The Iconic Foods and Restaurants That Define Washington, D.C.
Long before Washington, DC became one of the country's top dining destinations, it was a city defined by the diverse cultures and communities that shaped its food. From half-smokes and mambo sauce to Ethiopian cuisine, Salvadoran pupusas, historic taverns, and neighborhood markets, these iconic flavors tell the story of the nation's capital.
Researching Unique Eats & Eateries of Washington, DC reinforced my belief that many of the city's most meaningful experiences happen around the table. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a longtime local, these are the foods, restaurants, and culinary institutions that help define D.C.
Ethiopia Comes to Washington
A Gastronomic Trek through the East African Nation
Ethiopian fare has become an indelible part of DC’s dining landscape. Refugees who fled their war-torn country in the 1970s and ’80s settled here and have kept their culinary traditions alive and well. The city became home to so many Ethiopian restaurants near the intersection of Ninth and U Streets NW that the area became known as Little Ethiopia.
Ethiopian dishes are typically served communal style on a large platter with options of injera, pancake-like flatbread with a slightly spongy texture, and/or rice. Scooping up simmering vegetable stews, spicy tibs, and savory legumes with torn apart pieces of injera make for a unique dining experience.
Read All About It: Read more about DC’s Ethiopian food scene on pages 82-83 of Unique Eats and Eateries of Washington, DC.
A. Litteri
Selling Italian Products and Wine Since 1926
It’s easy to miss A. Litteri’s Italian market amidst the posh and revitalized Union Market/NoMa neighborhood. Minus the Italian flag painted door, the unassuming exterior blends into its neighboring warehouse facades, a modest lot among a sea of stylish storefronts. An Italian market akin to those in Philadelphia and Manhattan, A. Litteri is a rarity in the DMV. Owner Max Evans wouldn’t want it any other way. Preserving its history is all part of the work involved in honoring its humble beginnings.
Read All About It: Read more about A. Litteri’s Italian market on pages 8-9 of Unique Eats and Eateries of Washington, DC.
Half-Smokes
The Capital City’s Symbolic Sausage
Philadelphia has its cheesesteak, Chicago has its deep-dish pizza, and Washington, DC, has its half-smoke, a spicy and smoky sausage typically made from a combination of ground pork and beef stuffed into a natural casing. While there are many takes on the iconic staple, a half-smoke is typically smoked before it’s grilled, served in a soft white bun, and topped with flavorful fixings like cheese, onions, and chili. One scrumptious bite is enough to know this symbolic sausage goes beyond your run-of-the-mill hot dog.
Read All About It: Read more about DC’s signature sausage on pages 40-41 of Unique Eats and Eateries of Washington, DC.
Soul Food Classics
Memorializing Black History and Feeding DC’s Spirit
Satisfying soul food has been feeding the spirit of Washingtonians and commemorating Black history for decades. While its roots have been planted into its fabric for years, its cuisine continues to flourish and reinvent itself to match the city’s constantly unfolding food scene. Whether a soul food pioneer like the institutions featured here, or a new(er) kid on the block, all share a common goal: showcasing comforting cuisine while highlighting its deep connection to the Black community.
Read All About It: Read more about DC’s soul food classics on pages 74-75 of Unique Eats and Eateries of Washington, DC.
Eastern Market
Capitol Hill’s Time-Honored Tasty Town Center
Market by name, cultural epicenter at its heart, Eastern Market is the beating pulse of Capitol Hill. This historic public market has been nourishing its devoted community since its completion in 1873. Adolf Cluss, the brilliant architect behind the Smithsonian Arts and Industries Building, was the leading force behind the market’s design. The market expanded in the early twentieth century when the Center and North Halls were added. The historic market was regarded by many as the “town center” of Capitol Hill.
Read All About It: Read more about Eastern Market on pages 76-77 of Unique Eats and Eateries of Washington, DC.
