Image: Plate o’ Tacos.
Last Updated: July 2025
NOTE: Chicatana suffered a fire, and have relocated to 1400 Meridian Pl., NW. They have a Go Fund Me for rebuilding and staff.
Overview:
Come for the wide selection of tequilla and mezcal, stay for the better than you might expect food. The menu is anchored by a number of taco options that can be mixed and matched, or like a table next to us on our visit, you can just go big with four carne asada. It takes some pretty good food to be able to hang with the big dogs on this stretch of 14th Street. Chicatana holds its own.
We will confess this place was put on our radar by the effusive love it gets from local food writers. Tom in the Post raved over the easily overlooked spot that made him a repeat customer. Washingtonian put it at #25 on the 2024 Top 100, “This tiny, no-frills Columbia Heights joint is the unexpected home to fine-dining-level Mexican cooking, spot-on margaritas, and some of DC’s best tacos.” Eat DC, like us, was late to the bandwagon, but joined nonetheless, saying, “Lengua taco was my best bite of the year so far.”
For us, the chicken tinga sang loudest, with sauce, well-flavored meat, and a touch of spice. The al pastor and cauliflower also were very good. The kitchen leans into sauce, especially creamy ones. On the red pepper taco it overwhelmed. Though the heavy hand worked on the esquites with the corn served deep in mayo. Don’t skip the guacamole, made fresh with some kick. One thing that is distinct is the use of small beads of crunchy insects liberally sprinkled on dishes. The namesake chicatana flying ant, native to Oaxaca, is roasted whole and served that way, even on the dessert of crispy dough topped with powder sugar.
A patio area with a bunch of high-top tables out front is enclosed by plastic when necessary. They have a larger interior now that they moved down a couple doors into a new space. It is still pretty bare-bones, but the place is serious about food and the staff is chock full of experienced talent.This is a great neighborhood spot doing some interesting things and we think worth a trip out of the way.
Other Guidance: Post accessibility language: No barriers at entrance, although the tables are high-tops. GF can do ok. There are veggie options, but may not be strictly vegetarian.
Summary:
Cuisine: Mexican/Central American
Neighborhood: Columbia Heights/Petworth
Address: 3901 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20011
Website: https://www.chicatanadc.com/
Reservations: Walk-in
Other Critics/Voices:
Washington Post: Tom’s rave.
Washingtonian: #25 on the 2024 Top 100. 8 Must-Try Restaurants in DC’s Mini Mexico Corridor.