Ben’s Chili Bowl
As most Hoyas discover by February of their first year, Maryland does not begin at Wisconsin Avenue. There is in fact a suburb of Georgetown called Washington, and in the heart of this city lies the self-proclaimed and well-justified “Washington D.C. landmark,” Ben’s Chili Bowl.
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Located directly across from the U Street Metro stop, Ben’s has been serving up some of the meanest chili this side of East Texas since 1958. And little has changed since then, from the simple decor to the chili’s original recipe.
Depending on who you ask, Ben’s chili has been described as “bangin,” “ahh, Ben’s”, or “now, that’s some damn good chili.” The classic is a chili dog. However, should you decide to stray, you won’t be disappointed. The chili half-smoke is a way to go, and as an added bonus, it’s the favorite of some former B-list actor by the name of Bill Cosby! If it’s beef you desire, then you won’t be unhappy with the burgers at Ben’s. Thick and juicy, topped with chili, these burgers sure are one bad mother.
Sure, the menu is somewhat limited, but this isn’t Forrest Gump, and we’re not talking about shrimp. Ben’s does one thing, but they do it better than anyone.
“People always ask, ‘Is it the ingredients or the time [it takes to cook the chili]?’ It is both. It’s easy after doing it for so long,” says Virginia Ali, who along with her husband, opened Ben’s.
Ben’s Chili Bowl is perfect for a midday lunch or a late-night snack after a concert at the Black Cat or 9:30 Club. So, should you be brave enough to come within 12 blocks of Northeast, reward yourself for being so worldly and get over to Ben’s Chili Bowl. It definitely should be on your first-year to-do list, right with the Smithsonian.
-Brandon Sloane
1213 U St. NW, 667-0909
Mon-Thur 6-2 a.m., Fri-Sat 6-4 a.m., Sun 6-8
Marvelous Market
Located on the corner of P Street and Wisconsin Avenue, Marvelous Market, an upscale grocery store, bakery and cafe, offers a cheaper and better alternative to Dean and M Street’s Deluca. Upscale grocery staples, like gourmet chips and Vitamin Water are abundant, and the double chocolate brownie is sure to lure any first-year to abandon an Atkins diet. Trying to prepare for life after college by throwing a swanky party? Marvelous should be your first stop for wine, cheese, olives and bread. Pair these with your pre-professional attitude and you’re sure to catch a husband or wife.
Though Marvelous offers a variety of coffee-based beverages, the iced latte stands far above rest. Forget tall, grande and venti, the great thing about Marvelous’ iced latte is that i tcomes in one size only: huge. Coffee-lovers will appreciate both the large size and the better-than-Starbucks-quality. Add a shot of the flavor of your choice, and you’ll be hooked. Plus, at $2.99, you can get two for the price of a regular Frappuccino.
But if the coffee isn’t enough to draw you down to Wisconsin Avenue, Marvelous’ charming atmosphere and friendly staff make it worth the trip. Too lazy to walk? Marvelous is one of the only businesses to offer free parking in the Georgetown area. Too poor to purchase? If you’re crafty, you could piece together an entire meal off the free samples alone. The cafe has plenty of tables inside and out, there are always copies of the day’s Washington Post. Their variety of music is entertaining without being intrusive. As if you needed another reason to become a Marvelous Market regular, they’re offering 10 percent off purchases made with a GOCard during September. Marvelous.
-Chris Jarosch and Bailey Somers
3217 P St. NW, 333-2591
Mon-Sat 8-9, Sun 8-8
Five Guys
With the recent opening of Five Guys Famous Burgers and Fries in the old location of Au Pied de Cochon at Wisconsin Avenue and Dumbarton Street, a Washington-area institution has finally come to Georgetown. Fortunately, this location lives up to the award-winning reputation of the other restaurants: The burgers are juicy, the fries are salty, and the soda is, well, what you’d expect. Throw in some free peanuts and you’ve got a classic Five Guys dining experience.
The menu at Five Guys is refreshingly simple: hamburgers, cheeseburgers, bacon burgers, bacon-cheeseburgers, hot dogs, boardwalk and Cajun-style fries and a one-size-fits-all soft drink with free refills. Vegetarians can opt for a hamburger without the meat, a.k.a. a grilled cheese. Free toppings and condiments range from the standard lettuce, tomatoes and ketchup, to the more esoteric green and jalapeno peppers. A meal of burger, fries and soda costs $8 to $10.
