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Buck's Fishing & Camping
Category: Restaurants American (Traditional) American (Traditional) [Edit]
5031 Connecticut Ave NW(at N Fessenden St)
Washington, DC 20008
Neighborhood: Chevy Chase
(202) 364-0777
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Hipster, Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
109 reviews for Buck's Fishing & Camping
Review Highlights
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"For dessert we had the chocolate cake." In 16 reviews -
"The soft shell crab is fantastic." In 6 reviews -
"...scallops with mushrooms and the duck confit were excellent." In 10 reviews
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109 reviews in English
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Review from Jennifer N.
Washington, DC
Updated - 3/9/2012
I still have mixed feelings about this place - on the plus side: it's one of the few decent restaurants in our 'hood; it's always packed, and lively, and the interior feels totally distinctive and neighborhood-y and cool. I love that the bar has its own scene - lots of folks hanging out, chatting, eating dinner, and I love that the dining room has its own quirky, intimate decor.
Every time I've been here, though, I've found the service to be weird- the hostesses are consistently prickly (i.e. when you arrive, the hostesses never say "welcome" or anything friendly - they sort of glare at you like you're bothering them!) and there always seem to be too-few waiters for the number of diners. Tonight, we waited about 50 minutes for our appetizers to come out, and then our entrees came out about three minutes after the appetizers. Our waiter said something incomprehensible to explain the situation, but it was weird. Everything we ordered was good (with the exception of the fennel and leek salad appetizer which was really just a plate of scallions...) but the pacing was totally off. The truth is, if Buck's were in a part of town with more vibrant, consistently good options, it probably wouldn't be as packed as it is, but it shines in this context.Listed in: 1 Year in DC
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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11/28/2010
Took the family the night before Thanksgiving- and decided I really like this place. Sure, the… Read more »
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Review from John M.
Washington, DC
5/23/2012
We live around the corner from Buck's and have eaten there a few times over the past 2 years and tried to go there last night for an impromptu anniversary dinner. We got there around 8:15 on a Tuesday night and waited at the desk for 5 minutes. When NO ONE approached us or even spoke to us, we left and went to RIPPLE and had a great dinner with amazing service.
Personally, the roasted almonds and fish tacos are great, but the rest of the menu leaves me non-plussed. Even more importantly, the service there has been mediocre. -
Review from Kris S.
Washington, DC
5/9/2012
The best thing about Buck's is the atmospherics. It's lively and has a fun, creative interior, and in a cute neignborhood to stroll around in before or after dinner.
The food is good. The rabbit stew was excellent. I would also recommend the rosemary walnuts. The chicken was meh. Nice and juicy, but waaay too salty. Hamburgers are reliable. They didn't have the fish tacos, which is what I really wanted to try.
The service is not great but tolerable. We once had to wait about 20 minutes past our reservation time. Servers are quite abrupt.
The prices are really high, and not worth the overall experience. -
Review from s w.
Washington, DC
5/22/2012
I've eaten here at least half a dozen times over the past few years, sometimes with the kids. Generally solid but not exactly inspired.
Highlights: very good burgers; excellent chicken; softshell crab; warm almonds or equivalent as an appetizer/snack; fish tacos; and duck confit. All solid. Desserts, while simple, are good, especially any cobbler. I like the atmosphere and it's pretty family friendly if you go early.
Low-lights: often but not always over-salted (especially the confit); service can be a bit chilly; wedge salad is sort of gross; drinks and wine list are uninspired. -
Review from Tanny M.
Washington, DC
5/16/2012
Great atmosphere, but food was pretty horrible. Service is stuck up too. Hostesses think they are too cool for skool. Will never come back.
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Review from Bonnie W.
Glen Echo, MD
5/17/2012
We had a Groupon and had been curious to try out Buck's. Thanks to reviews, we made a reservation for Friday night or we would not have gotten in. Despite the free parking in the rear (enter behind the gas station), all the places were full and we parked in the neighborhood. We were greeted politely and led to our table by the front window. Fortunately, we had the 2top by the wall and weren't crowded and could enjoy the lively scene. Husband died and went to heaven with his huge iceberg wedge and their featured aged steak that he thinks was 16 ounces. I had the asparagus soup (fully blended and ok) with their hanger steak and fries. The steak and fries were great. We shared a $42 Barbera - (very few US wines) that was fine. Too stuffed for dessert with all that meat! Needed that walk to our car. We will be back again, maybe try the burgers and fish next time.
