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Stan's Restaurant, Old-School American Dive with Cocktail Lounge on Vermont Avenue and L Street - at McPherson Square since 1978


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Stan's Restaurant is in the MacPherson Square area, and is a worthy addition to the Dining Guide. A friend and I both tucked into a club sandwich, which thanks to Mario Batali in Lucky Peach a few years ago, I usually order at my first time in a restaurant because, as he says, "the club sandwich is the most interesting, most telling dish about how hard the kitchen is trying." And so it would be at my first visit to Stan's....

The club sandwich here did not disappoint. The combination of ingredients hit the spot. Filled to the edges of the four triangles, the lettuce was fresh, the bacon was fried in-house, the tomato was fresh and maybe local, the architecture was sturdy, and the satisfaction quotient was high. I had the fries as the side, and almost to my surprise, they were crisp on the outside and soft and hot in the middle. 

This place is a bit of a dive and somewhat loud, but I can't think of too many reasons not to return when I'm in that neighborhood.

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On 8/18/2005 at 9:34 AM, jm chen said:

If you want all of the amusement of gin-separate-from-tonic without having to trek up to Adams Morgan, Stan's (around 14th and L, or Vermont and L, somewhere around there) is much like Dan's. But it's got the added dive-ishness of being in a basement.

And instead of bringing you the mini-bottle of gin and the bucket of ice and the glass, they bring you a glass with ice and liquor already in it, so full you have to sip some of the straight liquor off to fit the mixer in.

A friend of mine once ordered the Clams Casino there, which seemed to me one of the worst ideas in world history. I stuck with the liquids.

Jael

Also found the only other reference on donrockwell.com, which is too bad, because Stan's has been around for three generations....

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26 minutes ago, Kibbee Nayee said:

Also found the only other reference on donrockwell.com, which is too bad, because Stan's has been around for three generations....

If you like stiff cocktails Stan's is your place, consistently performing for over 35 yrs

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Totally agree with both of the above.  My first office in DC was a block away and I had more than my fair share of happy hours here. Great drinks, good appetizers (especially the enormous wing platter), and great atmosphere.  Went back for the first time in years about a month ago and NOTHING has changed - and that's a good thing in this case.

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13 hours ago, Kibbee Nayee said:

Also found the only other reference on donrockwell.com, which is too bad, because Stan's has been around for three generations....

Yes, Stan's apparently opened in 1978 (possibly 1977) - their website says "38 years" - either way, it takes a place on our Oldest Restaurants in the Washington, DC Area list.

Screenshot 2016-08-17 at 08.57.59.png

I read that when you order a Vodka and Coke, they pour you some Vodka, and put it next to a Coke. How can you not love this?

Note also that it's open until 2 AM, 6 days a week.

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On 8/16/2016 at 7:55 PM, Kibbee Nayee said:

Stan's Restaurant is in the MacPherson Square area, and is a worthy addition to the Dining Guide. A friend and I both tucked into a club sandwich, which thanks to Mario Batali in Lucky Peach a few years ago, I usually order at my first time in a restaurant because, as he says, "the club sandwich is the most interesting, most telling dish about how hard the kitchen is trying." And so it would be at my first visit to Stan's....

The club sandwich here did not disappoint. The combination of ingredients hit the spot. Filled to the edges of the four triangles, the lettuce was fresh, the bacon was fried in-house, the tomato was fresh and maybe local, the architecture was sturdy, and the satisfaction quotient was high. I had the fries as the side, and almost to my surprise, they were crisp on the outside and soft and hot in the middle. 

This place is a bit of a dive and somewhat loud, but I can't think of too many reasons not to return when I'm in that neighborhood.

On 8/16/2016 at 8:25 PM, DaveO said:

If you like stiff cocktails Stan's is your place, consistently performing for over 35 yrs

On 8/16/2016 at 9:39 PM, zgast said:

Totally agree with both of the above.  My first office in DC was a block away and I had more than my fair share of happy hours here. Great drinks, good appetizers (especially the enormous wing platter), and great atmosphere.  Went back for the first time in years about a month ago and NOTHING has changed - and that's a good thing in this case.

On 8/17/2016 at 5:11 AM, dcs said:

Count me as a Fan 'o Stan's.  I totally recommend the cocktails.  An underground gem.  Literally.  My only regret is that I did not think to post it up before now.

