Petworth’s newest Mexican cuisine restaurant uses heart to overcome the odds
/The interior of DC Corazón
by Maya Gold
DC Corazon is a labor of love — emphasis on the labor, and emphasis on the love.
Love, because corazón means “heart” in Spanish. Owner Josefina A. Darui has adored the shape since she was little, and the small, warm restaurant is covered in them. But love is used also because of what she’s hoping to bring to the area.
“I love DC; that’s one of the reasons that I named my business ‘DC Corazon,’” says Darui. “I want people to know that in DC Corazon everything we make comes from our heart.”
DC Corazon living up to its name.
Darui modeled the restaurant off a Mexican fondas, small mom-and-pop restaurants, which abound in her hometown of Mexico City.
“People go and eat there and enjoy the same food that their mothers or grandmothers cook, but in a different setting,” explains Darui. “My goal is to bring a piece of my hometown here with good homemade Mexican dishes, a great family friendly atmosphere, and warm service.”
Labor, because opening up a restaurant right now is not easy by any stretch. Since DC Corazon had not opened when the pandemic hit, it found itself in the worst kind of limbo: Darui couldn’t get any government assistance for the pandemic because she hadn’t started serving customers, but she couldn’t start serving customers because of the pandemic.
Josefina Darui, owner of DC Corazon, in front of a mural of a street in Mexico City.
“My lease started in January 2020 and within two months, COVID tore through the community. Everything was delayed, from equipment to permits. The government was unable to help me, and yet, the bills have not stopped for the last thirteen months.”
And when DC Corazon was finally ready to open, the Capitol insurrection took place, shutting down the city and further delaying Darui’s plans. However, Darui sees the bright side of things.
“I’m lucky to have friends, employees and neighbors that have been helping me and encouraging me to open. That’s why I’m thrilled we’re opening this Friday, even if we’ve had to cut down our menu for a bit until things get back to normal. A customer told me yesterday that we were brave to open and probably be the first new business to open in 2021 and welcoming us to the neighborhood.”
I stopped by the restaurant on Friday, January 16th, the first day it officially opened. DC Corazon offers a variety of classic Mexican staples, including tacos, sopes, and mole dishes.
DC Corazon’s Nopales & Rajas Tacos
DC Corazon’s Taquitos Doradas
The patio is thoughtfully laid out, with barriers and fake grass that give the space a comfortable yet COVID-safe feel. Darui was warm and bubbly, giving me a tour of the premises. The restaurant is exactly the kind of place I want in my neighborhood: warm, full of color and light, and with a well-stocked bar to boot.
The patio out front has plexiglass separators.
Darui sent me home with a huge bag of takeout, and I’m pleased to report everything, the taquitos, the tacos, the mezcal flan, the margaritas, were delicious. It’s hard to choose a favorite, but I really enjoyed the smokiness of the nopales (cactus) tacos and the absolutely perfect caramel on the flan.
The flan, naturally, was in the shape of a heart.
DC Corazon’s Flan Al Mezcal
DC Corazon
3905 14th Street NW
dccorazon.com
DC Corazon’s lunch hours are 11 am - 3 pm Monday - Friday. Their dinner hours are M-T 4-10 pm. Their weekend hours are F/Sa 11am - 11pm, Su 11 am - 9:30 pm.
To schedule a delivery for pick up, call (202) 481-0511.
