District Chophouse & Brewery

 

7

49

Heather F.

VA

Got a table with absolutely no problem at about 6:00 on Friday night, especially considering it was just an hour before game 6 of the Cavs-Wizards NBA playoff series at the Verizon Center just a few doors down. The server was very friendly and knowledgable. It's nice to know there are still peole in this world that care about doing their job well. For just under $22 I had the tenderloin tips and mushrooms -  a generous portion of pan-seared tenderloin and mushrooms smothered in balsamic Stout glaze, with a heaping serving of my choice of white cheddar mashed potatoes and a house salad with fresh blue cheese crumbled on top. The Stout glaze was a little strong for my taste but everything was prepared well and very flavorful. I hate to waste food and managed to eat everything but some of the potatoes. There was just too much! Definitely bring your appetite!

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0

18

kelly e.

Washington, DC

I've eaten here 5 or 6 times, and every time I ask myself why I came back.  The food isn't awful, it is just extremely average for the price.  The steaks have always been disappointing.  The service isn't awful, again it is just extremely average.  The restaurant is large and very pretty inside, and you can definitely go casual.  

Bottom line, don't go unless your company or someone you don't like is paying for it.  It isn't worth it.

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Elite '08

32

163

Deborah S.

San Francisco, CA

Damn I heard great things about this place, but cold filet medallions and the worse service I have experienced at a restaurant just killed our dinner. Yes there was a game at the Verizon Center, but we only waited about 30 minutes for our table--no big deal. Once we were seated, we were forgotten. After 20 minutes or so we asked the hostesses if we had a waiter. He came over 1o minutes later--no apologies, no nothing. Also the place had cleared out for the game.

We ordered our food and a bottle of wine.After another 20 minutes our starters came out.  My French onion soup was great--then it all went downhill. My salad came and I had taken two bites, then my steak came out--not great timing--and it had been under a lamp--very uncool and a horrible thing to do to a good steak.

Oh yes our wine--it showed up when two us were finished with our meals, but the other two folks I was with decided they wanted wine with the rest of their steak. I had other suggestions with what to do with the bottle. Hey Flowers Pinot Noir is a favorite of mine, but I was burnt. I will not go back.

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19

132

Shradha A.

Chicago, IL

Just my two-cents for any vegetarians -- this place is nice and service is awesome -- but there really isn't much for vegetarians besides a salad.

I still enjoyed the dinner that was hosted by the company's recruiting team. We actually dined in what used to be a bank vault!!

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0

4

Michele M.

Arlington, VA

I went there last weekend for a birthday celebration.  It started off beautifully. We were seated immediately, the server was very attentive and took our order.  The apps took a while to come out but it was all good, our server would stop by and let us know the status.... we received our calamari and it went downhill very quickly.  The calamari was okay, not spectacular, just okay. Then the waiting game started.  We never received our salads... I ordered the sea bass... which was good. But my bf ordered the filet oscar medium and instead received rare... We didn't see our server again until we hunted him down for refills on our drinks.... He would pop up here and there at the other tables around us when people would be seated, but would not check with us to see how our meal was going.

After we were done, we sat with our finished plates in front of us for 20 minutes. It was very nice...

I don't think I am willing to pay that much again to eat food not cooked to order and poor service.

And I have heard such great things about this place before. Such a waste.

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Elite '08

167

411

Stef W.

Washington, DC

Chophouse Memories:

1998: The Chophouse opened in DC.  My very talented boyfriend at the time worked there as the head sous chef.  Back then, it was tough to imagine how much development would take place in Gallery Place/Chinatown!

My favorite items on the menu from back then are still my faves today:

1. The sesame calamari.  I am a calamari fan, and the Chophouse's version is amazing!  It's tender, sesame-crusted and served with a deliciously flavorful apricot ginger glaze;
2. Chicken Tenders with honey mustard and barbecue ranch dipping sauces.  I don't even like chicken tenders, but I love these;
3. Onion rings.  The menu indicates that these are jumbo onion rings, and that's no lie!  The rings are perfectly fried, too;
4. The very thin crust pizza, especially the Bourbon Beef Pizza with grilled sirloin, steak sauce, roma tomatoes and white cheddar;
5. The Chophouse salad with a delicious house dressing; and
6. White Cheddar + Mashed Potatoes = heavenly!

2002-4: Came here several times with large parties.  Everyone thoroughly enjoyed their meals, and the servers took wonderful care of our groups.  (It's worth noting that I no longer knew any of the chefs or managers by this point.)

