- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
El Khartoum
Category: Restaurants Middle Eastern Middle Eastern [Edit]
1782 Florida Ave NW(between N U St & N 18th St)
Washington, DC 20009
(202) 986-5031
- Nearest Transit:
-
Dupont Circle Metro Station (Red)
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Late Night, Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
41 reviews for El Khartoum
Review Highlights
-
"I personally love the chicken shawarma." In 8 reviews -
"...their food, including fava beans, hummus, and hibiscus..." In 5 reviews -
"with delicious ethnic (Sudanese) food at rock-bottom prices." In 12 reviews
Loading...
41 reviews in English
-
Review from Miranda L.
Washington, DC
1/1/2010
There are two things keeping me from vegetarianism: the prospect of an iron deficiency, and El Khartoum.
Oh boy is this stuff good. "Stuff" = chicken shawarma and gyro. Particularly the latter. It is really the meat equivalent of butter... that might make more sense in my head than in this review...no matter you understand that it is DELICIOUS. Also, this is the best deal around anywhere! The hubs and I always just split a platter and once or twice we've even had leftovers (it seems that depending on who's scooping you end up with a lot of food or a ridiculous amount of food). Lastly, if you are stronger than I and have gone all the way on the veg path, there are lots of options for you as well which I'm sure are awesome since the beans that come on the meat platters are delish.
To all of those doubters scared off by the appearance: I am a pretty big wuss when it comes to "dives," but this place is absolutely legit. -
Review from Mark M.
Baltimore, MD
7/31/2011
I'm always craving falafel. Since I was working at the Hilton about two blocks away, I figured I would check this spot out since the other reviews on Yelp seem to make this place seem like some sort of diamond in the rough which is DC.
WRONG.
More like a lump of coal.
The falafel was awful.
I have to say....
...eating food from this place is just as bad as watching Entourage.
You all take that how you will...remember..it's just an opinion. -
Review from Miriam W.
4/22/2007
Sometimes I sit back, mouth full of falafel with hummus on my chin, and wonder what I ever did to deserve a place this ridiculously delicious in walking distance of my place. It is close enough that getting my favorite Washingtonian to fetch me fattoush salad and a falafel platter is a snap!
To get maximum taste satisfaction, be sure to order one or more of the following:
Fava Beans (this one's not on the written menu but ask for it!) smashed falafel in fava beans with tomato, onions, feta cheese, lemon juice and oil, served with warm french bread for dipping
Fattoush Salad lettuce, parsley, tomato, green onion, cucumber, olive oil and lemon juice, topped with toasted pita bits
Beef Sharwama Plate fresh beef cutlet marinated with garlic and mixed spices
FALAFEL (all caps for emphasis, in case that was not clear) Sandwich and/or Plate, either way you cannot go wrong! The sandwich comes in a pita with lettuce, tomato, onion, tahini sauce and hot sauce. All plates come with salad, pita bread and your choice of rice or beans.
El Khartoum is a popular haunt for DC cabbies and a perfect place to get your daily dose of Al Jazeera while you wait for your falafel. This ethnically authentic gem never fails to please my taste buds!Listed in: Cheap Eats, Washington, DC
-
Review from Steph L.
Updated - 11/21/2008
Recently El Khartoum added some new dishes to the menu and it includes some very authentic Sudanese dishes.
We tried a dish called Gousara yesterday. It's a whole wheat pancake the size of a regular dinner plate and is topped with your choice of sauce. The sauces include chicken, lamb, spinach and okra. The pancake tastes like an Ethiopian injera, but thinner and not as spongy or sour. We chose the lamb sauce yesterday and along with the generous ladle of sauce two big pieces of lamb chop were also put on the top of the pancake. It didn't look like a lot of food, but just like Ethiopian food, all the sauce and the pancake really fills you up. It was delicious.
The owner told us that back in Sudan they eat Gousara every Friday. When Friday rolls around, all the family members would gather at one person's home, they would make the pancake as big as those injera pans, and each week they make a different sauce. Now that's my kinda party!!Listed in: My Neighborhood
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
9/18/2007
Awesome place to just grab a gyro or falafel when you're feeling cheap but want a large amount of… Read more »
-
-
Review from Tony M.
Brooklyn, NY
8/27/2006
This is a great place. I personally love the chicken shawarma. It never disappoints.
Not great atmosphere, but you don't need atmosphere with this food. The guys who work there are really nice, too. -
Review from Maple Q.
San Francisco, CA
10/20/2009
Negatives
1 - I have deep suspicions that they're on the wrong side of the Darfur conflict.
2 - They once gave me a chicken wrap, and the chicken had not been deboned.
