You know those folded paper pails that Chinese takeout comes in, the ones used to shovel food chopstick to mouth, right from the container? Some argue that it is an inaccurate cliche perpetuated by movies and TV shows. But at Honeygrow (716 7th St. NW), the latest fast casual dining option to open in Washington, straight from the takeout vessel is the only way to go. Whether you get your order to stay in or to go, you’re going to get a pail of food.
Another Philadelphia import to the District (Pizzeria Vetri and La Colombe are two others), Honeygrow opened last week in Chinatown, nestled adjacent to competitors that include Hip City Veg and Shophouse. There is also a Pentagon City location (1100 S. Hayes St.) that opened earlier in 2016.
The customizable menu format and commitment to fresh and local ingredients won’t come as a surprise anyone that’s had lunch or a quick dinner in this city in the last several years. Customers can create their own stir-fry or salad, or choose from the already curated selection. As with the recently opened Eatsa, all ordering is done by the guest via touchscreen monitors with the help of friendly greeters who will check in if you have any questions or if you’re not paying with plastic. This lets you select one of the pre-populated menu items and order it as is, swipe in a few modifications, or assemble something of your own creation.
Stir-fry orders—which can be sautéed with different noodles or brown rice or atop lettuce cups— get sent to the woks on the right. A Chesapeake crab concoction nicely combines egg noodles, a tomato broth, and vegetables topped by the delicate crab meat (as a regional special, the crab is the only protein you can’t swap into other dishes as a substitute). However, a sour cherry BBQ bowl with roast pork doesn’t sing out to me. Perhaps it’s because I swapped out the red onions for snow peas and the fried shallots for roasted cashews. As anywhere, go your own way at your own risk.
During multiple visits, things were lonely on the salad station side of the store, maybe because Chop’t is practically next door.
Meals are in the $7.45 to $10.45 including the noodle, rice, or lettuce base, a protein, three vegetables, and two garnishes. It’s understandable to pay $2 for extra meat. But flexibility on some of the garnishes would be welcome. Even if you’ve already selected parsley and pineapples, it seems silly to be charged $0.45 for red chili flakes.
The third section of the growing franchise’s menu is the honeybar. Here, wildflower, buckwheat, or clover honey is paired with three kinds of fruits, along with two toppings, like coconut shavings, chocolate chips, or granola. Whipped cream and plain yogurt are available for an upcharge.
The growing franchise’s name doesn’t come from honey-centric dessert and snack menu, however. It is a play on the words “honest” eating and “growing” local.
And for the chemists out there, mercury seems to have nothing to do with the equation despite the element’s “hg” symbol being stamped on those Chinese takeout pails you’ll be eating from.