2005-7: This is one of the spots I frequent after Wizards games.  I prefer the upstairs bar.  It's warm and cozy with lots of mahogany, several pool tables, and a bourbon and scotch bar.  You can order the full menu upstairs, and the staff is more than willing to let you lounge.  I like that!  An especially memorable night occurred here after a game, when a woman kept approaching my then-boyfriend and offered to pay him to come to her house for personal training.  That might have made sense if my boyfriend worked in the fitness industry, but he didn't.  Bizarre!

FYI - I know that this is a chophouse, but I don't come here for the steaks.  Stick with the libations and the starters, and this will be a 4 Star review for you, too!

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1

3

Joel R.

Pasadena, MD

We used to frequent the bar while in law school and thereafter (2000 - 2005), for my pals knew a couple of  the barstaff.

I grew to love the place - the decor and music is 1940s cool, and the service generally good.  I think the full menu is served at the bar, which is helpful when the restaurant jams up -- there is a real ebb and flow with the MCI/Verizon Ctr. crowd.

While not a Ruth's Chris steak experience, the combination of very good food, cool decor/site/music, and more reasonable prices makes this place (for more than sentimental reasons) amongst my favorite places in the District.

Local options:
If you're in the area for a pre/post Shakespeare theater show or Caps/Bullets game -- it is decidedly better than nearby Gordon Biersch (which also has a beautiful site), and in most respects, mega Clyde's.  An alternative is Jaleo (right across the street), with its yummy tapas (I don't think they take reservations -- or at least didn't in times past) or if you're on a date, the chic Zatinya tapas restaurant.  Matchbox, a nearby pizza place with super sliders, is really cool, and more casual.

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14

27

Zach S.

Washington, DC

District Chophouse is the quintessential "pretty good steakhouse."

First, the microbrews: The Brown Ale and Amber were decent, but seemed to be the generic in-house recipe that restaurant/bars use when they do their own brewing.  Still, if you're going to pay $5-6 for a pint, it's fun to see something on the menu other than the generic group of America's "finest" brewers.  Overall, this is a major selling point of the Chophouse.

The decor is excellent.  While the inside of the restaurant seems dark at first, the lighting ultimately gives the people in the individual booths a feeling of privacy.  We sat in an area near the bar, but never had trouble hearing the other people in our party speak.  The architectural features -- indoor columns and high ceilings -- separate it from other generic steakhouses.

Our waiter left a lot to be desired.  Some of the people in my party had complex orders, which he did not write down.  We assumed he'd been in the game long enough to remember specific directions, but that was not the case.  He forgot out appetizers, our steaks were cooked differently than some of us had ordered, and brought the check before we were asked if we wanted coffee/or dessert.  The answer, had he asked, would have been "yes!"  He was friendly, though.

Everyone seemed to agree that their steaks were good.  Not spectacular, but good.  My steak was cooked to order ("medium"), which made me one of the lucky ones at the table. The plate also included a huge onion ring, which I was not in the mood for, so  I can't speak to the quality/deliciousness of it.

Oh, and it's also the only restaurant in DC that I'm aware of that requires you to take an elevator to the restroom!  There is nothing more awkward than riding an elevator with 3 other people who are all wondering how to get to the bathroom first.

Overall, the District Chophouse is a good place to go, but I doubt you'll leave asking yourself whether you've just eaten the best steak of your life.  It's a great atmosphere and generally a fun place to go, especially if you like a custom beer or two before dinner.

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64

68

Pheniece J.

Arlington, VA

I was mildly disappointed with my experience here.  I went with my BF and some friends after a show at the Warner Theater and the place was packed.  No doubt this impacted the quality of our service because it was 15 minutes before anyone ever greeted our table.  The waiter was nice enough and he did seem like he was in the weeds and hustling.

As for the food, it was disappointing as well.  The salad was OK and they bring cornbread to the table.  I ordered the filet cut with mushrooms, and I was surprised to see that there were only 2 mushrooms on my plate when it came out.  I ordered mine medium rare, as I always do, and the cut was still tough.  The onion rings were delicious though.

I probably would not come here again on my own accord, but it's probably the kind of place to take out of towners.

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55

93

Chuby M.

Westminster, CA

Was visiting my good buddy and he took us to this place. A bit hoity-toity for my taste... steak was ok... so I guess I should compliment on the decoration. GREAT table linens!