Reading about Stan's cracks me up.  To be blunt, for those that spent a fair amount of time there, and are willing to be honest about it.....its primarily a place for very strong drinks......and relatively inexpensive prices. 

I discovered or was introduced to it in the early 80's...which is evidently a few years after it first opened.  I liked drinking in quantity and I worked in a place with a fair number of like minded colleagues.  The one's who had been working there longer brought us newbies to Stans.  A drinkers' heaven...and a basement no less (even better for drinkers). 

Most of the other drinkers were in suits; lawyers, government workers, reporters from the nearby Post, folks from Associations, etc etc etc.  Folks who worked downtown.  The common thread was that we all liked our "cocktails" strong.  And cheap was good too.   Every city and town has places like this.  Stan's was the one in DC that was well located in the Downtown.  It was more than a neighborhood bar....it attracted these suits from all ends of downtown DC.  If one hung out at the bar you could end up speaking with "suits" from the Hill and from Georgetown.  Drinkers gravitated to Stan's.

I was there a lot.  After a few years I gravitated away from that habit and Stan's.  Decades later I'm spending time at the bar school in my sig, and speaking with students.  More than one brought up Stan's.  It still runs the same way...2, 2.5, 3 decades later.  Strong drinks, low prices. 

Now that is a helluva tradition.  A toast to Stans.  :D 

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22 hours ago, DaveO said:

I discovered or was introduced to it in the early 80's...which is evidently a few years after it first opened.  I liked drinking in quantity and I worked in a place with a fair number of like minded colleagues.  The one's who had been working there longer brought us newbies to Stans.  A drinkers' heaven...and a basement no less (even better for drinkers). 

But KN discovered the following:

Quote
On 8/17/2016 at 8:57 AM, DonRocks said:

If anyone finds out the exact year that Stan's opened, please let us know.

Thanks!
Rocks 

I asked the question on Stan's Facebook site, and the response was 1982.

Hm.   '82.  per FB response.  Web reference is earlier -the late 70's.  My recollection is " visiting in the early 80's" with the assumption it had been open for a while. 

Maybe this impreciseness across various sources suggests that the memories of those that drank a lot are not all that precise! :o

But what is reassuring is that Stan's "call to fame", strong drinks, has remained consistent for a long long time.  :)

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51 minutes ago, DaveO said:

But KN discovered the following:

Hm.   '82.  per FB response.  Web reference is earlier -the late 70's.  My recollection is " visiting in the early 80's" with the assumption it had been open for a while. 

Maybe this impreciseness across various sources suggests that the memories of those that drank a lot are not all that precise! :o

But what is reassuring is that Stan's "call to fame", strong drinks, has remained consistent for a long long time.  :)

On the website it says "Stan’s originated in upper northwest 38 years ago with the same great food, outstanding service and awesome drinks you find today." And it also mentions that "today's owner" is Cathy.  So it looks like 1982 is probably the date it moved to the current location. It also has changed ownership at least once.  It says she took over ownership 14 years ago.

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Hit Stan's again last night, and ordered the club sandwich again, because I wanted to see if it would be consistent. It was. The kitchen has passed my litmus test.

BUT ... what was that delectable dish I saw coming out of the kitchen? It came out and went in one direction, and then another came out and went in another direction, and so on throughout the evening. It looked amazing and I will order it on my next visit. I would like to call it "crown rack of wings" or something like that. It's the first time I've seen this presentation. All three sections, intact, fried to a perfect sepia tone (they also come baked), organized in a circular fashion around the plate, in precision formation with all wing tips pointing upward. The sauce option occupied the center of the plate, around which all of the big, meaty wings were placed. It appeared like a dozen, or maybe more, comprised a typical order. I can't wait to order this dish on my next visit.

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On 9/8/2016 at 8:22 PM, Kibbee Nayee said:

BUT ... what was that delectable dish I saw coming out of the kitchen? It came out and went in one direction, and then another came out and went in another direction, and so on throughout the evening. It looked amazing and I will order it on my next visit. I would like to call it "crown rack of wings" or something like that. It's the first time I've seen this presentation. All three sections, intact, fried to a perfect sepia tone (they also come baked), organized in a circular fashion around the plate, in precision formation with all wing tips pointing upward. The sauce option occupied the center of the plate, around which all of the big, meaty wings were placed. It appeared like a dozen, or maybe more, comprised a typical order. I can't wait to order this dish on my next visit.

