The Doctor Posted June 20, 2006 Share Posted June 20, 2006 Hi all, I'm supposed to meet a friend for lunch later this week. I work at 15th and L, he at 9th and E. The mid point between our offices is probably close to 13th and G streets. I'm looking for something that will be quick and not too expensive. I'm aware of the National Place Food Court, which may have to be our default location. But I was hoping for something a little more, well, good. I'm guessing it would have to be a counter/carryout type place as opposed to table service, due to the usual lunch hour time constraints. Thanks for looking! Todd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starfish Posted June 20, 2006 Share Posted June 20, 2006 Hi all, I'm supposed to meet a friend for lunch later this week. I work at 15th and L, he at 9th and E. The mid point between our offices is probably close to 13th and G streets. I'm looking for something that will be quick and not too expensive. I'm aware of the National Place Food Court, which may have to be our default location. But I was hoping for something a little more, well, good. I'm guessing it would have to be a counter/carryout type place as opposed to table service, due to the usual lunch hour time constraints. Thanks for looking! Todd the old ebbit express does a passable job as a sort of upscale carry out place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
demandalicious Posted June 20, 2006 Share Posted June 20, 2006 There is a great Indian/Pakistani place on K just below 12th street. I don't know what it's called but the best way to describe it is that it looks like a gingerbread house from the outside. The draw at lunch seems to be the buffet, but you can also order off of their menu (which is small, but covers all of the necessary bases). I always order a kabob (I prefer chicken, but I've had the lamb and it's very good) which comes with rice, two side dishes and naan - a very substantial lunch for the price, which is roughly $7. If memory serves me correctly, customers pick from 4 or 5 (mostly vegetarian) side dishes. There are also a few bottles of sauce - which range from hot to hotter to fiiiiiiiiirrre! Don't miss out on the green sauce. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdSz Posted June 20, 2006 Share Posted June 20, 2006 How about lunch at the bar at Tosca? The lunch special is rather reasonable and the service is usually quick. -Ed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Slater Posted June 20, 2006 Share Posted June 20, 2006 Lunch at the bar at Ceiba. 14th and G. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacques Gastreaux Posted June 20, 2006 Share Posted June 20, 2006 Shelley's Back Room? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBK Posted June 20, 2006 Share Posted June 20, 2006 Shelley's Back Room? Was just there yesterday -- they're quick and no reservation required. Also, they have lots of tvs with World Cup matches on, if that's an added draw for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Doctor Posted June 20, 2006 Author Share Posted June 20, 2006 Was just there yesterday -- they're quick and no reservation required. Also, they have lots of tvs with World Cup matches on, if that's an added draw for you. This Shelley's sounds interesting. But we don't seem to have a thread on it here and google didn't turn up much. What should I be ordering? What are the prices like? I'd love to do Ceiba or Tosca, but they're a little out of the price range for this particular lunch. And I'd do Ebbitt Express in a heartbeat, but I ruled it out because I felt it was too far to ask my friend to walk. edited to add Ohhh, it's Shelly's Back Room, no "e." Here's their website: http://www.shellysdc.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBK Posted June 20, 2006 Share Posted June 20, 2006 This Shelley's sounds interesting. But we don't seem to have a thread on it here and google didn't turn up much. What should I be ordering? What are the prices like?I'd love to do Ceiba or Tosca, but they're a little out of the price range for this particular lunch. And I'd do Ebbitt Express in a heartbeat, but I ruled it out because I felt it was too far to ask my friend to walk. It's nothing fantastic, but it is convenient to your requested location -- I had a burger yesterday that was fine ($9.25 if I remember correctly). My colleagues seemed happy with their French Dip and Cuban sandwiches. But whatever you do, don't believe them when they tell you they have sweet tea, as well as regular iced tea. The two of us from the south were thrilled to hear it, and then disappointed to take a sip of lemon-flavored and slightly sweetened iced tea. Not the same thing. Not the same thing at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yentruoc Posted June 21, 2006 Share Posted June 21, 2006 Just across from National Place is High Noon, which to my taste does very good custom made salads, as well as better than the usual sandwiches and soups. You can get out of there with a drink, sandwich and chips for about $10. http://www.highnoonalways.