17 Classic D.C. Area Restaurants That Are Cheap and Delicious

Bob Shanghai 66

We’ll go forward and say it: These are the perfect Xiao Lengthy Bao soup dumplings within the space. The plump, juicy morsels are available a number of varieties, however the pork, lobster, and XLB pork are must-haves (watch them being stuffed and folded by means of a window within the kitchen). The lengthy menu might be overwhelming, however the yellow-starred dishes — together with prawn rolls and Taiwanese garlic cucumbers — are hits.

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A&G

These dim sum locations in northern China are a vacation spot for country-style, handmade noodles and dumplings. Particularly price a visit: fried pork pot stickers and vast ribbons stuffed with scorching and bitter sauce. The multi-page menu has no flawed choices, however the garlicky cucumber, thousand-layer pie, and beef stew deserve somewhat additional credit score.

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Dama Restaurant and Cafe

This family-run Ethiopian enterprise serves scrumptious stews and stir-fries within the eating room, sells lentils and Ethiopian bread within the store, and serves pastries and occasional within the café. Every little thing has the standard of grandma’s cooking, whether or not it is the turmeric-scented lamb alesha, the chili-smoked doro wat, the tenderloin chops with jalapeños, or the kiftu, a dish of uncooked floor beef that is frivolously seared with spiced butter—Ethiopia’s reply to steak tartare. .

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Fish within the neighborhood

This old school seafood restaurant in Park View has been working out of a small window on the sidewalk for the reason that pandemic hit. However newbies and regulars alike will nonetheless benefit from the heat hospitality of proprietor Invoice White, who all the time appears prepared with a joke or a fist bump. Come for the cornmeal-fried fish and shrimp, and do not skimp on energetic sides like hush puppies, collard greens, and seafood salad. And all the time search for additional mango chutney.

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Full key

Roasted duck with cracked mahogany pores and skin is as succulent as ever. In addition to soy sauce rooster and tender pork. Whereas grilled meats are the draw of the 31-year-old Hong Kong delicacies, there are different pleasures, together with a scrumptious prawn dumpling soup, something stir-fried with spicy salt (shell prawns and bean curd are our favourites), eggplant In a spicy garlic sauce, stir-fried Chinese language cress or snow pea leaves.

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Elephant jumps

Banana blossom salad normally will get high billing on the chalkboard specials record for good cause. One in every of Chef Songtham Penyulaksana’s signature Thai dishes combines shrimp, rooster and fried shallots in an unforgettable spicy lemon/coconut milk sauce. The kitchen additionally excels in any respect issues fried, whether or not it is crispy pork stomach topped with fried basil, tempura-style papaya salad, or entire rockfish topped with slices of inexperienced mango and cashews.

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Hong Viet

The big, crispy crepes on the cash-only Vietnamese eating room in Eden Middle are arguably the perfect within the space: ultra-thin, studded with shrimp and pork, and supposedly wrapped in lettuce leaves with contemporary mint and basil. The caramel dishes are additionally worthwhile, together with the pork, fish or rooster model with crunchy ginger bits. Shrimp with Chinese language broccoli sounds outdated however surprises with a touch of chili, and rice noodles with marinated pork, uncooked greens, and spring rolls can simply feed two individuals.

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Mandalay

One of many space’s solely Burmese eating places made a shock comeback final summer time, having introduced the tip of its two-decade run months earlier. What it lacks in ambiance — a lot of the tables and chairs are folding — it makes up for in strong flavors and warmth. A great introduction is the chef’s specialties part, equivalent to beef cooked in onion curry or tofu with pickled mango curry. Crispy cabbage salads are one other must-try, together with a favourite with grated contemporary ginger and fried garlic.

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Hotdogs & Fries

Regardless of the identify of those fast-casual locations, there’s nothing fancy in regards to the scorching canines right here. Sure, they’re well-grilled and have a scrumptious, enjoyable bun, however what makes them stand out is their globe-trotting creativity. The banh mi canine is artfully garnished identical to a Vietnamese sub, with jalapenos, cilantro, pickled carrots, and daikon. We’re additionally enamored with the model impressed by Peking duck, the traditional Chicago canine, and the DC homage, which has blue cheese, yellow mustard, barbecue sauce, onions, and pickles.

