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Aroma Cafe
Categories: Food Coffee & Tea Restaurants Sandwiches Coffee & Tea, Sandwiches [Edit]
2401 Pennsylvania Ave NW(between N 24th St & N 25th St)
Washington, DC 20037
(202) 296-6383
- Nearest Transit:
-
Foggy Bottom Metro Station (Blue, Orange)
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 7 am - 5 pm
Sat 8 am - 2:30 pm
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Alcohol:
- No
Jessica R. said: "Paciugo... oh Paciugo! It is such a blessing that this place has opened in our neighborhood! It is SO SO good. And the staff is SO SO friendly! They let you sample as many flavors as you want and actually encourage mixing and…" read more »
18 reviews for Aroma Cafe
18 reviews in English
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Review from N S.
Washington, DC
3/5/2010
Solid 3.5 stars.
Nice little lunch spot near the office. Great prices. In an area with $8-9 paninis, the $5-6 range is very welcoming at Aroma. Nice portions, choice of breads, and not overly stuffed sandwiches. Good cappuccinos, good strawberry-banana smoothie, and good freshly squeezed orange juice.
Not exactly fast as another reviewer mentioned, but then it's not exactly fast food, plus paninis need to be grilled well and Aroma succeeds at that.
Closes at 5, I believe. Definitely a nice little spot to hit up, particularly when you just wanna eat something tasty and spend under $10. I like the 3 cheese panini w/ tomato & spinach, as well as the veggie-hummus sandwich.
Recommended. -
Review from AccioSoyMilk ..
Richland, MS
8/19/2011
Cheap place that closes at 5 (really? So early?) They have a variety of drinks that are much cheaper than Starbucks or other places. One thing I love is how they have plain iced tea (with no fruity flavors or too much sweetness, thanks!), no frills no muss. I also liked how they had a pretty good air conditioner, so despite the windows, it was never too hot.
Overall the place is okay--had a cookie from them as well as a chicken salad. Both were fine, nothing special. The chicken wasn't too chewy, which is a huge plus.
Place is not crowded and I like it when I want a quieter place than Uptower down the street. But I have to say, I felt very unwelcome when I came in a little after 1. Got an iced tea and was about to sit at a table. The cashier (owner?) asked me to sit further in, (where the benches with the stools are, which was the only seating available). I was tempted to sit at the table anyway, screw that, but a woman said she was leaving.
She and I had a quick conversation about how I actually paid money but was dictated where to sit because it was lunch hour (really? at nearly 1:30 in the afternoon? I watched people come and go, and the place only died down after that).
I have been using the place for internet, but I have always bought something (even if it's not a meal) and there's no sign anywhere that says there's a time limit on sitting here.
Am not impressed. It's too bad, because it's really convenient to my apartment. But I'm a lot more inclined to give my business to Uptwoner now. -
Review from Tamara M.
I'm very upset that I am just discovering this place. I mean here I am eating the same things for lunch day by day. First impression upon walking in was relief. The menu is rather lengthy for a cafe. Healthy eats too. I ordered the chicken supreme sandwich. turkey breast, hummus, sprouts, lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers and some other ingredient I'm drawing a blank on. This place has like 6 different breads to chose from. Aaaahhh, variety. It's also a doffee and tea shop. All in all, I loved it and it's affordably priced. Can't wait to try more off the menu.
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Review from dan k.
1/22/2008
Any place that sells PB and J is ok in my book. They even have brown paper bags so you can relive your elementary school days. I've heard that it takes a while to order a panini but I've never tried one so I can't really say. But, the few times I've went I've had a tasty sandwich and good service. One day it was cold outside, but kinda warm inside, so the owner wanted to open up the door, but made sure it was ok with us. You don't find that all the time.
They are as quick as they can be I think... it's a small joint so you have to take that into consideration. They also have a collection of different cookies and candy from Europe and Asia. These cookie like crackers with chocolate in between are yum. Also, doubles as a pretty sizeable coffee shop, and it's pretty decent coffee. -
Review from Shannon E.
San Francisco, CA
3/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
Really good coffee and great prices on a selection of food and drinks. Perfect stop (and a great location) for a pick-me-up! Cash only under $5.
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Review from Dan D.
Washington, DC
3/13/2009
It's a shame the previous reviewer had such a bad experience at Aroma--without question, my favorite lunch place in the West End. Keep in mind: Aroma's owned and operated by a husband-and-wife team (occasionally, a third person helps out) so lunchtime can slow, as they deal with a crush of customers. But as most have noted, calling in an order saves valuable time; not to mention, Sam immediately recognizes regulars' voices and tries to remember your favorite order!
The sandwiches are uniformly good; my favorite is a #10 (smoked salmon), either on bagel, ciabatta, or croissant, but the veggie lovers is a healthy alternative. Aroma also has a beautiful coffee (French?) press, making very fresh frappucinos and other coffee drinks.
One reason I've never yelped about Aroma is it's an oasis--there's classical music in the background; groups from the neighboring embassy debate in Spanish over coffee; you can read the Post or do some work in relative peace. But I like the people and restaurant so much that I don't want to see them mis-represented--even if favorable reviews lead to bigger crowds. -
Review from Mary K.
New Smyrna Beach, FL
11/1/2011
Glad we chose this. It's clean and the owner is very personable. Coffee is very good!!
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Review from Diane S.
