Washington DC restaurant help

[MichelleB]

I am taking my girl scout troop to Washington DC and am trying to locate decent but inexpensive food options. We will be staying right in town around Franklin Park and Mt. Vernon Square and will be walking most places. Can anyone tell me what restaurants are in that area that are decent food and priced in the $12-15 per person price range? Also, is there anything good around the National Mall? Thank you!

 

[luvmy3jewels]

There is a food court in the basement of the Old Post Office (a couple of blocks behind the Museum of Natural History) that is good and fairly inexpensive. It has a mixture of just about every ethnic food you can imagine, but also has pizza, sandwiches and burgers as well. When I was there a month ago, I ordered from the vegetarian Indian stand and it was different from anything I have ever eaten before, but delicious! My kids' favorite place was Potbellys (sandwiches). I know there was at least one Potbellys within walking distance of the Smithsonian.

 

[NotUrsula]

If you don't want to eat at the museums' overpriced cafes, your best bets near the Mall are probably the office building food courts and the food trucks. Be aware that the federal office buildings require you go through metal detectors before you can go to the food courts.

If you carry a smartphone, to find out which trucks are where at any given time, use this app: http://www.thestreats.com/

There is also a food court in the basement of Union Station.

 

[MichelleB]

NotUrsula --- how far is the national mall from union station? Is it walkable?

 

[sharon_wv]

Not very far from franklin square there is national place. It's around 12th and G streets. It's a food court that has a burrito place (moe's), five guys, pizza, Chinese, subway (or maybe it's Quiznos). Reasonable prices but not a sit down restaurant. There are also Cosi restaurants with soups/sandwiches etx that are good. Have fun! I work in DC and am always jealous of your groups. LOL.

 

[MichelleB]

Thanks Sharon.....I'm off to check it out. You wouldn't be jealous of our groups if you had to put up with the girls! Seriously, we've got a good group of girls but will be there for 5 days so by then, ..........

I really appreciate all the help you are all giving.

 

[clutter]

Down 7th street from Mt Vernon Square, there are a bunch of casual restaurants from about I street south. Faves: Nando's (portuguese chicken, excellent sides), Lawson's (sandwich shop on New York), Matchbox 360 (pizza, burgers on H), Vapiano (pizza/sandwich/pasta on H), Tony Chengs (on H), Rita's (on H), Thai Chili by the verizon center. There are also a bunch of chains - Ruby Tuesday, Legal Seafood, Chipotle, Potbellies, Subway, Five Guys around there. If you run into a Moby Dick's Kabobs (will that get past the auto-censor?), they are excellent. Best kabobs ever. The sandwiches are a bit much, but great rice, salads, best hummus ever.

 

[chuckabone]

Are you going down for the "Sing Along"? We are taking our junior troop from PA down for 4 days. Now I will go write down all these responses.

 

[Sadie22]

Make the DC Metro subway one of the attractions on your trip.

 

[CarolineB]

If the girls need a break from D.C. and to do some shopping, take the metro to Pentagon City (Arlington, VA) -- there is a large, upscale mall at the Pentagon City metro stop. There are a lot of souvenir stands outside to buy t-shirts. Of course, in the mall, there are a lot of souvenirs available too. I lived next door to this mall for one year last year and this is a very safe area. Pentagon City (Fashion Centre at Pentagon City) mall is also a stop on the double decker bus tour.

Inside the mall, there's the usual food court. Grown ups can enjoy the Ritz Carlton lounge while the girls shop and eat ($5 sliders, $5 pizza.) There's also a full menu that you can order from in the lounge and there's a separate restaurant.

Here's a link to the list of restaurants in the food court (there's also a sit down restaurant but it's expensive):
http://www.simon.com/mall/malldirectory.aspx?id=157

Across the street from the Pentagon City mall is a California Grill (and a Starbucks both are on S. Hayes Street. I like the California Grill and it's large enough that it could handle a large group (call first though because it does get busy.)

A five minute walk from Pentagon City mall / metro stop is a restaurant row that has a lot of choices at 1201 S. Joyce Street. There is also a grocery store there.

A ten minute walk from Pentagon City mall / metro stop is another restaurant area on 23rd street. There are a couple of Italian restaurants, an American diner called Cesar's diner (open for breakfast), a Greek restaurant.

Here's a link to the Crystal City restaurants:

http://washingtondc.menupages.com/restaurants/all-areas/crystal-city/all-cuisines/


I also second the Verizon Center area like the other poster said for A LOT of restaurant choices besides a movie theater if you need a break from the heat or if it rains -- there's an upscale food area with restaurants and food kiosks (I remember a crepe place.) The shopping area is called Gallery Place. The metro stop for the Verizon Center is Gallery Place / Chinatown. I can't recommend any of the Chinatown restaurants even though I worked at this area (for Chinese food for an office lunch, we trekked across the city if that tells you anything.)

Here's a link about Gallery Place:
http://dc.about.com/od/shopping/a/GalleryPlace.htm

I ate at the Five Guys burgers restaurant at H Street NW and 9th Street NW many times and liked the burgers (I worked across the street from this restaurant.) You can't beat the price of a Five Guys burger -- even in Washington, D.C. (and the burgers are just really good too.) Be aware that Five Guys gives patrons peanuts as a free appetizer as soon as you walk in the restaurant in case anyone in your group has a peanut allergy.


