Where To Eat In Mount P?
I just got a new apartment at 16th and Irving Streets NW. After dropping off the security deposit, measuring a space for a desk and figuring out where my records would go, I had one more decision to make: Where to celebrate?
I turned down Irving and made it to Mount Pleasant Street. I knew it well having lived in the neighborhood years ago.
The problem: The strip hasn’t changed all that much since I left. Gone: the wildly expensive organic grocery, the amazing pho place and the diner. Still around: laundry joints, cluttered discount shops, a great hardware store, a terrible-but-beloved bakery, and crummy restaurants aimed at the new homeowners.
The neighborhood joints range from just pretty good (Haydee’s) to always fun (the Raven). It’s the new places that are such disappointments.
A salad, a pizza, and two beers comes to $50 at Radius. Only the beer is worth it. Their pasta seems inspired by elementary-school cafeterias and Wheat Thins-covergal Rachel Ray.
Dos Gringos. Even the name is offensive.
Marx Cafe is the worst restaurant on the strip. I’ve eaten there twice. When it first opened, I tried a tofu dish that managed to be both bland and salty. A few months ago, I ended up there and attempted their hummus. It was the worst hummus I’ve ever eaten. It tasted like it came out of a can.
Tonic is pretty decent. But it’s bar food. Skip their brunch. Service is kinda slow and the food is pretty bland. Nothing inventive.
After some tense moments, we ended up at Radius for their pasta special. Big mistake! We grimaced through the greasy pasta. I came away thinking we should have just eaten in a different neighborhood. We could have walked down to U Street.
There has to be better food options on Mount Pleasant Street. Is the neighborhood only known for Laurie Collins, bad food, and people hating on Dos Gringos?
63 Responses to “Where To Eat In Mount P?”
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July 23rd, 2008 at 12:51 pm
I’m a new homeowner in Mt. Pleasant and you hit the nail on the head with a few things. Marx Cafe is TERRIBLE, and so is brunch at Tonic. Radius is affordable on Wednesday when they offer a free bottle of wine with your pizza. Tonic has a nice happy hour with half priced burgers and beers every night from 5-7. Otherwise, your best bet is to hike a few blocks to the new joints in Columbia Heights.
I heard a rumor that the Mt. Pleasant neighborhood association prohibits businesses in Mt. Pleasant from advertising. I imagine this deters new restaurants from coming to the main street. Any chance you folks at the City Paper can get to the bottom of this?
July 23rd, 2008 at 12:52 pm
It is a very lackluster retail strip. One wonders why there are so many locals working to prevent change and keep it that way. I can picture an Indian restaurant there, maybe a seafood joint. I love the pizza at Radius, but that’s about it.
July 23rd, 2008 at 1:06 pm
blah blah blah.
ercilias is the money for salvadoran food
burritos fast rocks and is cheap
adam express is one of the cities best kept secrets
some people swear by that peruvian chicken.
all that other fancy shit is for the yuppies.
July 23rd, 2008 at 1:11 pm
yeah, the chicken joint next to the raven is amazing.
July 23rd, 2008 at 1:14 pm
bingo. Pupuseria San Miguel (be prepared to have wait staff that don’t speak English), Ercilia’s (be prepared to wait forever), Pollo Sabroso, Adam Express… that’s the good stuff. Reasonably cheap, too.
Marx Cafe has some of the worst food I’ve ever had in DC.
July 23rd, 2008 at 1:23 pm
could not agree more with dj.eurok. avoid the yuppie joints and eat at el pollo sabroso and adam express.
what mt. p couldn’t do with a great bakery/coffee shop. heller’s is not it. what a disappointment that place is.
July 23rd, 2008 at 1:48 pm
Who could have possibly imagined that the first Cherkis post about his new neighborhood would be a long-winded whine?
July 23rd, 2008 at 2:04 pm
I second the Pupuseria San Miguel suggestion. My favorite place in MtP - so good. The staff doesn’t speak much English, but I always got by just fine and I don’t speak Spanish. It’s a basement place, nothing fancy.
July 23rd, 2008 at 2:16 pm
Gawd I miss the Little Giant, which used to be where the Marx Cafe now festers. It was by far the best thing in Mt. Pleasant. Anyway, I agree with Jason as a former Mt. P resident (now transplanted to Columbia Heights). The ethnic options mentioned are great (Sabroso, Adam Express, Ercilia’s, etc) but they are basically carry-out. They hardly fill the need for a decent sit-down restaurant with a modicum of atmosphere, that serves alcohol. Even in it’s relatively fledgling state right now, CH is way better for food & night life than Mt. Pleasant.
