Founding Farmers is an old standby for most D.C. brunch-goers. A reservation is required if you want to be seated in less than thirty minutes, and the restaurant’s light-and-farmy atmosphere provides a pleasant setting for an easy Sunday morning.
Last Sunday at 9:45, the restaurant was already bustling with the mid-morning crowd. The busy restaurant’s glass exterior let in the warm early September sun. The waiters were clothed like well dressed farmers, there was lots of plaid and denim to be seen. The wood interior and the water served in jugs lent themselves to the classy country vibe.
My first brunch move upon sitting down was to order a coffee. To my surprise, I was greeted by the familiar taste of Compass Coffee, the very same brand used by Georgetown’s very own Corp-run shops. The agreeable roast served its purpose as my morning pick-me-up.
While served in a nicer cup, Compass Coffee still feels Corp-ish.
The menu at Founding Farmers is filled with familiar breakfast items, elevated with fun and fresh ingredients. Founding Farmers prides itself on using local and environmentally friendly ingredients in all of their dishes. From their red velvet pancakes to their roasted vegetable pan scramble, there’s something for everyone. When it came to ordering, the first thing on my mind was Farmers’ Uncle Buck’s Beignets. Light and airy, they come with a trio of sauces (dark chocolate, raspberry and caramel) that add to their status as the perfect morning treat.
For the main course, I opted for the goat cheese and beet poached egg hash, while my brunch partner went for the more traditional founding farmers breakfast. My hash wasn’t as extraordinary as I hoped it would be. While the hashbrown and egg combination is always a classic, the goat cheese and beets did not add much to the dish. Overall, I found it lacking the wow factor that I had come to expect from their dishes.
The good, but lackluster, hash and eggs.
The star of the show: beignets, fresh out of Farmers’ fryer.
One of the best things about Founding Farmers is their price range; the restaurant is definitely affordable. The pancakes, french toast and waffles are all $10 and under, and egg dishes will only cost you a couple dollars more. However if you’re looking for a side of bacon, it will cost you. The side meat at Founding Farmers is a la carte and goes for a high $6 for one side. My brunch total came out to around $26. That price includes $12 for the hash and $8 for the beignets, which are definitely shareable. Founding Farmers is as expensive as you want it to be. It’s not hard to have a delicious meal that doesn’t hurt your wallet.
There’s a reason Founding Farmers is always packed during brunch. Their fresh food, affordable prices and comfortable atmosphere make it the perfect place to spend a Sunday morning with friends.
Price: 9
Food Quality:8 (if only for the beignets)
Originality: 8
Diversity of Menu: 8
Brunch Bracket Update: With a final score of 33, Founding Farmers loses to Farmers, Fishers, Bakers (36) and will move onto the next round.