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6

15

Steve P.

Fairfax, VA

District Chop House and Brewery is located across the street from the Verizon Center.  My initial thought was what a great place to go to after an event there.  The place looks neat with its 1920's decor and feel.  

All though it was last week, they still offered the restaurant week menu.  It made me a little skeptical but we decided to order off it anyway.  I was able to sample a little of each appetizer we ordered and in my opinion they were all very good.  The calamari was light and crispy, the pancetta wrapped shrimp were succulent and the spinach and artichoke dip was some of the best I've sampled and it's served with soft pita bread.  The beer they brew was also very good, I recommend the ale.

After the app's and beer, the rest of the dinner didn't go so well.  My girlfriend asked for her sirloin medium well and it came medium rare and was cold.  The mashed potatoes were also served cold.  My salmon was pretty good but nothing special and service was at best mediocre (which is probably why the food arrived cold).  They offered the Bourbon Pecan Pie with a scoop of ice cream for desert and it was really good.

Also the bathrooms are located in the basement which you have to take an elevator to.  The basement looks more like a dungeon and the bathrooms were disgusting.  Not that it makes or breaks a restaurant but after my bad experience in the bathroom, I started to take a closer look at the quality of the restaurant and I just felt like it was dirty.

My conclusion is that this place is full of smoke and mirrors.  The food is good but not worth the price you pay for it.  I think it's a good place to go for a couple beers after a game at the Verizon Center but I wouldn't have dinner there unless you are starving.

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Elite '08

78

153

Jason C.

Arlington, VA

I was on a date this weekend, and she suggested we go here for dinner. I'd never been, but immediately realized "hey, I can totally yelp this place!" It's funny how my dining criteria have evolved since joining :)

Yet another brewpub, the Octoberfest I had was actually quite tasty. Pretty sweet and caramel-y tasting. Much, much better than the one I had at Gordon Biersch.

I wasn't all that impressed by the menu. It had most of your typical steakhouse favorites, but honestly, they weren't that much cheaper than a full-on steakhouse, so unless I was grabbing a burger or what I ended up having (more on that below), I'd rather just pay the extra $10 and go to Morton's (or the Palm, if I was in the mood for some primo toolwatching).

Now I wasn't in the mood for steak, and was leaning towards a burger until my date mentioned she was thinking about trying a salad. Salad, huh? Interesting concept. It's certainly nutritious. And it's got green s*it in it too, which is supposed to be healthy, right? Plus, when I'm burgin' hardcore, I tend to make rather unseemly noises, primal, gutteral noises (chompchompgobbleohfu*ckthatsgoodburpchomp) that really weren't going to impress her. So steak salad it was.

While waiting, we got complimentary cornbread in a mini frying pan. Delicious, and it was served with sweet butter too. But don't fill up on bread, okay? Cause the salad is actually worth recommending.

Only until I reached the bottom of the bowl did I run out of steak slices, that's how loaded with meat it was (and they'll cook the beef to order). Plus, they added melted gorgonzola and slices of parmesan cheese, along with some sort of dressing I couldn't put my finger on. I don't think I've ever intentionally finished a bowl of salad at a restaurant before, but I did here.

The verdict: like I said, I couldn't justify coming here for a steak when for a few bucks more, I could get a really good steak at countless other DC restaurants. But I'd come back for the salad and beer. I'm docking it a star due to some minor (but annoying) customer service issues. "Typical quality DC service" my date said when the hostess kept seating people without telling others in line that she'd "be with them in a minute." Also, the server had a tendency to clear plates without asking if I was done. I mean, I may have a few dregs left in my glass or a few leaves of lettuce in my bowl, but c'mon, ask me if I'm done first. I'm not impressed with your efficiency so much as I'm turned off by your basic lack of courtesy.

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Elite '08

61

198

Laura V.

Alexandria, VA

On a recent Sunday, some friends and I decided to meet up for brunch.  One of the friends said "How about Chophouse?  It's supposed to be great."  So we all agree, and she makes reservations.