At significant risk to cardiovascular health and waistline, in two subsequent visits I had the baked wings and the fried wings.

The baked wings are so-so. They actually appear to be fried, but without breading. And they come in sections, not a whole 3-section wing. I'll probably avoid ordering them again.

The fried wings are the masterpiece -- 8 meaty 3-intact-section wings, hot and crispy on the outside and juicy and meaty on the inside. The red dipping sauce was sweet-spicy, and with the side order of cole slaw ($4.00) and a cold beer, this was a righteous meal. And yes, the wings land on the table looking like a "crown rack," and they are regal.

Next time I take Uber, drink with abandon, and have the fried wings with cole slaw or another side. (There is also a 5-wing order if you're feeling timid, but I actually brought 3 wings home from my order of 8).

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Lunch partner and I enjoyed Stan's again today, and this place is becoming my favorite haunt in that McPherson Square area. The specials caught my eye today, so I ordered a cup of the bean and beef soup for a starter and I followed that with the ham and cheese omelet.

News alert - that bean and beef soup was amazing. Big chunks of tender braised beef, swimming in a thick and hearty navy bean stew, thick with flavor and ingredients. It was called a soup, but was easily as hearty and loaded with ingredients as a stew. There was even a nice spicy kick at the end of each bite. I wish I ordered a bowl instead of a cup. This was easily one of the best dishes I've had for lunch in that area, and only for about $5.

The omelet wasn't bad, but paled in comparison to the bean soup. I'm developing a healthy respect for that kitchen, to accompany the already healthy respect I have for the generous pours of adult beverages.

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3 hours ago, Kibbee Nayee said:

Lunch partner and I enjoyed Stan's again today, and this place is becoming my favorite haunt in that McPherson Square area. The specials caught my eye today, so I ordered a cup of the bean and beef soup for a starter and I followed that with the ham and cheese omelet.

News alert - that bean and beef soup was amazing. Big chunks of tender braised beef, swimming in a thick and hearty navy bean stew, thick with flavor and ingredients. It was called a soup, but was easily as hearty and loaded with ingredients as a stew. There was even a nice spicy kick at the end of each bite. I wish I ordered a bowl instead of a cup. This was easily one of the best dishes I've had for lunch in that area, and only for about $5.

 

KN:. Thanks for the great lunch option updates at Stans.  Really enjoy them.

Have you had any "cocktails"? Aka particularly strong drinks for a relatively low price?   Those were the menu items that I used to find appealing.  

The bean soup sounds great, but I'm curious about an American Whiskey served neat--size and price.

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14 hours ago, DaveO said:

KN:. Thanks for the great lunch option updates at Stans.  Really enjoy them.

Have you had any "cocktails"? Aka particularly strong drinks for a relatively low price?   Those were the menu items that I used to find appealing.  

The bean soup sounds great, but I'm curious about an American Whiskey served neat--size and price.

I'll let you know next week. My lunch companion and I agreed to meet there on Wednesday or Thursday for lunch and drinks, and I'll be sure to take Metro rather than drive....

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On 12/22/2016 at 7:36 PM, DaveO said:

KN:. Thanks for the great lunch option updates at Stans.  Really enjoy them.

Have you had any "cocktails"? Aka particularly strong drinks for a relatively low price?   Those were the menu items that I used to find appealing.  

The bean soup sounds great, but I'm curious about an American Whiskey served neat--size and price.

Enjoyed another visit to Stan's today. To answer Dave's question, I sat at the bar and ordered a Jack Daniel's, neat. It cost about $13-14 ... but ... it was about an 8 oz. pour! That equates to about $45 of revenue for a 24 oz. bottle. I would say that's a pretty good deal.

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19 hours ago, Kibbee Nayee said:

Enjoyed another visit to Stan's today. To answer Dave's question, I sat at the bar and ordered a Jack Daniel's, neat. It cost about $13-14 ... but ... it was about an 8 oz. pour! That equates to about $45 of revenue for a 24 oz. bottle. I would say that's a pretty good deal.

KN:. An 8 oz pour!!!  That's nuts!!  That's like having 4 martini's from back in the day when a 3 martini lunch was popular!!

There is only one thing to do.... I gotta go down there and take one for the team! ?

It it would appear that the essence of Stan's hasn't changed much since I was a denizen.  BRAVO!!! 

