Building Better Band Bodies, One Joint at a Time
While we are happy to see cool bands who play D.C. offer up some of their favorite post-show food spots, as +/- did for Pitchfork this week, we'd like to suggest that there's more to life than Ben's Chili Bowl. In fact, much more, in terms of taste and variety. While the institution on U Street was hot long before the "new U" was a part of our vocabulary, and is full of multicultural ambience and good old-fashioned grease, its chili is watery and bland and its chocolate shakes taste like they are reconstituted from from an astronaut's freeze-dried rations.
Carb and protein binging before or after a sweat-inducing show seems to be a universal necessity for the bands who regularly tour, and figuring out where to go in each new city has always been a hit-or-miss proposition. Some folks seek out diners, some settle for Mickey D's, but for those who seek a little inspiration in our hometown, may we suggest:
Etété at 9th and U (1942 9th Street) is one of the best Ethiopian joints around and is a quick step from DC9, the Velvet Lounge, and the 9:30 Club. The modest sized restaurant has received a lot of buzz, including on this site, for its stand out doro wat, a spicy chicken stew that beats the seat off Ben's chili any day, but the real fun is eating with your hands and dipping into the spongy injera bread with friends.
If it's soul food you're after, try Oohhs and Aahhs, a little joint at Vermont and U (1005 U Street). As we wrote recently, the turkey wings are something to covet and the mac n' cheese, well, let's just say it's controversial, but you've got to try it once.
Florida Avenue Grill (1100 Florida Avenue) is also worth the trip for its crispy fried chicken platter, sloppy mac n' cheese, and true Southern breakfasts, which have been served up to regulars since it opened in 1946.
Duffy's, a new Irish bar a little further up towards Florida (2106 Vermont) and très convenient to 9:30, looks promising, with a wealth of comfort food on the menu, including staples like fish and chips, burgers and shepherd's pie. We wrote earlier this year about a few minor zoning issues they have contended with, but they seem to be ready for prime time.
So go for a little walk. We promise, it will pay off.