Most of our party arrives promptly at noon.  As with most groups, there's always that one (or two) person who is late.  Well, let me just say that the Chophouse will not seat you without your entire party being present.  They will not seat you if one of your party ends up getting sick and can't come.  They don't care that we're the only ones in the restaurant (not like there's 89834 people waiting for tables).  They wouldn't even hear our side of the story when we tried to explain to them that our party of 8 would now be seven because of the sick friend.  We were informed that we shouldn't have made the reservation for 8 people if we couldn't get 8 people to show up.  WHAT?  Are we in nazi Germany?  I think this little hostess lady was a little too high up on her hostess horse.  At this point, I would have left, but it wasn't my reservation or my party - I was just along for the ride and left it to others to resolve.  Finally, little miss nazi hostess sat us when all 7 were there.  Then, she got all huffy with us again because we tried to sit down before she was through placing the menus "just so" on the seats and stacking the silverware in such a way.  Lady, we're already 20 minutes behind schedule, you can skip the flourishes.

In comes our server.  Really nice guy, but just didn't have it together.  Don't know if he was having an off day or what.  But I'll give him points because he was nice and a lot of fun.  Food service took an eternity.  Thank goodness we didn't have anywhere else to be and it was a leisurely afternoon.  

The bloody marys were awesome.  I had two.  Sucked the first one down so fast because it was so good.  I had to pace myself on the second.  I would for sure go back just for that bloody mary.  Food was just ok.  I had the Omlette that had various veggies and cheese in it, served with house potatoes.  The omlette was almost all egg.  Hardly any cheese or veggies.  The potatoes were good and I would have loved just a few more on my plate.  Friends had a variety of things.  No one was really shouting out about how much they were loving it.  My friend who had the belgian waffle with the bananas foster sauce really enjoyed hers and I think that's the direction I'd go next time (if there is a next time).

I wasn't wowed by this place.  It was just ok.  And honestly, I can do better right nearby at Gordon Biersch for a lot less money.  That hostess needs some customer service training.  I would consider coming back for happy hour or something like that, where I can sit at the bar and have some drinks, maybe try some appetizers.  But I will not suggest this as a place to go with my friends, or bring someone here to dine.

Not the worst place ever, but certainly not the best.  And beware the hostess.

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Elite '08

234

206

stephen l.

San Diego, CA

I'm not sure where to go with this place. The atmosphere was nice, the staff was great, the food was okay. All in all it wasn't really memorable, I can't even really think of much to say about it and I usually don't shut up. I guess this place is good, go there if you find suddenly yourself hungry and happen to be standing in front of it.

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Elite '08

81

246

Takaki K.

Arlington, VA

I like that there's a brewery in DC but their beer isn't particularly good and the service is pretty poor.  It's a good idea, just needs to be executed better.

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11

52

Barbara P.

Washington, DC

The place looks huge and beautiful when you step inside, and the tables are certainly presented very formally - with a white table cloth, wine glasses, silverware set out.  The menu is limited to mostly steaks really,but there is a great wine selection.

Our service though, wasn't fabulous.  Our server ordered the wrong side with my steak, and then didn't return for a while so I couldn't tell him about the mistake until halfway into eating.  He also wasn't very friendly, and only offered a smile and personality after we tipped him $20 on a $60 (we're servers afterall, and couldn't help it).

The food was very good; I really enjoyed my steak, and my friend loved her steak salad.  It also came very quickly after ordering.

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Elite '08

79

241

Lara R.

New York, NY

To be fair, I should preface this with this is my second time at District Chophouse and this time, it was for restaurant week. That meant limited options, stretched wait staff, and lots of people.

That being said, I wasn't disappointed overall. The food quality was good. The meal was preceded by their fabulous skillet of cornbread (always a personal fave).

I opted for the pancetta wrapped shrimp appetizer, which was very good. I was honestly a bit disappointed to see as it was coming out that it was only 3 shrimp, but then remembered there was a lot more overall remaining to the meal. The shrimp were good-sized and the sauce was very flavorful, so can't complain.

They then brought out our salad. It was kind of funny... they'd told us we'd be getting a house salad with some sort of house dressing (something along the lines of a balsalmic vinagrette, I believe). We were a bit surprised when instead out came a full round of caesar salads. Quite a bit different from the original offering. I was pleased to have asked for the dressing on the side, as the salads appeared to be drenched in dressing. Soggy salad... not a fan.

For the main course since we were at a steakhouse and all I, of course, opted for crab cakes. Haha. Well, an additional complaint would be the exclusion of the filet mignon from the options for restaurant week. I'm not a big red meat eater, but I would have totally gone for the filet. NY strip... not so much.

The crab cakes were very good. Not heavily fried and not with a lot of filler, which was nice. The remoulade that came with was just spicey enough to accentuate but did not overpower, which was good.

