Perhaps the finest contribution that the Tex-Mex culinary tradition has made to America is the notion that tacos are a breakfast food. Thanks to Republic Cantina’s recent opening, you can enjoy a taste of this notion without venturing far from your apartments in the DMV area. Headed up by Texas native and DC restaurateur Chris Svetlik (the man behind Republic Kolache), this new spot is open starting at 7 am Monday through Friday, and 8 am on the weekends. 

For now, the menu is focused on breakfast tacos served on house-made flour tortillas (corn tortillas are available on request) and kolaches, but a full service dinner and drinks menu is scheduled to roll out later in the summer. Regulars say everything on the menu is pretty tasty, but point to the carne guisado tacos as a breakout star (you can sample a few different tacos and come to your own conclusions). Drinks include a full range of coffee and espresso options, horchata, and house-made salty lemonade.