Customers pile up at the register to order (there’s no discernable line), then linger by the bar or grab a table to munch peanuts and wait. Waiting at Five Guys is an art form, especially if you’re hungry. Don’t be fooled by the menu. Five Guys may be “fast food” fare, but it’s not rushed. Be prepared to wait at least ten minutes for your order to come up, sometimes longer.
“This is just like any restaurant,” Sean Jones, the manager on duty said. “It’s not fast food. It’s not McDonalds, far from it.
In the meantime, there are peanuts and soda, and a bulletin board where you can leave messages on 3×5 index cards or peruse the poetry of others.
When they call your number, the food comes out in a hot paper sack. Burgers and dogs wrapped in foil swim in a sea of french fries and napkins. The foil is essentially the only ingredient holding the main course together. The toppings form more of a ball than a stack, and on the first bite, they explode into a delicious mess. No sense in trying to be delicate; just grab napkins and chow down. The french fries, cooked in peanut oil, have a salty flavor that will appeal to everyone who likes classic boardwalk fries. The Cajun fries are doused liberally with spice.
Five Guys takes its name from the sons of the restaurant’s founder. The name, however, is merely a legacy: There’s no way this restaurant could be run with just five guys. In fact, we counted at least four guys and four girls working frantically to serve the overwhelming flow of customers.
And that’s not surprising- Five Guys fills a niche that has been sorely missed on the Georgetown food landscape: the truly great burger joint.
-Will Mitchell
1335 Wisconsin Ave., 337-0400
Sun-Thur 11-3
Fri-Sat 11-4
Wingo’s
Do you need a friend to talk to? Or are you just in the mood for a quick bite? Wingo’s will serve both those needs.
“We’re happy people,” says Sally Arthur, co-owner of the take-out restaurant where a phone-in order can easily lead to a brief conversation about what you did during summer vacation.
Sally and her brother Michael Arthur opened Wingo’s two years ago in market already flooded with cheap delivery options. However, being uncommonly friendly isn’t just a way to beat the competition, according to Michael.
“People appreciate the rapport we build,” he says. “Besides it makes the job fun.”
The shockingly good customer service is backed up by a reasonably priced menu consisting of standard American cuisine. While other take-out options offer more unfamiliar cuisines, the simplicity of Wingo’s food is refreshing. As the name suggests, wings are the hallmark. Other solid choices include the homemade, 100 percent Black Angus burgers and hotdogs, chicken tenders and the breakfast sandwiches. The key, says Michael, is that nothing is frozen except for the fries.
In addition, because the owners work the counter, the menu is flexible.
“When we first opened I never thought we’d sell the food we sell now,” says Michael who now serves up grilled cheese, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and Great Falls Ice Cream.
While there isn’t much on Wingo’s menu that you won’t find at the cafeteria, unparalleled customer service, fast delivery and inexpensive but quality American cuisine earns Wingo’s a place on our speed dial.
-Kazuo Oishi
3207 O St. NW, 338-2478
Mon-Sat 10-10
Sun 11:30-11
Wisey’s
Oh, Freshman 15-Wisemiller’s be thy name. Chances are that, during your time at Georgetown, you will come here often. More often, in fact than your body would like you to. Although most patrons frequent Wisey’s for its famed sandwiches and wraps, this Georgetown institution also carries a wide range of grocery items, including Ben & Jerry’s pints, assorted candy and Seattle’s Best Coffee.
The biggest complaint people have about Wisemiller’s is that all of the sandwiches start tasting the same after a while. This may be true, but it really shouldn’t be a problem, since that very taste is the distinct flavor of deliciousness. While co-owner Gina Vogel estimates that Wisey’s serves up about 250 of the famed Chicken Madnesses per day, there are far too many menu items to limit oneself to this sandwich alone. This year, Wisemiller’s will continue its storied tradition of bestowing silly names upon its creations, as it unveils the Wise Guy (cold turkey and Swiss) and the Quick Pita rip-off, Quick “Pita Me Ups”.