For dessert, there was only one set offering - strawberry shortcake. While I like strawberry shortcake, I also really like dessert - so I was a bit disappointed to see lack of selection at all on this course. Something with chocolate should have been a required option. That being said, I thought their strawberry shortcake was a refreshing choice with the day's 100+ temperatures... cool and light and not overwhelmingly sweet. I'd probably opt for it again if I were given the choice.

With steaks there normally alone coming in at $30, I'd say District Chophouse is a good selection for a spot to hit during restaurant week overall.

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6

25

Brent W.

Washington, DC

A friend and I were going to a play at the Woolly Mammoth Theater this afternoon and we decided to grab some brunch ahead of time.   We began walking up 7th looking for something close and eventually ended up at the District Chophouse.  I did not realize that they even served brunch, however based on the menu we decided to give it a try.  I was not in the mood for something large, but if I were, the cinnamon french toast or Belgian waffle, both of which are offered with a choice of bananas foster or fresh berry with Chambord on top, sounded awesome.
I ended up going with the fruit parfait which was okay, but not great.  The berrys were good and the yogurt was okay but the granola, which was listed as an ingredient but did not make it in the dish until I requested a side of it, was only fair.  This was not even in the same league as the one I had at the Corner Bakery a little while ago.
My friend got the chefs omelet and had no complaints.  The waiter, while nice, rushed us through our meal and ended up clearing my dish before I was done.  I would return to the District Chophouse for brunch again sometime if only for the cinnamon french toast, but with so many great choices in the area, it is not at the top of my list.
I've been to the Chophouse for dinner before, however, and really enjoyed my meal.  I had a great pork chop stuffed with fontina cheese and sage which I could not get enough of.  The cornbread provides a great start to the meal and, if you have the room, order the onion rings; they could be a meal in themselves.

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Elite '08

41

154

Liam D.

Washington, DC

This place looks cool and has a cool name. That's about it for positive statements about the District Chophouse...

Went tonight with 2 buddies after we decided that Rosa Mexicano's $24 entrees were too expensive to pay for mexican food. We were pretty disappointed to find that the steaks at Chophouse were more than that...

Anyways, our waiter was probably the dullest, least enthusiastic person ever - i mean...i've had people at CVS more excited to see me. We ordered drinks, got our salads, which are included in the cost of the steak, which is good value and they are tasty.

When our entrees came out, I commented that my Gorgonzola Filet skimped on the amount of meet (prob 8 total ounces, if that), but that my buddy's 12 oz. Filet wrapped in bacon was of an impressive size and looked delicious. At this point, he informed me that it was the single worst steak he'd ever eaten - texture, sauce, everything...just awful. I couldn't believe it so I tasted his steak sauce and I shuddered - there are very few meals I've had that repulse the tastebuds, but this was one of them - atrocious, inedible even!!! I can't really even describe it all that well, but my buddy Ryan H, who has also been quoted as saying "food is food - you eat it and secrete it - that's it"

Here are some of his comments from the meal:
1) "I would rather be eating fat toe than this steak"
2) "This sauce tastes like black death"
3) "Whoever created this sauce should be shot and killed"
4) "I need to go home and get drunk so that I can forget about this experience"

Our waiter checked in on us 3 quarters of the way into the meal (far later than he should have, but we were amazed he did at all) and apologized for the "bad batch" of sauce. Offered my buddy a free dessert, but not a free meal or other steak...he didn't tell the manager, and i'm pretty sure he didn't tell the chef that the sauce tasted like "black death" even when my buddy said "you should really say something, they should not be sending that sauce out again....."

All in all, I will never go back to the chophouse - i was concerned that Yelpers did not review it highly but we drove to Rays the Steaks to eat there for the first time and realized there was an hour and a half wait....so we settled for Chophouse - bad move....At 7:30 we finished our Chophouse meal and I said "We would just be sitting at Rays" and Ryan said "it would have been worth it....instead of this black death"

And that just about sums it up....Stay away from the Chophouse.

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Elite '08

194

310

Allison B.

Palo Alto, CA

Sat at the bar with my bf and just drank beer and ate (very good) fries.  A easy way to good yelp ratings in my book is with good fries.  There was a drosophila in my beer but it didn't bother me.  I didn't have a meal so I can't comment on that but the Chophouse filled my needs and the beer wasn't 1/2 bad.  Wasn't anything impressive but that was ok.

