Lunch on Capitol Hill for $5 or Less
By DCist contributor Elisabeth Grant
D.C. can be an expensive place to eat lunch. A meal from Cosi will set you back $8, any sit-down place is at least twice as much that, and even if you're just going for coffee, a grande pumpkin spice latte (the most delicious beverage on the planet) will put you out over $4. While many of the folks who work on or around the Hill, like those with expense accounts, may not mind shelling out double digits in cash for lunch, there are plenty of us looking for a good deal. Whether you're a Hill staffer, a non-profit lobbyist, or a Senator who is saving all your money for a legal defense fund, check out the places below to live the dream of eating out for $5 or less on Capitol Hill.
Eastern Market - 306 7th Street, SE
Eastern Market is still undergoing renovations to repair the major damage caused by a fire on April 30, 2007. However, vendors have been able continue to serve their customers in a temporary facility located across the street. Venture inside and you'll find multiple inexpensive places to eat:
The Market Lunch
The Market Lunch is a neighborhood favorite for brunch on the weekends, drawing crowds who know the wait (sometimes up to an hour) is worth it. Luckily, it never gets as crowded on weekdays, when you can get a hamburger for $3.95, a bacon cheeseburger for $4.75, or a hot ham & cheese for $4.95. There are a number of other sandwiches in the $4.50 range, but you'll have to get them on a Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday; the Market Lunch is closed on Monday and Tuesday.
Photo of the pre-fire Market Lunch from Hoffman.
Union Meat Company
For hot dog lovers who are wary of the curbside stands around the city, try out the Union Meat Company's all beef hot dog for $2 or their jumbo polish kielbasa for $2.75. Both come with chips and a soda at no extra charge.
Fine Sweet Shoppe
Don't be fooled by the name, the Fine Sweet Shoppe offers lunch options too. Chose from one of their four sandwiches (ham, turkey, corn beef, or B.L.T.), each only $3.50. Though only the strongest willed will be able to pass up getting an éclair or pastry as well.
Seating inside is at a minimum at Eastern Market, with just one counter available for The Market Lunch customers only, but if you're lucky you can find a spot on one of the picnic tables or benches just outside each entrance.
Prepared Food
If you don't mind food that has been prepared and packaged earlier in the day, then here are some places you should check out:
Marvelous Market - 303 7th St. SE
If you can't find what you're looking for at Eastern Market, just head across the street to a different market, the Marvelous Market. Most of the sandwiches and salads here hover around the six to seven dollar mark, but there are a handful of items that will keep you under $5 for lunch. There’s the Thai spring roll with chicken ($3.99), the petite garden salad ($3.99), or the penne pasta w/ sundried tomatoes ($3.69). In the warmer months there are plenty of tables available outside for Marvelous Market patrons.
Yes! Organic Market - 658 Pennsylvania Ave. SE
Vegetarians and vegans want to eat on the cheap too! At the Yes! Organic Market you'll find plenty of vegetarian and vegan prepared foods for under $5. Their vegetarian delight meal comes packed with stuffed grape leaves, a side of lentils, mini pitas, and a generous scoop of hummus for $4.49. Try their vegetarian & vegan pad Thai or vegan dumplings for $4.99. They also have a variety of sandwiches for around $3, like baked tofu slices on rye or the V.L.T.; but beware, sometimes the bread is soggy by lunchtime.
Grocers/Convenience stores
Roland's Grocery - 333 Pennsylvania Ave. SE
Grocers and convenience stores around the city have options like boxed cereal or yogurt cups, which can be grabbed for lunch in a bind, but Roland's Grocery steps it up with their Deli counter at the back of the store. Their made-to-order sandwiches and subs range from $3.95 to $4.75, depending on your meat and fixin' selections. And since you're in a grocery store, you can easily grab a drink (and all sorts of dry goods and household items for that matter) on your way out.
Pizza
Pizza Bolis
Just down 8th Street S.E., a few blocks from the Eastern Market metro, you can find an incredible lunchtime deal at Pizza Bolis. This take-out and pick-up pizza place doesn't offer seating, but they do have jumbo slice of pizza (we're talking as big as your head) and a 12 oz. soda for $3. It's one of their "pickup specials," and is a delicious, though greasy, lunch option.