Cheap Eats in DC

Bergami's Pizza

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Cheap Eats) — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 20:19:00 +0000

Bergami’s Pizza is a new fast and casual pizza place off Rhode Island Ave and it is one of the most dangerous places I have reviewed. Do knives randomly fall from the ceiling? No. Is there a range for blind archery enthusiasts? No. Do they offer glass shards as a topping? No. It is dangerous because it’s tasty, fast, and right on my work commute.

I was invited to give Bergami’s a try, and it would have been unconscionable to refuse. Upon arrival, I was greeted by a friendly man behind the counter, who turned out to be the manager, with an explanation of the ordering process. The ordering style is similar to the &Pizzawhere you choose your crust and toppings and it is assembled and baked as you step down the ordering line. Once it’s out of the oven, there are additional fresh garnish items to top it all off. I browsed the options for the crust, sauce, and toppings, and also considered the various Chef’s Suggestions of different fully-loaded pizzas. Pizza often brings out my inner carnivore and I’m always tempted to order a triple meat lover’s with a meat garnish. They had all the offerings to construct such a request, but for some reason, I felt obligated to try something outside of my usual request. I asked a second
friendly man behind the counter, who happened to be the owner, which Chef’s Suggestion was tasty. He asked if I preferred red or white pizzas and I replied, “Yes.” He suggested the Goomah, a white pie with whole-milk mozzarella, goat cheese, salami, red peppers, spinach, chicken, oil, and pecorino. Was it good? Yup. The mixture of flavors on a crisp on the outside, fluffy on the inside crust was an enjoyable departure from my usual “MEAT GOOD!” style pizza. Does this mean I’m forgoing carnivore pizzas for good? No, it’s just nice to try something else now and then. For drinks, they offer Pepsi products from the fountain, and some higher-end bottled sodas. If you’re in the mood for adult beverages, they have an impressive selection of craft beers available. The seating area is a bit small and it can get crowded during meal rushes, but the crowd moves through quickly as the pizzas are doled out. I was so satisfied with lunch that I took home a pepperoni and sausage pizza to share with Ms. Classy.

What really sets them apart from other fast and casual pizza places is that they open bright and early at 6am. They serve up customizable breakfast pizzas and offer a full coffee menu, not just regular and decaf pots sitting on a warmer. I hope the breakfast offerings work out for them, I think it’s a neat idea.

-Mr. Cheap Eats

Bergami's Pizza: 2350 Washington Place NE Suite 109N 202-269-0300

Pulpo in Cleveland Park

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Cheap Eats) — Mon, 25 Nov 2013 00:32:00 +0000

Speaking of tapas, Ms. Classy and I usually don’t consider this dining style because, we do enjoy the variety of flavors, but are bummed when the bill comes after eating our fill. The kind people of Pulpo invited us in for a tasting to see if they could sway our opinion. Consider it swayed. To our mutual delight, many of Pulpo’s Spanish-inspired tapas selections are much more fulfilling than anticipated.

The good people of Pulpo had quite a plan for us. They started us off with the grilled asparagus with pistachio-orange pesto. The pesto was AMAZING. The only slight little hiccup of a drawback was that the ends of the asparagus spears were too fibrous. No big deal, we just clipped off were the stalks ceased being perfectly tender and enjoyed the tasty parts. The next dish presented to us was the scallops in a sweetcorn puree with sides of pickled chilies and angry popcorn. I have to admit, I was a bit confused by the ‘angry’ popcorn. With a name like ‘angry,’ I was expecting blow-the-back-of-your-head-off heat, but the puffy kernels were merely sprinkled with paprika. It provided a nice color/texture presentation, but flavor wise, I didn’t think the popcorn added anything to the scallop dish overall. As far as the scallops go, they were heavily seared on the outside, but perfectly cooked on the insides. The next item up for bids was the sautéed octopus. I was pleased with the tenderness of the pieces and the fennel added a nice touch.

One dish we were most pleased with was the beef brisket. First of all, the serving size was substantial compared to your standard serving from tapas joints. This flavorful meat sits atop a black bean puree that really adds a nice depth of rich flavor. Next came the slow roasted pork belly and I tell you, it was heaven on a platter. The outsides were amazingly crispy and the insides were so tender and succulent. I literally melted when I tried it. Another generously portioned and highly recommended dish is the bacon Brussels sprouts. Now these things were roasted. The outer leaves were quite charred and brittle with a tender, flavorful core. Ms. Classy felt they were a bit over-charred, but I didn’t mind at all. And, well let’s be honest, there’s bacon. The only way bacon ruins a dish by poor preparation, which wasn’t the case here. And our final savory selection were the smoked pork tacos. These were the best pork tacos I’ve had, hands down. The meat was just the right amount of moist, tender, and smoky (much better than the ones I’ve had at Oyamel).

Our dinner ended as many dinners do: with dessert. They served us a heaping tres leches V2.0. This isn’t your standard tres leches cake that’s saturated with sweet dairy goodness. This is goat cheese frosting between two slices of angel food cake, with ducle de leche drizzled over top, surrounded by sheep milk foam, blueberries, and crumble. It was quite good and sizable. But I have to confess, this is a dish we wouldn’t have minded them sticking to tradition. It’s hard to beat saturated spongecake.

Overall, we loved our meal and were impressed with the portion sizes, prices, and quality when compared to other tapas restaurants. If you want exceptional drink deals, visit during their happy hour from 4pm to 7:30 and then again from 10pm to closing where all drinks are half price: no exception, no joke.

-Mr. Cheap Eats

Pulpo: 3407 Connecticut Ave NW, (202) 450-6875

We, the Pizza in Capitol Hill

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Cheap Eats) — Sun, 22 Sep 2013 15:23:00 +0000

Since I loved Good Stuff Eatery (I even hand delivered a Sunnyside burger to Ms. Classy at her place of work just so she could experience the burger bliss), it was only a matter of days before I stopped by for a visit to We, the Pizza.

When viewing the plethora of unconventional pizzas, I felt overwhelmed and indecisive. However, I was visiting during the best time for speedy service and prompt turn-around time from ordering to eating: the doldrums between lunch and dinner. Even though I had plenty of time to decide, I felt the intense pressure of a dozen or so unique and appealing pizza options pulling me in a dozen directions. I could not decide, so I opted for a slice of the ‘pizza of the month’ before knowing what it was, which turned out to be spicy chorizo and corn salsa. Their wings prices are reasonable, so I ordered a side of six Sriracha Hot & Honey Sweet wings. Altogether, the tab totaled $10.00, managing to stay on par with my definition of a cheap eat.