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19 hours ago, DaveO said:

KN:. An 8 oz pour!!!  That's nuts!!  That's like having 4 martini's from back in the day when a 3 martini lunch was popular!!

There is only one thing to do.... I gotta go down there and take one for the team! ?

It it would appear that the essence of Stan's hasn't changed much since I was a denizen.  BRAVO!!! 

Well, they said it was 8 oz., but the more I think about it, it looked more like 4.5 - 5 oz. Still....

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So I'm thinking of going there for lunch.  Like you suggested earlier I'll probably metro it as...

In my old age I've become an alcohol wuss, and...

After that much booze I'd better go home and go to sleep....

If they free pour into the glass in front of you and if I'm paying attention I'm a pretty good judge based on experience.  If they don't and because of the many varied glass sizes the only way I'd know the pour is if I whipped out a measuring cup.  Ha ha

Anyway it sounds like a very stiff pour for the price.  Impressive.  That means Stan's has stayed true to it's earliest days.

To be on the safe side I'll review your menu suggestions and maybe order a Shirley Temple in lieu of booze.

NOT

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15 hours ago, Kibbee Nayee said:

Enjoyed another visit to Stan's today. To answer Dave's question, I sat at the bar and ordered a Jack Daniel's, neat. It cost about $13-14 ... but ... it was about an 8 oz. pour! That equates to about $45 of revenue for a 24 oz. bottle. I would say that's a pretty good deal.

 

15 hours ago, DaveO said:

 

There is only one thing to do.... I gotta go down there and take one for the team! ?

 

 

 

15 hours ago, Kibbee Nayee said:

Well, they said it was 8 oz., but the more I think about it, it looked more like 4.5 - 5 oz. Still....

KN:  To be more specific:  I wouldn't be "taking one for the team" as you have written excellent reviews.  It would be an effort to try and ascertain the size of the pour. 

I'm experienced at free pouring, and while I don't practice it any more I do demonstrate it at times at the bartending schools.  Not difficult--just takes practice.  So if a bartender free pours that drink in front of me and I'm paying attention and concentrating I should be able to estimate/measure the size of the pour.

I'll add that when I did bartend I never once poured a measured 4, 4.5, 5, or 8 ounce drink of liquor for one person.  Those are crazy hefty pours and I'd reserve those for someone the size of Haystacks Calhoun or that noted great quantity drinker Andre the Giant. 

Sorta psyched by this "scientific experiment"   Per your suggestions above I'm thinking the fried wings as they sound tasty and fried food is always suggested as a way to soak up alcohol....and really I'm too much of an alcohol wuss to engage in this "science" any more. ;)

 

 

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Thanks.                 for

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

all

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.                                        Info! 

"Space Invaders: Why You Should Never, Ever Use Two Spaces after a Period" by Farhad Manjoo on slate.com :P

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4 hours ago, DonRocks said:

Thanks.                 for

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

all

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.                                        Info! 

"Space Invaders: Why You Should Never, Ever Use Two Spaces after a Period" by Farhad Manjoo on slate.com :P

Farhad never used a typewriter.

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On 9/8/2016 at 8:22 PM, Kibbee Nayee said:

Hit Stan's again last night, .

BUT ... what was that delectable dish I saw coming out of the kitchen? It came out and went in one direction, and then another came out and went in another direction, and so on throughout the evening. It looked amazing and I will order it on my next visit. I would like to call it "crown rack of wings" or something like that. It's the first time I've seen this presentation. All three sections, intact, fried to a perfect sepia tone (they also come baked), organized in a circular fashion around the plate, in precision formation with all wing tips pointing upward. The sauce option occupied the center of the plate, around which all of the big, meaty wings were placed. It appeared like a dozen, or maybe more, comprised a typical order. I can't wait to order this dish on my next visit.

 

On 12/22/2016 at 3:48 PM, Kibbee Nayee said:

Lunch partner and I enjoyed Stan's again today, and this place is becoming my favorite haunt in that McPherson Square area. The specials caught my eye today, so I ordered a cup of the bean and beef soup for a starter

News alert - that bean and beef soup was amazing.