Recent renovations have given Wisemiller’s a new floor, new walls, a new layout and a new attitude. Deli orders will now be placed on the left-hand side of the counter to open up more space at the entrance and create a less chaotic atmosphere. This change is bound to have an adverse effect on those of us who have mastered the ordering and pick-up procedure, which had always been structured around a “survival of the fittest” strategy. Timid and inexperienced first-years will now have a more fair shake.
The new look is not the only change that Wisey’s has made this year. Your Burger Madness, bag of chips, pickle and can of soda is now going to set you back a penny shy of $7.00, including tax. Clearly the increase is justified, as recent economic data has shown the soggy pickle and Utz chips markets have gone through the roof.
-Scott Conroy
1236 36th St. NW, 333-8254
Mon-Fri 7-11:30, Sat 8-11:30, Sun. 8-11
Cactus Cantina
All right, first-years. You’ve got your fake I.D., your 15 closest acquaintances and a cell-phone full of new friends just begging to be drunk dialed. You’re hungry and you have an intense desire to explore the wilds of Glover Park. There is only one option in this situation. As every Hoya must, it’s time to experience Cactus Cantina.
Of course it’s easier to just go to Wisey’s or get rejected from Rhino’s, but don’t be diverted: Get your first-year ass moving up Cathedral Hill. Cactus Cantina is a brief 10-minute walk from campus or an even shorter journey on any “30” bus from Wisconsin Avenue.
Once you’ve made it there and scored a table after the standard 20-minute wait, don’t waste your money on expensive menu items. Cactus is not renowned for its culinary expertise. Instead, blow your parents’ cash on several pitchers of swirl margaritas, made with enough alcohol to justify the price. (Standard procedure involves every person at the table buying a round.)
Drinking on an empty stomach never ends well, so feast on free chips and bizarre smoky-bacon flavored salsa. Be sure and order the chili con queso to offset the regular salsa’s peculiarity. For your entr?e consider a la carte items which cost less than four dollars. The chicken or beef enchiladas are always a safe bet, but if you’re looking to upgrade? Go for the spinach quesadilla, which is served with black beans and rice for $8.95.
As you stumble out the door, take the time to discover the jewels of Glover Park. Zebra Lounge, Caf? Deluxe and Old Europe all offer a unique atmosphere undiscovered by many Georgetown students. At worst, Cactus Cantina is mediocre Mexican food. At best, it can introduce you to the restaurants and nightlife of Glover Park, and prove that life exists beyond Wisconsin Avenue and M Street.
-Chris Jarosch and Bailey Somers
3300 Wisconsin Ave., 686-7222
Mon-Thur 11-11, Fri-Sat 11-12
Sun 10:30-11
Little Fountain Cafe
Local food connoisseurs don’t want you to know about the Little Fountain Cafe, and chances are you probably don’t. Tucked within the basement of a building on one of the city’s loudest and most expensive streets in the ?ber-trendy Adams Morgan neighborhood, the Little Fountain doesn’t seem to be anything especially extraordinary: a regular old basement taverna with a few unpretentious servers and some regular sounding menu items. How extraordinary can a roasted chicken dinner really be?
But in this slightly musty-smelling basement, simple elements collide to create a dining experience to which you’ll yearn to return. The servers are down-to-earth, friendly and helpful. (No promises, but if you hit it off with the hostess, you might find yourself drinking a glass of whiskey on the house by the end of your meal.) The food is seasonal, gourmet and traditional. The grilled eggplant, with a sweet and spicy tomato sauce and creamy feta cheese, blends flavors and textures surprisingly well. But it’s the roasted chicken that keeps the regulars coming back. The meat is tender and juicy. The skin is crisp and spicy. The gratin potatoes are hot and cheesy. And the fried garlic is, well, fried garlic. This is not your mom’s chicken dinner.
Best of all, while the food is gourmet, the prices aren’t necessarily so. A well-planed three-course meal will cost you somewhere between $20 and $30. That’s not bad in a city where a power lunch plate of pasta can set you back $15. There are some other bonuses, too. All of the Little Fountain’s desserts are homemade dail (Can you say warm chocolate chip bread pudding?) and wine is half price on Wednesday nights. Reservations aren’t a must on weekdays, but if you call ahead and ask nicely, you may get seated at the cafe’s one outdoor table, romantically immersed in candlelight and luscious greenery.