When I received my order, I found a seat and pondered where to start. I have an obsession with

wings and immediately wanted to start there, however, the less time a pizza spends between the oven and your mouth, the better it is, so I went with the latter. When I picked up the pizza slice, it held its shape. I LOVE a firm, crunchy crust where the plate’s only purpose is to catch the crumbs instead of the dripping ingredients from a sagging slice. The real kicker is that the crust also managed to have a bit of chewiness – absolute crust perfection. As far as the flavor goes, it was very interesting. I’ve never had corn on a pizza, but it worked.

However, the real stars of the lunch were the wings. I know I’m not being objective here, I am wing-obsessed, but these were great. I chose the homemade ranch sauce with the hopes that I didn’t need to use it, because good wings can stand alone without the help of any sauce. These wings had an excellent heat and sweet one-two punch. The breading had just the right amount of thickness and the size and quality of the chicken were excellent. I wanted to grab my phone and start canonizing my wing experience as it was happening, but this was a sticky-finger meal, so I had to wait until I scrubbed, rinsed, and scrubbed my hands again before touching anything.

Will I go back? Whenever I’m in or near the neighborhood. I’m making it a personal goal to sample the four other wing flavors. I could also pick up a Sunnyside burger at Good Stuff Eatery and compliment it with wings from We, the Pizza, but I don’t think I will. Such a lunch experience would be my equivalent to summiting Everest. Sure, having the Perfect Lunch would be monumental, but there would be a touch of sadness at knowing I've reached the highest point and a step away in any direction would be a step downward.

-Mr. Cheap Eats

We, the Pizza: 305 Pennsylvania Ave SE 202-544-4008

Founding Farmers in Foggy Bottom

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Cheap Eats) — Sun, 25 Aug 2013 12:11:00 +0000

I know, Founding Farmers is definitely not a place for a cheap fellow like me, and you're right (I'll talk about my bill later). However, they do have wings on the menu and it's my civic duty to try all the wings DC has to offer. Since it was about 10 minutes to happy hour, I inquired about Founding Farmers happy hour offerings, but my cheer was deflated with the news that they did not participate in such tomfoolery.
With no happy hour to cure the 'I'm paying full price' blues, I got down to business and ordered the plate of Oven-Roasted Black Pepper Wings, along with a Lime Basil Saison brought in from 3 Stars Brewery. When the wings came, I couldn't help but notice they looked amazing, and they were. The shimmery soy glaze, chopped scallions, with a squeeze of fresh lime drizzled over top and the zip of pepper gave a complexity of flavors that's a rare find in an order of wings. The quality of cooking as also top notch: crispy on the outside with tender, juicy chicken on the inside.

However, this was not the perfect wing experience. I had one problem: this plate of six wings cost $9.00, with an $8.00 beer to boot. I've been to other places whose regular priced wings have exceeded the 1:1 dollar:wing ratio, but not by this much and they also offered a happy hour where the prices of wings and beer were significantly reduced.
In the end, yes, the wings were amazing (they'd better be at that price, or they would have had a one-man riot on their hands), but they were also the most expensive and not even the best of the best that I've had. In a town that specializes in high-end happy hours, I don't consider Founding Farmers to be in the top echelon of restaurants that are above having one.

-Mr. Cheap Eats

Founding Farmers: 1924 Pennsylvania Ave NW 202-822-8783

Capitol City Brewing Company turned 21

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Cheap Eats) — Fri, 16 Aug 2013 15:51:00 +0000

This month, Capitol City Brewing Company turned 21 and celebrated by adding a new brew to their lineup: Honey 21. I was pleased to get an invite to the birthday bash, as I'm always pleased when I have evidence that someone actually reads my blog.
A few of the big bloggers in town were also in attendance, each with an entourage. I grabbed a complimentary Honey 21 and did my best to stay out of the way as I watched these entourages intermingle. Realizing I was reliving every high school dance I've ever attended, I quickly joined in the jabbering. Soon, appetizers were served, and I immediately locked onto the plates of Buffalo and Old Bay wings. There were several other non-wing items presented, but I don't recall what they were. Brushing all conversation aside, I plucked a couple wings from each plate. I usually don't order 'Old

Bay' anything because I imagine the seasoning applied to the ordered food item with one of those baseball game t-shirt cannons: to mean that there is usually WAY too much Old Bay heaped upon the order. However, these wings were complimentary and also had a sensible dusting of Old Bay that didn't require an immediate palate cleanse after every nibble. The Buffalo wings were not breaded and the sauce is made in-house. Overall they were good. The flavors were standard, the quality of the chicken was good, the cooking was spot on, but they didn't stand out.

Eventually, my hunger escalated. I slid up to the bar, tried the Smokey Wheat beer and ordered the Tuna Steak Sandwich. The bartender plunked down a basket of complimentary soft pretzels with a horseradish-based sauce to keep me occupied while my dinner was being prepared. The bartender was awesome: quick service and full of witty banter. The Tuna Steak Sandwich finally arrived. The tuna was impressively thick and wonderfully seasoned. However, it was cooked within an inch of its life. I would have preferred the tuna to be seared on the outside and deliciously red on the inside, but this was white and dry all the way through.

Unfortunately, the food was overall disappointing. What I enjoyed most was the busy sports bar atmosphere and the friendly and funny bartender. If your main goal is a place with lots of seating, micro-brewed beers, and lots of sports on lots of televisions, with friendly and entertaining service, then this place should be on your short list. If you're looking to sit down to tasty bar fare, there are better options.

-Mr. Cheap Eats
Capitol City Brewing Company: 202-628-2222 1100 New York Ave NW

The Good Stuff Eatery in Capitol Hill

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Cheap Eats) — Wed, 07 Aug 2013 16:52:00 +0000

The Good Stuff Eatery has been on my ‘to eat’ list for quite a while. I’ve read numerous postings about the awesome burgers and viewed mouth-watering pictures of the hand-spun shakes all over twitter and tumblr. Well, this day was my time to shine.

The lunch hour was officially underway and the tail of the snaking line was nearly poking through the door. This was to my benefit, since I was at the restaurant that’s the heart of the Venn diagram where cheap and delicious overlap and I was feeling indecisive about which burger to choose. To my chagrin, the line moved quickly and I was forced to come to a decision, or else face the ire of the dozens of patrons behind me. Since I skipped breakfast, the Spike’s Sunnyside burger seemed an appropriate choice.