 

KN:  Thanks to your reports, nostalgia, and an interest in science I'm planning to visit Stans.  Per your comments above, the bean and beef soup is a daily special and not available today.  If I go today it'll be the fried wings.   Been reluctant to go there in the cold weather as I didn't want to get "plowed" and have to walk around in freezing weather to boot!!!  :D  Its warmed up.  So then I took a look at the handy google "gizmo" for many restaurants, supermarkets, big stores, etc.  It tells you how "busy" they are at different times of the day.  Stan's surprised me.  While most restaurants would be busier around the noonish hour for lunch Stan's actually picks up around 3PM.   Uh oh.  Based on my past habits that suggests the mid day drinkers like to descend upon Stan's.  Well not surprising.

I'm hoping to sit at the bar at a relatively slower time and after surveying a bit hope to be able to order a whiskey neat wherein if the bartender is free pouring and I can watch unimpeded and there are standard pour spouts I'll be able to use a count/rhthm method to assess the size of that pour. If they are using measuring devices its a crap shoot as there are such a variety of such devices, though the count/rhythm method should still suffice. I have no idea about the "field conditions" there so I'll just have to give it a shot and see what happens.   Ahhhh....the things we all do for "science".    Haha.

(I have this strong suspicion I'll feel like cr@p the following day :D )

 

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11 hours ago, DaveO said:

 

KN:  Been reluctant to go there in the cold weather as I didn't want to get "plowed" and have to walk around in freezing weather to boot!!! 

 

Wait...doesn't getting plowed negate the freezing weather? I studied this very phenomenon in upstate NY in my University days. 

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On October 4, 2016 at 7:55 PM, Kibbee Nayee said:

At significant risk to cardiovascular health and waistline, in two subsequent visits I had the baked wings and the fried wings.

The baked wings are so-so. They actually appear to be fried, but without breading. And they come in sections, not a whole 3-section wing. I'll probably avoid ordering them again.

The fried wings are the masterpiece -- 8 meaty 3-intact-section wings, hot and crispy on the outside and juicy and meaty on the inside. The red dipping sauce was sweet-spicy, and with the side order of cole slaw ($4.00) and a cold beer, this was a righteous meal. And yes, the wings land on the table looking like a "crown rack," and they are regal.

Next time I take Uber, drink with abandon, and have the fried wings with cole slaw or another side. (There is also a 5-wing order if you're feeling timid, but I actually brought 3 wings home from my order of 8).

KN. Just a quick update.  Got back from Stans.  Will follow up on the "science experiment" tomorrow as I need to test something but let's get to the wings.

Great suggestion!!!!!  Huge order presented as you described.   Hardly touched the sauce.  Not only was the order of 8 wings nicely plated but they are enormous and juicy.  Following your lead I ended up bringing some home.  I'd order those again and again.  If I was thinking Saturday watching college football at a bar with beer and wings Stans is where I'd head.

I'm a little loaded.  More follow up tomorrow.  Thanks for referencing Stan's.

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While I probably last visited Stan's about 3 decades ago, I was a bit surprised by the entrance.  Definitely divey; a basement entrance and the stairway down could have been cleaned up and freshened.  Walk inside and its a bar/restaurant certainly a bit dated looking but nice enough.  At about 3 PMish I sidled to the bar to try the experiment in measuring Stan's pours of alcohol.  Wasn't crowded,nobody in the restaurant seating area, and only a few people at the bar. At least some were regulars bantering with the day bartender. Experiment wise it looked promising...except the bottles at the bar mostly DID NOT use a standard pour spout, as I've grown accustomed to using and being able to measure pours.  Most of the liquor and liqueur bottles had measured "flat top pours"   They look like the picture below though all we can see as customers is the top:

flat top liquor pourer.png

I'm used to pour spouts.  I suspect the openings pour at a different speed.  Damn.  That totally screwed up the effort at the experiment.  So even though the bartender had her back to me I was still reasonably confident of the pour "count/rhythm".  Yet I can't vouch for accuracy. Which pours more quickly, the flat pour or the pour spout?   Honestly I don't know. The drink was poured neat (without ice) into a rocks glass and we have glassware like that at the bar school.  But I'm not sure of the size equivalency.  Damn, I failed here.  If my science/thinking cap was on I would have measured this glass height and opening against my hand and then compared it to what we have on site.  Damn damn.  without thinking cap going full throttle this thought didn't hit till after leaving and somewhat tipsy.  What the hell, its a liquor science experiment for drinkers not precision rocket science.   My guess is that the two glasses are either the same or close equivalents.  All of which leads to the "eyeballing test", something in which I have less faith.  Nevertheless upon pouring into a similar glass at our school and eyeballing where the full pour sat against the rim the test seemed to indicate a 3 ounce pour.    So that is my report on the "science of this thing" KN, though I can't vouch for millimeter accuracy.

