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Tunnicliff's Tavern
Categories: Restaurants American (Traditional) Nightlife Bars American (Traditional), Bars [Edit]
222 7th St SE(between S North Carolina Ave & S C St)
Washington, DC 20003
Neighborhood: Capitol Hill/Southeast
(202) 544-5680
- Nearest Transit:
-
Eastern Market Metro Station (Blue, Orange)
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 11 am - 1 am
Fri 11 am - 2 am
Sat-Sun 10 am - 2 am
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Music:
- Background
- Best Nights:
- Thu, Sun, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
132 reviews for Tunnicliff's Tavern
Review Highlights
"Excellent little gem in the Eastern Market area."
(in 50 reviews)
"I love the brunch, but lunch and dinner are great too."
(in 58 reviews)
"...wondered about the peanut butter and jelly pizza that is on..."
(in 2 reviews)
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132 reviews in English
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Review from Christine M.
Washington, DC
Updated - 2/4/2012
There are many reasons to visit Tunnicliff's Tavern, but even more reasons to return. The food is delicious. The bar and restaurant are clean and welcoming. The reason my husband and I keep returning and bringing our friends, though, is the service.
The staff is attentive, friendly, and engage the customers. It isn't an anonymous experience.
Overall, we love this place and will be returning again and again...if only to see what Danielle has posted on the chalkboard.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/9/2011
There are many reasons to visit Tunnicliff's Tavern, but even more reasons to return. The food is… Read more »
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Review from Heather S.
Brooklyn, NY
1/24/2012
One of the first brunches of my adult life came at Tunnicliff's several years ago. I was in DC visiting a friend and she had raved about the french toast at this cute little brunch spot in Capitol Hill. Of course I didn't get the french toast, but opted for the crab omelet instead. I couldn't help myself...I love crabs.
This past Sunday I was in DC again visiting that same friend. We woke up a tad torn up from a night of celebration at Little Miss Whiskey's and were slow to move on with the day. Everyone agreed we were hungry and that a quick brunch was in order before we all traveled back to where we belonged, so it was decided that we'd be going to old reliable Tunnicliff's.
We were seated immediately and overall I had no complaints about the service. Coffee/waters were refilled whenever empty and our food came out reasonably quick.
This time I switched it up and ordered the Eggs Chesapeake (two poached eggs w/ lump crab meat, hollandaise sauce & home fries). (See? I do love crabs.) It was good, but nothing special. and I couldn't really see myself longing for it anytime soon. Another person ordered the Mediterranean omelet and was disappointed to find whole slices of tomato stuffed carelessly in between the folds of egg whites.
Other than the food being just average the place itself is pretty nice. If I were ever to live in that area of DC I'd definitely know my go-to spot to catch the game and drink beer. They have outdoor seating on the sidewalk as well, which they keep covered and heated in the winter. -
Review from Amy C.
12/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
My roommate organized a happy hour/fundraiser here. Everyone who donated got to enjoy an extended happy hour menu with food. We were allowed to take over any tables we wanted or just stand by the bar... That is until a waitress with a nasty attitude told me I couldn't stand at the end of bar. She didn't give me a reason at all, just shooed me away to the other side of the bar. At first, I assumed I was in her way somehow, but over time more members of our group gravitated to that exact same spot but she didn't say anything to them!
As the evening went on, some of us ordered dinner. When my soup came out, I saw it was served by the unfriendly waitress and I prayed she didn't spit in my food. I asked her to set it down at a table and thanked her to which she replied with just "Uh-huh." Um, I don't always expect service with a smile, but I do appreciate manners. Good thing I'm not obligated to leave you a tip, honey.
I have NO idea what I did to offend this waitress but aside from this one person, everyone else was great, especially the bartender who was a pro at juggling the busy Tuesday night crowd. The food is served in gigantic proportions. The space is great as well--very roomy. They even have the front outdoor seating area heated. -
Review from Rachel E.