The menu cautions to have plenty of napkins at the ready when ordering this burger. As I’ve mentioned before, despite my best efforts, I’m a messy eater and I was sporting my professional garb – but the burger looked irresistible. I ordered it and promised myself to eat it with exceeding caution (famous last words).

The menu warning was necessary; it is a sloppy burger. I tossed my tie back over my shoulder, inched my chair back, then leaned forward with my elbows jutted out and up, as if I was about to do a seated version of the chicken dance, and bit into the juicy, wonderful burger. A mixture of yolk and Good Stuff Sauce slopped onto the paper-lined tray, but my clothes were mercifully spared.

Was it good? Oh doctor, yes! I’ve had the fried egg on burger before, and this was perfection. The consistency of the yolk added to the juiciness and richness of the burger. The mayo-based Good Stuff Sauce doesn’t stand out, but ties the flavors together. And every menu item at every restaurant on earth is made better with bacon. For a side, I got a snack size Spike’s Village Fries. The sprinkle of thyme, rosemary, and sea salt elevates these fries from good to gourmet.

I tweeted about my meal satisfaction and had an immediate response to try the toasted marshmallow shake, but my stomach was at capacity. Oh well, that means I have incentive for a return visit.

Mr. Cheap Eats

The Good Stuff Eatery: 202-543-8222 303 Pennsylvania Ave SE

You need to try the Poho style wings at Tommy Joe's in Bethesda

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Cheap Eats) — Tue, 30 Jul 2013 13:42:00 +0000

When I have unforgettable wings, I have to give a shout out. This shout out goes to Tommy Joe’s in Bethesda and their amazing Poho style wings. When a restaurant can take something as ubiquitous as wings and make them stand out and memorable, it’s worth recognition and revisits.

I had noticed Tommy Joe’s, what seemed to be a little smokehouse, quite some time ago and made a mental note to try them out when I happened to be hungry and nearby. Well, eventually that day came. I sauntered up to the bar during the quiet hours between lunch and dinner and was quickly handed a menu. The first thing I search for is their wing offerings and if they only have the usual barbecue, buffalo, and plain/Old Bay, I check to see if any other items catch my eye, only returning if the rest of the items seem as unexciting as their wing flavors. That’s when I saw the Poho style wings double basted in a secret sauce and finished on a grill. I asked about this enigmatic item and the bartender explained that they are a popular item ad one of her favorites. Capturing the spirit of anyone who has ever proclaimed ‘YOLO,’ I ordered these wings.

And am I glad I did. The grill finish gave them a dry texture and a slight, smoky flavor. I prefer dry wings over extra saucy wings due to my inability to keep my face clean while eating them. There was a subtle spiciness, a little tangy, and an underlying peanut flavor. These wings had a complex and unique flavor that really puts them in the top percentile of wing flavors. There is no need for a dipping sauce, unless you want to mask the wonderful flavor of the wings. Also, the chicken was good quality. The wings were juicy and not loaded with fat and gristle. Unfortunately, my visit was a couple hours before happy hour and I paid full price ($10.50 for 10 wings). I’ll have to remember to return during happy hour, 4pm-8pm M-F, to get them half price.

-Mr. Cheap Eats

Tommy Joe's: 301-654-3801 4714 Montgomery Lane, Bethesda MD

Review Request: Pret A Manger's new summer salads

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Cheap Eats) — Fri, 26 Jul 2013 12:44:00 +0000

Ms. Classy and I were invited to try a few summer salad selections from Pret A Manger’s summer menu. Before arriving, Ms. Classy researched which items looked the most delectable while still being low-calorie. Based on the menu descriptions and nutritional information, we went with these three options:

Falafel Meze Salad – This salad consists of three falafels, fresh spinach and romaine lettuce, flavorful Kalamata olives, juicy grape tomatoes, and crisp red onions. And what summer salad is complete without crisp cucumber slices? The hummus is centralized in one scoop and the tzatziki sauce is secured in a small cup so you can use as much or as little as you like. All the ‘cold’ elements were fresh, flavorful, and pleasing. Unfortunately, we didn’t care for the falafels; they were very dry.

Wild Salmon Salad – This salad was our unanimous favorite. Unfortunately we chose this one for the mini-size selection. The fresh sockeye salmon, the tender mesclun, the slight pepperiness of the arugula, combined with the creaminess of the tzatziki sauce make this a tasty summer salad.

Italian Prosciutto & Quinoa Salad – I’m a newcomer to the joys of quinoa. Now blended with edamame (already an established favorite with me), there’s no going wrong there. And prosciutto is only second to bacon in the world’s most perfect meat contest. There is only one flaw with this salad: there’s no sauce or dressing. There is a lemon wedge for squeezing, but it is a dry salad. Sure you could have something added, but that would also add to the calorie count.

We came away with a mixed view of our selections. On one hand, hardcore calorie counters will not have to spend much time counting when ordering these options. These salads are very low-calorie, can provide a satisfying meal, and still fit into highly calorie-restrictive diets, such as the fast diet. Also, each of the ingredients were fresh and of the highest quality. On the other hand, we could also tell that certain sacrifices were made to keep the calorie count low. The falafels were very dry and the Italian Prosciutto & Quinoa Salad lacked a spread/dressing/sauce to tie all of the tasty ingredients together. But dieting does require sacrifice and discipline and these salads to give a lot of flavor with satisfying serving sizes for the least amount of calories. Ms. Classy and I recommend the Wild Salmon Salad for anyone looking for a tasty and satisfying low-calorie salad.

-Mr. Cheap Eats

H &Pizza: The best $8.85 you could ever spend.

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Cheap Eats) — Fri, 05 Jul 2013 17:50:00 +0000

Fast and casual, I love you. Not only have you brought upon some of my favorite chain restaurants, you have brought local gems like H &Pizza. Pizza has always been one of the best bangs for your cheap eats buck, but H & Pizza brings the merger of value, flavor, and fulfillment to a whole new level.

If you’re the indecisive sort, you should check out their menu online beforehand. They offer a huge variety of meats, vegetables, sauces, herbs, and oils. Luckily, I have an amazing researcher in Ms. Classy, who suggested I try the Maverick (classic tomato sauce, housemade mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, spicy sausage, smoked bacon, soppressata, parmesan reggiano, oregano oil). Many people have called this the ‘Chipotle’ of pizza and I have to disagree a bit. Yes, they are both masters of their products, however, H &Pizza offers many more options for customization and unique ingredients not expected from a ‘pizza place’, not just slight variations of the same basic combos (don’t get me wrong, Chipotle is one of my favorite chains).