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Review from Alexa S.
Vienna, VA
3/9/2012
My boyfriend and I wanted to go out for the evening so we bought a Groupon to Buck's. The service was good and we loved the atmosphere. I am gluten free and the staff was good about accommodating that . We had the mussel appetizer, which was good but definitely didn't knock our socks off. It was a little on the pricey side. We had a $20 for $40 groupon and ended up spending an additional $40 (before tax/tip) for one app, 2 entrees, and 2 desserts (no drinks) .
My boyfriend had the pork tacos which he really liked. I had the duck confit, which I didn't like at all. The salad it came with was a nice bitter salad with white beans, but the duck tasted like it had been cooked in a deep fryer and was SUPER greasy. It didn't taste like duck at all, it actually tasted like french fries or whatever else had been cooked in the oil. I've had duck confit many times and it was a little disappointing.
Desserts were great, though expensive. The creme fraiche gelato was to die for, sourced from a DC gelateria (Dolcezza I think). The chocolate cake my boyfriend had was very decadent.
The overall experience was ok, probably wouldn't go back based on the food quality to price ratio. -
Review from Jake W.
Vail, CO
5/1/2012 1 Check-in Here
Our server "Bob," was very good. Great sense of humor. The ambiance is also very cool. Hostesses were nice, our table was ready on time. No problems there. Apps were great, had muscles and fried oysters. Yum!! Entrees, however, pricey and tasteless. Salmon & the $40 steak. Bleh. Dessert was good. Chocolate cake.
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Review from Melvin G.
Washington, DC
5/16/2012
My wife and I ate their last Saturday night using a Groupon and it was quite a treat, though we didn't know you had to make reservations on weekends! If you are not sitting at one of the few tables you sit at a long narrow table close to other eaters. Though it wasn't great hearing the conversation of very close neighbors, the food was delicious! The fried oyster appetizer was the best! The hallibut was good and generously seasoned and the cheeseburger was, well, a cheeseburger. Anyway, we were glad to be introduced to a fine eatery and will definitely return.
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Review from Heather J.
Washington, DC
1/26/2012 1 Check-in Here
I'd been meaning to try this place for quite a while, but never got around to it. I got a Groupon for it recently, so it gave me an excuse to go. The food was good, the atmosphere is lovely, but the service was mediocre at best.
We made a reservation and got there right on time. We stood there for several minutes before the hostess came over to greet us. It wasn't much of a greeting, though - I'm pretty sure she just said, "hi...name?" We had picked up some menus to look at while we waited, and still had them when the hostess was ready to take us to our seats. But she picked up some menus too, and gave us this look, like "umm, hellooo," when she noticed we had some already. Sorry, lady! Maybe if you'd come to greet us when we arrived, we wouldn't have had to take them from your podium in the first place! I should have expected her to be rude - several other reviews mention her attitude problem. A note to Buck's management: maybe you should think about taking care of this?!
We took a while looking over the menus, deciding what to order. Our waitress came by twice to ask if we were ready, and we were admittedly slow in deciding. But after the second time, she never came back. Another waiter finally showed up to take our order, and the food arrived fairly quickly. The wedge salad with bacon, bleu cheese, and horseradish dressing was excellent, not to mention huge. It ended up working out that it wasn't tiny because the pork tacos didn't come with any sides. But wow, they were excellent. I'm not sure what kind of taco shells they used, but they weren't hard or soft - kind of in between. They were delicious. The pork was tender and had just a hint of lime. The cojita cheese added a perfect salty touch to the black bean salsa.
It's a good thing the food was good and neither of us wanted anything to drink other than water, because we didn't see another server until after our plates had been cleared from the table. Then the original waitress showed up, and didn't ask how anything was. She just said, in a gruff tone, "so, do you want dessert?" Neither of us did, though I wish I'd had the room for it, as I've heard the desserts are excellent. She brought the check and that was that.
The food was great, but still overpriced in my opinion - $17 for two tacos? Yeah, they were great, but still, they're making a hefty profit. Maybe with that extra money they should hire some better service staff? -
Review from Rich D.
