Taqueria El Poblano

Located in the Lee Harrison shopping mall, you can find the Mexican restaurant Taqueria El Poblano. Opened in 2003 by Dan and Lindsay Michel, along with their business partner Glen Adams, it has become a staple of the Langston communities.  Dan and Glen worked together for many years in the culinary world of DC hotels. Glen was from Southern California and had always wanted to own a taco joint, so in 1999, he opened the first Taqueria El Poblano in Alexandria. Dan and Lindsay were looking for a change in their lives, so when the space in Arlington opened a few years later, they jumped on board. Lindsay did not come from the culinary world – she once worked as a carpenter’s apprentice and later a stockbroker – but the restaurant offered them a chance to work together while tag-teaming to raise a family.

The partners never thought they would open a taco shop in a strip mall, but the space became available just as Lee Harrison was being renovated, and the location was great. They built out their vision on a shoestring budget, even painting the furniture and interior themselves, and opened in 2003. The food is Yucatan-influenced, made with fresh ingredients, and is traditional Mexican cuisine, not Tex-Mex. Taqueria El Poblano got its name from the peppers that are commonly featured in their meals. Lindsay says it’s a bit of a mouthful, so most locals call it “The Taq.” Then there are the award-winning margaritas that have become well known to Arlingtonians. 

The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, Tuesday through Sunday. Mondays are dinner only (lunch and dinner on holidays). Dan and Lindsay can be found working as managers and are frequently in and out of the restaurant throughout the week. Many of their employees have been with them for a long time, some since the beginning. Lindsay attributes that to the family feel of the restaurant, along with a mutual affection, trust, and respect. Many of their regular customers have also been with them since the beginning, with their children growing up in the restaurant and now returning as adults. Lindsay says many of the customers have become close with the staff and each other; they have become the “Cheers” of the neighborhood.

Lindsay loves the relationships she has built over the years with the employees and customers. She is proud to have a place where people can relax and feel at home. Although she and Dan have stepped back and let some of their longtime employees take on more responsibility, they still enjoy coming in to see everyone, and there are no plans to change things up.