So, was it good? Take a look at the photos, they are enough to answer that question. The thin crust was a perfect mix of chewy and crispy. The combination of the rich flavor of the smoked bacon and the spiciness of the sausage were excellent compliments to one another. This is definitely the pizza for chest-thumping carnivores. Fret not, my vegan and vegetarian friends, they have delectable options for you as well! The best part of the meal was that this generously sized personal pizza was only $8.85. If you want to go heavy on the toppings, that’ll cost you an additional $0.00. That’s right, there’s no per topping charge, $8.85 for unlimited toppings. Go ahead, go call one of the big pizza chains, ask for a small pizza, pile on the toppings and see if the total is anywhere near $8.85. You can also ask them if the mozzarella is freshly made in house. I’ll wait.

In the end, this was one of the best ways to spend $8.85. The pizza is large enough to tackle one hefty appetite, or two modest ones. If H &Pizza decided to get in on the delivery market (along with the other location on U Street), it would foster the beginning of the end of the large pizza chains.

-Mr. Cheap Eats

GBD Fried Chicken and Donuts in Dupont Circle

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Cheap Eats) — Wed, 26 Jun 2013 17:13:00 +0000

I thought I knew good fried chicken, especially being raised near a town that only serves fried chicken and fudge, but I was blown away by GBD Fried Chicken and Donuts.

When researching lunch options in Dupont Circle, I noticed quite the internet buzz about GBD. I checked out their website and my brain function stopped when I saw the world’s most perfect menu item: a key lime donut. I did the Road Runner “meep meep!” and zoomed toward the restaurant.

At peak lunchtime, there were a lot of people waiting for their take out orders and I braced myself for a bit of a wait, but that wasn’t the case. I put in my order for a Drum & Thigh Lunchbox with a side of Pimento Mac & Cheese for the modest price of $8.00. The donuts are on the pricey side as donuts go, but I couldn’t help it, I had to order the key lime donut. The friendly employee handed me the donut to enjoy as I took a seat and waited for my order.

Was the donut good? Hell. Yes. The dough was heavy and sweet. When I reached the tart key lime filling, my salivary glands did a back flip. I had to make myself stop halfway through this sizeable donut. It was too good to not share with Ms. Classy, which was a significant sacrifice and expenditure of will power.

As I finished carefully wrapping the precious half donut, my order was brought to the table. As I said, I didn’t know good fried chicken before this moment. The breading was crispy with a subtle flavor and not overseasoned to compensate for flavorless meat, which was flavorful and juicy. The Pimento Mac & Cheese was exactly how mac & cheese should be: quality cheeses with a little something added for some zip. That biscuit: PERFECT! I should have gotten some butter for it so I could clog my arteries just a tad more.

Will I be back? Yes. I am really keen on trying the chocolate cream filled brioche and coffee cake donut.

-Mr. Cheap Eats

There's News in my Food: Buy One Get One Free Naan Pizza at Spice 6

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Cheap Eats) — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 02:24:00 +0000

If you, or a friend, have yet to try Spice 6 in Hyattsville, Saturday, June 8^thfrom 11am-10pm will be the perfect time to try. Why you ask? Because they’re having a 2 for 1 special on their nann pizzas. All you need to do is bring a friend, order a naan pizza and get a second one of equal or lesser value.

Spicy food lovers and heat seekers should ask for Vik's Special Hot Sauce. This sauce is too hot for the menu, so you need to ask for it by name. If you do, the good people of Spice 6 recommend a Mango Lassi (with house made yogurt) to cool your taste buds.

If you have never been to Spice 6, this is the perfect time to try it out. The restaurant has a fast and casual set up where you start out with freshly baked naan bread. Next, choose from a selection of masalas (tikka, kadai, korma, or spinach masala) for your base sauce for your pizza. Then, saunter on down the line to choose your protein (chicken, lamb, tofu, or paneer). Finally, top it all off with fresh veggies with a selection of fresh onions, cilantro, bell peppers, and tomatoes. Motivated eaters who know what they want when they want it can have a hot and ready naan pizza within two minutes. Spice 6 makes all curries and sauces in house daily, so you can be assured peak freshness and flavor.

You can follow them on Facebook, fb.com/spicesix, or Twitter, @spicesix, to keep in the know of any new deals or menu offerings.

-Mr. Cheap Eats

There's News in My Food: Like free food? RSVP at Nando's Peri-Peri

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Cheap Eats) — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 23:56:00 +0000

Nando’s Peri-Peri Lights A Flame at Woodbridge, Virginia on June 12th

The Peri-Peri Chicken restaurant’s summer opening will follow two days of complimentary meals

Washington, DC- June 3^rd, 2013 - Nando’s Peri-Peri, the Afro-Portuguese chicken restaurant, known for its legendary flame-grilled chicken, will open its doors at a new location at 15001 Potomac Town Place on Wednesday, June 12^th. Located at Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center in Woodbridge, VA, this will be the restaurant group’s third Virginia location, following its Pentagon Row and Old Town restaurants that opened last year.

On Monday, June 10^th from 12pm-3pm & 5pm-8pm and Tuesday, June 11^th from 12pm-8pm the Woodbridge location will be holding mock services for local residents, office workers, and families who make advance reservations to attend the pre-opening complimentary meals. Please email sallyd@nandosperiperi.com with the total number of guests in your party and preferred reservation date and time. Further details will be posted to the Nando’s Peri-Peri Facebook Page.

The 3,163 SF Nando’s Peri-Peri at Woodbridge will contain several original pieces of South African art from the restaurant’s international art collection. Part of Nando’s Worldwide Art Initiative, world-renowned South African Impressionist Graffiti artist,Kilmany-Jo Liversage, will have two commissioned murals on display as well.

Nando’s Peri-Peri will be joining several other restaurants at the new shopping center, which include Brixx Wood Fired Pizza, P.F. Changs, Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill, and Travinia Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar, among others.

About Nando’s Peri-Peri

The first Nando’s restaurant opened its doors in 1987 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Since then, the Nando’s flame has spread to 27 countries and five continents. Nando’s is known worldwide for its succulent Peri-Peri chicken, marinated for 24 hours, flame-grilled to perfection, and basted to the customer’s preferred flavor and spice. Nando’s Peri-Peri made its USA debut in 2008 with the opening of its first location on 7^th Street in Washington, DC’s Chinatown. Nando’s Peri-Peri has since opened ten additional restaurants in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area, including DuPont Circle, Silver Spring, Annapolis, Bethesda, Baltimore, Gaithersburg, National Harbor, Pentagon Row, Waugh Chapel, and Old Town, Alexandria. For more information, please visitwww.Nandosperiperi.com or follow @NandosUSA on Twitter and Like Nando’s Peri-Peri USA on Facebook.