3 - The atmosphere is somewhat gross.
4 - Sometimes it takes an unconscionably long time.
Positives
1 - Delicious.
2 - Cheap.
3 - Open super late.
4 - The cheese slices are as big as Steve-O's Steve-O tattoo. -
Review from Chris T.
Washington, DC
10/12/2008
Had a hankering for some shawarma so I stopped here on a Sunday before heading to Harris Teeter on Kalorama to do my grocery shopping. The guy working the counter was very friendly and took his time to explain to me what all the different dishes were. I had heard that sometimes they have Moulokhia (Egyptian greens stewed with beef and tomato) which I wanted to try, but not this visit.
To be honest, while El Khartoum is advertised as Sudanese, many of the dishes seemed to be generically Middle Eastern. But that isn't necessarily a bad thing. In fact, after consuming my chicken shawarma (with everything on it, aka Anthony Bourdain style), I went back up and said "I have $3 left over and I want some more food" so he dished up some beans and falafel and assorted goodies in a bowl.
That being said, I have had better middle eastern food for comparable prices, so I can't give El Khartoum 5 stars. But for "DC-cheap" eats, I think El Khartoum is a quality establishment. -
Review from Jon F.
San Francisco, CA
5/22/2007
Clearly, most of the reviewers have never had a proper shwarma. This shwarma is overly seasoned, and usually pretty dry. The hummus, too, is a sham. It tastes mostly of tahini, lacking the garlic and lemon juice that make hummus so good. This was truly one of the most disappointing meals I've ever eaten. However, the little lamb kefta ball that came with the hummus was tasty.
Also, sudanese? Unless Sudanese cuisine is the same as Middle Eastern cuisine, I don't know what the food there has to do with Sudan. -
Review from Heather D.
Chicago, IL
7/18/2008
Tried this place last night after all the stellar yelp reviews. It is a great little local place, a hidden secret from all the tourist haunts in DC. When I saw it I was a bit worried about the lack of people in there on a Thursday night, but when I saw that the few people that were in there were Sudanese, I knew I was in for a treat. Most of the food is pre-made and sitting in warming bins. This may seem worrisome, but I actually liked it for two reasons: 1) You can see what they have available, and this is always helpful when trying new things, and 2) It is quite obvious that everything is homemade. I can just see an old Sudanese woman toiling away each morning to make the hummous from scratch.
We tried the chicken schwarma platter and the falafel platter. Very inexpensive, and you seem to get a little bit of everything with your plate: rice, green beans, stewed beans, hummous, salad and pita. The falafel was flavorful, but a little dry. The chicken schwarma was very good, ask for it spicy and they add a delicious red sauce on top.
They have some very cool drinks as well; my boyfriend got probably the best ginger ale I've ever had in a bottle and I tried the hibiscus drink they had swirling around the machine. It was fragrant with a slight sweetness that was very refreshing.
If I was considering moving to Dupont/Adams Morgan, this would be on my list of pluses! -
Review from Ryan S.
Washington, DC
4/14/2009
The first time I walked into this shack I knew when I was in for a treat.... either a delicious meal or a meal followed up with a bottle of pepto. Quite a tasty establishment! The chicken shawarma is really good. Particularly the patter version (the portions are huge for $9) and if you want it spicy go with the jalapeno sauce on the side. Ummmm.
The gyro sandwiches and patters are solid too. I've pretty much had the whole menu by now. A nice surprise was the fava bean plate...beans, feta, veggies, oil, and a hard boiled egg.
I crave this place on the regular. It's pretty good for soaking up beverages from the night before too. Just don't bring you're parents or grandparents, it's not the cleanest place. -
Review from Lindsay V.
Washington, DC
1/18/2009
The first time I walked in here the guy behind the counter instantly involved me in conversation, and I immediately regretted coming in when I saw that they ladle their food out of cafeteria-style vats and stick it into a heater before serving. But I was dead wrong - it's delicious.
I always find myself craving El Khartoum at lunchtime -- the vegetable platter, the falafel and oh my GOD the okra. I admit I've actually sacked the lunch I brought to work in favor of walking the 10 blocks over there.
A lot of people I've talked to are aware this place is there, given its great location smack between Dupont and Adams Morgan, but have never gone in because of its somewhat dumpy appearance. If you ask me, they should invest in a big fancy sign to differentiate themselves from the other hole-in-the-wall establishments on either side.
Please go, you will not regret it!! -
Review from angela n.
4/28/2007
In one corner are US Army recruiting brochures, in Arabic! In the other corner, the TV plays Al Jazeera. In the middle, a friendly counter guy glances at war footage on the news and tells me the world's gotten scary. I like this place.
