| Address | 1916 14th St., Washington, DC 20009 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Mon-Thu, 11 a.m.-1:30 a.m., Fri-Sat, 11 a.m.-2:30 a.m. |
| Phone | (202) 986-9693 |
| Website | http://www.elparaisorestaurantsdc.com |
Everything about this place is ideal. Due to its U Street proximity, it's open super late on weekends. More importantly, the food is very authentic Salvadoran. I went with my Salvadoran fiance, and he said it tasted like his mom's preparations. To top it off, the prices were extremely reasonable. We order two meals, an appetizer and three beers for less than $40. The ambience is very low key, and this contributes to an authentic feel. It definitely takes you away from the hubbub of U street.
For what it is--a hole-in-the wall Mexican/Salvadoran joint--El Paraiso is great. The service is friendly and attentive, and the food is consistently tasty. This isn't high-end food or high-end ambience, but it's a nice escape from the surrounding hipsterdom.