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1

10

Evan C.

Alexandria, VA

If you want good food and alot of it, then come here.  The onion rings are huge and the main dishes are also large portion.  The beer is decent and flows easily.  What else is there to say?  As far as the place and the staff its nothing to right home about but its also nothing to complain about.  Try to use the restroom before you go in or you have to use the elevator of DOOM that brings you to the basement of the goblins.

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Elite '08

53

85

Ray C.

Washington, DC

I remember going to the Chophouse when it was really the only thing on that section of 7th St, I guess 4 or 5 years ago.  It's amazing how the area how much the area has changed since then!

I really dig the interior of the Chophouse, huge exposed columns, high ceilings, all in all a great atmosphere.  I've always had good service and decent food.  The mashed potatoes are fantastic!  Steaks and burgers are cooked to order the first time.  Ohh, and the fresh baked cornbread they give you is really yummy!

But let's cut to the chase, my favorite thing about the chophouse is the beer!  They microbrew some pretty good brewskies; lager, ale, stout, seasonal, and a cask ale.  The stout and pale ale are my favorite.  

It does get crowded during dinner hours, so it's best to make a reservation.

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6

132

Allen R.

Chicago, IL

Ate here with my parents last summer. I had an excellent salad and steak that was cooked to perfection. When I asked for hollandaise sauce AFTER my steak had already arrived, it appeared within a few minutes. The staff was friendly, efficient, and good-looking. I would definitely eat here again if I lived within 1000 miles of the place!

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0

16

phortitude u.

Sacramento, CA

This is one weird place.  I had wandered in with a hungry partner (who gets quite cranky lest she be fed), and were seated immediately (it was a Sunday).  We were given an excellent booth near the kitchen, which afforded a partial view of the action going on with the food.  For as desolated as the place was, all the staff was moving at warp speed.  I smell a managment whip, but I digress.

The pancetta wrapped shrimp were delicious.  The gorgonzola filet was teeny tiny, and the filet oscar was tiny and completely smothered in something that vaguely resembled a bearnaise sauce.  While the g-filet tasted good, there wasn't enough to satisfy my appetite.  For dessert we had something of a berry pie, which was unquestionably awful.  The entire time we were seated I kept wondering if this was a multi-branch place... later, I discovered it was.  This revelation helped me to understand why the food was the way it was, and why I felt ripped off once I got the tab.

A few small notes-  The bathrooms require an elevator trip to get to (downstairs), where it can be quite creepy if no one is around.  Additionally, all the staff seemed helpful and as quick as possible.  The beer is average, and the wine list was ok (it had a little of everythihng to suit any taste and budget).

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Elite '08

30

200

Kenneth R.

Berkeley, CA

The DC goes half the distance between a generic brewpub and a serious steak restaurant.  The beers are good, but not great, and the steaks are huge and covered in sauce.  (I had the rib-eye special with wasabi sauce.)  Steaks come with an appetizer salad (that I liked a lot) and one side (choice of potatoes, or a green vegetable instead if you really insist).  There's a wide assortment of steaks, and they all cost around $30.

I was there with a group last night.  The place was totally brimming over with happy people.  The service was friendly and upbeat.  Visually, the place is great.  Everybody is having a grand time here -- the management probably went to Starbucks school.  This is a fine choice if you'd like to have a relaxed time with friends while eating a copious and pretty decent meal.  Best to go elsewhere if you're looking for the world's greatest steak.

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Elite '08

404

584

alexis g.

Washington, DC

Unlike the other reviewers, I have had only pleasant experiences at the Chophouse. They take reservations extremely late and I always have left here feeling full and happy. One time I had to wait about 25 minutes for a table even though I had a reservation. Yet my bad mood had almost completely evaporated by the time I began eating some good steak. I love how big this place is, and it's in a very convenient location near Chinatown. I'm trying to get my male partner to take me here for my birthday, which might prove difficult considering he is a vegan.

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5

7

Michael C.

Washington, DC

I was glad to see DC is staying classy by giving this
disappointment of a restaurant a proper rating.

A steakhouse with a slim selection buttery/pepper laden steaks
that really do not compliment a steakhouse environment. The
cornbread is good, right? I also love buying it in a box at the
store!

A great spot for tourists, near the national mall and MCI
center, the location might be the only reason this restaurant
has not been burned down. The grand establishment features high
ceilings, rich wood accents, and a third floor home brew room
with a glass viewing window. The pleasant experience stops
there...as the food, service, and pricing continues to
disappoint more and more visitors.

