Breakfast Bliss: Florida Avenue Grill
People ask me all of the time who ask me where the "real" DC is... and I'll give you, there is a side of DC that is all expense account restaurants, trendy chefs and chains. But, when you take the time to ask around and do some research, you can unearth gems of authenticity like the Florida Avenue Grill which has been serving Washingtonians for over 65 years.
So, what about the food? If you're an eggs and bacon kind-of-gal, you'll think you've died and gone to heaven. I'm a grits and bacon kind of gal and it gets me pretty close to a Zen like state. For under $10, you can get 2 eggs, bacon or sausage, hot cakes, grits or potatoes. Everything will be the size of your head and you will be trying to figure out how the heck you're going to even make a dent. But it's so diner delicious, you will.
This is one of those places that you can come with friends (although don't bring a big group, because space is tight.) I like to pull up a stool at the counter and chat up the servers and cooks. They have great stories about all of the characters that have graced their doors. And they take care of you like you're a Congressman. (That is - no special treatment, but fast service with a smile.)
Since 1944, the "World Famous" Florida Avenue Grill has been slinging great food from behind the counter. Hundreds of photos of luminaries line the walls. This may be the only place in town where you could ever have found Al Sharpton on a counter stool next to Strom Thurmond. (And bonus - I mean, it's "Florida" Avenue Grill, so the Florida girl loves it!)
My order: 2 eggs (scrambled with cheese & hot sauce), grits, bacon & hotcakes
My Dad's order: Scrambled eggs, bacon, home fries (his pancakes didn't last long enough for a photo). The Florida Avenue Grill has become a special request every time he visits.
We arrived a bit late, so by the time I snapped this photo the crowd had died down, giving a great perspective of how the Florida Avenue Grill is set up. There are small booths on the right side.
My hotcakes!
Fan them on Facebook and find them in person on the corner of Florida Avenue & 11th Street NW in Washington, DC.
NOTE: The menu switches from breakfast to soul food dinner after 3pm, so unless you like ham hocks and whiting, get there ahead of the switch. If soul food's your thing, consider them for lunch or dinner as well.