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the brothers

Columbia Heights Cafeteria is thought for its scrumptious plates of Dominican meals sticking to the ribs. Meat is the principle factor right here, so go for oxtail soup, fall-off-the-bone pork ribs, braised goat, or Flintstone-sized fried beef ribs. Black beans, crimson beans, and quite a lot of rice are conventional aspect dishes, and so they’re good, however do not skip the mashed bananas. They will not win any magnificence contests however they are surely the bomb.

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My Cuba Cafe

A enjoyable environment, top-notch Cuban delicacies and scrumptious mojitos convey this Columbia Heights restaurant to life. Luckily, the brand new area on the second ground has made ready for tables simpler. Developments? Lechon asado, or grilled pork, is concurrently crunchy and juicy; beef picadillo studded with olives; Pressed fryer with Cuban sandwiches; curly banana chips; And chic empanadas.

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Crossing to India

Sudhir Seth, as soon as one of many area’s high Indian cooks and proprietor of Bethesda’s laid-back eating room, died in 2021. It is a testomony to his ability that the place continues to be going so sturdy. Many Indian eating places in the US specialise in serving North Indian meat dishes wealthy in yogurt, which is a multi-faceted Indian delicacies. Whilst you can have rooster mahni (or lunchtime lunch at a reduction), that is the place to pattern South Indian fare like eggplant in a vegetarian sesame-peanut gravy, or Western lamb stew with apricots, or mint. and coriander-scented rooster curry with Yemeni roots.

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Beit Kabob Deal with

The enchanting aroma of marinated grilled and cooked meat wafts as quickly as you step into this Pakistani restaurant. Subsequent, your eyes will transfer to the show case stuffed with lengthy steel spears of seasoned meat. The Ravi Kabob Particular, with boneless rooster and minced beef skewers, is actually a feast full with contemporary tandoori bread, rice, salad and sauce. You can even order from neighboring restaurant Ravi Chatkhara, which focuses on lamb and rooster karahi, a spicy tomato-based curry.

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Shamshiri

Households pack this Persian favourite all through the day to pile on rice bowls and kebabs. Kubideh, seasoned floor beef, is a specialty, and it is price the additional few {dollars} to exchange plain basmati with rice studded with barberry berries or scented with orange peel, pistachios and almonds. Fill any remaining area on the desk with yogurt sauces, salads, pickles and herbs, plus a pitcher of doogh, a chilly yogurt drink.

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Face

This American-Italian takeaway (with a splash of Argentina) has been producing its distinctive tackle pizza for greater than 4 many years. The not-too-thin and not-too-thick pies are crispy on the underside, topped with mozzarella baked instantly into the crust, and completed with scoops of shiny crimson sauce. At a time when a complete pizza can value you near $30, those listed below are a scrumptious steal. (Focaccia sandwiches and chilly Italian subs are additionally accessible.) Whilst you’re there, seize the Italian imports, frozen pasta, and an empanada or two.

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Gum pa woo

Come early and also you might be able to catch the workers at this cozy Korean restaurant sitting within the nook making ready filling dumplings. You may undoubtedly desire a beneficiant plate of those pork-stuffed specialties, whether or not steamed or fried. Equally beneficiant are the scallion-stuffed seafood dumplings, scorching bibimbap, and hearty stews, equivalent to kimchi and pork-tofu cauldron.

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Taco Bamba

What occurs when a former fine-dining chef opens a sequence of well-liked taco eating places? Certain, the priest and barbacoa are strong, however so are some inventive, globally impressed creations. Assume Thai-flavored shrimp and chorizo ​​with herbs and chiles or “Peruvian” rooster with inexperienced chili purée and aji amarillo aioli. Cocktails, like a pineapple margarita and wood-fired mezcal, are a step above your normal quick meals choices.

This text seems within the August 2023 situation of Washingtonian journal.