La Mexicana - Bar & Grill — dining room and Mexican grill atmosphere

13+ years
serving Maryland Est. 2013

La Mexicana - Bar & Grill — fresh ingredients and plated favorites

about us

Delicious and affordable—always both

Serving up refreshingly authentic dishes at an affordable price. At La Mexicana - Bar & Grill, a meal out should never be a tradeoff between flavor and value. We are a family-owned Mexican bar and grill in Gaithersburg and Germantown—outdoor seating, moderate prices, full bar, and the scratch-made plates that earned us a 90% recommendation rate from 272+ Facebook reviews.

  • scratch-made salsas, marinades, and plates with real depth—without the fine-dining price tag
  • vegetarian choices, kids’ favorites, and flexible options for common allergies—just ask your server
  • outdoor seating, full bar, happy hour, catering & events—two MoCo locations, one scratch kitchen

lava rock grill

La Mexicana grills on lava rock—fajita platters & asadas with rice, beans, pico, tortillas, and signature sautéed onions & peppers; try our handmade tortilla de mano.

bold, balanced plates

Seasonal fruit, house infusions, and bartenders who balance sweet, tart, and agave in the same sip—every shift.

our history

Since 2013 we have mirrored Germantown recipes in Gaithersburg—same scratch crew, two zip codes, one welcome mat.

our approach

How we think about food, people & community

our mission

Serve honest Mexican food—without cutting corners

Our mission is straightforward: generous plates of Mexican bar-and-grill favorites with consistent seasoning, fair portions, and prices that respect your weeknight budget—because memorable flavor and everyday value belong together. We want La Mexicana - Bar & Grill to feel like your reliable go-to—whether you’re feeding a family, hosting coworkers, or catching the game at the bar.

  • Keep recipes rooted in tradition while staying open to the small tweaks that make flavors brighter and service smoother.
  • Treat guests like neighbors: clear communication, attentive refills, and zero attitude when you ask for substitutions.
  • Support our staff with training and stability so the friendly faces you recognize today are still here tomorrow.
La Mexicana - Bar & Grill — kitchen and mission

our vision

A gathering place that grows with the neighborhood

We envision La Mexicana - Bar & Grill as more than a restaurant—a calendar anchor for birthdays, team wins, first dates, and “let’s just get out of the house” nights. Over time, we aim to deepen partnerships with local schools and charities, expand catering for offices and celebrations, and keep investing in the little upgrades that make each visit feel a notch better than the last.

  • Grow a menu that stays approachable while giving adventurous eaters something new to explore each season.
  • Strengthen our bar program with well-made classics, seasonal drinks, and responsible service you can trust.
  • Continue welcoming live entertainment and private events that bring extra energy to the dining room—without ever forgetting the dinner guest who simply wants great food and conversation.
La Mexicana - Bar & Grill — vision for community dining

our values

Respect—for ingredients, guests, and each other

These are the non-negotiables behind the scenes: clean kitchens, transparent timing when we’re slammed, and managers who listen when something misses the mark. We believe great Mexican food is as much about consistency and care as it is about spice—and we work daily to earn the repeat visits that built La Mexicana - Bar & Grill in the first place.

  • Integrity in sourcing and prep—if we wouldn’t serve it to our own family, it doesn’t leave the pass.
  • Inclusivity at the table—families, large parties, solo diners, and everyone in between deserve the same warm welcome.
  • Pride in place—we’re grateful to cook in Montgomery County and to share the room with the guests who make this work meaningful.
La Mexicana - Bar & Grill — values and team culture

guest voices

What neighbors say about dining at La Mexicana - Bar & Grill

Friday night with Phil playing how do you go wrong food great music great prices great

Judy L., 2025-12-12

My parents and I dined at La Mexicana while enjoying a comedy show. They run several comedy events every month and donate 50% of all proceeds to organizations determined by the guest comedian. I had a great time indulging in steak tacos and frozen pina colodas, while also being entertained. The restaurant is in a more hidden shopping center, but it shouldn't be dismissed. I highly recommend going and signing up for one of their comedy events!

Kyle L., 2025-05-03

Yum!! The doors are dark, and I was a little unsure if I was using the right doors to get in. But once I was inside, I really enjoyed it! I sat at the bar since I was there by myself. Attentive service from both bartenders. I'm doing a high protein, low carb diet so I went with the chicken sampler. Delicious! The taco chicken and the chicken and rice were my favorites. So juicy and flavorful! Fresh guacamole was also great!

