Guapo’s has been bringing sizzling fajitas, salt-rimmed margaritas, and a lively Latin American spirit to the DC metro area for more than three decades, long enough to become part of the region’s dining DNA.
Founded in the early 1990s by Colombian immigrant Hector Rincón, the original Tenleytown location quickly turned into a neighborhood favorite where college students, families, and coworkers crowded in for big portions and even bigger energy. It was, and still is, the kind of place where the sound of fajitas arriving at the next table is reason enough to order your own.
The family’s success in the District paved the way for expansion across the DMV. Today Guapo’s operates 8 full-service locations, including a dedicated Montgomery County presence with restaurants in Bethesda and Gaithersburg.
The extremely popular Gaithersburg outlet at Rio Lakefront stands out. The lakeside restaurant opened in 1994 and has become a staple for locals and visitors alike. According to our own “Mr. MoCo” Alex Tsironis, the Rio Lakefront site has earned the distinction of being one of Montgomery County’s busiest restaurants. He jokes that it’s “widely known that a lap around the lake counteracts any calories taken in during your visit.”
Over the years, the Rincón family has modernized their concept while keeping its heart intact, most notably with the sleek waterfront Georgetown location where diners can sip margaritas overlooking the Potomac. For generations of Washingtonians and suburban diners, Guapo’s has been a constant. A go-to for birthdays, casual dinners, or just an excuse for chips and queso. More than 30 years after its first sizzling plate hit the table, Guapo’s continues to prove that great food, local roots, and good times never go out of style.