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Slater Posted June 21, 2006 Share Posted June 21, 2006 I'd love to do Ceiba or Tosca, but they're a little out of the price range for this particular lunch. And I'd do Ebbitt Express in a heartbeat, but I ruled it out because I felt it was too far to ask my friend to walk.Here's their website: http://www.shellysdc.com/ $25 for lunch is too much? Hit the hotdog stand, then. This is where these food boards get stupid. "Hello, I want to spend $8 at 12th and F, and we don't want to walk another foot". Cut it out. <need a tongue sticking out mad emoticon here>. Cheap shit is the easiest thing to find. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rbh Posted June 21, 2006 Share Posted June 21, 2006 Haad Thai is a decent place over at 11th and H... and service is reasonably fast. more expensive... Corduroy (12th and K). less expensive... 5 Guys (9th and H). I haven't been at the Kabob House in several years on K St between 11th and 12th. People in the office used to rave about it as a great value. Menu is available on menupix. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Doctor Posted June 21, 2006 Author Share Posted June 21, 2006 $25 for lunch is too much? Hit the hotdog stand, then. This is where these food boards get stupid. "Hello, I want to spend $8 at 12th and F, and we don't want to walk another foot". Cut it out. <need a tongue sticking out mad emoticon here>. Cheap shit is the easiest thing to find. Wow, I'm sorry I don't consider $25 to be a cheap lunch. There are a lot of inexpensive places in the city that are more than just fast food chains or corner hot dog carts -- Breadline, Greek Deli, CF Folks, Galileo Grill, etc. I wanted to know if they had any equivalents in the metro center area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mame11 Posted June 21, 2006 Share Posted June 21, 2006 Actually I respectfully disagree with Mark, I think it is most fun to find "finds" on boards like this... Another option Doc is the take out place at Red Sage... Also, there is an Ollie's Trolley up by the Barnes & Noble... Fried food and burgers are always good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8Track Posted July 19, 2006 Share Posted July 19, 2006 Sadly, Port of Piraeus at 12th and E, just up from Barnes & Noble, appears to have changed hands. New management has installed corporate looking menu signs, even as they blare Frank Sinatra tunes (hoping I guess that it sounds Greek?). I walked in and was greeted by a wall of blankly staring ladies who, quite obviously, are being paid minimum wage to slap sandwiches together. Others must have found out before me, because the place was empty at 12:30, even though in the old days, the lines would snake back to the door. Gone is the crusty bread, the feta-stuffed chicken breasts. Gone too are the jovial, knife-wielding gents behind the counter who'd make you a Greek Salad and toast your sub roll. I tried a Ciro's Hero, hoping for the best. In the old days, it was a great mess of proscuitto, tomato and mozarella on a crusty roll, slathered with pesto. Today, I got a wonderbread roll, and meat that came off in six inch lengths of fat that I had to pull from my teeth. I could have use them as shoelaces. It's all gone now. The place has been destroyed overnight! Why oh why would a new owner want to ruin the good will the place had by instantly removing the quality parts of the menu? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrescentFresh Posted July 20, 2006 Share Posted July 20, 2006 It's all gone now. The place has been destroyed overnight!Why oh why would a new owner want to ruin the good will the place had by instantly removing the quality parts of the menu? Why don't you just ask them? I used to enjoy the sandwiches there a lot when I worked a couple blocks away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marigoldsandy Posted July 20, 2006 Share Posted July 20, 2006 I tried the Indian / Pakistani place, Mayur Kebab House, on K Street, off of 11th last night. It was great. I got the veggie platter to go and ate nearly all of it in the car on the drive home. It wasn't much to look at but a great value and great food. Thanks for the tip! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLK Posted January 6, 2008 Share Posted January 6, 2008 I have driven past Mayur Kebab House lots of times and wondered about the food. Now that I live nearby, I'll have to check it out. Does anyone know if they offer delivery? