Frederick, like most medium-sized towns in the US, has several places to get Mexican food. Cacique in Frederick is a downtown restaurant that certainly fits that bill but is actually much more. In fact, in this article, I’ll try to convince you to skip the Mexican food at Cacique in downtown Frederick.
This bright and energetic restaurant is located on North Market Street in the heart of downtown and specializes not only in Mexican but also Spanish cuisine. Plus margaritas, sangrias, tequilas, and mezcal!
Newly Renovated Cacique Has a Latin Vibe
Cacique was recently renovated, and you can undoubtedly tell the theme the new design was looking for. The interior has a vibrant Latin color palette, with orange-shaded walls and lots of blues, red, and yellow accents.
The bar area is immediately after you enter and uses colors and backlights to give off a fiesta vibe. Patrons are usually busy drinking yummy margaritas or Mexican beers.
I’ve been all over Mexico and southern Spain and recognize that vibe. You can’t help but love it as it reminds you of sun, colorful art, fruity wine, and spicy food.
Cacique in Frederick Restaurant Basics
The original Cacique Restaurant is in downtown Frederick, but note there is a second location in Hagerstown.
- Address: 26 N Market St, Frederick, MD 21701
- Web: www.caciquerestaurant.com
- Facebook: facebook.com/CaciqueRestaurantFred/
- Phone: +1.301.695.2756
- Price Range: $$
- Reservations: recommended on weekends here
- Takeout: order online here
A Colorful Bar Focused on Tequilla and Margaritas
Every great Mexican restaurant starts with a bar, and Cacique has a good one. It’s modern, stylish, and comfy, but most importantly is what’s on the menu.
It begins and ends with margaritas, and you have plenty to choose from. The Cacique Margarita is your classic version, and note all are available in a glass, half pitcher, or full pitcher. If you like your margaritas frozen, Cacique has strawberry, mango, peach, and raspberry.
There are 4-5 specialty margaritas to try. The Millionaire Margarita (with Don Julio Anejo tequila) caught my eye.
Besides margaritas, there are multiple sangrias, Mexican cocktails, and Mexican beers (ahhh Pacifo)
Skip The Mexican and Head Straight to Spain
Your initial glance at the Cacique menu will say ‘Mexican restaurant.’ Your first walkthrough of the restaurant backs this up, as most of the customers will be chowing on burritos, tacos, and enchiladas.
We get it. Mexican food is delicious. Cacique’s Mexican is authentic and easy to order. The multiple fajita dishes on the menu are especially winners on the Cacique menu. The Chile Relleno dish at the next table during our last visit especially caught my eye.
Nicole and I are here to tell you to go against the grain. Resist your urge to indulge in one of the many Mexican Cacique dishes. Instead, head to the Spanish section and right to the heavy hitter: the paella.
If you don’t know paella, it’s the quintessential Spanish dish. Saffron-flavored rice (with a beautiful yellow color) is cooked in a seafood broth combined with various seafood. Cacique has Paella de Marisco (of the sea) and Paella Valencia (with chicken and sausage). We recommend you do what we did: pick your favorite of the two and order the paella for two.
The Rest of the Cacique in Frederick Menu!
While I would never tell anyone not to order and eat Mexican food, it’s a readily available cuisine. Spanish food, and specifically paella, is harder to find. So when at a place like Cacique…skip Mexico.
There are plenty of other Spanish dishes you can return and try. Lomo Saltado, Bistec, and Zarzuela are a few I’ll be returning to try. Maybe a taco on the side.
