1,000/10 cannot recommend Chaia enough! My wife and I fell in love with Chaia thanks to their brussels sprouts quesadilla and salsa verde, which we would highly, highly recommend. There's also a little park next door that can be used for especially nice days weather-wise.
Because of our love for Chaia, my wife and I reached out to Chaia when we were looking for a venue to host a party for some family and friends coming to visit DC from out of town, and they put together an absolutely outstanding evening. Bettina (co-founder/co-CEO) was excellent throughout the planning process, making sure that the party was just as we wanted it. Even as our plans shifted a time or two, Bettina graciously worked with us to make sure that everything would be fine. The vegetarian and gluten-free dishes made accommodating various dietary restrictions incredibly easy, and as expected, the food and drinks were excellent. (Our guests raved to us about the food, especially the habenro pepita dip.) Leyla and Abigail, the staff who were on-site for the event, also went above and beyond to make the evening a great time. We are so thankful we had our celebration at Chaia, and we highly recommend it to anyone else looking for a venue for an intimate celebration!
Very knowledgeable waitstaff as well as a clearly marked menu. We went for Restaurant Week and I was so thrilled to be able to participate in the RW specials. Two thumbs up for a stress free experience as a celiac!
CocktailsMexicanAllergen FriendlyDairy Free OptionsDeliveryDinnerOpen Late NightLunchOutdoor SeatingTake AwayVegan OptionsVegetarian OptionsDessertsTacosKnowledgeable StaffKid FriendlyGF Options Marked on MenuDedicated GF FryerCasualPet Friendly
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Roberto Ruggiero
100% Gluten free. Paradise for celiacs. Chips with guacamole and amazing spicy sauces. Tacos with different meat and fish offerings. Remove the fried prawns, pork belly and duck. All very tasty.
Absolutely DELICIOUS tacos. OMG I wish I could teleport these to Boston. The cornbread was also so delicious!!
What drew me to this place was the fact that the menu only marks what HAS gluten instead of what can be made gluten-free, suggesting that the menu is quite expansive for gluten-free diners. While yes, it is, the caveat is that there is significant cross-contamination for fried items. So, I was lured by the taquitos, but the bartender told me that they’re fried in the same oil as other items that aren’t gluten-free, hence the cross-contamination. I think they should be more straightforward about this on the menu when one looks online ahead of time.
Otherwise an excellent experience with still some amazing choices.
The atmosphere/ambiance of the place is wonderful . The staff is also really kind! I loved that there was a bookstore inside the place. The food is really good and the price is reasonable. Also, for my muslim brother and sister out there, they serve halal chicken and meat as stated in the menu, which is really nice! There were also vegaterian options and gluten free options. Love it!
The food and drinks are delicious and the service is always great even when busy. They took amazing care of a family member with a severe gluten allergy, carefully reviewing the menu with them and steering them away from the foods they could not eat. We love coming here, and are so glad they’re part of the neighborhood.
Everything here is fresh and delicious. So efficient and comfortable, and everyone who works here is so nice. Great place to work during the day or grab a meal with friends. So many options if you have a crowd with different preferences/restrictions and accommodates allergies (like gluten). Love!
I really liked this restaurant. 99% of the items are gluten-free! I had the trio of salsa and guac and chips. The only things that were not gluten-free with the kids menu and the desserts. My only complaint is you have to ask what’s on every single taco. It’s not listed on their menus anywhere.But my server was super helpful and everything tasted amazing!
I would come back here when I get to visit DC again. Food was great albeit a smaller menu. Drink selection was good and they were tasty too. Gluten free, celiac safe with corn quesadillas.
Obsessed with this place. Was in Dulles for two weeks and managed to get down to DC twice and went to District both times. I had their breakfast tacos the first time and their regular tacos and chips/guac the second time. You order on kiosks which is fun and easy and get to choose between like 25 different topping options. Their corn tortilla tacos come double wrapped and all bundled up together so they taste authentic and delicious. I got pretty much all the toppings. Their medium salsa is to die for. They have impossible chorizo and an option to select Gluten Free which was amazing. The guacamole was flavorful with a nice hint of lime. I love a good taco but these tacos were life changing🤌🏼
My newest fast-casual Mexican obsession! I first discovered District Taco a few months ago while scrolling around on Uber Eats and craving a quick but convenient bite of Mexican food. I stumbled upon District Taco and haven't looked back since, both ordering take-out and visiting in-person a pretty embarrassing number of times over the course of the last couple of months. I see them as basically a higher-quality, local version of Chipotle; it's definitely a touch pricier, but they have the quality of service and food to more than make up for the difference. I usually opt for the ensalada with either itza (made with Beyond meat) or grilled fish -- the fish is a super refreshing pescatarian addition to the menu beyond most other fast-casual Mexican spots. With the impeccable spice blend, lovely charred crust, and super tender interior, the fish is absolutely worthy of being a go-to protein, despite the added cost. They do also include guac as a protein choice, which, although I love guac, it's not a protein and should not be categorized as such. I usually get basically all of the non-dairy toppings possible (note: the potatoes are not gluten-free) and replace their dressing with a few dollops of their flavor-packed and absolutely outstanding salsa. Ah...I'm getting hungry just thinking about it -- the ensalada hits the spot every time, and I really appreciate the degree of customization and wide breadth of toppings you can add compared to other fast-casual Mexican spots.