Washington, DC
2/3/2012
Decent crabcake sandwiches but terrible turkey burgers. Great service. Dive bar rock music playing. If you sit outside, expect to be surrounded by smokers at this place. Feeding the birds that hop around inside the tented area almost made it worth it.
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Review from Kristin M.
Washington, DC
Good fallback spot to grab lunch when you're out shopping Eastern Market! I keep trying to go other places and then fruitlessly ending up back at Tunnicliff's because it doesn't have a wait. Not that it's empty, but it's a pretty big place and there's always a table somewhere.
It's average in a lot of ways and not very interesting or exciting, but the food's good enough (brunch stuff, burgers, etc.), the beer selection's more interesting than you'd think, and other restaurants nearby have long lines when the market's hopping.
The most notable thing here is definitely the peanut butter and jelly pizza, which is just what it sounds like - peanut butter and jelly served on a round pizza crust with a sprinkling of mozzarella. It's hot, and weird - better as a novelty than as a meal.
I definitely prefer my old standby, the bacon cheeseburger! Not only does it have bacon on it (win!), the bacon is actually crispy (double win!).
No thrills here, but not a bad spot to have in your back pocket.Listed in: Good for groups (of drunks), Breakfast or Brunch!, Burger Me!
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Review from Molly W.
12/7/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Slow service. Decent food. $5 brunch mimosas and bloody marys.
You never get rushed out, but you also never get refills of coffee unless you pull the coattails of your waiter.
I do keep coming back here though. I just make sure to save a seat for my patience. -
Review from Chrissy L.
Leesburg, VA
12/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
It is pretty standard pub breakfast. If you're looking for some non-memorable food before or after you wander through the oh-so memorable Eastern Market, it works.
What does stand out is how ridiculously loud the TV's are. Granted, football was on, which I am always very distracted by, regardless of company. So if you want to ignore the people you went to eat with and watch Red Zone on a sunday afternoon, come here.
A bit of mismatch from the pace and attitude of the market next to it, but still manages just fine. I imagine eating outside would be a more enjoyable experience. -
Review from Kat S.
12/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
Tunnicliff's is a low key bar directly across from Eastern Market that serves as a respite of from the crowds, waits and hustle and bustle of the neighborhood. The patio makes for great people watching in warmer months. The dark wood paneling inside is inviting in colder months. The place has a simple, friendly, neighborhood vibe; you get the sense it was around long before Eastern Market was ever trendy.
The beer selection is none too adventurous but has some goodies like Magic Hat and Widmer on tap. Sadly, there's no happy hour to speak of. The food seemed pretty average across the board - nothing I'd return for. The bar is a good standby when you're in the area. -
Review from Ricardo W.
Hyattsville, MD
1/14/2012
First time visit to Tunnicliffs. Absolutely amazing. No need to a 3 paragraph review about my experience. Just a really nice place to have a drink and good food.
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Review from JOsh A.
Washington, DC
1/13/2012
Tunnicliffs is to the Eastern Market area what Trusty's is to the Potomac Ave area, a solid neighborhood bar. If you live in Eastern Market or are in the area and want a decent meal and a few drinks, this is place. There is rarely a wait for a seat and the atmosphere is cozy and friendly. Decent food, an average beer list, a great blood mary, and fair prices.
Tunnicliffs is nothing to come across town for, but very happy to have such a reliable establishment nearby. -
Review from Andy S.
Washington, DC
1/14/2012
Great food. Staff is great most of the time, sometimes they can be a bit surly. When my dear old dad, comes down to visit, we usually come here. Pasta dishes are fantastic, the crab cakes are pretty good too. Could have a wider beer selection.
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Review from J K.
Washington, DC
10/17/2011
Tunnicliff's has always been the reliable place to grab a weekend breakfast when all the other places have been slammed. Yes, Tunni's, you've always been our last choice. The food was typically okay.