The falafel is garlicky and tasty (50 cents a ball). I also tried the $4 fava beans (thanks for the tip, Miriam) -- a very filling dish of cooked beans in rich sauce with tomatoes, topped with onions, cheese, parsley... It comes with your choice of french bread or pita. Affordable hole in the wall. I'll be back. -
Review from Salmaan T.
Washington, DC
10/11/2009
As others have stated, don't be scared off by the appearance. The food is fresh and very tasty. The shawarma is flavorful and they actually have a beef and chicken shawarma pit, not some frozen meat that is thawed out.
Their jumbo slices are average, and $3.50. Not alot of sauce but hits the spot. I haven't order an entire pizza so I can't talk about the freshness of the jumbo slice.
Nice atmosphere, relaxing and about a 10 minute walk from my place. I'll be coming back. I'll be trying the food from the cafeteria-style bins next time. -
Review from Michelle L.
Washington, DC
12/29/2009
Simply the best, cheapest, tastiest hole-in-the-wall eating you'll find in DC (aside from Moby Dick in Georgetown). The place could certainly use a good renovation and scrubdown, but if you're not bothered by these kinds of things then I highly recommend El Khartoum. You'll probably have enough food for two meals.
The chicken is roasted on a rotating spit of deliciousness, the line moves rather quickly, and every now and again you may understand whatever it is they're playing on the huge television parked over the beverage fridge. -
Review from Andrew K.
10/1/2006
I really liked this place for a Yom Kippur dinner. In fact, it's the only true hole in the wall I've experienced in D.C., with delicious ethnic (Sudanese) food at rock-bottom prices. The place is simple in its decor - had an 80's cafeteria feel, and the pre-prepared food looked unappetizing in it's orginal form. My chicken shwarma platter was good, complete with veggies and warm pita-like bread. The gyro (YEE-ROE) was better, though they mispronounced it (JAH-EYE-ROE). Everybody I was with seemed to enjoy their food, including fava beans, hummus, and hibiscus juice. Al Jazeera played in the background and a lot of Muslim Africans visited the place, giving it a legit air.
Listed in: DC
-
Review from d c.
Washington, DC
4/25/2007
As a former NY transplant, I miss the days where I could run to the corner and get cheap, delicious ethnic food. El Khartoum is one of my favorite places in DC (and it's literally around the corner from me). It's seriously a dive but the guys there are nice and the food is worth it. I always get the chicken shwarma, but the gyros look so good, I wish I ate lamb. My partner always gets the vegetarian platter, which is literally all the vegetarian dishes they have in the place. The hibiscus drink is a little acquired for my taste.
-
Review from Beth L.
1/29/2009
El Khartoum is the bomb. It's not pleasant on the eyes, but the consistently delicious Sudanese food sooo makes up for it. For just a little bit of money (5-7 bucks for a sandwich, 6-9 for a platter), you get a lot of fresh, flavorful food. Their falafel is good, just not very hot temperature-wise. I had the vegetable falafel sandwich, which had falafel, babaghanoosh, hummus, lots of raw red onions, and eggplant. The combo of flavors was excellent. Their chicken is wonderful! They put lots of red onions in everything (cooked and raw). Definitely try the chicken shwarma platter (7.99), which includes lots of tasty chicken and cooked onion, tahini sauce (which tastes sooo good with it), rice (get the yellow rice), and salad with fresh red onions. Gotta remove one star cuz I came back recently and the falafel wasn't so hot (literally)...go for the chix tho and you should be good!
-
Review from Pinaki S.
Charleston, SC
11/30/2008
Oh man, the chicken and mix lamb/beef shwarma sandwich is possibly the best I've ever eaten.
-
Review from Ben B.
Washington, DC
1/18/2011
Excellent food. With crisp vegetables, juicy meats, and savory sauces you cant go wrong with el khartoum.
The main problem is that the people working there can barely speak english. I am allergic to nuts and through a previous encounter I found out that one of there sauces includes nuts in it. This poses an issue as there is no way I can find out which one it is, and thus must forgo sauces all together.
(If anyone knows which shawarma sauce has nuts then please dont hesitate to tell me. I know there is a dark colored watery sauce which I think is ok, but there is one beige sauce which is thick and that is the one I believe has nuts)
Basically the food is quite good, but if you need to communicate you might be out of luck. -
Review from Sarah F.
Brooklyn, NY
3/20/2008
My boss and I have a client that lives right down the block from this place and I look forward to going to meetings just so I can get lunch here. The falafel platter is so yummy, always fresh and hot and extremely filling. The people that work there are very nice and also quite generous when it comes to my requests for extra sauces.
