheese, or salsa. So that was kinda odd. Overall its not that bad of a place, but I don't see us going back for seconds. "
(3)Don M.
Give me a Dos XX and a seat on the patio and I'll while away as many hours as you want, listening to sultry Spanish tunes and casting lazy glances at the baseball game on TV by the bar. The Tia Queta folks are lovely and their food is cheap. What more could you want on a breezy spring evening?
(3)Erica O.
Wow. I have to say I'm really surprised by the reviews here. I have never been to Tia Queta for dinner, but loved going for sangria on the roof when I lived in the area. The rooftop is unique to Bethesda and I always really liked the appetizers and again, the sangria. The best part of Tia Queta, however, it that it's not the Barking Dog, Caddies or Parker's.
(4)Kinzea J.
Absolutely amazing authentic Mexican food with outstanding service. I would bring anyone here just to surprise them that a restaurant with a traffic light on the roof makes the best Mexican food they will ever have.
(5)Frank F.
Boy I shoulda listened to all the reviews. Desperate to find a good Mexican close to home, we tried this place last night. Big mistake. The food was awful, almost inedible. Too bad, since the atmosphere was pleasant and the service friendly and attentive. But is it too much to ask for decent food? Queso fundido served with commercial tortilla chips...? And who would have thought that refried beans could be so tasteless?
(1)Laura V.
The only thing this place has going for it is it's upstairs, outdoor patio. Really fun space on a nice day. That being said, I think I'd rather eat good mexican food indoors and never see the light of day again than have to come back here. First, their chips and salsa...um, let's see. Open a bag of tostitos and pour them in a basket. Then, do the same with some Pace Picante sauce. Now, I like Tostitos and Pace when I'm at home on my couch, but when I go out to a Mexican restaurant, I'd like them to be a little more, I don't know...home made or something. Second, their guacamole. Don't even get me started on this. Third, their margaritas. So-so at best. A little too much sour mix for my liking. Fourth, the main meal. The entrees were WAY over priced for what we got. Any of the other Mexican places in that area are $2-4 cheaper for each item than this place. There was no flavor. None. The refried beans came right out of a can, I'm certain. The BF did like his burrito and the shrimp in my fajitas were at least cooked properly. Fifth, the service. Oh I can't even go into that either. Once this place got busy (if you count the 7 tables up on the rooftop busy), it was as if no one knew what to do. So they all just stood in the back and watched as we fended for ourselves. The BF actually had to get up and bring his credit card over to the people standing in the back because the 3 times we waved at them to come over went ignored. Moral of the story: Don't be lured in by the cute patio deck. It's just not worth it.
(1)Jonathan B.
This has to be a front because there is no reason for it to be open anymore. The food is barely edible, the service is as bad as it gets....thank god the beer is in bottles! This used to be worth it for the patio but that isn't even enough to get to me to climb the stairs anymore. Hasta Luego baby!
(1)Jay B.
I can't believe this place is still open. Food = mediocre Service = awful, rude, and disrepectful Price = meh Don't waste your time or your money.
(1)Kathy S.
Atmosphere -- roof top patio is great (and the only spot that I've ever sat Service -- I see mixed reviews about the service. We've been there dozens of times and had good service each time. The owner is frequently around and about to cover any lapses. Margaritas -- I have had better but the atmosphere compensates Food - Good but somewhat bland. Large portions!
(3)H D.
Awful, awful food. Deserves one star only for the rooftop deck, neat if sharing a drink with friends. But don't consider eating here. Even the chips tasted like they came out of a bag.
(1)Cassidy M.
The good thing about this place is the rooftop patio. It's great in the spring and summer. The bad thing is everything else. This food and service is terrible. The drinks were bad and the chips and salsa were stale and tasteless. The waitresses gave us bad looks all evening for only getting drinks and chips. I actually went here last year for dinner (non patio) and I had a good experience and gave the restaurant a good review. I don't know what I was thinking then, because this experience was 10x worse than the last dining experience was good.
(1)Joanne C.
I'm totally torn with this place. The patio is nice. On a hot summer day, just sitting up there with friends drinking and laughing, it's great. If you go there for a happy hour (they don't have specials, we just made it our happy hour) there aren't that many people and the waiters are falling over themselves to help you. Any other time, be prepared for a long wait for service. The owner of this place also rents houses, so that could be why the service sucks so much - he's just looking to make a quick buck and doesn't care about hiring servers that are quick. Now to be fair I haven't been back since last summer so this could have changed, but the rooftop patio on a weekday right after work on a hot day is the only reason to go. Perhaps grabs some drinks, then walk the couple of blocks to Chipotle. You'll get fresher food....
