Washington DC cheap eats downtown?

[gk90]

Hello fellow budgeters,

DH has a 5 day seminar in DC and we get to stay free at Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill (New Jersey Ave and D St) While he's at the seminar the kids and I are going to Newseum, the Holocaust Museum and some of the Smithsonian museums as well as just hanging out at the hotel pool--we've done most of the sites and won't be venturing too far away from the National Mall since I hate to drive in big cities like DC.

I've spent a fair amount of time in DC but just realized that the only eateries I know in that area are the food trucks outside the museums, the cafeterias in the National Gallery and the National Museum of the American Indian, and Chinatown. I hate to be paying hotel prices for meals so any suggestions for reasonably priced eateries in the area are very welcome.

TIA!

 

[wishesuponastar]

We were in DC last summer. We stumbled upon a deli called Jack's. http://www.yelp.com/biz/jacks-famous-deli-washington

It was perfect for our breakfast. They had a buffet. Cash only but there is an ATM next door.

 

[Eureka]

7th Street is a little walk from the Smithsonians and Newseum but there are tons of restaurants of all prices ranges there. It's where the Verizon Center is (concerts and sporting events). On the lower end of the price scale, there is McD's, California Tortilla, Fuddruckers, I think a Ruby Tuesdays. Then you have pricier options but some great food like Legal Seafood, Clydes and one of our favorites, a tapas place called La Tasca. My 10 yr old's birthday is not for another 9 months and he has already asked if he can go there for a birthday lunch! And you are also right near the arches for Chinatown with more places to choose from.

Edited to add: the places I am talking about are near H St, if I am remembering my cross streets right. (DH's downtown office is at 7th and H and he eats in the area I mentioned sometimes). Not too far from D where you are staying.

 

[dominiondad]

There is a food court in the Ronald Reagan Building (Penn and 14th I think). Also District Taco on F Street (1300 block).

 

[lovesny]

Tons of budget places to eat at Union Station, which is downtown near the Capitol.

 

[shoney]

2 of our favorites from last years trip....

District of Pi
http://www.pi-dc.com/

Founding Farmers
http://www.wearefoundingfarmers.com/

(We did eat lunch at founding farmers, so it was cheaper. We went memorial day weekend 2012 and it was soooo hot that an airconditioned mid day break was nice!)

 

[ssawka]

I know you mentioned the food trucks outside the museum, but there are much better ones. In DC there is a "Food Truck Revolution" going on. Check out http://foodtruckfiesta.com/.

In addition to the food courts listed above, there is also a food court in the Old Post Office Pavillion.

In any city I go to, I have always found the Hard Rock Cafe to be a good deal, not the cheapest, but you get good food and good portion sizes at a reasonable price.

There are also many fast food restaurants scattered a few blocks off the mall.

 

[disney1990]

I recommend Potbelly's. There is one close to the White House on Pennsylvania Avenue. Good inexpensive sandwiches and salads.

 

[hlg22]

Specifically in the area of your hotel that you are asking about...

Right next door to the hotel (facing the Hyatt, turn left and cross the street), there is a the West Wing Cafe - they have very good sandwiches (Boar's Head meats and cheeses), sushi, soups, snacks, etc., and they also serve breakfast. A Corner Bakery just opened about two blocks away (N. Capitol and E). A Starbucks is a block away (New Jersey & E). And there are a ton of options at Union Station - in addition to the food court in the basement and the sit down places, there's now a bunch of better quick service options on the first floor, including Potbelly, Chipotle, and Chop't.

 

[hlg22]

7th Street is a little walk from the Smithsonians and Newseum but there are tons of restaurants of all prices ranges there. It's where the Verizon Center is (concerts and sporting events). On the lower end of the price scale, there is McD's, California Tortilla, Fuddruckers, I think a Ruby Tuesdays. Then you have pricier options but some great food like Legal Seafood, Clydes and one of our favorites, a tapas place called La Tasca. My 10 yr old's birthday is not for another 9 months and he has already asked if he can go there for a birthday lunch! And you are also right near the arches for Chinatown with more places to choose from.

Edited to add: the places I am talking about are near H St, if I am remembering my cross streets right. (DH's downtown office is at 7th and H and he eats in the area I mentioned sometimes). Not too far from D where you are staying.

If in Gallery Place/Chinatown area, I agree that California Tortilla is a great budget option. But for tapas, I have to disagree...I've been to La Tasca several times, and they're mediocre at best - Jaleo (7th & E, same price point), is SO much better. There's also a Matchbox and an Ella's in the area which are good for pizza if the kids are less adventurous eaters.

And one word of caution - if the OP is going to the Gallery Place/Chinatown area, it isn't far from the Hyatt but I would metro from Union Station rather than walk or metro from Judiciary Square, particularly at night. The area gets a little seedy (large homeless population/shelter right behind the Hyatt, and some sketchiness around the courthouses at night).