Must better choices on 7th Street..Galileo (up-scale tapas
bar) or Clydes (an American restaurant that features a similar
menu to the Chophouse, but with pleasant service and food and
an equally grand setting).

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Elite '08

102

299

Karman L.

Arlington, VA

We had an group dinner there, and I had the prime rib and I think the portion was really great! I can't even finish! It was cooked just right!!

Very easy to, right next to Gallery/Chinatown metro station!

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Elite '08

179

425

Heather H.

New York, NY

I always forget how disappointed I found the meal here until I go again.  It's a chophouse for goodness sake.  I should love it, but every time I go, they find a way to screw up my order.  There are only so many times you can go somewhere starving and have your dinner take an hour because they've well-doned your medium-rare steak.

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0

131

Jason B.

Washington, DC

I have only been once so it is tough to hand out a rating after only experiencing it one time but alas I give it 3 stars.  Good service, liked the cornbread instead of the typical bread basket.  Enjoyed my peppered new york strip and the salad was delicious as well.  I really have nothing negative to say about one lone dining experience there but in the overall scheme of things compared to other steakhouses/chophouses it is better than some but not better than others.

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Elite '08

26

95

Bahareh M.

Washington, DC

I think this place tries to hide the fact that it's mediocre by giving you giant portions of everything.  I came here with a big group (yes, after riding a segway - which is kind of lame and touristy but totally awesome at the same time).  We were STARVING.  Okay, I was starving.  Anyway, we ordered the onion rings, and then the appetizer sampler.  The calamari from the sampler was pretty good, actually.  The onion rings were enormous.  Seriously massive.  I was pretty much full after eating one.  It tasted good though.  I recommend only eating half of one - though the order comes with about 8 of them.  

I ordered the burger.  I was torn between that, the crab cakes, and the gorgonzola medallions.  I passed on the crab cakes because I was going to cantler's the next day and didn't want to crab myself out (as if that's even possible), but my friend said they were actually pretty good.  The medallions looked good but I didn't have them so no way to judge.  The burger was a dissappointment.  It was big, sure, but it was also dry.  I asked for it medium and the only part that was medium was the very center.... the outer ring was pretty much well-done.  Tsk tsk, Chophouse.  I ordered the fries with my burger though, and t hey were good, but a little salty.  But seriously, the steaks I saw were enormous and they either came with a gigantic baked potato or about a pound of mashed potatos.  And that's on top of the salad before the meal that comes with all the entrees (but not the burger).  Is all of that food really necessary?  Anyway, it was a fun atmosphere, loud and good for a group, but if you actually want a good steak I recommend the Caucus Room - it'll probably only cost you about 10 bucks more but it's got to be better.  

Lastly, this place was packed and our waiter was super busy.  He had kind of an attitude, but I felt bad for him since he obviously was very busy.  He did refill my drink regularly, so that was appreciated.  Overall, I'd give this place 2.5 stars.

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1

20

Amar M.

San Ramon, CA

I agree with the last reviewer... they have excellent microbrewed beer, and all the food I've had here has been very good... good, friendly, efficient service is the norm too.

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11

273

Merrill F.

Silver Spring, MD

In a word: eh. It's not bad for what it is, but at the prices, it should be better.
They brew their own beer, which is generally pretty good, although on the bitter side across the board. The food is...not really notable, at all.
Their cheddar mashed potatoes are ok, although with an odd consistency. And they grill the lettuce on their salads (lest you think that your salad has been sitting out for a week when they serve it), which is an interesting surprise. I'd never had it before---while I am a huge fan of grilled vegetables, I would never have thought to throw my lettuce on a fire and then eat it. But someone did, so more power to them.
The atmosphere is odd---you are just as likely to see a couple dressed up for a date as you are to see a bunch of kids in jeans and T-shirts pregaming for whatever event is playing that night.
Unfortunately, the prices are comparable to a Ruth's Chris or Morton's, and their food is a million times better.  So while Chophouse isn't bad, when you could get such a better meal for the same money, it just doesn't seem worth it. And it doesn't have anything (other than an incredibly convenient location) to make it stand out---no incredible dcor, enjoyable atmosphere, amazing signature item (at least that I've had).
The one thing that I liked was the cornbread they serve (as opposed to regular bread served at most other steakhouses). Yummy.

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