washington, dc. local dish?
going to washington for a long weekend at the end of the month.
i'm looking for best mexican, best bbq, best thai, and also wondering if there is a local washington dish that can't be missed (like the philly cheesesteak in philly, or a nathan's dog in nyc).
we were originally going to go to nyc and babbo but can't make it there.... is there a washington equivalent?
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16 Comments:
Maryland blue crabs!!
CookiePie at 5:07PM on 06/03/08
Johnny Boys Ribs in La Plata MD best kept secret.
A lot of DC cuisine is over the border in MD. Including the Maryland Blue Crabs.
JerzeeTomato at 6:07PM on 06/03/08
The best crabs are probably at Cantler's, in Annapolis, and that's a haul. There is plenty of good Thai in D.C., but the best I had was at Duangrats in Bailey's Crossroads in Va.
If you're a sushi fan, I highly recommend Sushi Taro in Dupont Circle. Sushi Ko always gets the raves, but my experience was always that the sushi was equivalent, but the relaxed atmosphere and quality of service at Sushi Taro was far superior.
For a Babbo like experience, which I don't think you can necessarily find in D.C., check out Tom Sietsma's dining guide on the Wash Post Web site - http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/cityguide/features/2007/dining-guide.
City Zen gets all the raves these days, but moved away a while back and have never been.
Fillippelli the Cook at 9:05AM on 06/04/08
Never done it but I've always wanted to eat the famous Bean Soup in the Senate Cafeteria. That would be my first stop before any other eating establishment inside the Beltway.
czken at 9:43AM on 06/04/08
i think you can't miss either going to komi or blue duck tavern for the great dining experience you are guaranteed to have at either place.
mikeismora at 9:55AM on 06/04/08
Half-smokes. See a lengthy discussion of possible places to try them here:
http://www.roadfood.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2485
phaelon56 at 11:09AM on 06/04/08
czken....Somehow bean soup and the senate seem like a perfect match.
RichardCrystal at 12:45PM on 06/04/08
A lot of the 'best' stuff in DC is actually in the suburbs, and you probably don't want sit in the traffic. I agree that you should check the Washington Post website for reviews. I don't know how our Thai restaurants rank,but we have a lot of good Vietnamese restaurants. If you're going to go outside the actual city, go then Eden Center at Seven Corners and eat your way through it. Hong Que is a good choice for a sitdown meal there.
If you really want bbq in the city, then Rockland's BBQ on Wisconsin above Georgetown is decent, and if you're not full after, Max's has good ice cream.
DC's signature dish seems to be half-smoke, so go to Ben's Chili Bowl for one. It's right across the street from the U Street Metro stop. While you're there, I'd suggest following the markers that detail the history of the neighborhood.
I'd also suggest going to Eastern Market on Saturday morning, and grabbing something to nibble on there while you wander through the flea market and craft stalls. Barracks Row is also close by, and is nice to wander through.
If you're near Chinatown/Verizon Center, skip the incredibly shrinking Chinatown and go to Cowgirl Creamery.
MerMade07 at 12:46PM on 06/04/08
I second whoever recommended Sushi Taro - its the best in the city. However, the grilled baby octopus as Sushi Ko is the best I've ever had.
I would not recommend venturing too far outside of the city for anything other than crabs. Its really not worth it and DC offers so much within its walls.
My recommendations:
Ben's Chili Bowl (this is a DC institution)
http://www.benschilibowl.com/
Rockland's
http://www.rocklands.com/
Five Guys (amazing, quick burgers and fries)
http://www.fiveguys.com/
Lauriol Plaza (mid-priced Mexican)
www.lauriolplaza.com
Tony and Joe's (food isn't to die for, but its good and its right on the water)
http://www.dcseafood.com/taj/index.htm
Jaleo (Jose Andres' restaurant)
http://www.jaleo.com/
Cafe Milano also has pretty solid Italian.
Finally - The Diner in Adam's Morgan does a great breakfast.
brooklyner at 1:19PM on 06/04/08
If you can handle the post-college-still-act-like-they're-in-college crowd (which was my crowd when I lived in the city, so that's not a dig) grab a drink around sunset at on the patio at Sequoia - great view of the river if the humidity isn't too stifling.
LizNYC at 1:31PM on 06/04/08
The only authentic DC food (like a cheesesteak), which you can't get anywhere else is the 'half-smoke.' Its kind-of like a fat, spicy hot dog. You can find them at any hot dog vendor around the city, but the best place to get one is at Ben's Chili Bowl on U St. Ben's has been there for over 50 years and truly is a DC institution.
The way to order your half-smoke is sliced in half and grilled. I would recommend it with chili on top, but just kraut and mustard will do the job also. Ordered with a soda and fries, it will all come to less than $10. Pretty good deal.
Ben's Chili Bowl has also opened a branch in the new National's stadium. If you decide to go to a game, you can get a half-smoke there as well.
AHolland at 3:58PM on 06/04/08
It's not a local dish but there's a lot of Ethiopean restaurants in DC. Better than any I've had elsewhere. U street and Adams Morgan. Same goes for middle eastern restraunts though I have a feeling they are in DC/Maryland. A current local (I grew up there a while back) should have better input...
pickle at 4:21PM on 06/04/08
Must Washington, DC Eats:
(1.) The Market Lunch at Eastern Market - Crabcakes
(2.) Dukem - Ethiopian
(3.) Ben's Chili Bowl - Half Smoke
(4.) Hook - Sustainable Seafood
(5.) Komi - Tasting Menu
mkcunningham at 9:21PM on 06/04/08
@mkcunningham: I've heard great things about Hook's seafood. My sister lives nearby in MD, so I'll see if she's up for going there next time I visit her.
I highly recommend Kinkead's, in Foggy Bottom. The seafood is exceptional. Went there on Mother's Day and my brother, sister and I all had a softshell crab dish with tasso ham and asparagus. Clean plates all around, generally.
Susquehanna at 1:25PM on 06/05/08
This is so great. Thanks. So much of this is right up my alley. The only thing I wasn't thinking of was how much the DC area is a seafood haven. I can't stomach anything from sea or lake or river!
lexophile at 6:50PM on 06/05/08
L'Auberge Chez Francois, hands down.
AnnArtiste at 9:54AM on 06/09/08