Friday, July 29, 2016

Brunch Culture


One of my favorite things about DC (besides the monuments, great career opportunities, and my fantastic WAIP cohort of course) is DC's food culture. While my wallet has certainly suffered, some of my favorite memories have been eating brunch at 9am or enjoying some frozen cheesecake-on-a-stick with friends at Truckeroo. In this blog post, I'll review my favorite food places in DC.

Great for Brunch and Lunch

  • Granville Moore's - Definition of a hole in the wall. The kind of place that you wouldn't notice walking down the street but has the best chicken and waffles in town.
  • Founding Farmers - If you want a standard fare breakfast, this is the place to go. They even have bacon that can come with different flavor glazes (definitely worth the extra $3), and beignets for breakfast, because who can really say no to sugar before 9am. Not me.
  • Farmers, Fishers, Bakers - Like Founding Farmers, all of their food is locally sourced! In addition to having delicious dinner, it's also right by the Potomac so there's a great view. Highly recommend the beignets (anytime, any day).
  • Belga Cafe - Delicious waffles and only a short walk from the townhouses. 
  • Ted's Bulletin - Old Post-Depression saloon that serves breakfast all day, plays old black-and-white movies on the wall, and creates unreal homemade pop tarts. They even have 'adult' milkshakes for those 21+.
  • Hill Country Barbecue - For my fellow carnivores, Hill Country BBQ has a fun atmosphere and delicious fresh food for all of you craving some classic southern summer fare.

For Sweet Tooths:

  • Baked and Wired - Skip the long line at Georgetown Cupcakes and walk down the street to this cupcake shop, where the cupcakes are as big as your face. Afterwards, go walk down to the Potomac and enjoy watching the sunset. 
Chinatown:
  • Chinatown Express - Another hole in the wall with classic Chinese food and great tea. Don't be off put by the chickens hanging in the window. 
  • Daikaya - Catch a late night movie in Chinatown and then head over to Daikaya for some late-night Ramen (I recommend going around 10-11pm). The restaurant is a little small, but try to grab a seat right at the bar in front of the chefs, where they make the noodles right in front of you.
Foodtruckeroo: Once a month in the summer down at the Navy Yard, definitely one of my favorite events in DC. It's a little pricey, so try only 2-3 trucks.
  • DC Tacos - Recommend their fish tacos.
  • That Cheesecake Truck - Literally frozen chocolate-covered cheesecake on stick, absolutely a game changer.
  • Swizzlers - Recommend their 'Leonardo Dog Vinci.'

With Parents: The places that are so nice, you definitely don't want to spend your own money. Unless your treating your friend to a 3-day birthday celebration.
  • Old Ebbitt Grill - As DC's oldest saloon from 1856, Old Ebbitt is a classic DC choice. It's interior has beautiful paintings on every wall and an old-style feel. For brunch, try out their famous Eggs Chesapeake with jumbo crab legs. They even brought us free dessert for Andrew's birthday (though we still don't know how they knew).

  • Clyde's of Georgetown - Established in 1863, this is where JFK proposed to Jackie Kennedy! After a long day of shopping around Georgetown, head over to Clyde's for the friendliest wait staff and great seafood. 
  • Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant - Best place to take your history-buff mom for Mother's Day. After touring Washington's home, we stopped by the restaurant (reservation required) to check out the top-quality (and never-ending) buffet and the gift shop.
  • Jackson 20 - Walk around King's Street in Old Town Alexandria before checking out this delicious (if pricey) dinner spot. The drinks have ridiculous names, and the food is some of the best in DC. Definitely recommend the trout or brisket, with a side of corn bread.

While the food itself was great at all of these places, my friends are what really made these meals into memories. It's the people who have dared me to try something new at Truckeroo, dragged me out of bed for an 8am brunch reservation, and shared fro-yo with me at outdoor movies, that have made this summer such a fantastic experience. 


-Leah Greiner

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