Texas barbecue acolytes can now rejoice. This past Saturday, New York's Hill Country Barbecue Market opened in Penn Quarter. The restaurant smokes up barbecue modeled on that served at Kreuz Market in the Hill Country of Texas. And while some Texans might argue nothing will be quite the same as what they can get in Texas -- especially when it's being imported from New York -- Hill Country hews as close as possible to the real thing. more ›

Big changes are in store for the long line of folks standing at the burrito cart outside the CVS on 15th and K streets NW. As of November 15, Pedro and Vinny’s John Rider will be handing over the reins to his new associate and business partner, William Risbrook. Flyers will go up tomorrow announcing these changes as well as information about the cart's move to the corner of 14th and L. There it... more ›

Written by DCist contributor Andrew Chriss Falls Church offers a diverse array of ethnic cuisine, providing a homespun, lower cost alternative to higher-priced and better-decorated offerings in the District. That being said, it's been a while since the days when I frequented the BBQ, kosher deli, and pho establishments in Loehmann's Plaza. On this night, the destination was Eden Center, Falls Church's Vietnamese epicenter on Wilson Boulevard in Seven Corners. But where to eat? The... more ›

Are wine bars the next bistro? Following closely on the heels of Proof and Sonoma, Veritas Wine Bar will be opening next Monday, September 17. The list is largely composed of Euro-style California wines, with over 50 available by the glass starting at $8 and going up to $28. Also available are various red and white flights, chosen by varietal, region or cutesy names like "m&m&m" and "Mick's picks". Three deadly zins, anyone? The web... more ›

MONDAY: In case you missed him at Politics and Prose last month, left-of-center sports writer Dave Zirin will be at Busboys and Poets to discuss and sign his latest book Welcome to the Terrordome, which tackles the topics of race, class, politics and identity and how they play in the mainstream media's coverage of athletes. Hip-hop activist Son of Nun is scheduled to perform. 6:30 p.m. TUESDAY: Busboys and Poets will hold a forum to... more ›

There were so many big events going on this weekend and it looks like our photographers covered all the bases. You could have dived into some amazing colors at the Caribbean Festival like Flickr user yolamak, or filled up on delicious meat dishes at the Safeway BBQ Festival, or taken a break from the sun on Sunday afternoon to join the DCist Photographer's Meet-Up. What did you do this gorgeous weekend? EXIF. more ›

The women of Venus want to once again experience a man's touch. A former Miss D.C. transcends all normal applications of the term "statuesque beauty". And Jane Fonda does what Jane Fonda does best: save the world. The Hirshhorn brings high camp into the realm of high art with the kickoff of their free "Summer Camp" film series this Thursday. The theme? The feisty, dangerous, and scantily-clad women of adolescent male fantasies 50s & 60s... more ›

LAist is experimenting with blogging dates from J-Date, but finds the best men are found offline. Some date vicariously online and that is one reason why porn is big -- really freaking big -- so they ask if they should cover XXX since the heart of it lays in the city's San Fernando Valley. A writer grapples with her food porn photography obsession, another gets censored on Flickr, one gets scooped by the LA... more ›

With St. Patrick's Day approaching, it’s that time of year when everyone is a little bit Irish. As for us, we typically stock up on the Guinness and boil up some corned beef and cabbage in a big pot that we trot out only a few times each year. This St. Patty's Day, though, we decided to change things up. So, we made a trip over to the Clarendon outpost of Rí Rá -- one in a chain of traditional Irish pubs -- for some inspiration. Besides, we'd already been to Eamonn's and wanted to do some exploring. more ›

Many of our readers are shocked (shocked!) to find out that we at DCist are ardent supporters of independent retail establishments in our fair city. Sometimes we're even capable of overreaction to the threat of national chains on our beloved mom ‘n pops. Remember when so much doom and gloom followed a Washington Post story on the changing nature of retail on Connecticut Ave? But you’ll have to forgive us if each of our hearts... more ›

Written by DCist contributor Spencer Ackerman Never mind the endless D.C. barbeque debate. Neither minds nor palates will ever change in this feud of provincialism. Texans, you might as well stop reading here. For anyone who wants some real, no-nonsense Carolina pork barbeque, however, get out past gentrification's reach and into B & J North Carolina BBQ in LeDroit Park. This, my friends, is as authentic as it gets: you get a nose full of... more ›

For those of us who considered the idea of an electronic music massive dead, Omnipresent Syndicate has a prepared a compelling case as to why we should reconsider. Enter Gathering DC, a party tomorrow night at Love featuring some of the best house DJs in the world. The first class lineup includes David Morales, one of the first "Superstar DJs," Miami's Robbie Rivera, and New York's Todd Terry (known for his remix "I'll House You"... more ›