Washington, DC
2/7/2012
Excellent atmosphere and all the food is good. A little on the pricey side, but worth it. The onion rings are incredible and the chipotle may that comes with them is highly addictive. Love the pork tacos, burger, steak, I've never had a disappointing meal.
For dessert, treat yourself to the seasonal cobbler, no matter what it is.
It's a real restaurant that provides you with a long experience. If you want an in and out restaurant go to an Applebee's. The service will be slow, so take your time and enjoy your wine and food. -
Review from Kim F.
Bethesda, MD
4/21/2012
First time at Buck's after hearing varied reviews for a long time.
Our food was very good. Soft shell crabs were delicious as were the sides with it. Fish tacos were outstanding, but the serving size is quite small and there are no sides at all, which was disappointing (particularly given the $18 price for this dish). Rice would have been nice. Onion rings are also very good and the spiced mayo that comes with them was delicious.
Service was better than we expected. Friendly without being obtrusive.
Downside: We were seated at one of four tables in the front window. It's a perfect space for three tables. I sat on the padded bench, was was uncomfortable (the back support cushions aren't aligned with the center two tables) and actually smelled musty. We rushed through our meal being practically elbowed by our fellow diners, and my dining companion actually was whacked in the shoulder with plates twice by a well-meaning server just trying to clear the table next to us. We'd have liked to try dessert but felt pretty claustrophobic by that time, and headed elsewhere for a post-dinner sweet.
I wouldn't call it disappointing, but I wouldn't rush back. -
Review from K. M.
Washington, DC
4/4/2012
Not sure why this place only gets three stars. Everything is great.
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Review from Maggie A.
Washington, DC
1/10/2012
The atmosphere at Buck's Fishing and Camping is warm and inviting. You feel like you're being welcomed in a friend's home for a lovely Sunday brunch, especially after seeing the long communal table -- I love sitting there on a date under romantically dimmed lighting.
I pretty much order the same thing every time I'm there: succulent marrow bones (for $10, they give you three) and their perfectly crusted, perfectly wood-grilled sirloin steak (worth the $39). Juicy and delicious.
Parking in the back is free (a rarity in DC), service is always very good (maybe the other Yelpers had servers on an off day, but you need to report it to management so they don't make the mistake again, and give them a try again, especially if you like the food), and the menu includes seasonal items, so it's always new and interesting. -
Review from Margaret R.
Washington D.C., DC
3/16/2012
I was using a girt certificate to Buck's that I received as a thank you. Should I tell my friend that it was more of an F U? News flash: I don't go to a restaurant to be treated like crap.
Making the reservation - nasty hostess
Arriving for the reservation - more nasty hostess. How DARE we arrive on time? The table won't be ready for at LEAST 40 minutes! Go buy some $15 cocktails and get out of my face.
Seated at table - had to beg for a server, then for water, then to hear details about the menu. Server was wearing sloppy jeans and made no eye contact, couldn't crack a smile, and took every opportunity to let us know we were a waste of her time. "We don't have cappuccino," was the most menu explanation we got out of her.
Apparently having customers was a huge waste of the staff's time. We watched the hostess sigh and roll her eyes at everyone who walked in, including a couple who had their reservation confirmed on the phone earlier that day...which was then lost. Too bad! You're SOL. No apologies for folk who made reservations which were meaningless.
So you think you're too good to be waiting on customers? Find another job. Stop making people looking for a nice night out miserable because you're not living the dream.
And while you're at it? Beans in confit aren't supposed to be crunchy. Yikes. -
Review from Liam M.
Washington, DC
5/13/2012
we were seated up front, that was our only option. just inches away from the next table, bucks really should think about hiring some people who can fit in the area of that which they work. What an awful experience, we felt unwelcome and that we were our server's inconvenience. we stayed because we had been wanting to experience bucks, due to friend's recommendations. What a mistake, let down by the service, yet enjoying the food: the fact that our server could not go by our table without hitting one of our body parts with hers, made it uncomfortable for myself and my date. I think next time we either need a smaller server or a bigger table. Food was great but management needs to think about the perception of the guest and their overall experience.
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Review from Michael B.
Washington, DC
12/18/2011
They're not good at all. I went there for a dinner with my friends and the whole service was mediocre. The wait was too long for a group of people. They need to vamp up the atmosphere as well. The wait staff seems not to know what they're doing and doesn't seem to explain the food items that they're trying to sell.