The Big Greek Cafe

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Cheap Eats) — Sun, 02 Jun 2013 23:36:00 +0000

I love Greek food. However, I can accurately say, “I love ___________ food,” with nearly every nationality that loves to sling food filling in the blank. I also, to your utter shock, love cheap food.

The Big Greek Café is a place where my two favorite things merge as one. Every Wednesday, they serve up tasty gyros for only $5.00. I tell you, this is one of the crown jewels of cheapdom. The combination of the fried pita, shaved lamb, chopped tomatoes and onion, and cool refreshing tzazikisauce, along with the large portion, made this quite a satisfying meal at a price I can afford again and again. Seriously, I don’t know how they prepare their pita bread, but it’s unlike any other pita that I have ever had.

Unfortunately, this deal is only on Wednesdays. However, there are affordable menu items available every day. Ms. Classy and I stopped here after shopping on a Saturday evening. For $6.75 each, she ordered the chicken souvlaki pita and I was a little more naughty and ordered the pork souvlaki pita. Both pitas were loaded with ingredients and the strips of meat were grilled amazingly. My only caveat is that due to how overstuffed they are, they get messy. Make sure you lean over your plate and have a napkin handy. After enjoying the pita, you’ll also enjoy taking a fork and eating the tasty remnants that have fallen to your plate. The most amazing thing is, they are completely satisfying. Before our shopping excursion, Ms. Classy and I had a very light lunch and we were starving. After finishing my pork souvlaki pita, I just had to lean back and give my happy belly a pat.

-Mr. Cheap Eats

Oyamel in Penn Quarter

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Cheap Eats) — Tue, 28 May 2013 00:19:00 +0000

I’ve only experienced Oyamel once, and from what I’ve seen and sampled, Oyamel will stay busy for a long time. I was fortunate enough to be part of a fairly large entourage when visiting, so even with reservations, there was some wait time before we were seated. Wait time doesn’t phase me, especially when I’m in good company, but at Oyamel we had the added bonus of good drink. We ordered a pitcher of Blood Orange Chile Pequin, and were we ever so glad we did. Ms. Classy was a little hesitant, but became a fan of the drink after the first sip. It is a refreshing citrus margarita, but the pequin puts a zing that warms your lips and will make your tongue ask for more. We all really enjoyed the flavorful complexity of this drink.

Soon after our unanimous approval of our drinks, we were shown to our table (time really flies when you’re drinking) where the next delight was brought to us. The chips and salsa are the best chips and salsa on earth, no exceptions. The chips alone, which are complimentary, would make an enjoyable snack without a salsa sidekick, but that salsa is out of this world (first round of salsa is free, two big ones if you want more). The fresh and smoky flavor is everything anyone could ever hope for in a salsa. So far, this looked to be a stellar meal.

Next, we had the difficult task of selecting from the menu options. Oyamel is a small-plate establishment so it can get pricy quickly. The upside is that everybody shares and you’re not stuck with one selection, especially when someone else’s looks so much more appetizing. Since an order of everything with a side order of everything was out of my price range, I narrowed it down to three: the camarones al mojo de ajo negro (shrimp sautéed with shallots, arbol chile, poblano pepper, lime and sweet aged black garlic), the cochinita pibíl con cebolla en escabeche (a taco containing Yucatan-style pit barbecued pork with pickled red onion and Mexican sour orange) and the the col de bruselas estilo San Quintín (crispy brussels sprouts with a chile de arbol sauce, pumpkin seed, peanuts and lime). I love shrimp, and as long as they’re cooked to perfection, which they were at Oyamel, I could enjoy them without any seasoning or sauce. And those Brussels sprouts; the outer crisp with the mixture of flavors really put this dish in the top percentile of all Brussels sprouts dishes ever served in all restaurants anywhere. My only disappointment was the taco. The description sounds irresistible, so I had no choice but to order it. Unfortunately, it came off as quite dry. I can assume that’s how it was supposed to be prepared and I just made the unfortunate discovery that I’m not a fan of that style. Ms. Classy ordered the same taco, and shared the same sentiment. However, she had since revisited Oyamel and ordered the Pancita de puerco al pastor taco (seared house-cured pork belly in a sauce of tomatoes and guajillo chiles, served with pineapple, onions and cilantro) and said the pork belly was to die for.

The next time I’m fortunate enough to visit Oyamel, I will go for the pork belly taco and definitely order the Brussels sprouts. However, I think I’ll branch out and try something other than the shrimp. Not that they weren’t great, but I should expand my horizons a bit.

-Mr. Cheap Eats

Fado Irish Pub in Chinatown

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Cheap Eats) — Fri, 24 May 2013 00:02:00 +0000

Once again, I found myself on the mean streets of Chinatown in the late afternoon. My stomach was groaning, but I had set dinner plans three hours later. I couldn’t help it. I needed a nosh and tipple that would tide me over, but not spoil my dinner plans. When looking for dining deals, Chinatown is not the first place to look. Luckily, my watch struck Happy Hour and my appetite pointed me toward Fado Irish Pub. One convenience of their happy hour menu is that every item is $5.00. It’s quite easy to mentally manage your bill and calculate the tip, even after you’ve had one too many.

Now, you’ll never guess what I ordered, but this time I decided to switch things up and ordered the half portion of Guinness Barbecue Wings. The wings were juicy and smothered in a thick and tasty barbecue sauce. They come with a dipping sauce, but the Guinness barbecue sauce is good enough to do without any dipping. The $5.00 beer was the DC Brau APA. If you’re into the pale ales, this happy hour offer is good and cheap.

As I was noshing my wings, I noticed a gentleman in a nearby barstool really enjoying his dinner. He was slurping from the dipping sauce bowl and making noises that sounded a little bit…well…naughty. I asked him about what put him in the throes of ecstasy and he was able to utter, “the sauce.”

I inquired further about the sauce. It’s called the Marie Rose Sauce. It’s made in-house and completely unique to Fado Irish Pub and comes standard with an order of fries. Unfortunately, I had a thin tight rope to walk with managing my appetite and not spoiling my dinner plans, so I had to defer ordering the fries for the sake of the sauce to my next visit.