Jeny T., 2025-03-20

The Service was excellent, the food was good and good portions and reasonable prices, great happy hour

Michael O., 2025-01-20

We love coming here! The owner is very personable and the food is always delicious! The portions are pretty hearty as well.

S R., 2024-12-08

We just happened to find this restaurant trying to find some good mexican food. The happy hour drinks and food were great! The staff is attentive and nice. We went on a Monday and there was an open mic which was even better. (They even have a comedy club in a section next to the restaurant/bar on weekends!) Best kept secret in Gaithersburg.

Jackie M., 2024-11-08

Our favorite place to go! Food is great, staff are very pleasant and helpful. The prices are very fair and we love the atmosphere!

Bonnie H., 2024-07-30

Wonderful food, fabulous restaurant! La Mexicana is a great Mexican restaurant that also is home to the Give a Hoot Comedy Club! This club has great comics-some are new and some are seasoned. Such a fun evening. Wonderful authentic food and all for a very reasonable price! My favorite part is that half of the comedy club income is given to local charities. You simply can't beat that! For a fun evening, head to the Give a hoot Comedy club at La Mexicana!

Hillary W., 2023-12-11

Casual atmosphere, greeted by nice patron sitting outside. They do have outside seating but Sat at the bar and was greeted by Mo, a very nice bartender. Ordered a margarita on the rocks and carnita tacos. Chips & mild salsa were yummy! Carnita tacos were fresh and I enjoyed them down to the last bite. Great service, great value, delicious food and of course MO, a very kind, personable bartender.

Cally A., 2023-08-26

First thanks for hosting Give A Hoot Comedy Club in the private dining area. La Mexicaña is a hidden gem. Friday night the locals were out enjoying the end of the work week. Saturday night was a bit quieter. I found the staff super responsive and friendly. We really liked the food - tried nachos, yucca, pork and chicken tamales, pork chops, quesadillas and the chicken sampler platter. Delicious!

Suzanne C., 2023-07-30

Nice environment with a private party room, friendly, good stuff, and very reasonable prices, especially given the economy these days. Plus plenty of parking.

L. S., 2023-07-21

La Mex is our favorite place. I have had many family celebrations there as well as drinks at the bar. The food is delicious, authentic and affordable. The happy hour prices are fantastic and Jimmy makes the best margaritas in town.

Maureen Z., 2022-11-17

I just started going to La Mexicana and I keep going back because the food is great, the ambiance is fun, and the service is friendly and fast. Today I took 5 friends with me and they LOVED their meals. I highly recommend the Taco Salad. My friend who got a fajita meal thought it was the best she has had. The waitress, Alexis, was speedy and helpful. She has a very relaxed attitude and made the whole experience pleasant. I love it!

Marilyn O., 2021-11-10

Amazing food and drinks! We had the chicken fajita and wet grilled chicken burrito! Reasonable prices for excellent food and drinks! Played Keno (actually won today)! Highly recommend!!

Diana R., 2021-11-06

Alexis was the best ! So friendly , recommended the best drinks and has the best customer service ever Friendly and would definitely come back !! Great vibes and great laugh !

Roxana C., 2021-04-21

Alexa was amazing!! I have never had this type of customer service in my life! She made me feel welcome & was super attentive!! 10/10 would recommend!!! She was super professional & made me feel at ease after a long at work :)

Bridget R., 2021-04-21

I've been coming here very often, and Alexa took care of my friends and I very well. She's quick to serve us, providing chips and providing great customer service! Shout out to jimmy as well! Great vibes with these two. Definitely will be my go to spot from now on. Such professionalism :) great laughs here especially after a long days of work!

Jackie G., 2021-04-21

This restaurant is one of my go to spots for a good time! I love that you can make your own selection of music on the jukebox and the food is fresh and delicious! My favorite bartender is Alexis!! The nights that she is works the bar is always clean, she is very attentive and sociable!

Kisha V., 2021-03-17

Went there for lunch yesterday. Salmon burrito was amazing. Service superb as always!

Nitin S., 2020-10-19

i am always pleased with the food, drinks , service and the value at this la mex. I have brought friends here and have held events here and Ash makes it totally easy. everyone loves this place.

Chris H., 2020-07-10

Love the food and so do my kids! The staff is really friendly too. Quesadillas, chimichangas, yucca fries, salads - all delicious. They have pretty painted chairs in the dining room, too.