But lately, the quality has dwindled along with the service. After sitting at the bar with not even as much as an acknowledgment from the wait staff - we went down to Senart's instead. Talk about a difference. Senart's had fresh air -- not the cancerous smoke found at Tunnicliff, yummy dishes vs. over burnt bacon and rubbery eggs, and pitch perfect service (not the cantankerous attitude from the hostess). -
Review from Jen H.
Washington, DC
1/3/2012 1 Check-in Here
Great atmosphere, delicious food, and very pleasant service.
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Review from Ben S.
8/30/2011 1 Check-in Here
If you're a police officer, your opinion of this place would likely vary from mine - it seems to be a hang-out for off-duty cops.
I had a couple Widmers and some appetizers (wings, quesadillas, and calamari split among the table) here, but rather than tasting those, I just couldn't dodge a strong smell of old dishwashing detergent, and it ruined the experience. That's a pity, because there's potential. The location seemed good (near Eastern Market), and there were beautiful televisions around the place - they even had Wii, which people were enjoying. The music was cheesy, but that's easily overlooked. Service was par, but mostly, I really couldn't get over the smell as I was trying to eat. Hopefully that was an exception, and not the norm.
I just hope to avoid arrest for a less-than-stellar review. -
Review from Jando S.
8/6/2011 6 photos
Strolling around the Eastern Market on a lovely summer afternoon is one of my favorite things to do in DC. Only doing so builds up quite an appetite and walking by the various food stands never helps the hunger pangs, so my first time here it was off to Tunnicliff's we went. A multi-floored Irish bar packed with people was already a good sign, even it if meant the wait was to be a little long.
Though the outside tables were perfect for people watching, the humid weather forced us to get a table inside near the bar. The place was hoppin - groups upon groups of semi-drunkards were wolfing down heaps of brunch grub, with all of the fixins any comfort foodie would want.
After waiting for a good bit, the food finally arrived. What was presented was a good sampling of some of the best brunch variety on the menu: the infamous crab cake benedicts, breakfast burrito, potato and cheese stuffed omelette, and breakfast sandwich. For the most part, everything was decent but hardly impressionable for the experienced bruncher. The breakfast burrito was a tad on the small side, the stuffed omelette was hearty, but the crab cake benedict stole the show. They were moist, flavorful, and delicious. It will be my go-to dish for all future visits.
What was off about the place was the service. Long waits were endured for drink refills, food orders, and check requests, even after a semi-long wait to get seated. They certainly weren't the friendly bunch of wait staff, presumably too busy considering this was the ever-popular weekend brunch service. Since locals swear by this place, I'd probably give this place a shot again down the line - be it for brunch or as a neighborhood bar.
But the next time, I'll spend a little more time in the market. -
Review from Jack S.
Washington, DC
7/21/2011
Reuben was recommended, Reuben was had. Reuben was delicious.
Great little tavern. Not too crowded on a Wednesday night. Decent beer selection. Kind of wish we had some more of these over in the Shaw/U St. area. -
Review from D'Won A.
Washington D.C., DC
10/29/2011 27 Check-ins Here
Mellow and competent staff. A very mature crowd. Nice atmosphere.
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Review from Hungry I.
Washington, DC
9/18/2011
This is a good place to grab some brunch on the weekend, but be warned that Sunday features only their brunch menu. Most of their food is menu is decent, but nothing really stands out as excellent.
The one note of worth is their weekend mimosas. While they do not feature the tired "endless mimosa" deal, they do fill their wine glasses near to the top of the glass with champagne before topping it off with orange juice, a novel and very generous boon to their brunch.
The prices are fair and the fact that the market is across the street is a big plus. -
Review from Kelby B.
Washington, DC
11/12/2011
They have a casual setup with good service and good food. This is better as a hang out spot with outdoor seating than for sports watching. Service is quick.
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Review from Katlyn Y.
Silver Spring, MD
8/2/2011
Excellent little gem in the Eastern Market area. A friend told me once in passing their brunch was impossible to get a seat in and I had to try it. The french toast is amazing, although I'm sure able to shave a few years off my life for the sweetness and sugar included! Potatoes leave something to be desired, and the boyfriend reported that the omelets were good.