Will I go back? Yes. I really would like to try the Marie Rose sauce and see if it brings me to the same heightened state of euphoria as I witnessed during this visit.

-Mr. Cheap Eats

Jonathan's Publick House in Rockville

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Cheap Eats) — Sun, 19 May 2013 01:41:00 +0000

I have to say that dining at Jonathan's Publick House was an interesting and entertaining experience. Was the food memorable? Not what I ordered, but I’ll get the food talk out of the way. Being the wing nut that I am, I ordered, you guessed it, the chicken wings. I was just in time for happy hour where they had an unbeatable price of $4.99 for ten wings. Unfortunately, the happy hour deal was all that was to be liked about them. These were the pre-battered, pre-cooked, frozen, well-travelled variety that were plunked into a deep fryer and served sizzling hot. They weren’t bad or gross by any means, but I definitely would have been disappointed if I paid full price. If I had ran into “45-Minutes-Into-the-Future Me” as I was leaving, I would have told me to order the burger. It would have been a better yardstick to measure the kitchen’s ability to prepare a cheap bar-favorite with fresh ingredients, but alas, I just missed me when I arrived. Once the wings were finished, I was still feeling peckish, so I ordered the zucchini fries. Once again, I missed out on some expert advice from Future Me (I was already home feeding my future cats). Like the wings, all the prep work was done before hand and the kitchen’s only job was to heat ‘em up and send ‘em out. They came with some honey mustard, which was nice and creamy and incidentally the tastiest part of this menu item. In the end, I suggest following “45-Minutes-Into-the-Future Me’s” advice: start and finish with the burger

when selecting from the happy hour menu.

Now to the part of my dining experience that made it all worthwhile: the local color. This is an old-school pub with frequent return customers. The customers seemed familiar with the staff and with each other. I couldn’t help but eavesdrop on a conversation happening down at the end of the bar. An older fellow seemed to have the ear of a younger newcomer (the older fellow paying for several rounds of shots, FYI). The seasoned gentleman’s conversation entailed a wide range of subjects: declining education standards in Montgomery County (“There was a time when a diploma from Montgomery Public Schools was an automatic acceptance to Maryland!”), religion (“That resurrection shit is some deep shit!”), and most intriguing, psychology (“I tell you I don’t like my mom. I just don’t like her. I’m fucked up. She mother fucked the whole damn world!”). So as you can see, the clientele and conversations were much more flavorful than the food I ordered.

Will I go back? Unlikely, but I should have gotten the burger.

-Mr. Cheap Eats

Red Maple in Silver Spring

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Cheap Eats) — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 15:14:00 +0000

Ladies and gentlemen, I am officially announcing the end of the Doomed Quest! Now I need to apologize because this review is severely overdue (think: criminal negligence). Since discovering Red Maple in Silver Spring last November, Ms. Classy and I have been patronizing this establishment as much as three times a week. After many disappointing experiences, we have found our 'go to' Chinese place.

We checked out their menu, which they offer Ms. Classy’s standard in which she judges all Chinese food: Crispy Shredded Beef. I’m a General Tso’s fan, and usually opt for the chicken, but here, I have the luxury of ordering General Tso’s Shrimp! I know this may sound like nails across a chalkboard to a Chinese food ‘purist,’ but a purist I am not. It’s good and doesn’t kill my wallet so that’s all I need (aside from this ashtray, this remote control, and this paddle game, that’s all I need).

If you haven’t guessed by now, the food is very good. Depending on our hunger level, we usually select one (or both) of the following dishes: Crispy Shredded Beef, and General Tso’s Shrimp. The General Tso’s shrimp has become our favorite. On days where we order only one entrée, this is it. The thick sauce is full of a mix of sweet and spicy flavor and we try our best not to let a single drop go to waste. The breading has just the right amount of thickness and crispiness, and the shrimp is cooked to perfection. I also enjoy the broccoli, with some of that tasty sauce drizzled over the pieces, of course. I’ve been to many places where the steamed broccoli is a bit too steamed, but they get it just right here. The Crispy Shredded beef is a larger portion size than the General Tso’s shrimp. These thinly sliced, thinly coated, and fried pieces of beef are covered in a savory sweet and sour sesame sauce that, like the other entrée, we absorb as much as we can with the rice as to not let any go to waste.

If you visit during lunch, portion sizes are more sensible, and prices are more cheapskate-friendly. Unfortunately, their lunch menu doesn’t offer or two favorite entrées, but they do offer General Tso’s Chicken. You also get a soup or salad to start, and I opt for the miso soup. The sauce and breading on the chicken is just as described for the shrimp, and the chicken is well-cooked and juicy. Red Maple also offers a full sushi bar, which we have yet to try. We’re just so thrilled that we found a place that serves awesome General Tso’s Shrimp and Crispy Shredded Beef that we cannot make ourselves expand our horizons and try something different from the menu.

-Mr. Cheap Eats

BBQ Bus Food Truck

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Cheap Eats) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 22:03:00 +0000

Not all barbecue is good barbecue. One particular Friday, our favorite barbecue truck wasn’t at its usual spot in Takoma Park, but BBQ Bus was there to attempt to fill the void. As a cheapskate, I was thrilled with their low prices. One full pound of pulled pork for only $13.00 is hard to beat. Throw in a side of baked beans and you have dinner for two that falls happily below my ‘cheap eat’ benchmark.

As we plated our hopefully tasty meal, the aroma of pulled pork and baked beans was intoxicating, but that’s where our pork-euphoria ended. First off, the meat was excessively fatty. I know that a pound of pulled pork slathered in barbecue sauce isn’t exactly

endorsed by Jenny Craig, but this was low quality meat and it detracted from our enjoyment of dinner (a bit dry and chewy). The baked beans were good, but Ms. Classy and I found them underwhelming after reading all the amazing reviews. Lots of people love the beans, we rate them as ‘ok.’

Will we go back? No. The price is right, but you really get what you pay for. If we are really craving barbecue, we’d rather find the location of that other mobile barbecue joint and travel to wherever they may be spending the evening.

-Mr. Cheap Eats

Luke's Lobster in Penn Quarter

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Cheap Eats) — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 23:51:00 +0000

The biggest difficulty being a cheapskate is my love of the gold standards of dining: crab, shrimp, and especially lobster. When I’m able to treat myself to such delights, these tasty treats are stuffed into buttery rolls from Luke’s Lobster

The first time I sampled one of these amazing rolls, Ms. Classy surprised me with a lobster roll after a long day’s work. After many heart-felt expressions of love and appreciation (to her, not the roll incase anyone was wondering), I bit into the lobster roll. I was standing, but after that bite, I had to sit down. This bun was packed with claw meat. They added the perfect amount of mayo, butter, and spice to enhance the flavor, not overpower it. The only thing that could have been added to make it a more perfect eating experience was another lobster roll.