Kristen W., 2020-05-23

Visiting Ash S. at his awesome restaurant. He could not have a better personality, always smiling and gracious. We are loving the food, tacos and fajitas. Trey behind the bar was super nice and attentive to everyone in the place. Great margarita. Come for a great happy hour with great prices! Casuals as well as suits feel comfortable and welcomed. Cannot wait to come back.

Julie P., 2020-02-19

Just love this place! Service is great. Greeted immediately and seated. Wait staff is friendly and helpful. Food is delicious. Great casual place. Highly recommended for all occasions, they also have a great room to accommodate large events.

Cynthia R., 2020-02-01

My husband and I have eaten here or taken out over 10 times and have had a great experience every time. The food is always delicious and is priced well. It's hard for us to eat Mexican food anywhere else now because we always compare it to La Mexicana. We have never had an experience with bad service that other people are complaining about.

Meghan C., 2019-10-19

Great food, great price! Nice people, especially Tracy! Fun place to hang out with friends.

Marvin M., 2019-08-15

This has become my go-to lunch spot on Fridays with my sister and friends. Food is always consistently good, service is fantastic and the crowd eclectic. The vibe is chill. Our favorite bartender is Tracy, who we look forward to seeing each week.

Laura R., 2019-08-14

AMAZING food and service. Phenomenal catering services. Super friendly folks to work with. On time and all details taken care of!

Kim W., 2019-07-16

I am very happy with the service and food that I have gotten from the restaurant. We have 7sed them a couple of times for catering at work, and each time has been a huge success. The food is delicious and the service is friendly, cost effective, and delivered on time. The owners are wonderful.

Joyce B., 2019-07-16

This place has the best food. The drinks are priced great and everything tastes amazing. The fried ice cream is a must have!

Nicole L., 2019-06-08

Last night was my first visit to La Mexicana. We were about 30 people, there to see a band, The GoodFellas. The vibe of La Mexicana was great! We were in a large room with a large enough dance floor and we had a blast! Most of us had dinner there too, and Ashe made sure we all got served in a timely manner. The food was great. I had the enchilada platter with rice and the best refried beans I've ever had. The food was hot and delicious. Drinks were also very reasonably priced. I drove down there from Baltimore and would do it again. What a great night!

Debi A., 2019-05-05

frequently asked questions

Common questions about dining at La Mexicana - Bar & Grill

Hours, reservations, dietary needs, and more—quick answers below. If you need something specific (large party timing, catering headcount, or accessibility details), call the location you plan to visit and we’ll walk you through it.

Hours can vary slightly by location, day of the week, and holidays. For the most accurate open and close times—and any special brunch or late-night extensions—please visit our Hours & Locations page or phone the restaurant directly before you head out.

Yes. You’ll find vegetable-forward tacos, burritos, enchiladas, salads, and sides throughout the menu. Vegan guests can often customize by skipping cheese or sour cream—ask your server to point out the best swaps. Because recipes evolve, we’re happy to confirm ingredients tableside.

For many parties, the fastest path is to call the location you’d like to visit so we can check real-time table availability—especially on weekends. If we add online booking links, you’ll see them on our contact or locations page; until then, we appreciate a quick phone call.

Pickup and delivery are available through our approved ordering partners—look for the Toast or online ordering button in the site header. Menu availability, fees, and delivery radius are controlled by the platform, so you’ll see live options once you start an order.

We love celebrations. Depending on the room layout at your chosen location, we can often accommodate rehearsal dinners, office parties, birthdays, and fundraisers with set menus or buffet-style service. Share your date, headcount, and budget—we’ll propose a plan that fits.

Both suburban locations offer generous surface parking compared with downtown dining—great for families hauling car seats or catering pickups. If an event overlaps with peak dining, arrive a few minutes early; our hosts can suggest the easiest entrance when you call ahead.

Absolutely. Our children’s menu keeps portions kid-sized and flavors milder, with familiar favorites like quesadillas, chicken tenders, and tacos. Ask about coloring sheets or high chairs when you’re seated—we want parents to actually enjoy their meal, too.



plan your night out

Drop your details— we will save you a booth

Service windows

  • Pickup Nightly pickup windows—Toast shows
    live times for both kitchens.
  • Delivery 11:00am–1:00am Germantown Toast hub—
    radius updates live in the app.
  • Dine-in Gaithersburg (301) 869-1500 · Germantown (301) 972-0500.
    Outdoor seating available—call ahead for large parties.