The service is also efficient and friendly enough, providing an all-around delightful, quick dining experience. I will note, though, if you're planning to get take-out, I would recommend quickly sense-checking your order before heading out. I've occasionally been given the wrong order, which is completely understandable considering how busy this spot can get, but that does have the potential to ruin dinner plans if you're not staying near the restaurant, especially if you have dietary restrictions.
656 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20003, USA
Accommodating Gluten-Free
BreakfastLunchDinnerOpen LateMexicanDeliveryTake AwayPet FriendlyOutdoor SeatingKid FriendlyBrunchGrab & Go
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Peter Bierma
First time here. Partner (who is celiac) & I dined in about an hour before they closed so we weren't sure if they would be happy to see us... we were pleasantly surprised.
I had three chicken tacos, and she had a bowl. She let them know about her gluten allergy and they were already changing gloves before we had the chance to ask them to! You can mark your allergies on the order kiosk but we always like to double check. They were awesome, even this close to closing time.
Tacos were packed full and veggies tasted fresh. Everything was full of flavor, and tables were clean. Will definitely go back next time we're in DC!
Lots of vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options. Food was solid nothing super special or unique. Staff were kind. Great location to Capitol One Arena. Plantains were delicious.
I ordered delivery and I think I need to visit this place. The online menu is well explained! It shows what items are gluten free. The salsa and chips and guacamole are good!
Been here a few times now! I have celiac so hafta be careful where I eat out. They only have corn tortillas for their tacos. But basically, can't get the fried stuff and can't get the chips (they share a fryer) and I ate here safely and my stomach was very happy!
Love this local spot! Great food, great drinks, the service and community here is fab. A perfect place to connect with your people during or after a long week. Also their breakfast tacos are the best in the city. :) I’m gluten free and it’s always super easy on that front too. Recommend!
Really nice waiters and a nice casual atmosphere inside. Overall decent food, but not the best ever, but definitely solid! The salsa they serve with the chips is delicious and the enchiladas were pretty good, the red sauce was flavorful, but the inside chicken was pretty dry.
That said, this place gets a five out of five for being celiac disease, friendly! I came with a friend who has severe gluten intolerance, and they were knowledgeable and proactive about accommodating her, assuring that they would clean any cooktops in advance of cooking her food and warning us that the corn tortilla chips are fried in a fryer that sometimes fries, gluten foods, so she should avoid those. We felt safe and happy eating here.
Some of the best tacos I’ve had, especially for late-night, in the city. Two tacos are plenty — not the tiny street tacos you’ll find at some spots. I prefer their flour tortillas, but you can get corn if you prefer a non-gluten option. The steak tacos and burritos are the best meat option in my opinion, but the chicken is a pretty good runner-up if you’re looking for something a little lighter. Their yellow rice is fantastic, and the side salad is surprisingly enjoyable too because most side salads at Mexican spots are mediocre at best. If you’re getting guac, the chips aren’t too phenomenal, maybe because they get cold so quickly and don’t tend to have enough salt — but the guac is fresh and flavorful, so it’s worth ordering them paired with that. Definitely a worthwhile spot to get solid, non-greasy Mexican food on the regular.
Love this place so much!! They have an amazing margarita menu, and I got their seasonal pomegranate margarita. Switched it up this time and got the bowl with mushrooms as a great gluten free and vegetarian entree. All were delicious!!
Can’t wait to come back again!
This place is not Celiac friendly. I ordered a gluten free dish and was sick for a day. What a waste! I paid too much for something that made me sick. If you are Celiac or gluten intolerant, this is NOT the place for you.
The food is very tasty, portion sizes are fantastic and price appropriate. Staff is great. Owner works his tail off to support his team. View of the River by marina is solid. Outside and inside seating available. Menu has options for everyone - even us dairy free gluten free types!
I’m gluten free so unfortunately, I had to pay an extra $3 for my pizza, which is already expected but it sucks…. It was very good but I wish it was the same price or at least the same size of the normal pizza. It was like 1/2 a size smaller 😭
Many things I can mention about this wonderful place, but the first for me it the food, is delicious and fresh, with a variety of options available.
The staff is attentive, friendly, and welcoming.
The restaurant has a cozy and vibrant atmosphere, with a beautiful Mexican decor. Something important is that the prices are reasonable, and the portions are generous.
The menu offers a variety of options, including vegan and gluten-free dishes.
The drinks are tasty and refreshing, with a variety of margaritas available. Highly recommended!!!!
Had a great time. Food was delicious! Large portions, a verity of options and very attentive to special requests. Gluten free options as well. Staff was very kind and attentive.
Got a Groupon and had a great lunch with my husband. He is celiac and is allergic to milk and they took great care of him. He was very happy that he could have the chips (in most places they are cross contaminated in the fryer).
100% Dedicated Gluten-Free
