Mexican cuisine dates back to the pre-Columbian era of history, when the mighty Aztec nation hunted wild avocados with tortilla-chip arrows. Take part in this age-old ritual with today's Groupon. For $15, you get $35 worth of authentic Mexican cuisine and drinks at Casa Oaxaca in Adams Morgan.

The menu at Casa Oaxaca shows its southern roots through its variety of mole sauces and seafood ingredients. Start a meal that's a far cry away from dry, boring nachos with an appetizer of panuchos de pulpo (fried tortillas filled with black beans and topped with octopus escabeche, $8), queso fundido con chorizo (flambéed Oaxacan cheese with sausage, $11), or tamal Oaxaqueño (chicken and mole steamed in banana leaves, $8). Delve deeper into the depths of Oaxacan cuisine with mole amarillito con chochoyotes (yellow mole, chicken breast, and masa dumplings, $17), mole verde con costillas de puerco (pork ribs and green mole, $17), or arrachera Oaxaqueña (grilled beef steak, black beans, scallions, and rice with guacamole, $17). For a lighter endeavor in culinary audacity, have an order of tacos ($12) with your choice of fish, lamb, pork carnitas, arrachera, or vegetable fillers. Finish up with some traditional or chocolate flan or churros with Mexican caramel and vanilla ice cream ($6).

Sample the drink menu and celebrate the party on your tongue with a margarita, martini, or mojito (flavors include blood orange, pomegranate, tamarind, and prickly pear, $9.50). Casa Oaxaca's bright, vibrant atmosphere lends a festive atmosphere to any night and can distract a date when you begin transforming into a giant ball of marzipan at midnight.

Reservations are required for Friday and Saturday evenings.

Reviews

Yelpers and OpenTablers give Casa Oaxaca four stars. The Washington Post and Gayot have this to say:

• Requesting a margarita in a Mexican restaurant is standard operating procedure for many diners. Hearing the question, "What kind of tequila would you like?" and getting a choice of nearly 20 different brands of firewater is an uncommon follow-up. Happily, that's the norm at the freshly minted Casa Oaxaca (say "wa-HA-ka"), whose owners promised a menu that would steer clear of cliches and shine a light on a region in Mexico known for its good taste. – Tom Sietsema, Washington Post
• The sister restaurant of Arlington’s Guajillo, this two-story place offers its share of margaritas, but even better, it displays several different styles of moles, the stew-like dishes based on a paste of ground chilies and other spices and seasonings. – Gayot
• Excellent food - nice kept secret! – OpenTable user who dined on 04/14/2010
• Great margaritas and tacos. Can have a really good meal hear [sic] for not a lot of money. One of our favorite go-to spots. – OpenTable user who dined on 04/18/2010