And after all that hype, the food was not that awesome. Most of the food is too salty. I wished I could get my whole evening back.
DON'T EVER GO HERE. IT'S ATROCIOUS SERVICE AND UNIMAGINATIVE MENU! -
Review from Stephanie S.
Washington, DC
3/7/2012
My experiences echo many of the other reviewers.
First, it has a cozy atmosphere and much of the food I've had here has been excellent. I haven't had an amazing meal every time I've visited, but it's been quite good food, and there are some dishes I've had that I've really loved (I still remember a beet salad I had last summer). This is the main reason I'm giving the restaurant 3 stars rather than a lower rating.
Second, my husband and I would probably visit more often if it weren't for the rudeness we've encountered on multiple occasions. We live in the neighborhood, and when we first moved here, we decided to walk down to the restaurant to see if we could get some dinner. We didn't make a reservation, but we figured since it was very early in the evening (around 5:30), we'd be fine. The restaurant was almost empty, but when we said we didn't have reservations, the woman at the front was incredibly rude and said that she'd only seat us if we'd be done by a certain time (6:30 or 7:00 maybe?) My husband and I aren't the kind of people to linger, and we assured her this would be fine, but what was also frustrating is that when we did leave, the restaurant was still quite slow, making us wonder why she was so anxious about when we left.
The servers for the most part have been friendly, and we did have a good experience here the weekend of our wedding--we needed somewhere nearby and nice to take the parents, and since this was walkable from our apartment and we didn't want to go driving around DC with multiple cars, we decided to go here. Everything went smoothly, the food was great, and our server was really wonderful. (This time we made sure to make reservations in advance.)
Still, we've had enough experiences with rudeness here (we've gone back a few times after that first visit because we didn't want to base our judgment of a place nearby on one visit) that it typically makes us a bit stressed to think about going to eat there. Since it isn't the cheapest restaurant, we'd rather travel a bit further to go to a place that is more welcoming. -
Review from Hampton C.
Washington D.C., DC
9/6/2011 3 Check-ins Here
I'm very surprised to see on overall 3 star rating. My experience tonight was extremely pleasing. I think going here during the week likely helps a bit in terms of being able to get a table quickly. We had a great seat right in the middle of this small, quaint, comfortable restaurant.
The waitress was attentive and personable; much reminiscent of a home-style restaurant you might find back home. The selection of food was limited to a one-sided menu (which in my opinion is a good thing... indicating that the chef is focused back there!).
The soft shell crab was large with a pleasantly mild spice-kick and accompanied by a great corn salsa. I do recommend getting a side to go along with the dish. Overall I felt quite at home here and can't wait to return. -
Review from Kelley H.
Northville, MI
11/3/2011
My review is not based on a regular visit. I was visiting DC for a conference and my group reserved the entire restaurant for dinner. It was amazing!!
The chef prepared a beautiful 4 course menu complete with wine pairing. Her soup course was delicious, but the scallops with mushrooms and the duck confit were excellent. It's rare for a restaurant to do such a great job on a large party. I would love to try the restaurant's usual menu. -
Review from Michael K.
Georgetown, Washington, DC
8/7/2011
Buck's has a range of good-to-excellent food.
I've had the lamb chops with chorizo potatoes and grilled veggies a few times. The potatoes are richly seasoned. The grilled veggies perfectly salted and crisp off the grill. The lamb (I ask for rare to medium rare) has been at the right temperature each time and has a rich flavor. It needs more punch--I can taste the salty rub they apply, but there's not enough, so they end up a bit more bland than I'd prefer, even though the lamb itself is tender and flavorful.
If you like such things, their house-smoked fish is phenomenal. I've had both the house-smoked trout spread and the smoked fishes.
This past Saturday, I had the scallop appetizer--perfectly cooked and tremendous flavor. My wife and I shared the peach-raspberry cobbler with vanilla gelato--the gelato was silky and full of rich vanilla bean and the cobbler was delicately rich with summer fruit.
The wine list has enough to satisfy, although the past two times my server has had less knowledge about particular bottles than one would hope. I'm not asking for a sommelier's detail, but a bit more than "dry and fruity" could help when there are off the beaten path French wines...
It is very loud in the restaurant when it's full--makes it hard to hear companions 2 feet away, even though the ambience is what I hope for on a Saturday night out to dinner...