July 23rd, 2008 at 2:27 pm
And I thought Laurie Collins moved over to Cleveland Park so that she could terrify them. They must have a soap box that she can stand on!
July 23rd, 2008 at 2:51 pm
Yes the Little Giant! Mount P. needs something like that.
July 23rd, 2008 at 2:56 pm
Hellers is fantastic, they have hands down and without argument the best donuts in the entire DC area. That is both my opinion and the opinion of every office I’ve worked in where I brought in donuts.
everything I’ve purchased from Hellers has been top quality and I challenge anyone to recommend any bakery in the DC area that can compete with Hellers at that price point (yes, a $3 cupcake joint may have better cupcakes).
July 23rd, 2008 at 2:58 pm
Ercilias, Don Juans and Haydees are all decent sit-down restaurants. I’ve gotten great food from each, particularly Ercilias. You may need to be sure what you’re ordering is what the restaurant is best at and you aren’t ordering something weird off the menu, but all are fine sit down joints.
July 23rd, 2008 at 3:02 pm
Hellers from 8,9,11 years ago sucked. I’ll will definitely try the donuts based on your recommendation.
July 23rd, 2008 at 3:05 pm
Sarah, that rumor is not only demonstrably false (the businesses advertise) it’s wacky at face value- not only can you see ads in Latin newspapers and the City Paper, but why would a business association restrict its businesses from advertising?
If anything, the preponderance of owner-occupied buildings on MtP st means that there isn’t as much competition and turnover as there needs to be because the guy who owns the building and paid off his mortgage in 1992 isn’t shutting down his business he loves no matter how little business it generates.
July 23rd, 2008 at 3:05 pm
Hellers still sucks imho. Haven’t been there in a couple years though, after a visit in which I saw mold growing on a strawberry fruit tart they were selilng out of the display case.
July 23rd, 2008 at 3:06 pm
Hellers from 8,9,11 years ago sucked.
——
Those were different owners and the place was closed for about a year in-between. These new guys also run a family bakery in Ocean City.
get the cake donuts only- They are really unique.
July 23rd, 2008 at 3:26 pm
Pupuseria San Miguel has great tacos, and soups, as well as pupusas. At Hades, try the salmon fajitas and the salvadoran shrimp.
I think Heller’s has great cakes. My secretary grew up in Col Heights 40 years ago, and her elderly parents still insist on their cakes for birthdays. The cakes are fresh and light, like, you know, cake.
I wish the yuppie places could bring it up a notch, but I do like Tonic.
July 23rd, 2008 at 3:29 pm
Agree with your post Jason, I rarely eat on Mt Pleasant street and it’s a shame. I do LOVE the bar Red Derby on 14th and Quincy in Columbia Heights and am hopeful for a lot of the new businesses opening in Columbia Heights, but Mt Pleasant does desparately need new dining options. Definitely try Pete’s Apizza on Irving and 14th though, the clam pizza is so good! :)
July 23rd, 2008 at 3:57 pm
I think everyone’s being real harsh on Tonic, Radius and Laurie Collins. I don’t know much about Ms. Collins, but she sure gets a bad rap.
As for the restaurants, I’ve been going to Tonic since it was Bella Roma (and I hope no one’s not wishing for that god-awful place to come back) adn I think it’s great for what it is: a neighborhood spot. No, they’re not reinventing the culinary wheel, but it’s great comfort food. And the staff is super cool. And the beer is cold. Oh, and they just did a major renovation in the back room of the bar. It looks sick. I will admit that it hit a rough patch for a while in food quality, but I believe that is when the owners were opening the new Tonic downtown.
The same applies to Radius. They hit rough patch after a great first 2 years being open, but I was talking to a server there the other night and she said one of the partner’s is in the kitchen everyday now and doing cool specials and I have definitely noticed an increase in food quality.
I think both places are great and certainly not geared to the yuppies. If you haven’t been there recently you should give them another chance.
And, yes, Heller’s ROCKS!
July 23rd, 2008 at 4:10 pm
Look at Cherkis… baiting for comments with a post about Mt. Pleasant food options. Tune in tomorrow for his rant on dog parks.
July 23rd, 2008 at 4:15 pm
I’m shocked that no one has said anything (good or bad) about Dos Gringos.
Stopped in there the other day and it was packed! Packed for vegan tofu scramble and bagels with not-cream-cheese!
July 23rd, 2008 at 4:20 pm
Have you somehow missed the Ducati pizza at Radius? Try it next time and then try to complain.
I’ve never had a bad brunch experience at Tonic, either, and it’s chill and friendly vibe (4 stars for bartendress Patrice) keeps me coming back for Happy Hour!