A 3 ounce pour.  Wow.  That is strong.   While reviewing the whiskey bottles on the bar in front of me, 3 different bottles of Jack stood out front; one the standard, one Jack "Hot" (don't know what that is and haven't bothered researching) and one labeled Jack Honey.  I'm a sucker for honey flavored alcohol.  I asked the barkeep if it was at all like drambouie.  Its not she said, and I can agree.  An interesting shot, though not a favorite, but if you enjoy a sharp Jack Daniels and you want it flavored with honey (and some other spices) give it a try.  Not bad.  As it turns out this is classified as a liqueur not liquor, probably because of a higher sugar count associated with the flavorings.  Still its rated as 70 proof...not quite typical liquor strength but significantly more alcoholic than most liqueurs. 

Lets get back to Stan's the restaurant and bar.   I became a fan of the wings, just as KN described them.  Each wing was gigantic and juicy.  Very thoroughly fried.  No special or unique spices in the fry that I could discern, but with a substantial crust.  Just like KN they were more than filling and I took some home.

Couple of more little nuggets.  I chatted with the owner, with my intro being that I'm connected to the bar school.  We determined that our placement services might be of some assistance.  We went on to chat about the industry.  She is a lifelong trooper.  Kudo's to her.   Very real and nice person.

More on Stan's.  This so appears to be a neighborhood old school place so utterly at odds with today's popular and noted restaurants that often break new ground with menus.  Nothing new here...all are old standbys; at least what I noticed on the menu.  Per the owner the customer base has swung to the baked wings and she ascribed that to health reasons or so she has heard.

Yet the readers at Eater DC do give it some notice and acclaim as it is highlighted in at least 3 of their fairly recent polls:

Last year and also 2014 it was ranked as one of the 20 best dive bars in the area

In 2015 it was noted in an eater poll for best day-drinking bars  I concur.  

I'd go back, and frankly whether its an 8 or 5, or 4.5 ounce or 3 ounce pour of alcohol that is a very healthy or "harmful shot", and it comes in very well priced for the customer.

 

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4 hours ago, DaveO said:

While I probably last visited Stan's about 3 decades ago, I was a bit surprised by the entrance.  Definitely divey; a basement entrance and the stairway down could have been cleaned up and freshened.  Walk inside and its a bar/restaurant certainly a bit dated looking but nice enough.  At about 3 PMish I sidled to the bar to try the experiment in measuring Stan's pours of alcohol.  Wasn't crowded,nobody in the restaurant seating area, and only a few people at the bar. At least some were regulars bantering with the day bartender. Experiment wise it looked promising...except the bottles at the bar mostly DID NOT use a standard pour spout, as I've grown accustomed to using and being able to measure pours.  Most of the liquor and liqueur bottles had measured "flat top pours"   They look like the picture below though all we can see as customers is the top:

I'm used to pour spouts.  I suspect the openings pour at a different speed.  Damn.  That totally screwed up the effort at the experiment.  So even though the bartender had her back to me I was still reasonably confident of the pour "count/rhythm".  Yet I can't vouch for accuracy. Which pours more quickly, the flat pour or the pour spout?   Honestly I don't know. The drink was poured neat (without ice) into a rocks glass and we have glassware like that at the bar school.  But I'm not sure of the size equivalency.  Damn, I failed here.  If my science/thinking cap was on I would have measured this glass height and opening against my hand and then compared it to what we have on site.  Damn damn.  without thinking cap going full throttle this thought didn't hit till after leaving and somewhat tipsy.  What the hell, its a liquor science experiment for drinkers not precision rocket science.   My guess is that the two glasses are either the same or close equivalents.  All of which leads to the "eyeballing test", something in which I have less faith.  Nevertheless upon pouring into a similar glass at our school and eyeballing where the full pour sat against the rim the test seemed to indicate a 3 ounce pour.    So that is my report on the "science of this thing" KN, though I can't vouch for millimeter accuracy.

I heartily endorse your scientific endeavors.

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On 12/22/2016 at 3:48 PM, Kibbee Nayee said:

Lunch partner and I enjoyed Stan's again today, and this place is becoming my favorite haunt in that McPherson Square area. The specials caught my eye today, so I ordered a cup of the bean and beef soup for a starter and I followed that with the ham and cheese omelet.

