Based on 3 reviews.
City Paper Review
The self-professed “#1 neighborhood bar in Columbia Heights” also states on its Web site that the Washington City Paper “will one day call us ‘a surprising culinary hotspot serving up delightful meals at reasonable prices.‘” Pretty big talk from a place that seems to pride itself on its lack of pretense. Despite the self-aggrandizement, the joint rightfully remains better-known for its laid-back atmosphere, long beer list, and generous pours. The menu offers a motley assortment of bar fare: hot dogs, salads, burgers, quesadillas, chili. The latter three items come in vegetarian-friendly versions. As for the prices, they’re dangerously close to (unreasonable) stadium prices—$7.75 for brats, for instance—though the product is marginally better. Skip the signature sausage burger, as the andouille sausage doesn’t kick the beef patty up any notches. Sausage options are extensive—bratwurst, hot and sweet Italian, kielbasa, and andouille—but the bratwurst, which should be the star of the sandwich, gets buried in a toasted bun and under the heaps of wilted onions and peppers. The thin-cut fries offered as a side, however, are delicious—crispy on the outside, starchy inside, and given a good salting. Your best bet is the nachos: crispy corn chips smothered in cheese, pico de gallo, sliced jalapeños, and a full-bodied meat or veggie chili, topped with a healthy (portion-wise) dollop of sour cream. But be forewarned that just because you ask for the appetizer to be brought out before your entrees doesn’t mean it will be.
—Huan Hsu,
November 2, 2006
Rater Comments
These comments express the opinions of individual Restaurant Raters, not those of Washington City Paper.
Review by ahorton on April 27, 2011
I had the worst experience at Wonderland Ballroom.
The issue: my credit card was charged almost $70 more than what I authorized, the server was rude, as was the manager as well as unhelpful. She refused to refund the difference between what I was authorized and what was actually posted to my account.
Needless to say, I WILL NOT be a returning customer at Wonderland. I am angry and frustrated with the lack of customer service. At no point during this process, from dealing with the server to the manager, did I receive an apology for their obvious errors. Clearly service here is defined by management, or lack of management skills. I did filed a fraud claim with my bank, but only for the difference between what I was supposed to pay and what was charged. I didn't want a free meal, I just wanted to pay my fair share and give them an opportunity to fix it. Instead, I got nothing but a 'screw you' response. So my advice, besides don't frequent Wonderland Ballroom, is if you go, you won't see me, but make sure you bring enough cash!
Review by irb on May 7, 2010
I'd hardly rate Wonderland as fantastic for food, but it is *the* best place, especially in the neighborhood, for reasonably priced outstanding beer. Absolutely my favorite place for happy hour. I just couldn't leave it hanging on the website with a one-spork rating!
Review by rcarrier on November 23, 2009
Terrible service, boring but ok food. Drinking here is great but I'd eat at one of the many South American or Mexican dives in the neighborhood for something much more satisfying and equally as inexpensive.