When a good friend of ours came to visit, we planned a day out and about in the city, with Luke’s as our scheduled lunch break. Having sampled the lobster, I opted for the shrimp roll. Eating it fresh from the kitchen with the buttery toasted roll still warm only made it that much better. I really had to temper my eating pace for fear of biting my fingers if I didn’t exercise some self-control.

Some people comment on the overall cost of the rolls compared to the size, but I would mistrust the quality of anything cheaper. Shellfish is one of those foods where you get what you pay for. And really, a shrimp roll with chips and a soda for $10 is as good as it gets when you want it stuffed with quality shrimp and not a stale roll filled with ‘shrimp salad’ that’s mostly celery, mayo, and some fishy-tasting shrimp from a can that’s god knows how old.

-Mr. Cheap Eats

Hardy's BBQ Truck

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Cheap Eats) — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 00:20:00 +0000

Since dealing with the loss of my favorite barbecue fix ever, there has been one consolation: Food Truck Friday's in Takoma Park. Every Friday, several food trucks convene around town and Hardy's Barbecue Truck has been a recurring participant. Ms. Classy and I needed our barbecue fix, so off I went to procure some sweet, sweet pig on a chilly Friday night.
While waiting to order, my carnivorous hunger was stoked by the aroma of the billowing smoke wafting from the large grill containing sizzling meat. We ordered a pint of pulled pork with a mix of sweet and spicy barbecue sauce. My id pestered me to order just one more pint and the thought of getting drunk on pork was tempting. However, I do like to at least keep the appearance of self-control, so I stuck to the plan: 1 pint and 2 sides. For sides, we ordered mac and cheese and baked beans. As expected, the pulled pork was amazing. It was smoky, juicy, and that perfect pork texture only made better with a mixture of their sweet and spicy sauces. As long as the mac and cheese is made with real cheese and not that alleged ‘cheese sauce’ from a tin can, it’s fine by me. However, the side item that stood out was the baked beans. They were brown-sugary sweet with a noticeable cinnamon flavor that sets them apart from a typical side of baked beans.

Will we go back? Uh, yeah! We can't resist the pulled pork, but I will try to sneak in some brisket. Whenever the good barbecue people decide to participate in Food Truck Friday, we’ll be eagerly waiting our turn in line.

-Mr. Cheap Eats

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Vace Italian Delicatessen in Bethesda

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Cheap Eats) — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 01:47:00 +0000

When looking for a dish that consistently scores the highest in my three main standards (flavor, fulfillment, frugality), it’s hard to beat a good pizza. The problem is finding a pizza that scores high in all three categories. Ms. Classy and I have skipped around to at least half a dozen modestly priced pizzerias around the DC metro area and haven’t been particularly impressed. Not to say they were bad, but unremarkable. One day, we just couldn’t fight it. We were craving our favorite flat pie. Instead of rehashing through places we’ve been, Ms. Classy put her impeccable research skills to work and discovered Vace Italian Delicatessen in Bethesda.

We ordered a large pizza at the base price of $9.50 (sauce and cheese only). There’s a slightest little hiccup of a caveat: all toppings are an additional cost, but you’d have to really pile them on before your bill will be anywhere near ‘expensive.’ We ordered our favorites: pepperoni and mushroom on half, pepperoni sausage on the other, for a total of $12.00 plus tax. Like I said before, I’m hard pressed to think of anything that can compete with a GOOD pizza in terms of my three standards. Also take note of the business name: this place is a deli, not a restaurant. The atmosphere is more of a small grocery/convenience store than a pizzeria (no seating area).

Was it good? Yes, very much so. The crispy texture of the crust was satisfying bite after crunchy bite. Normally, I prefer my pizza to be heavy on the cheese and light on the sauce, but Vace’s pizza is the opposite. I was skeptical when seeing the sauciness, but the aroma was enticing and I was so hungry that I would have gnawed through a brick wall to get at it. Ms. Classy and I have eaten there twice in as many days. This will quell our pizza cravings for the time being and we’re delighted to have a go to pizza place on speed dial that isn’t just the better side of mediocre.

-Mr. Cheap Eats

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Wingo's in Georgetown: The Good, the Bad, and the Greasy

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Cheap Eats) — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 20:47:00 +0000

One truism comes to mind when eating chicken wings: the best flavors and seasonings cannot make up for low quality meat. Wingo’s in Georgetown has some amazing flavors, but we ended up plucking off sizable bits of fat.

When it comes to food, Ms. Classy and I are extremely compatible. Not to mean we love the same foods, but different parts of the same food. For example, I love the green and yellow Skittles, she loves the red and purple ones. When eating chicken wings, I love the drumettes and she loves the wingettes, and so on. At Wingo’s, you can specify if you want wingettes or drumettes. Unfortunately, we chose the busiest ‘wing’ day of the year (Super Bowl Sunday) and due to the volume of orders, they couldn’t provide that service. We ordered 30 wings: 10 garlic parmesan, 10 lemon pepper, and 10 barbecue. I called in my order before heading out because I was expecting a minimum of half an hour before they’d be ready, but the friendly order-taker said they’d be ready in 15 minutes so I threw down the phone and sped away.

Was it good? Well, I’ll break down the good, the bad, and the greasy:

The Good: The Lemon Pepper wings were the best. The wings were crispy and the taste of the peppery spiciness and the citrus tang came through beautifully. Ms. Classy started with these wings, but quickly switched to the barbecue so she could save the best for last. I’ve had Lemon Pepper Wings at other joints, and they tasted like ‘salty wings,’ ‘pepper wings,’ or ‘fried nothing’ wings. This was a very good flavor to choose.

The Bad:The quality of the chicken. When we opened the packages, I gasped with joy at the size of the drumettes. They were the most plump drumettes I’ve ever laid eyes upon. But bigger isn’t necessarily better. A significant amount of the size came from fat and gristle. I had to tear sizable hunks off most pieces. Ms. Classy had to pluck pieces of fat from the wingettes, but none nearly the size of the gobs attached to the drumettes.