 

[Eureka]

If in Gallery Place/Chinatown area, I agree that California Tortilla is a great budget option. But for tapas, I have to disagree...I've been to La Tasca several times, and they're mediocre at best - Jaleo (7th & E, same price point), is SO much better. There's also a Matchbox and an Ella's in the area which are good for pizza if the kids are less adventurous eaters.

And one word of caution - if the OP is going to the Gallery Place/Chinatown area, it isn't far from the Hyatt but I would metro from Union Station rather than walk or metro from Judiciary Square, particularly at night. The area gets a little seedy (large homeless population/shelter right behind the Hyatt, and some sketchiness around the courthouses at night).

I have only been to Jaleo once and didn't like it as much as La Tasca. But we love Matchbox. It's pricey for pizza, but really good! Where is Ella's? I can't place it off the top of my head.

 

[Anri]

Last time I was in DC was for a conference at the OAS building on 17th and Constitution. I really liked the Breadline. It's on Pennsylvania Ave between 17th and 18th. The lines can be long but they move quickly, the food is amazing and decently priced.

 

[hlg22]

I have only been to Jaleo once and didn't like it as much as La Tasca. But we love Matchbox. It's pricey for pizza, but really good! Where is Ella's? I can't place it off the top of my head.

Ella's is on 9th, just south of G. I would try Jaleo again if you get the chance as you're the first person I've ever heard express a preference for La Tasca! Boqueria near Dupont is also excellent for tapas.

 

[gk90]

Thanks for all the suggestions. We did see Jack´s one evening but it was already closed. We ended up eating twice a Au Bon Pain in Union Station and a few times at West Wing Cafe, right next door to the Hyatt on 4th and New Jersey, which has a very good selection of hot sandwiches. Also on our last day we saw an interesting big line of food trucks outside Union Station but we never got to try them
Thanks hlg22 for the warning about the homeless shelter--I lived in NYC for 10 years and thought I was used to dealing with homeless people but was surprised at how many more there are all over DC and how aggressive they were, even in the Dupont Circle area where I went to meet a friend.

 

[clutter]

7th Street is a little walk from the Smithsonians and Newseum but there are tons of restaurants of all prices ranges there. It's where the Verizon Center is (concerts and sporting events). On the lower end of the price scale, there is McD's, California Tortilla, Fuddruckers, I think a Ruby Tuesdays. Then you have pricier options but some great food like Legal Seafood, Clydes and one of our favorites, a tapas place called La Tasca. My 10 yr old's birthday is not for another 9 months and he has already asked if he can go there for a birthday lunch! And you are also right near the arches for Chinatown with more places to choose from.

Edited to add: the places I am talking about are near H St, if I am remembering my cross streets right. (DH's downtown office is at 7th and H and he eats in the area I mentioned sometimes). Not too far from D where you are staying.

In that area, there is Taylors (best chicken cutlet sandwich ever!), there's a lobster roll place. For a bit more, it's really worth the walk up 7th to Nando's Peri-Peri. So good. There is also a new Panera and Corner Bakery (I prefer that one). On H, just off 7th, there's Matchbox with its good pizzas. Thai Chili, right at the Verizon center, is one of my favorite Thai restaurants. There's also a Chopp't salads next to the California Tortilla. I'm not a fan of the latter, but they are putting in a Lime (?) fresh Mexican food next door, and I can't wait for that. There's also a Chipotle next to the McDonalds. They are fast, so don't be too discouraged by the lines.

In that area there are some other fun time wasting things to do, if you haven't already. Spy Museum, Madame Tussards, Museum of Crime and Punishment, the Nat'l Portrait Gallery are all there.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I used to work right across the street from Union Station, which is three blocks from the Hyatt. It has about four sit-down restaurants in it plus a very large (30+) food court. The FC is primarily not national brands with great specialty places.

Also the Chine Restaurants in Chinatown are very low price with high quality.

 

[4HOLIDAYS]

I am writing all these down. We are going in September for a week and have no idea about the food situation, where to go , what to expect.

We are staying at Loew's Madison, which I don't think has a lot of food spots around. I don't think I want to be eating in the hotel due to the prices.

I am happy to see recommendation instead of going with no ideas.

 

[Texan]

If you are willing to take the Metro to DuPont; Luna Grill is so good and reasonably priced; best sweet potato fries ever

 

[molliewalks]

If you are willing to take the Metro to DuPont; Luna Grill is so good and reasonably priced; best sweet potato fries ever

Yeah, but if the escalators aren't working, go somewhere else!! That hike kills me!!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[disney1990]

Another great place (an reasonable) is Dangerously Delicious Pies which is located in Union Station and also in China town. They have savory & sweet pie.

http://www.dangerouspiesdc.com/