News alert - that bean and beef soup was amazing. Big chunks of tender braised beef, swimming in a thick and hearty navy bean stew, thick with flavor and ingredients. It was called a soup, but was easily as hearty and loaded with ingredients as a stew. There was even a nice spicy kick at the end of each bite. I wish I ordered a bowl instead of a cup. This was easily one of the best dishes I've had for lunch in that area, and only for about $5.

The omelet wasn't bad, but paled in comparison to the bean soup. I'm developing a healthy respect for that kitchen, to accompany the already healthy respect I have for the generous pours of adult beverages.

Dinner tonight at Stan's was my first real disappointment here.

It started when I spotted that wonderful bean and beef soup on the specials menu, so I ordered a bowl with great anticipation. What came out of the kitchen was not reminiscent of the dish I raved about in December. Instead, it was barely tepid, almost room temperature, and the substantial chunks of beef were sparse. What few beans in the bowl were swimming in a pool of wan bean broth, and potatoes had mysteriously appeared as if to add faux heartiness to the poor and starving masses. It was, in a word, yuk.

My companion asked why I didn't send it back. I told him that I feared the death march that the dish would endure, from someone sticking his or her finger into it to test the temperature, or maybe dipping a spoon in it to taste it, and then nuking it to piping hot....thankfully, when I returned it almost untouched, it was comp'd. Let's give them credit for that. My total bill, considering I was only billed for my club soda, was $3.03.

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5 minutes ago, Kibbee Nayee said:

Dinner tonight at Stan's was my first real disappointment here.

It started when I spotted that wonderful bean and beef soup on the specials menu, so I ordered a bowl with great anticipation. What came out of the kitchen was not reminiscent of the dish I raved about in December. Instead, it was barely tepid, almost room temperature, and the substantial chunks of beef were sparse. What few beans in the bowl were swimming in a pool of wan bean broth, and potatoes had mysteriously appeared as if to add faux heartiness to the poor and starving masses. It was, in a word, yuk.

My companion asked why I didn't send it back. I told him that I feared the death march that the dish would endure, from someone sticking his or her finger into it to test the temperature, or maybe dipping a spoon in it to taste it, and then nuking it to piping hot....thankfully, when I returned it almost untouched, it was comp'd. Let's give them credit for that. My total bill, considering I was only billed for my club soda, was $3.03.

Sorry to hear that KN:   BTW  I learned that a friend was jonesing for wings so I referenced Stans.  That full order is really for sharing.  Its gigantic.

Really really sorry to hear about the soup as it sounded so great the first time.  I bet the drinks are always consistent.  ;)

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@Kibbee Nayee  Stopped at Stan’s again. It’s been a year.  Love places like this.  An order of baked wings and a shot of Makers Neat.  Couldn’t tell the size of the pour but it is substantial and more than the norm.

Boy those wings were good.  The chicken was moist: the order is substantial and the spicing is nice.  Spicing is nice- not extraordinary but the moistness and size make it wonderful.

At3-4 pm the bar is pretty busy and it ramps up.   Got to chat w/Cathy, the owner again.  She is very nice.  It sounds like business is good and as it got close to happy hour the bar area went from busy to crowded .  Bartenders were very busy and efficient but this not the place for modern cocktails.   This is for feeling the booze.

A year after I last met her and she told me the same stuff about the bartending school grads who apply for jobs there: she mostly doesn’t value them.   I laughed about that a year ago and laughed about it again.  Crap: if I were a bartender now i’d like working there:  I’d make solid $$.  No bs.  Just work, serve a lot of drinks and make money.  When it’s less busy you have time to talk.

In February Fannie Mae should move into a large building that includes the old Post building and the building that was at  15th and L.  That means about a couple of thousand workers will be 2 blocks from Stan’s.  Lucky them

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It’s interesting to see that various members of this foodie oriented board have enjoyed Stan’s.  Why not?  They put out some quality food as noted above by commentators.

