In a city where you can’t throw a rock without hitting a fast-casual place, another one will open this week in Dupont Circle. Muncheez is opening its third Middle Eastern restaurant on Friday, and giving away free lunch to the first 200 people to visit.
Like the other locations in Tenleytown and Georgetown, Muncheez’ menu takes inspiration from Lebanese street food. There are pita sandwiches stuffed with chicken or beef shawarma, cauliflower, or falafel. Manakeesh—or Lebanese flatbread—comes topped with cheese, ground beef, chicken, or zaatar. You can also build your own bowl, starting with greens, vermicelli, rice, or lentils, and ending with such toppings as whipped garlic sauce, pickled turnips, baba ghannouj, or tahini. Mini plates include spinach pie, kibbe (fried dumplings), grape leaves, fries, and tabbouleh.
And because no one ever said falafel is a daytime food only, this location, opening in the former home of now-shuttered DGS Delicatessen, will be slinging food until at least 2:30 a.m. each night (morning?).
When Muncheez Dupont opens on Friday at 11 a.m., the first 200 guests in line will receive a bowl or pita sandwich on the house.
Muncheez opens Friday at 1317 Connecticut Ave. NW. Hours are Sunday-Wednesday 11 a.m.-2:30 a.m., Thursday 11 a.m.-3:30 a.m., Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.-4:30 a.m.
Lori McCue