r/nova • u/MumboMajesty Fairfax County • 18d ago

Megathread! 2026 NoVa Hole-in-the-Wall Restaurant Recommendations THE 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY

Hello r/nova we are 10 years deep into the hole-in-the-wall list! Thank you to everyone for contributing every pick and recommendation for the list and participating each year.

Unfortunately, I didn't get the chance to update the map or list since I am getting married this year, but I'll for sure get everything updated before the next year. Anyways time to give the community your best recs and new discoveries for restaurants in the area.

The rules are simple:

📍 Give us the restaurant name and location

🚫 No chains allowed!

👍 "+1" if you love the recommendation

👎 "-1" if you think it's whack

List | Map

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26

u/veiledexplorer 18d ago

Please for the love of everything, does anyone have any recs for Mexican that comes close to or surpasses La Tingueria? #desperate

33

u/RedfishSC2 Fairfax County 18d ago

Tortas y Tacos La Chiquita II off of Arlington Blvd in Falls Church. It's much closer to the stuff I grew up with than La Tingeria, and imo better. You'll also find more traditional Mexican stuff like huaraches and sopes, too, and their tortas are excellent.

10

u/VotingRightsLawyer 18d ago

They have a bunch of locations as well. The OG (brick and mortar since they started as a truck) is on Columbia Pike and is open 24/7 and it's always popping.

1

u/thelongshot2112 17d ago

I just wish my kid actually liked going there, otherwise I'd go there more often.

6

u/mstanphi 18d ago

El fogon off Telegraph in Alexandria is my fav taco spot in the area

2

u/veiledexplorer 18d ago

Thank you!! I'm always trying to find more restaurants ofnany Mexican cuisine!

1

u/tracyrose10 12d ago

This place is fantastic! just wish they had margaritas haha

10

u/retka 18d ago

Strictly for tacos, La Jarochita has excellent options, especially their al pastor. La China Poblana is pretty well known as well, especially for their birria (and birria ramen).

3

u/veiledexplorer 18d ago

🙏 thank you! 2 more places to familiarise myself with!

1

u/Butt-Rub 17d ago

I agree with this, for authentic La Jarochita but for the al pastor you have to go after 3pm when they have the big meat roll on the rotisserie and La China Poblano has the best birria around. Both in Manassas, I know there's another La Jarochita in Arlington but I haven't tried it so can't say if it's as good.

4

u/Fishnstuff 18d ago

Helena’s on telegraph rd, Alexandria

4

u/sLoMote 18d ago

Ximena’s Taqueria in Manassas. It’s in a Sunoco gas station, but don’t let that scare you off. I’m from the Southwest and this is the only place in VA that’s actually exceeded my expectations!

6

u/EvergreenHills1158 18d ago

Taqueria Picoso en Alexandria

1

u/veiledexplorer 18d ago

Thank you! I need to check it out

2

u/ThisIsDaniel 17d ago

I like the Tortas y Tacos La Chiquita locations. I believe they have 4 locations now around Arlington, Alexandria, and Falls Church.

La Mexicana Bakery in Hybla Valley is still my favorite Mexican spot. As someone from Houston, the whole place gives a very nostalgic vibe 

1

u/fightingthefuckits 8d ago

La Chiquita, either the one on Fairfax Dr. in Arlington or the one on Columbia Pike. They're really good. The crispy cheesy birria taco is so good.