OTOH it is decidedly not a modern trendy place.  I’d forgotten to add this tidbit I heard from my recent visit:

While at the bar while the place was getting crowded and the bar area was growing two deep, someone from behind me asked the bartender a question which I had not heard.  But I did hear the barkeep’s  telling response:

”We don’t have a cocktail menu”

Oh well still putting out crowd pleasing food and drinks for about 35 years

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I stopped by Stan's for the first time today.  Interesting place, friendly vibe.  The bar was full at 4:30, but they were happy to let us order a drink and a couple of appetizers at a table.  I asked simply for a gin martini, not wanting to appear so pretentious as to specify a brand, and the waitress offered four options - Tanqueray, Bombay, Bombay Sapphire, and Gordon's I think.  My martini came in a medium sized snifter -- I'd say a good 3/4 of a cup -- filled nearly to the rim.  It was a lot of booze. :P I also ordered clams casino, which were 6 small, tasty clams topped with crispy bacon and sitting in a pool of melted butter.  

Everyone was friendly and I also really appreciate not feeling rushed even though it was getting crazy busy by the end.  I can definitely see myself coming back here.  

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Had a conversation about Stan's with one of the staff at the bartending school in Arlington.  I haven't been there in half a year.   She knew of it.  I was listening to part of her instruction on stiff drinks such as martini's and manhattans and she referenced ordering "water back" "water side" "olive juice" side or back and I asked if that was still in vogue at the bar.  It's an old fashioned habit;  ordering water, etc on the side or behind the cocktail.  She said it still occurs.

It got me thinking of Stan's where you can order a G & T (any brand) and the tonic comes on the side...all the time.  I asked her if she knew of Stan's.  (She has been bartending for over 15 years. ) 

BIG SMILE.  Oh yeah.  She knows Stan's.  While she hasn't been there in years it was a fave hangout for her at one period.  She had a great line.  Its where people go for affairs.  No windows down there.  Hah.  I missed that.  Never had an affair there!!  ;)

She is the third staffer who knows of and likes Stan's.  Three of them all knew about it, had been there and it brought a smile to all of them.   They all spoke well of the wings.

I guess its about time to mosey down there again.  I'll probably order beer.  The drinks are too strong for me at this stage.

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On 6/20/2018 at 5:03 PM, DaveO said:

Had a conversation about Stan's with one of the staff at the bartending school in Arlington.  I haven't been there in half a year.   She knew of it.  I was listening to part of her instruction on stiff drinks such as martini's and manhattans and she referenced ordering "water back" "water side" "olive juice" side or back and I asked if that was still in vogue at the bar.  It's an old fashioned habit;  ordering water, etc on the side or behind the cocktail.  She said it still occurs.

It got me thinking of Stan's where you can order a G & T (any brand) and the tonic comes on the side...all the time.  I asked her if she knew of Stan's.  (She has been bartending for over 15 years. ) 

BIG SMILE.  Oh yeah.  She knows Stan's.  While she hasn't been there in years it was a fave hangout for her at one period.  She had a great line.  Its where people go for affairs.  No windows down there.  Hah.  I missed that.  Never had an affair there!!  ;)

She is the third staffer who knows of and likes Stan's.  Three of them all knew about it, had been there and it brought a smile to all of them.   They all spoke well of the wings.

I guess its about time to mosey down there again.  I'll probably order beer.  The drinks are too strong for me at this stage.

This is how they serve it most places in Scotland, and to a lesser extent, in London from my recent experiences there....

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Stopped by Stan's for lunch today on one of my increasingly rare visits downtown.  I suppose I'm a creature of habit, as I first started visiting some 30+ years ago....but if they keep putting out pleasing food and drink...its why not...but rather, why don't you go there more often.

On my own I lunched at the bar, and it may well have been the only time I've ever been at Stan's when I didn't down alcohol.  Regardless, two gents next to me were drinking straight booze with respectively water and soda water in additional glasses.  (now that is the Stan's I know).  Speaking of people who know what they like, the two gents both worked in the area; one has been visiting Stan's for 15 straight years and the other a paltry 10 years; both on a consistent basis.   During lunch, Kathy the owner came by and recognized me, and her two regulars.  Nice lady..we had a  great chat.  Stan's, and at least the Post Pub are evidently both doing well from recent tenant relocations that have added beaucoup daytime workers in the immediate vicinity.

You can't beat the wings.  I had 1/2 an order of 10 decent sized wings for $8.50.   They are beautifully cooked;  the chicken is moist and the spicing is delightful.   The two gents next to me ordered the quesadilla steak and cheese special of the day and both gave it a gold star.

Stans:   Pleasing the population at its lower level location in Downtown on Vermont Avenue for well over 35 years.  Now that says something!!!!

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