Metro Center Lunch

[JennyUptown]

I wish my office (just above the Metro Center stop) were a few minutes' walk closer to Breadline. In lieu of that, what else can I eat for lunch? I'm thinking take-out, not sit down, and budget-friendly.

I'm sick of High Noon soup (good, just not every day) and Cosi sandwiches don't do it for me. Capital Q is OK once in awhile. Today I tried pork dumplings from Sushi AOI. They were tasty with spicy wasabi wrappers, however there are only four to an order ($5) so I'll be hungry SOON.

If you have suggestions, please speak up. I'm hoping for a real find, but will take anything you've got at this point.

[8Track]

I like Port of Piraeus on 12th street, between F and G. Good sandwiches, both hot and cold, and a selection of entrees that change daily.

Stacks is also pretty good. They're on 11th and Penn. They are a true Kosher deli/restaurant. The stacked sandwiches are huge, and the meat is generally terrific, but it is extraordinarily expensive for a sandwich.

Old Ebbitt Express in the same building as, you guessed it, Old Ebbitt, serves good pasta, salad and sandwiches.

[DonRocks]

Port of Piraeus ... Stacks

I'm having trouble reconciling these two choices coming from someone who has been to Nectar, Palena, Marcel's and Café 15

Les Halles (13th and Penn) is a bit of a haul, but you can get a steak sandwich and fries to go from them if you call ahead, and it's a really good sandwich, too. Comes with a little frisée salad. If I recall, it's a bit pricey at more than $10.

Dean & DeLuca has a sandwich/salad carryout that's one block north of Les Halles. Carryout or eat-in, the lunch fare is first-rate, but beware the priced-per-pound salads which can quickly reach double-digits: best not to load up on the artichoke hearts.

Cheers,

Rocks.

Edited December 3, 2003 by DonRocks (log)

[vengroff]

Does Ella's offer any sort of call-ahead/pick-up pizza service? If so it would be a good option.

[Malawry]

I bet a pizza from Ella's or the miniburgers from Matchbox would fit the bill, and be suitably fast takeout if you called in advance. Plus you get in a nice walk, yet it's not so far that your food will be cold when you get back to work.

I ate Ollie's Trolley fries for lunch once or twice in fits of desperation when I worked at FBI HQ. I can't really recommend them, nor do I suggest purchasing anything in the food bucket at the Old Post Office Pavilion.

You didn't mention Potbelly. I think their sandwiches are pretty good and a good value, though their milkshakes leave something to be desired. Potbelly sammiches were an in-house favorite among Ortanique's front-end staff, and somebody would often pick up a big order from them on Saturdays when we reported to work around 1pm. Right on 11th St, close to Popeye's.

[8Track]

I'm having trouble reconciling these two choices coming from someone who has been to Nectar, Palena, Marcel's and Café 15

One cannot live on caviar alone.

[syzygy8]

Ella's does pickup and you can call ahead. I've done it often. Some of the best pizza in the city, I've found. Still want to try the burgers at Matchbox sometime.

Edited December 4, 2003 by syzygy8 (log)

[JennyUptown]

Thanks for the suggestions - keep 'em coming!

To be honest, I'm not fond of Ella's. Didn't love the pizza, especially compared to those at Matchbox.

I've been to Potbelly a lot - it's definitely the most cost-effective option.

How I wish for a cheap curry joint (and no, that food court vegetarian places does not count!).

[8Track]

Really? I was at Ella's last weekend and really dug the prosciutto, smoked mozzarella pie. Granted, it's frou-frou pizza, but it's a welcome addition to a town that previously had very few good pizzas to recommend.

[amcleod]

I'm with you JennyUptown, the take-out scene around MetroCenter stinks. You should try Port of Piraeus. Teaism on 8th & D isn't too far in good weather. Or Red Sage carryout - the chili or tortilla soup is a change of pace sometimes.

You'd think with all the law firms around here we'd have a better selection!

[JennyUptown]

My company has a list of area restaurants including which ones deliver. It's all crap, IMHO. On a list of about thirty restaurants, only four or five deliver. Worse, they've bulked up the list by including everything from McDonald's and Subway to DC Coast and Tosca. None of these places offer up something you want to eat for lunch every day (barring a much higher metabolism OR a much bigger budget). So sad.