July 23rd, 2008 at 4:21 pm
I’m sorry…But who can beat wine cooler Wednesdays with a lil Tim Gunn on the HD big screen at Tonic?!
For anyone who hasn’t eaten there, the BBQ chicken with corn on the cob is a delicious summer dish.
AND bottomless mimosas at brunch for $12 is worth the trip!
July 23rd, 2008 at 4:21 pm
You guys are all CRAZY!! I’m a born and raised Washingtonian and I gotta say MTP is the best its ever been. I live in NE and drive over for sunday brunch at Tonic on a regular basis. The Staff at Tonic and Radius is always friendly, they cater to children and have amazing specials. Maybe some people are pickier than others but I would love to have a neighborhood ny style pizza joint near my home. If you want something super fancy, make reservations somewhere and go spend 150 bucks, but if you want to keep it in the neighborhood, Radius and Tonic beat the chicken joint and Marx Cafe ANYDAY. I mean, seriously, its awesome pizza. stop hating!!! how many more carry-outs and carribean hell holes do you guys want?? and for the record, i LOVE elementary school cafeteria style food. keep it simple and keep it american.
July 23rd, 2008 at 4:51 pm
I think it is quite clear that Jason has no taste in food or women. We love Tonic, Radius, Ercillias, Pupusaria AND Laurie Collins.
July 23rd, 2008 at 5:18 pm
You all can hate on Marx all you want. I’m just glad that I can always find a seat there.
July 23rd, 2008 at 5:21 pm
burritos fast needs a visit from the health inspector. That place is hands down the filthiest establishment in DC
July 23rd, 2008 at 5:28 pm
“I’m shocked that no one has said anything (good or bad) about Dos Gringos.
Stopped in there the other day and it was packed! Packed for vegan tofu scramble and bagels with not-cream-cheese!”
I’ll bite. Dos Gringos sucks. The food is mediocre. The lines are incredibly slow, the wait is long, and the yipsters with 1.5 kids turn the inside into Romper Room.
“You guys are all CRAZY!! I’m a born and raised Washingtonian and I gotta say MTP is the best its ever been. I live in NE and drive over for sunday brunch at Tonic on a regular basis. The Staff at Tonic and Radius is always friendly, they cater to children and have amazing specials. Maybe some people are pickier than others but I would love to have a neighborhood ny style pizza joint near my home. If you want something super fancy, make reservations somewhere and go spend 150 bucks, but if you want to keep it in the neighborhood, Radius and Tonic beat the chicken joint and Marx Cafe ANYDAY. I mean, seriously, its awesome pizza. stop hating!!! how many more carry-outs and carribean hell holes do you guys want?? and for the record, i LOVE elementary school cafeteria style food. keep it simple and keep it american.”
Tonic is nice neighborhood spot for a burger, a beer, or whatever. The service is decent and some of the longer term employees are actually great. The food is usually above average and they serve ‘tots. Radius is a different matter; Pizza is meh.
Best restaurants on the street: Ercillias and Haydees.
July 23rd, 2008 at 5:47 pm
“Gawd I miss the Little Giant, which used to be where the Marx Cafe now festers.”
No it wasn’t. Marx was once “The Loop.” It then became an Armand’s, followed by becoming “The Trolley Stop,” and then becoming Marx.
The Little Giant was north of Marx.
July 23rd, 2008 at 6:08 pm
I’m not in agreement with a lot of you guys on this. Here’s my take:
1) Radius. “ok” pizza (and this is from a NYC transplant pizza snob). Red Rocks is much, much better, but the Wed night free wine special at Radius is a deal.
2) Tonic. One of the worst meals I’ve ever had in my life. Maybe the owner is helping to improve the food, but the only thing I’ll eat there is a burger and tots (and I’ll only go during happy hour with work friends). Anything that requires real cooking skills I’ll stay away from.
3) Dos Gringos. The portobello sandwiches are great, and the ice cream is even better. They do a great brunch, and I like the people who work there (well, when they get the order right).
4) Adams Express. WTF? You hate on MtP places and haven’t tried Adams Express?!?!? You have no clue what you are missing.
5) Pollo Sabrosa. Yum! Actually, this is making me hungry, I think I’m gonna head there right now!
July 23rd, 2008 at 6:28 pm
I love Pollo Sabroso and Corados.
How could you miss that?
Pollos Sabroso chicken is awesome and cheap.
July 23rd, 2008 at 7:14 pm
It’s Rachael Ray. With an “a,” all funky-like. Try the google. Or your Wheat Thins box.
July 23rd, 2008 at 7:51 pm
My time in MtP is coming to a close, and the only place I’ll really miss is Tonic because it’s my go-to spot and it has great specials.
