Del Rey?

We got takeout from Del Rey the other night and I thought it was really good, but I'm not a connossieur by any means!

Teocalli Tamale in Herndon is another great place.

 

Teocali Tamale changed hands a few months ago. I don't think that it's been as good as it was in the past.

 

Really Maeve? The original owner went to my college and we used to go there quite a bit when we lived in Reston. Good to know.

 

For the most part, sounds like Del Rey will do in a pinch but there are other Mex restaurants that have some raving fans.

Ate there when it first opened, the food was good but the wife said her enchilada tasted funny and subsequently adopted "stomach issues". The service was ok but wasn't expecting a home run.

 

We'd gotten takeout from there and it was good, so we went to the restaurant last night. We got there early (around 5:30) and the outdoor area was full of families. The inside filled up pretty quickly as it got later, but unfortunately that's when the service went waaaaaaay downhill. The food wasn't as good as I thought either, but maybe it's because I ordered something different? We'll probably go back because we really liked the outdoor seating, but next time we'll go even earlier so our waiter doesn't disappear. ;-)

 

I ate there and hated it ... low-quality food and bad service. Since I love Mexican food and live nearby, I gave it a second try, but it was just as bad the second time. I'll never go there again. Maybe they'll close down and another Mexican restaurant will open there in a year or two?

 

Tried La Tolteca in Countryside and IT WAS AWESOME. Highly recommended realistic mexican cuisine.

 

Really good Mexicanat La Tolteca ...I would compare it favorably to Mexican I've eaten in Southern California...the only caveat is be prepared to spend at least 20 minutes with the 12 page menu! So many choices..so little time

 

I'm not sure we're all talking about the same Del Ray Mexican Restaurant here. My fiance and I have had nothing but positive experiences.

"Mrs. Z", the name the staff give the owner, is so sweet and pleasant, and truly accomodating. The first time we walked in she walked over and welcomed us and every visit after that when she is in the restaurant she waves hello.

We had a wonderful waiter, who brought out a "spicy" sauce for my fiance who loves the hottest sauces out there. The first sauce wasn't hot enough, so the waiter brought out a second. Still not hot enough, so he went to the kitchen and brought out his own concoction - pretty hot!

The second time we ate at Del Ray, the Skins were playing. They seated us a booth away from the bar and we couldn't see the game. We asked to move closer to the TVs, even after they had brought our drinks and chips. They took great pleasure in accomodating us, moving everything over to a booth on the other side of a divider wall, switching the channel, making sure we had a good view. A couple came in to the bar area to eat, and blocked our view of the TV. The bartendar kindly asked them to slide down so we could all have our own TVs to watch. Everyone had a great time that night!

We've been there at least 2 or 3 times since then. The last time was within the last month, and we had a different waitress. She took our orders, and when she came out with the drinks, she brought the spicy sauce that we get everytime we're there. We were SO surprised at how she knew about it! Then, our original waiter came out to say hello and said he saw us walk in and made it especially for us. Now THAT is truly customer service. He's a VERY spirited waiter, every staff member we talk to has been incredibly pleasant, and there isn't a day that we don't pass by Del Ray from the Greenway and not want to stop in and eat.

When you do visit, sit out on the patio if it's a pleasant night. The only unfortunate part is that the Greenway is in their backyard - not loud, just not the best view.

I sincerely hope that Del Ray is around longer than the 9 months you are proposing. The food is seriously spectacular (have you tried the fried bananas dessert??? mmmmm!!! yummy and served warm with vanilla bean ice cream and honey), the margaritas are wonderfully strong, the atmosphere is pleasant, and the people are so friendly that we always leave with the feeling that we've just visited family.

All the best on your next visit!
Aleksandra Syska
Ashburn, VA

 

The owners of Del Rey must be dumping all of their earnings from Manhattan Pizzeria in order to keep that thing afloat as long as possible. I'd just cut my losses short, and close it if it was producing.

 

Try Mexican Garden--

Foodie

 

I may be missing something here, but is that because it really is family?! :notfunny:

 

I moved here from Arizona a little over a year ago and have tried many Mexican food restaurants around and Del Rey is one of the better ones around. I also have had the Enchilada lovers delight and it is great. The Chicken Taquitos appetizer is great too.

I am not aware of many other around aside from Los TelTacos who have very good Pablono Chicken.

My initial take on a Mexican restaurant is based on there chips and salsa and there salsa is pretty good, not as good as my own though ;-).

I actually wish more people would try them, I would hate to see them go away as they are a good fit for the area.

 

Mexican Garden is pretty good, it's in Sterling. My only complaint is the location. I don't know how they will stay in business on the backside of a office building. Del Rey is good too. I also like the place in Leesburg, El Choizo. It's a dump, but the food is Mue Bueno! Most others around here are marginal.