Your out-of-town visitors have arrived. You have a great day of sightseeing planned—the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, the Mall, war memorials, the Smithsonian—followed by a relaxing dinner to rest everyone’s tired feet. The answer to your question, “where would you like to eat?” has you hyperventilating. The Olive Garden? Really?? Or maybe the choices you hear include Ruby Tuesdays, Outback, the Red Lobster, or (wait for it) McDonald’s. What are they thinking?
Let’s face it. Most tourists are not that adventurous and, left to their own devices, seek out the tried and true. Applebee’s won’t win any James Beard Awards, but at least the dining experience is predictable. Fast food restaurants know this, one reason why tourists areas in DC are filled with every chain restaurant imaginable. But this is your city and you would hardly be a true Washingtonian if you took your guests to a restaurant they could find in Peoria. So you need to come up with some acceptable alternatives—fast.
Well, Woman Around Town has done the work for you. We sent our writers a list of fast food and chain restaurants and asked them to recommend substitutes that will, hopefully, score points with your guests.
Instead of Olive Garden, try….
Pasta Mia
“Authentic Italian, family-owned, cozy, located in Adams Morgan, quaint, only open for dinner.” Veronica Hughes
1790 Columbia Rd NW, 202-328-9114
Instead of Red Lobster, try
Phillips Seafood
“High quality seafood!” Jenna Nicole Levine
“Philips, local, good variety of seafood.” Veronica Hughes
900 Water Street, SW, 202-488-8515
Jerry’s Seafood
“Two words for you—Crab Bomb. Jerry’s provides some of the freshest, most amazingly seasoned and cooked seafood around. The Crab Bomb is the signature mound of thick, backfin meat, butter and seasonings. Enough to make one forget that Red Lobster exists.” Stephani McDow
9364 Lanham-Severn Road, Lanham, Maryland, 301-577-0333
15211 Major Lansdale Boulevard, Bowie, Maryland, 301-805-2284
Instead of Ruby Tuesday’s, try…
Clyde’s of Georgetown
“Local, good comfort food— Chili, burgers, etc. Nice brunch.” Veronica Hughes
3236 M Street, NW, Washington, DC, 202-333-9180
Instead of Long John Silver’s, try…
Red Hook Lobster Pound
“It’s Lobster Rolls in a traveling truck.” Jenna Nicole Levine
Check website for locations. 202-341-6263
Eamonn’s a Dublin Chipper
“The only real ‘Dublin Chipper’ this side of the Atlantic, Eamon’s serves up battered cod and hand cut potatoes just begging to be drenched in malt vinegar or dipped in the house made curry sauce. Eamonn’s offers pub style seating for up to twenty. Draft Guinness available.” Sarah Markel
728 King Street, Alexandria, Virginia, 703-299-8384
Instead of Domino’s, try…
Jumbo Slice Pizza
“As featured on the Travel Channel.” Jenna Nicole Levine
2341 18th St NW, Washington, DC, 202-234-2200
Pizzeria Paradiso
“Great pizza, kid friendly, heart of Georgetown.” Veronica Hughes
3282 M Street NW, Washington DC, 202-337-1245
2003 P Street NW, Washington DC, 202-223-1245
124 King Street, Old Town Alexandria, VA, 703-837-1245
Matchbox Pizza in Chinatown
“Delicious wood stove pizzas, unique toppings, famous slider burgers, and you can dine in or have them deliver to your hotel.” Michelle Frey
713 H Street NW, Washington DC, 202-289-4441
Three Brothers Restaurants or Ledo’s Pizza
“Both local Maryland chains and both have PHENOMENAL pizza! Both offer more Italian fare on their menus, but I always get the pizza when I go. Three Brothers is more NY style, while Ledo’s has its own style with very hearty toppings on a square pie. Yum!” Stephani McDow
Three Brothers Restaurant
6450 America Blvd., Suite #105, Hyattsville, Maryland, 301-277-4992
Ledo’s
7435 Georgia Ave NW, Washington DC, 202-726-5336
RFK Stadium, 2400 East Capitol Street NE, Washington DC, Section 208/228
1721 Wisconsin Ave, NW, Washington DC, 202-342-0091
Instead of IHOP, try…
Mosaic Cuisine and Café
“Voted best place for brunch in the DC area. Best waffles I’ve ever had. Owner is Belgian.” Michelle Frey
186 Halpine Road, Rockville, Maryland, 301-468-0682
Instead of Chipotle, try…
Surfside
“Fresh Mexican fare, good steak tacos, flavorful, and a great place for a sit down meal off the beaten path in Glover Park. Nice rooftop seats as well.” Veronica Hughes
2444 Wisconsin Avenue, Washington, DC, 202-297-5033
Mitsitam
“Delicious, creative displays, learn about foods from around our country.” Michelle Frey
Mirsitam, National Museum of the American Indian, 4th Street and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC.
Instead of McDonalds, try…
Shake Shack
“Burgers, Fries and Milkshakes done right.” Jenna Nicole Levine
1213 18th Street NW, Washington DC, 202-683-9922
Z Burger
“Yummy burgers, fries, onion rings, and shakes, unlimited toppings, homemade Z sauce great for burger and fries.” Veronica Hughes
4321 Wisconsin Avenue, Washington DC, 202-966-1999
2414 Wisconsin Avenue, Washington DC, 202-965-7777
Ben’s Chili Bowl
“Local hot spot, Presidents and famous people dine here. DC is known for it. Has half-smokes, hot dogs, burgers and chili.” Michelle Frey
1213 U Street NW, Washington DC, 202-667-0909
Instead of Applebees, try…
Old Ebbitt Grill and J Paul’s
“Good American food, great wings, quesadillas and burgers; heart of downtown (OEG) and Georgetown (JP).” Veronica Hughes
Old Ebbitt Grill
675 15th Street NW, Washington DC, 202-347-4800
J Paul’s
3218 M Street NW, Washington DC, 202-333-3450
Instead of Outback, try…
Medium Rare
“Brought over from France. New in Cleveland Park. Only serve steak, portobello steaks and French fries. Small menu options, high in quality and taste.” Michelle Frey
3500 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington DC, 202-237-1432
Ray’s the Classics
One of Michael Landrum’s “Ray’s” restaurants (Ray’s the Classics, Ray’s the Steaks, etc.). “We know—per my article—how much I adore these restaurants. The food is to die for—there are steaks priced around the Outback prices on the Bistro menu, but then there are slightly, more expensive steaks that rival your Ruth Chris or Mortons in taste only, not in the damage to one’s pockets.” Stephani McDow
Ray’s the Classics, 8606 Colesville, Road, Silver Spring, MD, 301-588-7297
Ray’s the Steaks, Navy League Building, 2300 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA, 703-841-7297
Instead of KFC, try…
Crisp and Juicy
“A local chain of Peruvian style chicken. The best chicken ever! The seasoned, rotisseree chicken’s skin has a nice crisp as you sink your teeth into the juicy, succulent meat. A number of side items and other proteins are offered and all taste phenomenal. Also a healthier option than KFC.” Stephani McDow
1314 East West Highway, Silver Spring, MD, 301-563-6666
913 West Broad Street, Falls Church, VA, 703-241-9091