Do yourself a favor and try to go in bad weather - you'll get a seat faster with the market not being a zoo! -
Review from Su Jin K.
Arlington, VA
3/4/2011
I prefer Tunnicliff's as a brunch place rather than as a bar. The staples of brunch are the breakfast burrito with huge chunks of chorizo or the crab omelettes. The portions are generous and the prices are reasonable, and the service is decent. I especially like sitting outside during nicer days and just people-watching as people walk to and from church, cafes, Eastern Market, jog, etc. It's a prime location for that. On less than perfect weather days, the plastic see-through tarp provides ample protection from rain and cold, and the heat lamps work fine (though it's better to sit right next to them).
As a bar, the few times I went, it was just ok. I went once for dinner, and it took forever to get a server to seat me, and the food was not as good as its brunch fare. I went a few times to watch a couple of football games, and I think I prefer other bars in the area (in terms of size of TVs, beer selection, seating space, atmosphere, etc.).
Having learned this about my preferences, I think Tunnicliff's is a solid brunch option on the weekends, and when I lived close by, I regularly took my out-of-town guests there for Sunday brunch, followed by Eastern Market shopping and Capitol Hill strolling. -
Review from Justin L.
Brooklyn, NY
5/8/2011
Was
Able
To handle
Large groups. Breakfast
Burrito was flavorful though bit small. -
Review from Brian B.
11/27/2010
A little history: William Tunnicliff had two taverns in what would become Capitol Hill back in the 1790s. John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, John Marshall and others all visited here. Back then it was located on Pennsylvania SE between 8th and 9th, and then moved to the corner of 1st ST and A ST NE. From 1814 to 1825, the site at 1st and A was the temporary capitol during the rebuilding of the original which the Brits burned down in 1814. Of course, there is no corner of 1st ST and A ST NE anymore because the government built the darn Supreme Court on it in 1935. Bad call, government! Add this to the fact that the current Tunny's sits right across the street from Eastern Market which has been up and running since 1873.
Anyway, this is a great place for brunch on a Saturday or Sunday morning to energize yourself for an hour or two of shopping at Eastern Market. The outside seating area is covered in a heated plastic tarp with a "window facsimile" so you can still do some nice people and doggie watching while you eat during the winter months. Speaking of eat, the eats here are nothing terribly incredible but they are pretty solid. You'll get your typical array of breakfast/ brunch staples but you'll get it at a place with a cool atmosphere, a prime, exciting location and a lot of history. They make an EXCELLENT bloody mary, I might add.Listed in: I get my thrill in Capitol…
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Review from Sarah M.
1/5/2011
I came here for brunch with a long, lost friend. It was cold and raining and we were starving so we picked the closest place which happened to be here.
They had a pretty extensive brunch menu - much bigger than I thought it would be. We both ordered the breakfast burrito which had giant chunks of sausage in them. Like, huge chunks. They were really good. My favorite part was the roasted potatoes...they were crispy in all the right places, just enough salt, and not too mushy...all of the crucial qualities in roasted tots.
Not the prettiest place in the world and they stuck us at the romantic table in the back for 2...but I kind of liked it. -
Review from Lauren S.
10/23/2010 1 Check-in Here
This place is fine, for those who don't have any sort of food allergy or sensitivity. I'm allergic to wheat and have to be suspect of everything. When I requested a check of the seasoning or marinade on the steak I was about to eat, the waitress looked at me like I had three heads. After assuring me that there would be no seasoning or marinade, the steak came out swimming in a brown pool of sauce. She tried to tell me it was just the oil from the meat. Riiiiiiiight.
Turns out it was a marinade, which likely had wheat. She yelled at me about the idiocy of the chef instead of apologizing for their mistake. When I told her I would rather just have her remove the item from my bill, that I lost my appetite - which can happen when you're scared a place has no idea what they're doing - she was furious.