(3)R L.
The food was TERRIBLE. Of the three dishes my family and I ordered not one had a redeeming quality. Perhaps close the place down and start a new restaurant? Plain gross! And the hair on the shrimp was the icing on the cake!
(1)A P.
0 stars. I specifically called the day before to make sure they would be open for lunch on memorial day. I gave the guy my name and reserved a table. We got there and it was closed. My friend called and the guy who answered said he might be there in about an hour. No apology or anything. That's six customers that you'll never have, Tia queta. Bad customer service indeed.
(1)Amar D.
Food bland and same sauce on several dishes
(1)Steve F.
If you expect the standard Tex-Mex fare, go to a chain. I don't base my meal on chips. If you want fantastic seafood prepared in the authentic Mexican tradition, there is no place better. Ask about the daily specials, sit back, enjoy a margarita on the roof-top and have a great meal. The owners and staff are gracious and it is obvious the place has many regulars who know of this gem.
(5)chuan h.
I have been here twice and had excellent food and fine service. It is a neighborhoody restaurant, so if you are expecting it to be fancy or to have servers fawn over you, go somewhere else. I like Mexican and Salvadoran pork ribs, and the ribs here are unique and tasty, tender and smoky. So I would definitely go back.
(4)Kathleen M.
I used to LOVE this place when I lived in the area. Great food, great drinks, great fun. The food is definitely not like your typical tex-mex place, so be prepared to try something more authentic (and delicious!). What I didn't realize until my recent visit was the we always sat upstairs near the bar and were always with a friend who knew the management. These details, apparently, make a HUGE difference. Recently we tried to go on a Friday night for my brother's birthday (it's one of his favorite places). My sister-in-law had made a reservation for 9 people plus a high chair, which they accepted by phone. However, when we arrived, they seemed almost surprised that we were there. It took ~20-30 minutes for us to get a table. Once seated, there was no high chair for the baby. We were told that they were all being used and we would get one as soon as one was available. In the end, someone from our table had to obtain it (and clean it off!) when another party with a child left the restaurant. Throughout the evening, the service was abismal. It was really unclear which, if any, of the staff was actually responsible for serving our table. After sitting for ~15 minutes, we finally got someone's attention to give us menus. Another 15 minutes to order drinks, at which time one in our party was ignored. Once her drink was ordered, it took us another 15 minutes to get water for someone else who had ordered it during the initial drink order. The magarita I ordered was quite tasty, but I would have LOVED a second one. However, the opportunity never arose to actually order one. Food orders went smoothly, and all that we ordered actually arrived. Everyone was quite pleased with their food (I had the Puerco Yucateco: chunks of pork in a sauce of garlic, onions, tomatoes, bitter oranges, vinegar and axiote, which was amazingly delicious). We didn't have dessert because there were plans to have that elsewhere. We asked for the check. Didn't get it. Someone from our party got up to ask for the check again. Again, we didn't get it. Finally, after someone from our party got up a second time to ask for the check, we were able to pay our bill and leave. The whole scene was quite ridiculous, but all in our party were too polite to say anything while we were there. In the end my advice is to actually give this place a try if you want some fantastic mexican food. Just go with a small party on a weeknight and sit upstairs. Don't expect too much from the service, but expect great things from the food.
(3)Kerry S.
Hands down, the worst Mexican food I have ever had that did not come out of a package. In fact, my husband and I both thought that it tasted like it had come from a package; if the refried beans were not from a can, Tia Queta has done something amazingly awful with beans... This is the worst review that I can give because this is the worst food I have eaten in the DC area. Please don't waste your money!
(1)Chris N.
A friend kept raving about this place so I finally tried it. I was extremely surprised that anyone would find anything terribly interesting about this place. The meal started off with the usual chips and salsa, which was entirely mediocre. I ordered the chicken fajitas, which I found to be bland. The chicken was decent, the tortillas were OK, but the guacamole tasted almost store-bought and I was shocked that the fajitas didn't come with any pico de gallo. I'm somewhat picky about my Mexican food, but to me the meal was just incomplete. I'll give them this - the atmosphere is a fun, casual, family oriented type of place and they seemed very friendly. Unfortunately, I came for the food, so in all likelihood I will not be going back.
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