The ethnic food, in general, is just nothing special.
Heller’s is nice because it’s nice to have a bakery in town.
Dos Gringos made me feel wrong inside.
July 23rd, 2008 at 10:14 pm
I didn’t read through the other responses, but I’ll just throw out there that Adam Express has the best Korean food in all of DC…it matches up well against the better places in annandale too i think. get the bul go gi or chicken bul go gi or chap chae. Also, Heller’s has good breakfast.
July 24th, 2008 at 12:18 am
Quick responses:
o Uh, what great pho place?
o Let’s give Tonic the credit it deserves for its little food empire (upstairs, downstairs, and Radius), its pleasant staff, and what it’s brought to Mt. Pleasant Street. However, I’ll add their beer isn’t cold enough and their assortment could be far better.
o It was Trolley’s not The Trolley Bar, and let’s add an historical footnote for its role in the Mt. Pleasant riots.
o Marx Cafe? Cold beer, pleasant staff, good food if you choose carefully–go Greek–and if they mess up, they’ll deal with it. Don’t they also own Hellers? And as someone who’s hated Hellers a long time–it’s much better now. Better baked goods and toned down passive aggressive help.
o Haydees, if you really, really like cheese, this is the place for you. Don’t worry, it’ll be a nightclub soon anyway. Thanks Hear Mt. Pleasant!
o The Raven. Need anything be said?
o And if Columbia Heights is so great, why don’t you move there? I hear there are a lot of condos available. And there’s this mega mall…
July 24th, 2008 at 9:13 am
Mayflower has the best damned garlic sauce ever. Radius is a pizza joint, eat their fucking pizza. Marx is a shithole, no doubts. San Miguel has great pupusas and tamales.
July 24th, 2008 at 9:19 am
Don Juan’s carryout on your porch with cold beer and good friends is a celebration that can’t be beat.
July 24th, 2008 at 9:49 am
Cherkis is an asshat.
July 24th, 2008 at 9:55 am
My very first birthday cake was from Heller’s, and every one after for the next 12 years. They went through a rough patch for awhile after that, but things are a ton better now. As mentioned the donuts are awesome and I really like their bagels.
It’s not really unexpected that a business that’s been open and independent for 80 years might go through a bad patch here and there. Heller’s is great again, so don’t let a bad experience 10 years ago keep you from enjoying it now.
July 24th, 2008 at 10:15 am
This is a consumer whine-rave-fest, isn’t it? Excellent.
Has it ever occurred to anybody that the awful fare served at Marx Café can be a subtle call for a more meaningful existence than the one of banal conspicuous consumption?…
July 24th, 2008 at 10:27 am
1. Adam Express is Amazing. Hands Down one of the best places in DC. Just go in and order something Korean you will not be disappointed.
2. Radius is expensive most nights. But try the tiramisu its the best I’ve had in DC and its made fresh.
3. Go to Don Juan’s carryout and order a Burrito. It’s open late, its cheap, and its delicious.
July 24th, 2008 at 11:02 am
First the Loop used to be where Marx cafe is, and Marx has been taken over by the newish owners of Hellers (I thnk 2 years now) They were supposed to be slowly changing the Marx menu-they are Greek. Hellers has added a grill menu (love the mediterranean omlet) and if there are any complaints the owners are more than willing to talk to you. Little Giant (which I miss too) is where the newest laundry used to be. Adams express also attempts to cater to your desires and the Chinese restaurant rightnear it also. I also happen to like Dos Gringos, the food, though a limited menu and the ice cream. They also have been willing to make odd sandwiched to cater to my childs tastes.
July 24th, 2008 at 11:31 am
@ 2. Radius is expensive most nights. But try the tiramisu its the best I’ve had in DC and its made fresh.
Please try the tiramisu at Coppi’s. It is hand made and so fresh it really doesn’t even resemble tiramisu that you may be used to. Suprisingly delicious. Oh yeah, and Cherkis is a douchegargler.
July 24th, 2008 at 11:36 am
I love Dos Gringos. They have great food, friendly staff, hospitable environment, and really admirable ethos!
July 24th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
was this post just a mindless troll/flame?
mtp has some of the best local joints around, with adams express, corrados, burrito fast, haydees, sabroso. even the white people restaurants (tonic, radius, marx and gringos) are good.
as for marx, i’m there just about every other week, and the food is top shelf. if people are @#$!%ing about it, it’s because they haven’t been in a while.
July 24th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
when Dos Gringos first opened Jason Cherkis was found there eating tofu scramble, drinking coffee and smoking cigarettes 5 out of 7 days of the week. Don’t let him fool you.