A bit rough in places, but I will come back, as it's one of the better restaurants in DC. -
Review from Alexis Z.
Washington, DC
12/15/2011
I have two big issues w/ Buck's
1. The price. Not necessarily out of line with other DC restaurants, but definitely on the high end, and for no apparent reason.
2. The service. The hostess was so rude to us when we walked in, we almost walked out (had it not been for an expiring Group On, we would have). Our servers at the bar were terse, but at least attentive.
Except for an overcooked poached egg, the food was very good. However, not memorable enough for me to return. -
Review from C P.
Washington, DC
6/9/2011
Bucks was Ok but nothing to write home about.
I had a Living Social certificate that was about to expire and I used it to go to Bucks. I live close by and have walked past it many times but had not gone in.
I called ahead to ask if I could make a reservation for one, and I was politely dissuaded to do this, and encouraged to sit at the bar. I arrived there at about 6:30 and althought their were tables open, I was directed toward the sole seat left at the bar-at the end with a very large metal container in which they were icing down wines and water. I am not quite sure they should even have a stool there (the room to have anything there was not great), but the empty stool was there, so I took it.
The bartender was very nice (I think she felt bad I had been shoehorned into so small a space). I had taken a look at the pdf of the menu online, but it was slightly different at the restaurant (the restaurant had lamb with chorizo potatoes, and this was no on the online pdf). I decided to order the almonds roasted with rosemary. This was excellent and came in a portion large enough for two people. I then ordered the marble steak. They brought me some bread while I waited (which was long), and I consumed it all before the steak arrived. The bread was a little salty, but I like mine that way. I had asked for my steak to be medium, but it was defintely more medium well. It came with a side of french fries. The fries were pretty good, but the steak was nothing to write home about. I liked the char, but Rays Classics serves a superior cut of meat.
Finally, at the suggestion of the bartender, I had the strawberry and rubarb desert with ice cream on top. It was served baked in a small ramequin. Incredible. That and the almonds were the best part of the meal. Of course, I might also have been influenced by the fact the people sitting next to me finally left, and I moved to take their spot and could use my elbows again for dessert.
Overall, I am glad I went and finally tried them out thanks to Living Social. The prices seem a bit on the steep side. I was a little turned off by them encouraging me to sit at the bar rather than sitting at a table (or even their communal table). It got pretty noisy when it filled up (clearly they have a good sized clientele). The appetizer and the desert-out of the park. Good bread. The piece of meat just ok. I might feel better about it if I had not not had to wait so long and if it had not been overcooked over what I wanted.
I think Buck's is a-ok, but this is one Fishing and Camping trip that while pleasant, will not make the year end highlights. -
Review from Penny S.
Sterling, VA
6/7/2011
Went tonight with a Living Social cert and high expectations, since Bucks made the Post's Spring 2010 Dining Guide--how much could it have changed? Well, I shoulda checked Yelp before buying the deal...
Service was very nice, as was the bread, though a bit salty. Our apps and meals, not so much. I had the cottage cheese and beets, which was an interesting texture, but lacked flavor, except for the carrots, which swam in lemon juice! Hubby had the cheese plate--I'm sorry, $12 for 4 small slices, about 12 nuts and a smear of a fruit paste is just not a good deal. To their credit, though, the cheese was delicious.
Hubby couldn't have the fish tacos due to a gluten allergy, so opted for the seafood stew. The mussels were uneven--some big, one like a jumbo raisin. "I've gotten better mussels at a bar." The shrimp were fine (all 2), the rockfish was a waste of time (fell apart and had no bite to it) and the broth was less flavorful than a glass of plain iced tea. For all its rich color, it had zero taste.
I opted for the burger with cheddar and spicy mayo. $16 later, at least I was full. Absolutely nothing memorable about it. Five guys is better at 1/3 the price.
Margarita for $10.50 should be tasty...it was too sour with virtually no tequila. So, not the worst meal we've had by any means, but we definitely won't be back. Even with a $50 LS deal, with tip it was still $45. -
Review from little m.