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goodeats Posted September 29, 2008 Share Posted September 29, 2008 Wanted to add another fast option for a quick bite: West Wing Cafe. Their hot paninis are pretty good and they have good snacking options too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdt Posted June 14, 2010 Share Posted June 14, 2010 I am rarely in town for lunch so I need some suggestions for tomorrow. I don't need super high end and no limitations on cuisine. I will have an hour if that makes a difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saycheese Posted June 14, 2010 Share Posted June 14, 2010 Metro Center covers a broad area. The restaurant choices are better going towards Gallery Place/Penn Quarter. A lot of places in that direction have good lunch specials -- Proof , 701, Oya come to mind. Jaleo and Zaytinya are good for lunch. The Spy Cafe is actually pretty good and cheap, but full of tourists. Central is at 11th & Pennsylvania, Ten Penh is at 10th & Pennsylvania -- unless you have a reservation, it is best to avoid the noon to 1:00 hour. The bar at Tosca (F between 11th & 12th) is nice. Chinatown is close -- Nando's Peri Peri on 7th is inexpensive. Cowgirl Creamery on F Street between 9th & 10th has ready-made sandwiches, or you can buy a baguette and some cheese and charcuterie for a do it yourself sandwich or picnic. FroZenYo on F between 10th & 11th is good for a snack or dessert. They have about a dozen flavors of self serve frozen yogurt, plus fresh fruit and other toppings also self serve and you pay by the ounce. Around Metro Center near 14th Street, there are more chain restaurants -- Mix't Greens, Devon & Blakely, Chop'd, Potbelly, etc. Chef Geoff's is on 13th -- it's okay, but nothing special. Oceanaire (very expensive) is across from the Shops at National Place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather Posted June 14, 2010 Share Posted June 14, 2010 I am rarely in town for lunch so I need some suggestions for tomorrow. I don't need super high end and no limitations on cuisine. I will have an hour if that makes a difference. It sort of depends on which side of Metro Center you're on, but I'd walk up to Brasserie Beck at 11th & K Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leleboo Posted June 14, 2010 Share Posted June 14, 2010 It sort of depends on which side of Metro Center you're on, but I'd walk up to Brasserie Beck at 11th & K You could also stop in to Againn if you're heading up that way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdt Posted June 14, 2010 Share Posted June 14, 2010 It sort of depends on which side of Metro Center you're on, but I'd walk up to Brasserie Beck at 11th & K I will be at 11th & H so this might just work. Wonder how crowded the bar gets... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goodeats Posted June 15, 2010 Share Posted June 15, 2010 I will be at 11th & H so this might just work. Wonder how crowded the bar gets... Not very. At least the times I've been there. Dining room, yes, patio, yes, but bar, pretty quiet.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather Posted July 12, 2010 Share Posted July 12, 2010 I'm spending the day trapped in an excruciatingly boring database training class today and would like to treat myself to a decent lunch. What's my best option near 14th & G? I see Ceiba right around the corner, but have only been for drinks several years ago. Are the lunch options good? It's got a few mentions on this board but no raves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonRocks Posted July 12, 2010 Share Posted July 12, 2010 I'm spending the day trapped in an excruciatingly boring database training class today and would like to treat myself to a decent lunch. What's my best option near 14th & G? I see Ceiba right around the corner, but have only been for drinks several years ago. Are the lunch options good? It's got a few mentions on this board but no raves. I'd head to Bibiana, Againn, or J&G Steakhouse (in no particular order). I last went to Ceiba during Snowmageddon, and haven't been impressed with them (see thread). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goodeats Posted July 12, 2010 Share Posted July 12, 2010 You are right by Old Ebbitt. Maybe Cafe du Parc? I feel like Bibiana & Againn may be a hike if on limited lunch time. Concur with Don - avoid Ceiba. Fishy fish tacos last time during lunch did not make a comfortable afternoon (the disclaimer was that this was last year's experience and haven't been back since). Happy Birthday Heather! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foodchaindc Posted July 26, 2010 Share Posted July 26, 2010 One affordable option near Metro Center is the food cart at 12th & E. The vendor there serves up some tasty tacos. Full disclosure: I cook the food! We work with the long time DC hot dog vendors to offer a broader menu of prepared foods (details on the website). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanM Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 Bump! The better half will be in Metro Center tomorrow and needs a few lunch ideas. Is there anything new in the area? Thanks! Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goodeats Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 Just the Astro doughnuts and fried chicken, but you'll have to wait a bit in line for it. I'd take chances for the food trucks near there or Bibiana. For quick bites, District Taco, Devon & Blakely, Chop't, or Pret are good fall backs. Don't forget to stop for coffee at Sip of Seattle! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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