I'm sure this lack of education about food allergies and special preparation is a non-issue for most of their patrons, but the service is terrible. She started off telling us how awful of a day she was having. Yikes. We didn't even ask!Listed in: Ameri-CAN
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Review from Misha T.
11/22/2010
I read somewhere about a solid reuben here and that's pretty much what it was. Not something worthy of the hallowed halls of new york but as a post work, grab a few beers and hang out, spot it does the trick.
They happy hour isn't super great but the wings are half off after 7 and the bleu cheese that came with them was the real deal and really made a difference in terms of having sort of w/e wings and having some pretty good ones -
Review from Lindsay L.
Washington, DC
1/5/2011
Tunnicliff's is a good neighborhood bar. They probably are best known for the brunch, tasty omelettes and a yummy breakfast sandwich are among the offerings, but the non-brunch food is good too.
As far as food allergies go, I'm happy to say I've had better experiences here than other reviewers. I can't eat dairy and they are always great about making sure to hold the cheeses, creams, etc. and are very understanding.
But at the end of the day, Tunnicliff's is what it is: a neighborhood gem with good, not great, food that can cure any hangover, decent service, strong drinks and great people watching. -
Review from Lindsay M.
Washington D.C., DC
7/9/2011
A perfect brunch spot to enjoy Eastern Market. I've tried Tunnicliff's several times over 8 months and never walked away disappointed. Even at its busiest, the wait to sit outside has never been too out of control, and while the service isn't 5-star-restaurant style, that's not what this place is about anyway. Laidback staff, delicious and straightforward food, $5 mimosas/bloody marys/irish coffees . . . I don't know what's not to like. It impresses locals and out-of-town guests alike.
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Review from Ken Y.
Baltimore, MD
8/27/2011
This spot typically offers good food and service at reasonable prices. Omelettes and sandwiches are definitely smart choices. For brunch items served with "eggs any style" be sure to specify! Our waiter went with the assumption of poached.
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Review from Jay R.
Arlington, VA
8/23/2011
We needed to fuel up before cruising Eastern Market. About 10:30A on a Sunday, and the area was hopping. It was pretty hot and humid outside, so we didn't want to sit curbside. We just happened across this place, so went inside and were seated right away. Our server, Steve, was relatively swift and efficient, if not particularly friendly. We both had omelettes; mine was a western, which had peppers that tasted like they were sauteed ahead of time with some spices; an interesting and tasty twist. Good coffee, pretty raucous environment (but then it *is* a bar), all around decent meal. Right down the middle; three stars.
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Review from Andrew H.
5/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
tunnicliff's seems to be a classic neighborhood bar/restaurant...low key, nestled next to eastern market, with traditional appetizers (artichoke dip, chicken fingers, quesadilla, etc) and food (pizzas, sandwiches, sliders, etc). all in all, it could've been a relaxing evening out with friends sharing one last outing before one of us heads off to the west coast.
but...the server was horrible. i didn't catch their name and i really don't like calling individuals out. i'm sure there are good servers who actually enjoy talking to their guests and can name the beers that are on tap and come by to check on water and won't challenge a guest when they say their drink is not prepared right...but our guy was not that server.
i definitely don't mean for this review to be a complete judgement on tunnicliffs as i'm sure it can be much better...perhaps for brunch or with another server. so i wouldn't be against trying this place out again. -
Review from Megan C.
Bethesda, MD
3/19/2011
The thing that drew us in to Tunnicliffs' Tavern was it's demanding sign telling us to eat lunch, coupled with a Charlie Sheen quote. Sass and wit, sold.
This hot spot in Eastern Market has a covered patio that is very popular on the weekends. While I'd rather sit outside, we did not want to wait so we grabbed a seat inside. The wait staff was kind, the food was good and the place was clean and had character. Washingtonians tend to day-drink on Sundays and this place seemed to be a popular place for it. WIth the game on at the expansive bar, it didn't take long to realize why that is.