Chevy Chase, MD
12/2/2011
Given all the options in DC, we will not go back, though we at least saved some money with a Groupon
Pros: Charming camping themed decor with canoes resting on the rafters, red check paper napkins, and green canvas tent walls
free parking in back
tables 12" apart so we made friends with the couple at the next table (but the woman at the table on the other side of us had such a loud voice that I had to make a conscious effort to listen to my husband instead of her)
seafood soup was delicious
decaf coffee was good
the steamed broccoli at the table next to ours looked delicious - big, green stalks
Cons: cold sitting by the front window in December
bread brought before the meal was a bit stale
smoked trout spread was more cream cheese than smoked trout
fish and chips had overly salty and excessively thick and greasy batter. I believe the fish was catfish, so had a slightly muddy flavor
apple crumble had an extremely sweet brown sugary oatmeal topping and an extremely small scoop of creme fraiche ice cream
for the price ($9 for a scoop of gelato?!), the restaurant should have the type of serving staff that is knowledgeable about the food ingredients -
Review from Shelby K.
Chicago, IL
10/3/2011
Absolutely an amazing meal. This was the second time I've been to Buck's (I make a point to go during every DC trip I take!).
We made a reservation ahead of time, and were promptly seated upon arrival by a very courteous hostess.
We started with a sparkling French rose, the house-made creamy cottage cheese with tomatoes (unbelievable and very original, unlike anything I've ever had elsewhere) and the rosemary and olive oil seasoned almonds and spiced pumpkin seeds. We also had a scallop and tomato dish that was outstanding!! We also tried the bone marrow, which was also really good.
For entrees, among four at the table, we passed around plates of the duck confit, a roasted whole small chicken ("grown" especially for Buck's), the famous steak with fries and spicy mayonnaise sauce (other reviewers are right--it is amazing!). During the meal, I claimed aloud the duck confit was better than Thomas Keller's at ad hoc in Napa--and I meant it! We paired entrees with a red blend from the Basque region in France.
For dessert, we shared several bowls of gelato. So good!
The service was superb. The ambiance is fun. No complaints in either arena.
All-in-all, a fantastic meal. You can be sure I'll be back during my next DC visit!! -
Review from Jessica F.
Chevy Chase, MD
11/16/2011
3 stars overall, but given the price/quality combination I give it 2 stars. The ambiance is unique and enjoyable and service was good. Both entrees ordered were over-cooked and left something to be desired in terms of flavor. The wine (4 different types amongst our party) was very disappointing. We had tried to make reservations here a couple times before and the woman answering the phone sounded so rude it was a huge turn off. The only reason we ended up dining here is we were curious and a Groupon came up. There are much better places to eat in the area in this price range.
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Review from Michele B.
Woodbine, MD
12/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
Meals come with a small basket of bread/4slices. The absolute best onion rings that I have ever had in my life($8)! Sweet onion with with a snappy crunchy beer batter deep fried in canola oil accompanied by smoky mayo. Juicy melt in your mouth wood smoked burgers that are cooked to order with fresh lettuce,red onion, and homemade pickle on the side. On the downside, they charge extra for cheese, bacon, and smoky mayo($15+). Served with fresh perfectly crisp french fries. A short and sweet wine list that is overpriced in my opinion (approx $10 a glass/$38 a bottle). High quality burger and fry meal but, extremely expensive(2 ppl=2 burger meals+2 glasses of wine+2 onion ring apps $70-80 before tip). The atmosphere is cozy and quaint. The service was good, friendly, and helpful. There is free parking behind the building
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Review from Paul M.
2/21/2011
I really wanted to like this place but we were quite disappointed.
Will DC's next great restaurant entrepreneur please open up a place on Connecticut somewhere between Palena and the Beltway? That 4 or 5 mile stretch is a wasteland with Comet the only decent option. I'ts easier to find fresh vegetables in Anacostia than it is to gert a decent meal in that part of NW.
All the restaurants on that stretch are always jammed and none of them are any good ( apart from Comet).
Pluses for Buck's: our server was nice, and the decor is pleasant. I got a lovely 1/2 bottle of Sangiovese for $24
But:
- it took a long time for the food to come
- the place was jammed and we were sitting cheek by jowl on the big communal table - there's always going to be someone nearby who's a bloody loudmouth ( if there isn't, then you're the loudmouth)
- I had the duck confit which was basically Kentucky Fried Duck with beans and a few bits of lettuce with walnuts in them.
Overall - terrible. But if they can still pack them in from the surrounding neighborhoods and make mucho dinero why should they improve? -
Review from Quinn B.