Here's a link to the Five Guys:
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&s...esult&ct=image&resnum=2&sqi=2&ved=0CCgQ_BIwAQ

Here's a link to the Verizon Center area restaurants.

http://dc.about.com/od/restaurants/a/RestNearVerizon.htm

 

[720L]

We ate at Aria Pizzeria....very good pizza and great service. The food court in the Old Post Office seemed "dirty" to me....I don't know why....we walked in, looked around and walked right back out.

 

[clutter]

If the girls need a break from D.C. and to do some shopping, take the metro to Pentagon City (Arlington, VA) -- there is a large, upscale mall at the Pentagon City metro stop. There are a lot of souvenir stands outside to buy t-shirts. Of course, in the mall, there are a lot of souvenirs available too. I lived next door to this mall for one year last year and this is a very safe area. Pentagon City (Fashion Centre at Pentagon City) mall is also a stop on the double decker bus tour.

That would be a nice break, depending on the age of your girls.

I can't recommend any of the Chinatown restaurants even though I worked at this area (for Chinese food for an office lunch, we trekked across the city if that tells you anything.) Meiwah? The better chinese restaurants in Chinatown are pretty... um... beat up looking. You walk in, they yell at you. The chinese based foods are posted on the walls. Some interesting stuff.

That said, Tony Cheng's Mongolian Barbeque is kind of fun, but probably around $20 with tax and tip, no drink. You pick your food, from the meats and veggies and give it to the chef to cook to your taste (spicy, hot, mild, etc.). For pizza, if you get over to 18th and L/M, Luigi's is excellent pizza and italian. Near DuPont or one of the Farragut stations.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

You might want to use Yelp to get some more ideas.

I agree that the Old Post Office food court is a good idea.

http://www.oldpostofficedc.com/shop.php

 

[bnhasak]

Highly recommend Vapiano's. It is great and perfect for a large group as it is sort of cafeteria style in that kids can order what they want. The seating is also group friendly, but it isn't like a buffeteria, very classy.

 

[sharon_wv]

Highly recommend Vapiano's. It is great and perfect for a large group as it is sort of cafeteria style in that kids can order what they want. The seating is also group friendly, but it isn't like a buffeteria, very classy.

Vapiano's is a good idea too. You can pick what you want and have it made the way you like it. It's pizza, pastas, salads, etc. I was very confused the first time going there though, to be honest. But girl scouts are much smarter than I am, I'm sure!!

Pentagon City Mall is a good idea too, if you have the time and energy to hit the metro over there.

Crystal City has a lot of stuff, but I don't know if I'd recommend it as a stop for a bunch of young girls. I have a lot of training there & worked a special project for a summer there, and it's mostly professionals. I can't imagine it being that tourist friendly...

Chinatown does have a lot of places to eat as well, but I don't know if I'd be herding a lot of young girls through there. There are really a lot of homeless and sketchy people in that neighborhood. I think I'd avoid it, unless you were heading straight to the Verizon Center. Although I must say that Fuddruckers (at the corner of 7th and H) is one of my favorite restaurants, and my kids love it too!!! It would definitely fits the budget easily.

OP, you will have a great time with the girls. I am very respectful of you being a Girl Scout leader though; I just didn't have the patience for it when my ODD was involved. I helped out occasionally, but couldn't commit to that hard work! Good for you!

 

[Danibelle]

If you don't want to eat at the museums' overpriced cafes, your best bets near the Mall are probably the office building food courts and the food trucks. Be aware that the federal office buildings require you go through metal detectors before you can go to the food courts.

If you carry a smartphone, to find out which trucks are where at any given time, use this app: http://www.thestreats.com/

There is also a food court in the basement of Union Station.

The Ronald Reagan building has a food court open to the public. Other federal buildings may not be open to the public. As for the Smithsonian, I did have a good lunch at Mitsitam, the Museum of the American Indian. It is on the mall. I also recommend Potbelly's for a quick lunch.

 

[ntink]

Clydes near the Verizon center is good
http://www.clydes.com/main/RestaurantsDetail.cfm?Restaurant=clydes_of_gallery_place&Section=Main

 

[HamTown]

I second the Aria recommendation. It's in the courtyard of the Ronald Reagan building which is just across the street from the Natural History museum. We had a group of 16 Saturday night and were able to make a reservation. We told the kids they had to stay under $10 and everyone was able to do it with no problems. Individual pizzas around $8 and salads and sandwiches for roughly the same.

Service was efficient and the only drawback I found was the women's bathroom was a one-seater so there was always a line.

 

[texasmom]

There is a nice food court in Union Station too. We went their in March and visited the GS shop. it was either on Conneticut or Constitution north of the National Zoo. They have a patch the girls can earn by visiting certain landmarks, gardens, museums, and transportation. You may want to check it out on the Girl Scout Council of the Nation's Capitol website. Have fun!

 

[MandM-Mom]

I am heading down with a group of 20 girls from our service unit for the sing along we are staying somewhat near national mall area...4 blocks....I am most nervous about reasonable priced food options for us...