Great crab cakes, by the way. It's a good stop--especially if your visitors are tired of food trucks and want to rest their feet in some a/c. -
Review from Michael B.
Washington, DC
12/15/2010
Neighborhood Bar at its finest.
The people watching is ... something to cherish. -
Review from Will D.
Washington, DC
8/30/2011
A great neighborhood pub where the food is not an afterthought. Good beer selection, the bartenders are friendly, and the food is better than average. Good sandwiches/burgers, good salads, and good pizza. The place turns into a zoo during weekend brunch, but it's generally more laid back the rest of the week.
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Review from Faith G.
Washington, DC
7/7/2011
Horrible service, disgusting food, dirty and gross space. I don't know why anyone would want to eat here. Ever.
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Review from Glen J.
Washington, DC
11/13/2011
The once good food here now seems to be off the menu. Just had a terrible breakfast here with guests that was an odd mix of hot, warm and cold in all the wrong places. To make matters worse, the kitchen's corrections were even worse. Cold Eggs Florentine with untoasted english muffins was returned with toasted english muffins but poached eggs which had been microwaved making them hard boiled. A Farmers Omelet had hot mash potatoes but was otherwise cold as were the home fries. A cold plate was returned steaming hot but with still raw home fries. When leaving I did notice a large number of untouched potatoes at other tables. This was once the Sunday brunch at Eastern Market and on Capitol Hill but clearly the kitchen doesn't care anymore. The line cooks require training or replacement becuase this is no way to prepare a breakfas tap that exceeds $50.00. Failure of managment to recognize a situation that clearly involves a substandard offerings makes you wonder if there is even the potential for this place to return to its once high standards. Formerly a regular, my party lingered around Easter Market (always enjoyable) for an hour for Tunnicliffs to open and could not have been more disappointed with the experience.
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Review from Laura K.
Washington, DC
10/11/2010
Given the amount of places to get good brunch in this town, this is one that's not worth going out of your way for. If you've made it to Eastern Market on the weekend, then you're probably looking for some Mimosas or Bloody Mary's, which this place has and does pretty well. The rest of the menu, however, sounds a lot better than the food tastes. I've had a burger and the grilled cheese -- they were about as average as average gets.
It does have a patio that allows dogs, but you won't be able to get a table for more than 2 for brunch without a bit of a wait. The place is pretty chill at any other time. Rumor is true: they are unisex bathrooms but one of them has a urinal. They should really just invest in men/women signs. -
Review from Hannah P.
7/6/2011
Got to this place sometime after noon, and it was still brunch only. The eggs Benedict was average. The meat didn't seem to be Canadian bacon and it was way too thick. The sauce was weak. The drinks were awesome though. The Bloody Marys were thick. The Vodka Gimlets strong; tasted just like key lime pie, so it's easy to have too many.
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Review from Scot W.
8/24/2010
Tunnicliff's is always a solid option for lunch or a quick dinner and drinks. The prices are reasonable, the food is good pub food; their burgers are consistently pretty good and I really enjoy the buffalo chicken sandwich.
The black and blue burger is particularly good, when it comes to burgers.
The outdoor seating is a great thing to have as an option in the Eastern Market neighborhood
Bottom line: good drinks, fair prices, good pub food and reasonable service. -
Review from Anne B.
Washington, DC
10/19/2010
I came here about a week ago for brunch at 12:30 with a party of 5. We got seated immediately, which was surprising.
Our waiter was clearly stoned, which was OK, but he didn't write anything down, which wasn't. Fortunately, when he forgot to bring us something he generally also forgot to add it to the bill.
I had the farmer's omelet, which contains mashed potatoes, bacon, cheddar cheese, and sour cream. Holy shit, that's a great combination. My boyfriend said the bacon was overcooked, which is probably true, but it didn't detract from my omelet experience. I also had half an order of pancakes. They were unspectacular but still tasted like pancakes.
All in all, this is one of my favorite mediocre but reliable brunch spots in DC.