-Rob Anderson
2339 18th Street, NW, 462-8100
Sun-Thur 6 -10, Fri-Sat 6 -11
Eastern Market
If freshness, variety and novelty are something you enjoy in an eating or grocery-shopping experience, historic Eastern Market is the place to go. Located just a block from the Metro stop of the same name (on the Orange Line), this indoor-outdoor marketplace offers great snacks and puts Safeway to shame.
If you can direct your eyes and wallets away from the artisans selling jewelry, bric-brac, antiques and old clothes outside, you’ll find a broad array of fresh fruits, veggies, meats and pastries inside.
Providing the District with fresh produce since 1873, the outdoor section of Eastern Market is arguably the most farm-friendly place in DC. In the fall, you’ll find pumpkins, squash, apples and freshly-pressed apple cider. In late spring and summer, keep your eyes open for samples of deep red strawberries.
Inside South Hall, which is a designated National Historic Landmark, you will find mostly baked good, meat products and beverages. On the far left is a counter with pastries-the peach muffins leave something to be desired (namely, peaches), but there is plenty to choose from. If it’s nearing lunchtime and meat is your thing, browse the many butcher counters and order a hot sandwich.
To give yourself enough time to eat and fully inspect the vendors’ pashminas, handcrafted earrings, antique maps and old comic books, be sure to leave the Georgetown bubble early, and don’t forget your grocery list. How else can you say you’ve done your food shopping at a historical landmark?
-Kim Rinehimer
225 7th St. SE, 544-0083
Tue- Fri 7-6 , Sun 9-4
Cafe Bonaparte
Fact: Just about everything goes well with pancakes. Cafe Bonaparte, Wisconsin Avenue’s intimate, colorful cafe, thrives on this logic. Sure, you can order soup, salad or a sandwich, but crepes-delicious, thin French pancakes-dominate the menu.
Reasonably priced between $8.25 and $8.95, the supple dinner crepes come in 11 varieties. Each dish is named after a European city or region, such as the ham and mushroom “Petersburg,” and the beefy “Budapest”. There are four vegetarian options, including the Feta cheese-filled “Santorini” and very veggie “Proven?ale.”
Try pairing a Caprese salad-fresh mozzarella, thick slices of red tomatoes and a drizzling of basil olive oil—with the marinated chicken of the “Marseille” or the turkey of the “Monaco.”
If you have a sweet tooth, the dessert crepes are for you. Particularly, try the “Last Tango”, replete with warmed Nutella, sliced strawberries and whipped cream. While all the dessert crepes are savory, some may be too rich, so sharing is a good option.
And it doesn’t stop with dessert. Cafe Bonaparte offers an extensive list of exclusive gourmet coffees, including 16 varieties of espresso and cappuccino. Continuing the trend of rich and sweet offerings, drinks include “Nutella Espresso, “Honey Espresso,” and”Viennese Espresso.”
The atmosphere in Cafe Bonaparte is classically French-artistic but unpretentious, understated and comfortable. Each wall is a different color, and the front windows are left open in warmer weather.
While Cafe Bonaparte does offer breakfast, reaching Wisconsin Avenue before 11 a.m. is a daunting task. Fortunately, French pancakes are stylish any time of day.
-Kim Rinehimer
1522 Wisconsin Ave., 333-8830
Mon-Thur 9-11, Fri 9-1 a.m.
Sat 10-1 a.m., Sun 9-9
Pizzeria Paradiso
In a city where any mix of cheese, grease and bread passes for pizza, Pizzeria Paradiso stands alone as a connoisseur’s pizza joint. Although it may seem like a ridiculous idea to seasoned college students, pizza does not always need to be eaten upon a table made of beer cans at 4 a.m. Paradiso is an actual restaurant, and one worth going to at that. This more sophisticated atmosphere is reflected in the painted ceilings and intimate setting, which draws an eclectic crowd of college students, tourists and wannabe euro-trash.