July 24th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
I just moved to CH/MTP area 2 months ago from U street. Yes, it’s somewhat lacking (compared to that area) but what CANNOT be beat are fajita burrito at Haydees, the amazing Pollo Sabroso, and the unbelieveable Red Derby. Seriously- $2 beer- cheapish food- cool old movies running- and great outdoor patio! Plus a super nice doorman from my old town, Columbia, MO.
July 24th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Is it too late to suggest a JCrew?
July 24th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
First of all, let’s make one thing clear: Mt. Pleasant is not where you go to find five star restaurants! That said:
Haydee’s does fantastic fajitas, as good as any I’ve found in the city. Portions are large and prices are quite reasonable.
Pollo Sabroso does a great chicken sandwich–very satisfying, very cheap. Their fried yuca is excellent. Main downside is the atmosphere, which is a bit too bright and sterile.
Tonic is usually okay, but a bit uneven. I’ve had mostly good meals, a few bad ones. FAR FAR FAR better than the now-deceased Bella Roma that preceded it!
I agree that the pizza at Radius is rather expensive, but try going on Wednesday night, when a large pizza (or two entrees) will get you a free bottle of wine (and the wines have always been good). The pizza was iffy for a while (crust was often underdone) but the last couple of times I’ve gone the pizza was very good. I’ve also enjoyed several pasta dishes. My partner reports that the calzones are good. The salads are good and the family size will easily feed 4-6 people. Service at both Tonic & Radius is always friendly!
Don’t go to Heller’s very often, but what I have gotten there was always good.
Haven’t eaten at Marx or Dos Gringos in years. I keep meaning to go to Ercilia’s, which friends keep raving about.
July 24th, 2008 at 7:36 pm
16th and Irving? Isn’t that the suburbs of Mount Pleasant?
July 24th, 2008 at 9:30 pm
If you want 5 star dining, then move to Penn Quarter. For local fair, we Mount Pleasantians have it good. Whenever I need some comfort food, I’ll head to Radius for anything with their meatballs (yum), or if I am broke I’m off to Red Derby for a can of Old Chubb, or if I just need a warm, familiar face, I’ll hang out downstairs at Tonic. These places are the epitome of friendly, low key, neighborhood joints and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
July 24th, 2008 at 10:20 pm
eff this guy! really? then walk the eff down to U st w/ all their stupid chain restaurants and hipster hang outs, or even the heights on 14th, thats prolly more that vegetarian hippy ****s speed! diss about every place on mtp and say dos gringos is not only the worst place on the street but even the name is offensive? who the **** is this guy?? whats offensive about the name? i mean, sure hes right about the place sucking, but offensive? i know theres no god, but if there is PLEASE let him let me run into this moron in a bar (while hes drinking his vegan free range cosmo) and tell him exactly my opinions of him, his way of thinking, his choice NOT to eat meat (mainly bacon), and for the love of all that is holy…please let that mother****** stink of patchouli…..
ok, im done for now….but just for now
July 25th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Dos Gringos offensive? I see little offense in that.
July 25th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
Offensive or not, the food there must be very good. I hear Tom Sietsema is quite raving about the place.
July 25th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
That not to mention the fabulously romantic atmosphere.
July 28th, 2008 at 10:09 am
@Ernest - fabulously romantic atmosphere? Dos Gringos? I don’t think there’s anything at all romantic (or even pleasant) about being crammed into a tiny room full of tables where people are usually hovering above you either in line for food or waiting for you to get up so that they can take your table.
i’ve been to dos gringos and i think the food is fine, but i can’t agree that the atmosphere is “romantic.” It’s the atmosphere that keeps me away.
July 28th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
Yes, it was very wrong of Ernest to type so. Dos Gringos atmosphere is not romantic at all. When we arrived, the place was a chaos. And the food can make you ill. Tom Sietsema wouldn’t eat in such a place like for a kingdom.
July 28th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
Oh, and someone tried to steal our bicycles while we were inside.
July 29th, 2008 at 9:12 am
Well, I like Dos Gringos. It’s kind of cozy.
July 29th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Cozy my foot, Ernest. What’s worse, during the tour of the neighborhood, we were ogled and whistled at by the ethnic types while simply ogled by domestic ones. At times it seemed we were to be attacked. I don’t suppose I ever rode my bicycle that fast before or since.
July 30th, 2008 at 9:08 am
Come, come, Peggy. Mt Pleasant is nothing to Trinidad. I read the latter is extremely dangerous while the dining options are hardy even there.
August 18th, 2008 at 5:11 pm
Me so horny now!!