It's things like this that force me to acknowledge some of DC's food voids. How I miss my NYC lunches like Two Boots for pizza by the slice...Devon & Blakely's 5-7 soup choices per day...cheap corner deli sandwiches with a big kosher pickle... flatbread pizza from Fresco on the Go... *sigh*

[Malawry]

The takeout and delivery menus remind me...I bet you can order from Mr. Chen's Organic Chinese and have them deliver to your office. They're a cut above most of the other takeout Chinese in the area.

[hillvalley]

The takeout and delivery menus remind me...I bet you can order from Mr. Chen's Organic Chinese and have them deliver to your office. They're a cut above most of the other takeout Chinese in the area.

I second the Mr. Chen's recommendation, although I am not sure they will deliver that far down. Their steamed dumplings and noodle soups are fantastic.

[PoorLawyer]

How about fuddruckers? Not too many places, especially chains, where you can get a burger cooked correctly (aka still mooing!)

[mnebergall]

I would see if Reeves is still around (13th and G I think). They used to have great sliced chicken sandwiches with homemade mayo and their strawberry pie was famous. I fear that they may have gone out of business.

[cibo matto]

I feel you, Jenny. We may even work in the same building ...

Have you tried the Waffle Shop on 10th 'tween E and F? It's a Vietnamese-owned ghetto greasy spoon with a second Chinese menu (when Mama-san is in the house). Breakfast is served all day, and two scrambled eggs, home fries, wheat toast and a side of grits (my regular) will only set you back four dollars and change. Fair warning: the crowd can be occasionally rough, especially during peak hours when it's mobbed, although the waitresses are generally good about shooing away the aggressive panhandlers. I once dropped some change while I was paying my tab and when I stooped to pick it up, I noticed what looked like a bullet on the floor. Sure enough, it was a .22 round. (I kept it as a souvenir.)

FWIW, the Chinese fare is fair, although I'm only familiar with the few vegetarian offerings. Vegetable egg foo young is a standout.

Should you go, say hi to Rose. She's a sweetie.

[JennyUptown]

the miniburgers from Matchbox would fit the bill

Man oh man...I finally had the miniburgers on Friday night/ Wow, they are good! Everything about them - the meat, the bun, etc. - but the topper? Perfectly seasoned crisp onion straws.

The prosciutto white pizza has become my favorite - I think I may have to get that for an occasional work lunch.

[JennyUptown]

I'm trying to think of places to get burgers near Metro Center. So far, I have come up with:

ESPN Zone (bad, very bad)

Fuddruckers

Matchbox (minis and full size)

Ruby Tuesday

Hard Rock (blah)

Where else?

[rbh]

burgers.... the matchbox mini burgers are tough to beat (have you tried the fries there yet?), but other places near Metro Center:

Capital City Brewing (ok)

Chef Geoff's (very good - and like $5 during happy hour)

John Harvard's - don't remember

Old Ebbitt Grill

Gordon Biersch (decent)

RFD Washington (so-so)

btw, McCormick and Schmick's opened on Saturday in the space previously occupied by Angelo and Maxies. And last Friday, at the other end of Chinatown, Full Kee has (finally) re-opened.

[8Track]

Ollies Trolley! Seriously, the burgers are pretty decent.

[syzygy8]

Ollies Trolley! Seriously, the burgers are pretty decent.

Mmmmm...Love those Ollie's fries.....

[mnebergall]

You really should check out Reeves at 1306 G. It has been in business in 1886. I think it retains some of the original waittresses.

[doctoro]

If you go to the Old Ebbitt after 3.00 on weekdays they have an awesome

happy hour raw bar for half price. Mon thru thurs. excluding holidays.

The food is average Clydes fare, but the place is fiiled with history and is one

property that reeks I'm proud to be a Washingtonian!

If that is to late the Express might do.

Good on the run pasta dishes.

For the nice lunch with more history, the Occidental next to the Willard is nice

for special occasions. I guess I am a sucker for old buildings.

the Doctor is out!

Edited February 24, 2004 by doctoro (log)

[JennyUptown]

Bump!

I finally got around to trying Port of Piraeus. It was pretty good - would have been in the sold "good" realm had my Greek chicken sandwich not been dripping with tzaziki sauce. If I order it again, I'll be sure and ask them to go light with the sauce.

If you frequent Port of Piraeus, what are your favorite items there?

[Chef Shogun]

Bump!

I finally got around to trying Port of Piraeus.

←

Do they have an additional location across and somewhat down the block from Galileo (Though it might be a block over...)? I think I might have been there once or twice when I lived in the dorm near there. It was pretty good! I'm asking because I'd go back if I knew there were a bounty of tzaziki to be had.