San Francisco, CA
6/23/2011
Six of us showed up without reservations on a random Tuesday night and were seated with no trouble even though the entire restaurant eventually filled every single seat in the house. We appreciated how accommodating and welcoming they were.
Unthinkably delicious:
* Savory, refreshing house-made cottage cheese with heirloom tomatoes (we would have licked the bowl if we had no shame)
* The perfectly crisped, steaming hot, non-greasy onion rings and smokey spicy mayonaise (best. ever. made. and i do not use hyperbole lightly)
* Wedge salad with bacon and bluecheese/horseradish blend dressing (huge salad with huge, amazing flavor)
* Rosemary roasted almonds (every one of us vowed to recreate this at home for everyone we know)
* The burger and fries (how can something so basic and common transcend the norm and become this phenomenal? it's a revelation, particularly the fries)
Many other entrees were passed around and shared. All exceptional. And the wine selection matched the food; not a bad glass was had. Add in the charming gentleman server and we were so very smitten.
Woke up the next morning wanting to go back again right then and there. That never happens! What a knockout. -
Review from Katie Y.
2/2/2011
We found Buck's to be a bit of a disappointment, which is a shame since I've been looking forward to trying Buck's for several years now. Our disappointment started two weeks ago, when we tried to come in for a table and were completely turned off by the experience with a rude and disorganized hostess. We walked out without question. Last night we thought might be a better chance to get an early dinner, and we were right (although, despite about 10 people in the place when we arrived we were not immediately tended to and seated).
Buck's has a rather limited menu, which does not bother me. Generally, a limited menu signals to me that the restaurant takes pride in their few dishes and makes everything on-the-spot fresh rather than mass producing anything just to keep it in stock. We were kind of in a pig-out-on-fatty-food mood, so we ordered a burger ($16 -$2 for a slice of pepper jack cheese) and the fish and chips ($16). Neither did it for us. The burger was smaller than the lackluster bun, and it lacked any plump or true flavor. The fish was so over-salted that it was almost inedible, as well as way overly greasy. Limp and boring fries adorned both plates.
Beer selections were minimal (this place is practically screaming for some microbrews to accompany the comfort food!). Service was ok, but not as prompt as we might have liked for such a slow evening in the restaurant.
It seems to me that Buck's suffers from an identity crisis. It wants to be comfort food and cozy, but it wants to be upscale as well. This is possible to do, but it takes finesse. Buck's, however, falls short of effectively marrying the two atmosphere's together. -
Review from Oliver J.
2/23/2011
3.5.
What was top notch:
The bread basket,
The service,
The decor.
What lacked:
The food was a bit bland. Gf ordered seafood stew and I ordered the trout and the cottage cheese. Quite good.. just turned out kind of bland. Nothing really made me want to go back. The cottage cheese salad was homemade... the beets and carrots that came with it were great, however that cottage cheese hmm .. very different from store bought.. I'll leave it at that. The seafood seemed to be cook fine, just lacking in flavor. Maybe some lemon or white wine could have taken it up a notch? -
Review from sophie S.
Rockville, MD
11/22/2011
the atmosphere is wonderful and chic! located in the beautiful chevy chase it is a bit of a walk from the metro, however not too difficult to find parking. the food was outstanding. the steak was absolutely delicious and the hake was very good as well. a very unusual and creative menu, always great to see!
you really cannot go wrong with anything you order off their menu. the desserts were also fantastic! great service, great food, great city! -
Review from Beth B.
Washington D.C., DC
6/8/2011
I (like I'm certain 95% of the people who were there last night) used my Living Social deal. I had been wanting to check this place out since it opened but just never acted on it- telling myself 'oh, too expensive' so when I saw the LS deal, I jumped.
So glad I did.
I arrived early (another thing I'm glad I did) and was seated at a small table. The service was very attentive and jovial (that um....did slightly errode as the night went on but I can't blame them. they were bustling on a tuesday night)
The food was excellent. Expensive? sure. I had a 'bistro steak' (8oz for 18? I think?) but it was heavenly. One friends fish tacos looked hearty and nothing but raves from another friend who ordered the whole chicken (which was tiny)
One word of warning- the whole chicken requires 30 min to cook. although it was probably more like 50 so order some appetizers.
