A Takoma Park restaurant has been selected as the home of Maryland’s best enchilada as part of a nationwide list by Mashed highlighting a standout version of the Mexican dish in every state.
Cielo Rojo was chosen for its Enchilada Tres Moles, which can be ordered with chicken or cheese wrapped in a house-made heirloom corn tortilla. The dish is topped with three different moles: mole poblano, pipian mole verde and mole de cacahuate.
The restaurant makes its tortillas from scratch using heirloom corn from Mexico, one of several details highlighted in the selection. A mushroom and bean version of the enchilada is also available as a vegan option.
The latest recognition adds to a growing list of accolades for Cielo Rojo. The restaurant was voted Best Mexican Restaurant in Washington City Paper’s 2026 Best of D.C. readers’ poll and has regularly received recognition from Eater DC, including being one of just six Maryland restaurants included on its Best of Summer 2026 list.
Cielo Rojo opened in Takoma Park in 2019 and specializes in California-inspired Mexican cuisine, with a menu featuring tacos, enchiladas and shareable plates. Owners David Perez and Carolina McCandless met in 2012 while working at Gracias Madre, a vegan Mexican restaurant in San Francisco. McCandless is originally from Takoma Park, where her parents own nearby Amano.
The restaurant has developed a strong following since opening, with its emphasis on house-made tortillas, heirloom corn and dishes influenced by the owners’ experiences in both California and Mexico.
The nationwide list examined restaurants across the country, ranging from casual neighborhood spots to higher-end destinations, before selecting a top-rated enchilada for each state.