-
Review from Lucy K.
Washington, DC
10/28/2008
This is one of my absolute favorite eats in DC. I live about a block away and have had almost everything on their menu. First of all, I'd like to give 5 stars for their service. I've gotten to know all of the guys who work there and they've been incredibly kind to my friends and family when I bring them to El Khartoum for the first time. They have a great attitude at this place and many have interesting insights on the political situation in Sudan - if you're in the mood to chat. The food is stellar. I usually get the chicken shwarma platter with the lentil rice and spicy sauce. Their gyros are also very tasty - as is the precooked dinner food in the platters on the counter. This is a great place for a cheap and filling meal, and the best part is that they stay open late. It can take some time to make the food so I would suggest calling in your order before you walk in.
-
Review from Izzat A.
10/17/2010
Went here with a friend who has raved about the place. Got a huge slice of cheese pizza for 3.50 and it was pretty good. The place definitely isn't kept well, but the food is worth it. Pretty good place, I'll come here again.
-
Review from Ryan K.
Manhattan, NY
8/17/2006
This little hole-in-the-wall Sudanese spot is nothing to look at, and most of the food is generic middle eastern. The authentic falafel is their secret weapon; the best I've had in the city, hands down. If you like your falafel the way it's supposed to be - moist, doughy & fried-to-order, go no further. Way better than that Amsterdam spot up the street.
-
Review from Elise W.
Washington, DC
Updated - 11/9/2010
I've been back to El Khartoum several times since my first review and I love it every time. I like to get the shwarma with both types of meat. Delicious!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
9/6/2008
Last night my friend and I went to El Khartoum after the bars closed. I'd never read any reviews of… Read more »
-
-
Review from Curls C.
Montgomery Village, MD
12/13/2010
A friend & I went midweek evening. The service was fast enough & friendly.
Both of us were disappointed in the food after reading the reviews here. The chicken shwarma was okay, but nothing special & I'vd had better. The falafal were unusual in texture & flavor, a little bready or fluffy, & some favor that wasn't a spice but wasn't standard. Neither of us liked them & we didn't finish them off. The fava beans were good.
The prices are not very expensive at all, & the portions are large.
Both of us left saying it was fine that we tried it, but we wouldn't come back.
I don't like to write negative reviews, but thought the series of glowing ones here could use our much more neutral to negative addition.
Everything else was fine. It's a cafeteria style, & a hole in the wall, but seemed reasonably clean for one & the bathroom works. -
Review from Christopher C.
Washington, DC
12/21/2009
As big as a Chipotle burrito, El Khartoum's shwarmas certainly do provide value for money... if quanitity is what you're looking for, but in my opinion, bigger is not always better. Maybe I'm spoiled or maybe it's just how they make them in Sudan, but I found El Khartoum's chicken shwarma to be sadly underwhelming. I suppose the steam table should have been a warning; who makes shwarmas from something out of a steam table?!? And removing the meat and frying it is not going to produce anything remotely similar to the real deal sliced off of a rotating spit. They did seem to have a large Middle Eastern clientele, but that could have been due to the soccer match that everyone seemed to be watching. And what's up with the addition of the pizza? Have we reached a new low where everyone wants to take advantage of Adams Morgan's drunks and get a piece of the jumbo slice market?
Listed in: Gettin' My Middle Eastern On
-
Review from Tom W.
New York, NY
5/20/2010
Really really good chicken shawarma. I have no idea if that's spelled right, but as with El Khartoum, those kinds of frilly details are of no importance. It's all content, i.e. tasty food. As you've probably gathered from all the other reviews, the actual space is a little divey, but don't be deterred. If you are somehow deterred anyway, no problem: they recently started delivering! Other positives are the guy who I think is the owner is always super friendly, and they even have outdoor seating now (one table for two, so go early/often to snag it!)
-
Review from annie k.
Los Angeles, CA
3/27/2006
Don't bother. The only point is to say you've tried Sudanese food, which tastes like burnt Middle Eastern food.
-
Review from Saken K.
Washington, DC
2/9/2009
El Khartoum has pretty standard Middle Eastern food at a reasonable price. However, it makes these foods very well. I've had the gyro sandwich and platter and they were both excellent.
The gyro sandwich comes with salad and sauces (red and green hot sauces and yogurt sauce). The platter comes with two different types of rices, salad, and pita bread.
My own complaint is that the pita bread is not homemade, but of the standard store-bought variety.
My friend ordered the chicken platter and liked it as well. The restaurant also sells jumbo slice pizza (strange) in case you have a change of meal plans. -
Review from Brianne C.