Washington, DC
11/16/2007
This is my regular lunch place, and I love it. They got a pretty big sandwich selection (my favorites are the brie and tomato and the 3 cheese panini), a small variety baked goods, and lots of coffee drinks. I've also stopped by in the mornings a few times, and their breakfast sandwiches are also really good. Lunch sandwiches will generally set you back $5 - 7, and they take credit cards. Also, the couple that owns the place is so nice, and they even remember my usual orders. Sometimes the wait can be a little long, depending on how crowded it is, but it's worth it.
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Review from Cadence R.
Washington, DC
8/26/2008
I love Aroma, but if you're on a tight schedule it's definitely best to call ahead and order over the phone. I love coming for lunch, but it's takes about 10-15 minutes to get there and then going the other direction back to work, so I prefer to have it waiting when I arrive. I really enjoyed the BBQ sandwich! I only wish there was some better seating available besides the tiny stools...
Listed in: Pity Party
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Review from Jeanne-Marie J.
New Haven, CT
8/10/2008
I don't understand why most people at my office insist on waiting at Starbuck's for upwards of 15 minutes each morning. The coffee at Aroma is great and reasonably priced, breakfast and lunch sandwiches are delicious and prepared just for you (thus the slightly longer wait--go to Subway if you want instant service) and the atmosphere is lovely.
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Review from jay R.
Arlington, VA
12/22/2008
I couldn't have felt more unwelcome at this hostile little hole in the wall. First the cashier ignored me while I patiently waited for her to do about 10 things -- where at most other places someone would at least say "I'll be right with you."
Then I was going to take a quick digital picture of their menu so I could think about what to have for lunch (since they don't have a website and I didn't see any menus to take). The cook/helper practically jumped down my throat! "EXCUUUUUSE ME, WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?"
"Uh, taking a picture of your menu, since you don't have a website. So I can think about what to have for lunch."
"I WOULDN'T ADVISE IT!" he yells back at me menacingly from behind the counter.
Wow. Incredible. I guess they don't want my business or that of my friends who I was going to bring for lunch later that day. -
Review from Pam B.
Chicago, IL
9/13/2011
What a cute spot. The owner was as nice as could be. He even gave me a newspaper while I waited for my order. It is not fast food, it is real food. I didn't mind a little wait. The coffe was wonderful. A real gem in the neighborhood. I'll go back as often as possible!
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Review from Jess K.
2/9/2010
I went here for a BLT and it took foreverrrr. I don't know what this place was used as before it became a cafe but the kitchen setup makes NO sense. The guy behind the register kept having to run back there to see if food was ready and it took way too long. The BLT was fine but nothing at ALL special and I was getting aggravated by the time it was handed to me. Also, a BLT costs way more after the morning hours which to me makes no sense. If you are going to keep it on the menu then just keep it on the menu for the same price. I didn't try the desserts but they looked good. I just don't think that when I am in a rush that this place can be an option and unfortunately I am usually in a rush.
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Review from Shella S.
Washington, DC
1/24/2010
Went by here after my husband explained how anal retentative they are about how the sandwiches are made - he used to eat a carefully made burger here everyday when living across the street. I am a sandwich freak - proper size & placement of toppings layered with precision are my cup of tea. Sloppy sandwiches aren't appreciated. That being said, I must commend Aroma Cafe. I love a good egg & cheese crossiant and the amount of egg perfectly fit the perfectly toasted crossiant with cheese in every bite. Eating anything on a crossiant begs for a mess but this was utter beautifulness. The fellow at the front remembered my husband after 4 years.
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Review from Scott E.
Los Angeles, CA
3/2/2007
Aroma is a great breakfast and lunch cafe. It isn't a manufacturing line like lots of other chain lunch places, so you know your food is being made just for you from scratch. The price of that quality is having to wait a few minutes for your food to be brought out. When I bit into my Chicken Lovers Special I realized it was worth the wait however, that thing hit the spot.
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Review from Steve F.
Columbus, OH
2/12/2011
I visited here with my wife and 2 kids. We felt uncomfortable as if we were inconveniencing the owner (at least I think he was the owner). The food was decent but not near worth what we paid (totaled a little over $30 and my kids are young and don't eat much). My reuben panini was pretty good, my wife's was so so. We both commented that we were still hungry afterward. We got a brownie that was rather bland.
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Review from Daniel C.
Bethesda, MD
7/2/2010
Small little sandwich place with what are actually very, very good sandwiches. The reason I don't come more often is that it takes forever to get your food! The sandwiches are made in a back room by the wife of the owner, and so it can easily be a 10-15 minute wait to get the sandwich, and if I am having a busy day I don't want to spend that long. However, when you get them they are delicious! Probably even have the edge over uptowner just down the road. Small seating area a good place to sit and read a paper.
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Review from Sarah H.
Washington, DC
2/19/2010 1 photo
If you want good food, you wait for it. Yes, it takes 10-15 minutes to get your sandwich, but it's worth it. Its always fresh, always diligently prepared, and always good! They are very generous with the amount of meat they put on it, and they offer a variety of special sandwich's. Sam, the owner, is always amiable and courteous. And a speedy Gonzalez! He works very hard up front while his wife works very hard preparing the sandwiches. If you don't want to wait, call ahead, it'll be ready for you when you get there. I've never disliked anything I've ordered, NEVER had a problem with them getting the order wrong either. This place is a bit of an oasis from the hustle and bustle of the neighborhood. It's quite, with classical music softly playing in the background. Some of the snacks and cookies they sell are the gourmet international kind. I love this place, as long as you don't mind waiting a little for a great sandwich, you will too.