The Greasy: If you expand the picture, you can see the pool of garlic butter at the bottom of the container of wings on the right side. The Garlic Parmesan Wings were literally bathing in garlic butter. No one can criticize these wings for lacking flavor, but expect a garlic punch in the mouth and be mindful of a dripping mixture of melted butter and chicken grease when removing the wings from the container. If you’re into garlic buttery greasiness, you will love them.

Will we go again? No. Though their prices are nice and cheap, we found the wings overly gristly and greasy. I know plenty of people who love fatty wings just fine, but it’s not for us.

-Mr. Cheap Eats

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Graffiato: Everything There is Good.

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Cheap Eats) — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 00:02:00 +0000

Task: You’re charged with picking a restaurant for dinner. Difficulty: you want to really impress someone (super awesome friend from out of town or your significant other’s parents) and you want to show how ‘in the know’ you are about DC’s finer restaurants and your usual dives that offer $5-$10 meal deals won’t cut it. Graffiato is one of those places that’s set to impress. Not only is Graffiato founded by one of the country’s best known chefs, the food lives up to expectation. Is it expensive? It can be, but I’ll give you a breakdown of my favorite menu offerings* so you can make every penny spent worth it.

To start, get the flatbread with pepperoni sauce. The minimum you should order is one, but I recommend two if you are dining with more than just yourself. This dish knocked everyone’s socks off at Top Chef All Stars, and it will knock yours off, too. I don’t know what makes the sauce so good, but it’s pleasantly spicy with a hint of sweetness. Not a crumb of the wood-fired flatbread will be wasted and no driblet of pepperoni sauce will be left behind.

My next favorite item is the Brussels Sprouts. Everyone will love these, even people who think they don’t like Brussels Sprouts because they never had them prepared like this. The strong flavor is tempered with maple, pancetta, and perfect cooking. Even people who claim to hate these little leafy heads of joy will be amazed. If you don’t believe me, then go ahead and take the “Graffiato Brussels Sprouts Challenge!!!**” where you sneak one onto the plate of an alleged sprout hater and watch their myriad of facial expressions as you inform them of the true identity of the ‘delightful vegetable’ they just ate. If they still claim to hate them, their loss is your gain – more sprouts for you!

Tying for the #3 spot are the Hand-Cut Spaghetti and the Scallops. This is everything you’ve ever hoped spaghetti to be. It’s a simple dish, and like the pepperoni sauce, there’s a slight sweetness to it that I thoroughly enjoyed. The only thing I can say about the Scallops is that there is no such thing as a bad scallop, just bad preparation and Graffiato isn’t a place that hires inept kitchen staff. If someone had told me a week beforehand that I’d rank Brussels Sprouts over Scallops, I’d say those were fightin’ words. The spaghetti and scallops were great, but the sprouts were just that damn good.

Sharing the #4 spot were the Meatballs and Glazed Pork Belly. The Meatballs are served over creamy polenta and a farmed egg. Ms. Classy would rank this dish higher because she loves an egg that’s cooked perfectly over-medium. When the egg is broken and served, the polenta is a good mix for the yolk to prevent dripping when scooping your portion onto your plate. I liked this dish - Ms. Classy loved it. Sticking with my strict policy regarding pork belly, we ordered it when asked. It was perfectly cooked and a bit of apple is a great compliment to the succulent meat.

Finally, we’ve come to the only selection that I am not tempted to order again: the Beef Short Rib. Don’t get me wrong, I liked it. However, I enjoyed the Crispy Potatoes that accompanied it more so. I would rather try a different menu item next time.

Here is where I give my 'upscale place' disclaimer: everything on the menu is prepared to the highest level - ranking them is purely based on my personal preference. Except for the Brussels Sprouts, disliking those could be grounds for immediate institutionalization.

-Mr. Cheap Eats

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* Menu items may change without prior announcement, so plates described here may not be available when you visit.

** There is no official "Graffiato Brussels Sprouts Challenge!!!" I made it up to emphasize how amazing those little heads of perfection are.

Cedar Crossing Tavern and Wine Bar

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Cheap Eats) — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 01:06:00 +0000

I’m more than happy to pick up Ms. Classy from the Takoma Metro Station; whether she’s returning home from work or a night out doing classy things with her classy friends. She thinks I’m just a step away from sainthood because of my willingness to pick her up from the Takoma Metro Station whenever she requests. I do this not because I’m such a great guy, it’s just that I’m hungry. You see, immediately around the corner from the station’s main entrance is Cedar Crossing Tavern and Wine Bar. The burgers are tasty and the extra cost for a slice of pork belly is worth it.

On a non-descript Wednesday night, I arrived at the Takoma Metro Station long before Ms. Classy was due to arrive, so I happily whiled away the time at Cedar Crossing. I’ve read many reviews touting the burgers, but noted that they are only available Mondays and Tuesdays. I ordered a New Holland Full Circle Kolsch to consider my menu options…until I saw a server emerge from the kitchen with a reputedly tasty burger and place it in front of a customer. I asked if I could also get a burger, he nodded, and asked if I’d like to add a side item. My beer was my side item, so I declined.

“Would you like a slice of pork belly on your burger?” He asked. Now, I have a strict policy when asked if I want a slice of pork belly: regardless of where I am, who I’m with, or what I’m doing I always answer yes – no exceptions. The upcharge for the savory sizzling piece of pork belly was $1.50 and it was worth every penny. The burger patty was juicy and the thick slab of pork belly was the perfect topping. To give the burger a little bite, I sauced it up with mayo mixed with horseradish.

Will I go back? Yup. I will call ahead to see if those delicious burgers are availabe. As long as they’re being served up, I’ll happily wait as long as needed for Ms. Classy to return from a fancy gals’ night out.

-Mr. Cheap Eats

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There's News In My Food: Wang Dang Doodle Barbecue Shop is closed!

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Cheap Eats) — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 00:55:00 +0000

RIP Wang Dang Doodle Barbecue Shop, I hardly knew ye. The other day, Ms. Classy and I were considering our dinner options using three standards: nearby take out, amazingly delicious, and easy on the wallet.

“Wang Dang Doodle!” I exclaimed, pointing my finger toward the heavens like a prophet of a very benevolent barbecue god. Ms. Classy nodded in approval. I dialed the magic digits and asked what menu items were available this evening.

My joy then turned to sorrow. Wang Dang Doodle Barbecue Shop has closed. Oh well, I shouldn’t be sad that it’s gone, but be happy that I at least got to enjoy the succulent meats and sweet sauces.

Here are some photos from the happy moments I've spent there.