Pupusas
The Salvadorean Specialty We Love to Savor
Salvadorans make up the largest immigrant population in Washington, and lucky for all of us, we’ve been reaping the benefits of the Central American country’s food and culture for years. A pupusa, El Salvador’s national dish, is a masa flour pouch stuffed with savory fillings like beans, cheese, loroco flowers, and/or meat. Regardless of your filling of choice, curtido, a tangy Salvadoran fermented cabbage slaw, pairs perfectly with the stuffed corn cake treat. The DMV is chock-full of pupusa places that will surely warm your heart and satisfy your appetite.
Read All About It: Read more about mouthwatering pupusas on pages 98-99 of Unique Eats and Eateries of Washington, DC.
Ben’s Chili Bowl
A Testament to African American History, Culture, and Character
On August 22, 1958, Ben and Virginia Ali turned a dream into a renowned DC institution when they opened Ben’s Chili Bowl on U Street. It’s here where their legacy began and their place in DC history and culture was cemented. The building the couple chose was the former site of DC’s first silent movie house, the Minnehaha, established in 1911. Once dubbed as “Black Broadway,” U Street was a thriving enclave of African American culture. Many jazz legends, including Duke Ellington, Nat King Cole, and Miles Davis, would stop by Ben’s after performing at U Street clubs. Ben’s commitment to the community was further evident during the 1968 race riots following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Read All About It: Read more about Ben’s Chili Bowl on pages 140-141 of Unique Eats and Eateries of Washington, DC.
Martin’s Tavern
A Presidential Affair
As a beloved Georgetown institution since 1933, Martin’s Tavern is the community’s oldest family-run restaurant. Its old-DC charm and convivial ambience have been welcoming patrons for nearly a century, its allure, however, transcends its food and neighborhood-friendly approach. The main draw here is its remarkable history; Martin’s has proudly hosted every US president from Harry S. Truman to George W. Bush. While seated at one of Martin’s wooden booths, you may find yourself sitting among the soon-to-be-presidents who have dined here as congressmen, governors, senators, and CIA directors.
Read All About It: Read more about Martin’s Tavern on pages 118-119 of Unique Eats and Eateries of Washington, DC.
.
Mambo Sauce
Sauce Imitates Politics: DC’s Sweet and Spicy Controversial Sauce
In a political city frequently plagued by controversy, it’s only fitting that its most treasured sauce should follow suit. That’s right, even Mambo sauce, DC’s favorite red-orange sweet and tangy sauce, carries a bit of the controversial baggage often affiliated with our capital city.
While even the most fanatic Washingtonians are insistent that Mambo sauce is a homegrown Washington wonder, the truth is that DC’s most prized condiment isn’t from DC after all.
Read All About It: Read more about Mambo Sauce on pages 110-111 of Unique Eats and Eateries of Washington, DC.
Municipal Fish Market at The Wharf
A Tail of History
While venturing to the southwest corner of the city, don’t be surprised if you’re greeted by throngs of people, purveyors shouting phrases related to prices and cuts, and of course, the pungent smell of seafood permeating the air. If you’re looking for the country’s oldest fish market, you’ve come to the right place. Hailed as the nation’s oldest continuously operating open-air fish market, the Municipal Fish Market has been a DC fixture since 1805, predating New York City’s historic Fulton Fish Market by 17 years. Through the centuries, the market has hosted an ever-changing group of suppliers, including oyster boats, produce vendors, bait and tackle shops, and lumber distributors
Read All About It: Read more about the Municipal Fish Market at the Wharf on pages 70-71 of Unique Eats and Eateries of Washington, DC.
Wagshal’s
Bite into something DELIcious at the “President’s Deli”
Wagshal’s has been feeding the region for nearly a century. From neighbors who have relied on the delicatessen for family dinners to renowned leaders like presidents stopping in for lunch, this legendary deli continues to be an integral part of DC’s historical food scene. In 1925, Sam Wagshal and his son, Ben, opened Wagshal’s in Penn Quarter. Shortly thereafter, they expanded their business, eventually making their way to upper Northwest. They quickly became known for their corned beef, pâté, and 30-foot pickle barrel. Numerous presidents were patrons, including Presidents Harry S. Truman, Gerald Ford, and DwightD. Eisenhower, lending to the eatery’s nickname, “The President’s Deli.”
Read All About It: Read more about Wagshal’s on pages 134-135of Unique Eats and Eateries of Washington, DC.