I look forward to going back again- without the coupon and hordes of others who also have the coupon. -
Review from Chris F.
Worcester, MD
I really wanted to like Buck's, it's something different. They've got this whole "patrician/plebian" thing going on what with the communal table, canvas and red-checked tablecloths and the fancy food, high prices and decent wine list.
The bread and meat and cheese we had were excellent, top-notch, fresh, seasonal and local. Doesn't seem like they pull a lot of stuff out of the freezer. On the other hand, the prices! Way too expensive for what is essentially a meat-and-potatoes kind of joint. In my case it was duck confit and white beans, but the bill for two came out to almost $100 (minus the booze). Even with a Groupon (-$25), this place is overpriced.
My duck was bursting with flavor, but a little dry, and the beans were actually a bit undercooked, slightly crunchy.
I would recommend Buck's for a large group...the communal table is perfect and it's a different take on the local food scene, the service was good and the food is above average. -
Review from Evan J.
Annapolis, MD
1/19/2011
If you're looking for cheap, don't go here. Just turn around and walk somewhere that isn't in Chevy Chase.
Good: the food was excellent, the burger tasty and the turkey white chili was really fine. Dessert was delicious and the fries a relished break from standard mediocre french fries. The portions are adequately sized. They don't make you feel bloated and they don't waste food that you'll just throw out at the end of the meal. The decor is lovely and just quirky enough.
Bad: if you like to feel smothered in food, the portions won't satisfy you. The prices are high. But as a birthday treat, it was worth it for the taste. While the service wasn't very good, it wasn't horrendous either.
Great place for my mate and I after spending a while in Politics & Prose Booksellers. -
Review from Wendy J.
Washington, DC
1/28/2012
I love the idea of a rustic restaurant with seasonal, creative dishes. The reality was not lovable. The restaurant is attractive, but too noisy and dark for my taste. The service ranged from none to "Oh, maybe you need to order." The menu was limited, odd, and overpriced. The presentation (which I don't usually care about) was offputting. Lettuce wedge drowning in dressing. I ordered a mushroom dish, which came with quinoa and green veggie; all three were thrown into a bowl. Restroom door didn't latch easily. Back entrance reeked of cigarette smoke. I won't be back.
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Review from Francisbro S.
Washington, DC
1/15/2012
I went here for dinner after my girlfriend bought the living social. I had the dry aged sirloin steak with french fries as a main course and the chocolate cake with melted ganache and creme fresh and a side of creme fresh ice cream for desert. The sirloin was a good cut of meat and was cooked well, but it was way over salted. I mentioned this to the waiter and he said he would let the chefs know, but didn't offer to make up for it in any way, a $40 dish should not be over salted. In addition we waited about 40 minutes for our food, this wouldn't have been a big deal if the food had been great, but it wasn't. That said, the fries were excellent and the chocolate cake was pretty good, if a little dry (this was made up for by the fact that they doused it in chocolate sauce). The service was OK, we waited a while for everything, and our waiter couldn't answer all of our questions, but he was very friendly. Overall not the best, but still a decent dining experience.
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Review from elaine s.
Alexandria, VA
1/14/2012
Mediocre at best. Overpriced. Room either too hot or too cold. Hostess needs an attitude adjustment. Avoid the seafood soup unless you like thin watery soup with no substance
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Review from Scot W.
9/5/2010
I think a two.five would be more fair, but I just can't bring myself to give them a three.
The good: relaxed, low lighting, relatively good service, interesting atmosphere, local, pretty well conceived menu.
The bad: way too expensive for what you get. My dinner companion (hereafter: DC) considered ordering a starter salad (at about 12 bucks) as her meal, but luckily chose not to. We split said salad as an appetizer and it was pretty tiny. She had a burger, thought it was good but not great. I had the camp steak; it had a good flavor and was cooked pretty well, but it was relatively tough. We both noticed that the fries were a) good, b) sparse. I think that they counted out nine fries on to each of our plates. If there had been something else on the plate (sliced tomatoes, a vegetable, etc) it wouldn't have been so bad.
For her burger, with no cheese or anything, just the burger, to be 14 dollars was pretty nuts.
I could see going back here with a group (as i said, good atmosphere and all), but I really didn't leave feeling like they were a truly great restaurant. It is a shame, because I had always heard and read such good things about bucks.
