We all need to eat, but many of us like to EAT! Washington DC is becoming a bit of a foodie locale. A destination for international travelers and workers as well as mobile populations from around the country and the world, DC has seen a number of great restaurants established to tickle many different taste buds. Here are a few places to eat near the various dance venues, staff picks, as well as some video clips of places around the area that have been highlighted in various food shows.
Glen Echo Park, Glen Echo, MD
You can always grab a quick snack at the Glen Echo Park Snack Bar. The snack bar is located right next to the Spanish Ballroom and is open until 10 pm.
The Brown Bag. Glen Echo Park has a terrific new Ballroom Café operator — The Brown Bag. Already known in the DC area for its fresh and healthy fare, the company now brings its “Honest Food” (that’s their slogan!) to the Park. They’re offering an expanded menu and expanded hours of operation. They’re open from 10am-10:30pm, Thursday through Sunday — just for dancers!! — and 10am-3pm, Monday through Wednesday. The salads are GREAT, but they also have incredible sandwiches, Mediterranean plates, cheese plates, pasta salads, and delicious desserts. Swing by the café when you’re at the Park and check it out. Find more information here!
Irish Inn at Glen Echo: 6119 Tulane Ave., Glen Echo, MD, 301-229-6600. This is close to Glen Echo – you can walk there from the ballroom. It’s on the pricey side. Bar open until 2 am (but remember, no alcohol on park grounds). Great food.
Tastee Diner: 7731 Woodmont Ave., Bethesda, MD, 301-652-3970. If you want cheap, greasy food in a place with a lot of character, this is the place for you. Open 24/7.
Chevy Chase Ballroom (CCB), Washington, DC
Booeymonger: 5252 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20015, (202) 686-5805. Yummy food, cheap, fast, open until 1 am on Friday and Saturday nights. Open until 12 mid on Sunday nights.
Chadwicks: 5247 Wisconsin Ave., NW, Washington, DC, 202-362-8040. Sit-down meals, 11 am-midnight; bar open until 1:30 am.
Cheesecake Factory: 5345 Wisconsin Ave., NW, Washington, DC, 202-364-0500. A bit pricey, but deeeeelicious. Open until 12:30 am on Fridays and Saturdays and 11pm on Sundays.
U Street
Ben’s Chili Bowl: 1213 U St NW, Washington, DC, 202-667-0909. Sample DC’s signature delicacy, the half smoke. It’s the best greasy spoon in town offering hotdogs, cheese fries, and of course chili, vegetarian chili as well. If it is good enough for the President, it’s good enough for you. Check out Anthony Bourdain’s piece on this venerable DC establishment.
Oohs & Aahs: 1005 U St NW, Washington, DC, (202) 667-7142. Soul food that warms your, um, soul. Bring cash!
Dukem: 1114 U St NW, Washington DC, 202-667-8735. For a true taste of this neighborhood try Ethiopian food. There are many places to choose from, but this is regarded as one of the best.
Alero: 1301 U St. NW Washington, DC, (202) 462-2322. Outdoor seating, authentic Mexican food, and over 100 tequilas set this hip yet affordable place apart from the others.
Dupont Circle
BGR the Burger Joint: 1514 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 202-299-1071. Get your carnivore on at this upper end hamburger place. If you really got the munchies, you can order the fifteen pound burger (24 hour advance notice is suggested).
Malaysia Kopitiam: 1827 M St. NW, Washington, DC, 202-833-6232. Thai food is so last decade. Here’s your chance to check out amazing fusion that is Malaysian cuisine.
Zorba’s Cafe: 1612 20th St., NW, Washington, DC,202-387-8555. This cafe has been around since 1984, serving up Greek food for the hungry masses. There’s an outdoor patio dining area if the weather is nice.
DC Restaurants in Food Shows
Do you have a shrine to Julia Child in your kitchen? Does your dream job consist of carrying luggage for Anthony Bourdain? Does eating a plate of the world’s hottest wings sound like a GOOD idea? Well my friend, you’ve been watching a lot of food shows. Here’s a few places to visit if you want to follow in the footsteps of your favorite foodie personality.
- Anthony Bourdain at the Maine Avenue Fish Market
- Guy Fieri at Tune Inn
- Top Chef contestant Chef Spike has opened Good Stuff Eatery on Capitol Hill. Here’s an interview that gives you the lowdown on this burger place.
- Horace and Dickie’s on Man vs Food
Staff Picks
Dim sum at Oriental East, 1290 East-West Highway Silver Spring, MD 20910 11am-3pm. I suggest getting there EITHER at 10:30am to get in line for the first seating or 1 pm, which has a lull in the wait. Don’t go if you’re vegetarian. Woe betide the person who shows up at 10:50 and has to watch everyone eat for an hour before a table opens up.
Korean food at Honey Pig. 7220-C Columbia Pike Annandale, VA 22003. Korean BBQ in the middle of K-town in Northern Virginia. They are open late. No where close to any of the venues, but excellent Korean BBQ. Get your kalbi on!