Arlington, VA
9/13/2008
Make it easy on yourself. Just order the gyro platter, with extra spicy red sauce.
-
Review from John B.
12/24/2008
A lovable dump of the sort that makes me wish I still lived in the city. I wouldn't order anything besides foul or maybe okra. I am not a fan of the meats. The lamb is fine on the bone, but the presentation is heavy and oily. Sudanese people seem to order the foul for breakfast and I've observed them replenish the stock. The freshness of the meat, on the other hand, I cannot vouch for.
-
Review from Trina D.
Washington, DC
2/26/2008
How has everyone not bestowed 5 stars upon this place? It's one of the few truly cheap places in DC with outstanding food. I generally come with two friends, and we order the vegetable platter (my mouth waters as I type this) which is full of hummus, pita, falafel, eggplant, and other delicious goodies, all drizzled with tahini and their delicious hot sauce, a plate of fava beans, and a side of a few falafels. Without fail, for less than $20 total, we're stuffed to the gills and completely satisfied. Who cares if it's not Sudanese food, as long as it's oh so tasty.
BTW, the owner is super sweet. Also, don't forget to try the free tea--I think it's just cardomom or cloves in hot water, but it's great! -
Review from lucas p.
Washington, DC
3/30/2009
both the shwarma and falafel are delicious. fresh veggies, well seasoned/spiced/ homemade hummus etc.
the food is well priced and the staff friendly.
the sign in the window says something about "food with that come back taste" which pretty much sums it up. -
Review from Kendall G.
Bethesda, MD
6/20/2009
I used to live very close to El Khartoum and it was one of the best parts of the neighborhood. No, it is not super luxury dining. But it is an absolutely outstanding value for money. Forget ever going to the local fast food restaurants.
The sandwiches, including shawarma, falafel, and chicken, are all extremely good. One note, if you think these are familiar dishes: make sure you get them with the Sudanese red sauce. This is NOT Lebanese food.
Platers are good if you have time and want to soak up the atmosphere (including a lively community and the TV tuned to Al-Jazera). The breakfast dishes, such as the fuul and the feta-cheese omlette are delectable. Also, try the hibiscus drink. -
Review from John B.
Washington, DC
9/8/2009
Dumpy atmosphere but surprisingly good chicken shwarma sandwich.
-
Review from Matt S.
Washington, DC
2/17/2010
I am a fan of this place cause it is cheap and pretty damn tasty. As for the actual atmosphere of the place, I wouldn't suggest taking to hard of a look around. This place looks like it could be straight up out of Sudan. Aside from the awful atmosphere the food was good. I can't speak to the authenticity of the food because I myself have not been to Sudan, nor do I have any plans in the near future to visit. The food was pretty similar to your typical Middle Eastern fair. I had a chicken Shawarma platter which came with copious amounts of chicken and a whole lot of flavor. So if you can overlook the terrible ambiance and just eat the food you are in for a cheap treat.
-
Review from Mister Halfsmoke X.
Washington, DC
7/28/2009
Yo check it: Eli Carter, Ellie K, EKF, Florida Ave Shwarma, whateva you wanna call it, El Khartoum is the dope spot!!! I always get me the Chicken Shwarma plate with yellow rice, spicy and white sauce! WOW! Jizzzzzzayyyy! If you get that, you gotta complete your order with a cup of Hibiscus cold tea. Mmm so sweet and tangy! All this for about 10 washingtons. Nothin to get bugged out on. It's a deal ladies and gents. BUT there is a oddity occuring over there now. Looks like EK is tryin to get in on the PIZZA JUMBO SLICE scene. Dang, me no like. Whazzup with that eh? Guess they gotta make bread. But that takes away from the beautiful Sudan cuisine that i ever so cherish here. For the longest time it has been my favorite hole in wall that no one knows or is too scared to go in. I like it like that. I hope El Khartoumigo gets rid of pizza and keeps doin what that do best: CHICKEN SHWARMA!!! Oh yea and P.S. they deliver now. Wut wut!
-
Review from Lois F.
Fairfax, VA
10/27/2010
The vegetables are sooo good the Chicken Schwrama sandwich is HUGE I will return for the falafal and tubule. They are really nice. I recommend.
-
Review from Hanitizer H.
Washington, DC
2/23/2009
like the place, just about the only Sudanese restaurant in the area. I love their pizza (Hala meat) and other options, I am going to hit the place again for some good treats, the owners seem pretty rad.
-
Review from guy c.
Washington, DC
5/10/2009
Great food, especially the chicken shawarma platter.