Down in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, there remain plenty of reminders that the Carolina Panthers haven't quite taken over as the top team in the region. Even at a tremendous distance from DC, Redskins flags still wave from the houses on Virginia Dare Road and autographed photos of Skins luminaries such as Brian Mitchell and Art Monk are still prominently hung on the walls of local BBQ joints. Of course, the distance to... more ›

Debating Where to Debate: It was big news a few weeks back when Marie Johns challenged Adrian Fenty to a duel...errr...debate during a phone call she placed to a radio show Fenty was guesting on. The ambitious one-on-one challenge by Johns was set for August 12 at high noon...errr...9 a.m. But WTOP is reporting today that both Fenty and Johns may end up debating themselves, because they can't seemingly agree on a location for their verbal joust to the death. Fenty claims that the deal was always that the debate would be held somewhere in Ward 8, where he promises to be on the set day. Johns, however, has countered, arguing that since Fenty chose the time and date, she should at least get to choose the location, which she did, opting for the Human Rights Campaign headquarters on Rhode Island Avenue and 17th Street. Neither seems willing to concede, so August 12 may see the two standing miles apart asking an empty podium questions about crime, education, economic development, and affordable housing. Inside sources tell us that the two might meet later this week to settle the dispute, though neither can seem to agree whether they should order in from Domino's or Papa Johns. more ›

Even as the stores sport back to school sales (which depress us, even now), summer lingers on your friends the -ists. This week's collection of links provides some of the best, worst, and oddest bits of summer fun. So, bring your laptop up onto the roof, make yourself an umbrella drink or ten, and enjoy this week's choice posts from across the Gothamist network. Torontoist (where it's 75 degrees F as of this writing)... more ›

If your idea of good macaroni and cheese is adding milk to powdered petroleum cheese and noodles from a blue box, you haven't tried the mac 'n' cheese at Silver Spring's redDog Café. redDog -- which has fast become a neighborhood gathering spot for foodies and families -- features fresh-squeezed juices, muffins and frittatas for breakfast, fresh roasted lemon chicken and other ripieghi (Italian for "fold-over") sandwiches for lunch, and a handful of delicious dinner entrees such as Carolina-style BBQ ribs and succulent cedar plank-roasted salmon. And, have we mentioned, mac 'n' cheese? more ›

How many times have you spent weeks searching for just the right sneaker, only to realize with horror that your perfect shoe is on the feet of at least seven other people at the [insert indie rock band of choice] show? It’s worse than that episode of “Beverly Hills 90210” when Brenda and Kelly showed up to the spring dance wearing the same dress. more ›

‘Tis the worst of times! The hot sauce industry has gotten completely out of hand. Peddling such names as Ass Kickin’ Original and Hog’s Ass Hot BBQ (what’s with all the ass?), you have to wonder whether you’re buying a condiment or a gag gift. Couple tired marketing and cliché namesakes with generic sauces, re-bottled and labeled on a whim and our concern grows. Weary of overwhelming vinegar, heat with no flavor, or no heat with awful flavor, one’s love for hot sauce becomes anemic. We want hot sauce with flavor. Thick with chunks of chili and garlic, and heat that lets you know you're eating hot sauce without worrying about gastroenterological trauma down the road. more ›

FRIDAY: >> Kaiser Chiefs, a Leeds, England five-piece, hits the stage at the 9:30 Club tonight. Their music is infectious (you know, in a good way), confident, and sure to get you dancing. And they're cute, in a quintessentially British sort of way. $15. Doors open at 9, openers The Cribs go on at 10:15, and the Kaiser Chiefs will be on stage at 11:30. At which point we'll be asleep. Because we are old.... more ›

With temperatures approaching the 90’s and heat indexes breaking the century mark, we can be sure that summer is now upon us. While DCist has yet to find the perfect tomato that makes cooking in this season so delightful, we have still turned our thoughts to foods more indicative of hot and lazy days. The crab cake sandwich has been a staple for Marylanders, who will surely shun Roy Rogers take on the seafood classic. DCist recommends you give Old Roy the cold shoulder as well and try this one Eating In. more ›

The Post's staff has determined the best barbecue in the area. If you trust their tastes, then Rockland's in Glover Park is the place to go. Though the Post likes Rockland's BBQ, it wasn't a fan of the choice and quality of its side offerings. The Post also picked The Rib Pit on upper 14th Street (at Randolph Street) in Petworth as "the real thing" with top notch BBQ (dry, overcooked but not mushy,... more ›