Pizza here is made in a wood-oven, a standard for New Yorkers, and maybe even Chicagoans, but for Washingtonians this is a rarity. Paradiso offers a wide variety of toppings for their pizzas, but there is no need to mix and match: The pizzas on the menu are often a perfect mix of whatever you were looking for, such as Genovese ham and pepperoni. Toasted to perfection, the pizzas are served with a spot of olive oil and brought fresh to your table. Rumor has it that Paradiso has a full menu, but the pizza is so good that ordering anything else would be insulting.
No reservations are taken at Paradiso, so it’s probably not the best idea to try to get in with a few friends on a Friday night. Waits can last up to an hour and service during busy times can be spotty. Still, prices are relatively cheap, with a meal for two running around $25. Paradiso is a perfect place for a classy date, while still satisfying your craving for comfort food.
-Brandon Sloane
3282 M St. NW, 337-1245
Mon-Thur 11:30 -11
Fri-Sat 11:30-12, Sun 12-10
Quick Pita
Whether you’re sprawled out lazily in your dorm room or strolling along M Street, Quick Pita has the answer to that rumbling in your stomach.
Located on Potomac Ave.nue, Quick Pita is convenient for delivery, take-out or a short sit-down meal. Its name is no joke-some loyal customers have dubbed this small, but very efficient Lebanese joint “Ridiculously Fast Pita.”
Despite working so speedily and in such cramped quarters, Quick Pita does not sacrifice the taste of its food. With Middle Eastern fare, menu items include hummos, baba ghanouj, chicken or beef shawarma and beef or chicken gyro, all for $3.95 each. One tip from a clumsy eater-don’t take off all the foil that’s holding your falafel sandwich together or you’ll end up a mess (tahini stains look like trouble).
The small and friendly staff is extremely college-friendly. On weekends, the restaurant stays open to a kick-kegged friendly 4:30 a.m.
Inside the restaurant, seating is sparse-there are three small countertops and only a few stools-so don’t expect to linger during dinner hours. But Quick Pita is built for speed, and to change the Quick would be to irreparably change the Pita.
As manager Osama Wazzeh sums it up, Quick Pita is a staple of Georgetown University eating because of the “quality food, taste, friendliness of the crew, cheap prices and long hours.” Plus delivery is free with purchases over $10.
-Kim Rinehimer
1210 Potomac Ave, NW, 338-7482
Sun-Wed. 11:30-3 a.m.
Thu-Sat 11:30-4:30 a.m.
The Tombs
The Tombs is the lazy student’s restaurant. For the most part, people come here when they can’t think of, or don’t want to walk to, anywhere else. This reality does not necessarily mean that The Tombs is a bad place to get a meal, and it isn’t. It’s just that this restaurant enjoys such an unrivaled location and name recognition that it’s bound to become the standard choice for dining out.
The Tombs’ reputation for having a great ambiance is well-deserved. Although it opened in 1962, it feels like it has been around as long as the Healy Tower. Its famed walls are adorned with a variety of crew related paintings and memorabilia, an encased tennis racquet signed by regular patron Andre Agassi and plaques to commemorate the dedicated few who have met the challenge of ordering at least one food or beverage for each of the last 99 days of their senior year at Georgetown.
While the food isn’t exactly comparable with the fare served at its upstairs neighbor, 1789, it will satisfy the appetite of any poor college student. Try the Clyde’s Chili Bowl-an excellent value at $4.50, and one of the tastiest items on the menu. The Southwest Chicken Caesar Salad and The Bulldog (pastrami and Munster sandwich) are also popular choices. If uncertain about what to order, just ask what regulars Joe Lieberman, Mia Hamm or Joe Montana usually get.
After the sun goes down, bartenders at The Tombs begin the nightly ritual of filling and refilling pitchers of beer for hordes of thirsty upperclassmen. Every year, an untold numbers of students eagerly anticipate their 21st birthday, when they will finally get the opportunity to proudly display the famous “Tombs” stamp on their foreheads at the stroke of midnight. This year, the ever popular 80’s Night will be held every Wednesday. Not to be outdone by Vh1, The Tombs will introduce 90’s Night on a yet to be determined day of the week. Check baby check baby one two three four. JUST SHAKE YA RUMP!
-Scott Conroy
1226 36th St., 337-6668
Mon-Fri 11:30-2 a.m.
Sat 11-3 a.m., Sun 9:30-2 a.m.
