🚀 go-pugleaf

Thanks for the overwhelming response to my question about nice
lunch/dinner places (entrees below $12) near the Capitol and the Mall.
This is a summary of the suggestions, where I added street address and
phone numbers where appropriate.

   Many people mentioned the eatery and the restaurants at Union
Station, just north of the Capitol, and the Pavillion at the Old Post
Office at 12th and Pennsylvania Ave., NW.

   There also seems to be a broad consensus about the good quality of
the member's cafeterias for Smithsonian Associates. Until recently you
had to be a Smithsonian Associate to dine there, but they have opened
it to all (with Associates getting a discount):
   The Associates Dining Room in the Natural History Museum: ... they
have a buffet and a soup/salad bar for under $10, I think. Less
crowded than the cafeteria, quieter too) ... and ... I've never been
there on a weekday, but the Sunday brunch is a really good deal -
omelets to order, Belgian waffles, steamship of beef, and all kinds of
other goodies. The price is right. Give it a try.
   The dining room in the Castle: ... Plenty of good, hearty
buffet-type food including desserts.

    Sally Sweetland (xrsxs@calvin.gsfc.nasa.gov ) writes: There are
also some very nice restaurants in the National Gallery of Art.

   Harry L. Jenter (hjenter@sparky.er.usgs.gov) likes the soda
fountain in the American History Museum for a quick sandwich or,
better yet, dessert. They have great sundaes.

   Andrew Miller (s5uagm@mardigras.fnma.com) writes: One unique place
to visit is the upper eating area in the Air and Space museum. The
food is only a little better than the fast food served down stairs,
the service is used to tourists, but the view is nice and the prices
aren't bad. The same place was also recommended by Brian Zimmerman
(brianz@pulse.com).

   Peter Kent <rdc45@nmrdc1.nmrdc.nnmc.navy.mil> recommends a place
called Heads (400 1st St SE (1st and D), (202) 546-4545): It is almost
directly across the street from the Captiol Hill South metro stop, and
serves very good barbecue. They have only been there about 8 months.
My wife and I had lunch there about a month ago. She had beef
barbecue, I had pulled pork barbecue. Both were excellent. The baked
beans and slaw and fried are all very good. Prices are well within
your desired price range. The place is rather upscale looking for a
barbecue house, takes all usual credit cards, and is right on the
corner of an intersection.

   Leif Neve (neve@nlm.nih.gov) mentiones the Old Ebbit Grill (675
15th St NW, (202) 347-4801): It is not too bad to hoof to, especially
if you are in the area of the White House. Anyway, your efforts to get
there will be well rewarded, I promise.

   Marilyn Proctor (mproctor@oasys.dt.navy.mil) writes: One place I
like to eat when I'm down at the National Archives is the Dutch Deli
(637 Indiana Ave, near 7th St, (202) 347 3665). It is about a block
from PA avenue, on your left (DC courthouse is one block further on
your right). It may not be old ebbitts grill (also nearby), but it is
... very reasonable. For example, their turkey sandwich is real turkey
(you can see them carving the whole roast in the back). In nice
weather, you can sit outside on the sidewalk (my favorite). Portions
are "healthy" and the food is fresh. I have no idea why they call it
the _Dutch_ deli, tho.

   Bruce Hulse's (bhulse@american.edu) favorites on Capitol Hill
(where he lives...) are:
   La Lomita Dos (Pennsylvania and 3rd): Mexican, inexpensive...the
foods ok and the margaritas are good.
   Cafe Berlin: (Massachusetts between 3rd and 4th):
German....probably my favorite restaurant on the Hill. Good
food...their dinner prices begin at about $12; I assume lunch would be
cheaper. Outdoor seating available
   Bangkok Orchid: (Massachusetts and 3rd): Not the best Thai in town
but pretty good none the less..... Outdoor seating available

Keith Cunningham <keith@access.digex.com> writes: I have lived on the
Hill for three years, and here are my suggestions:

Lunch:
* My Brothers Place (On Independence next to the Department of Labor)
* Jimmy T's (On East Capitol at 4th Street)
* American Cafe' (On Mass. Ave. and 3rd, NE. Sit outside, on the patio)
* Tune Inn (Pennsylvania Ave. at 3rd Street, SE.  Try the bread pudding.)

Dinner:
* Lolamita's (Mexican at Pennsylvania and 2nd)
* Bullfeathers (First Street and D, SE)
* Capital City Brewery (New York Ave., NW, Next to the Convention Center)
* Tunicliffs (7th Street, SE. Across from Eastern Market)


   Thanks to everybody who contributed to this list. If there are more
ideas, I will be glad to post an updated list some time in the future.

Stefan Ramseier (ramseier@src.umd.edu)