Congratulations, Duke Grocery--you've earned my Vomitus of the Month award. Wear it with pride. What a spectacularly awful dining experience. I don't say this lightly, but if I could claw back the money I spent on that catastrophe of a meal, I'd demand it with the righteous fury of a thousand Yelp reviews. And I never stiff servers--even bad ones. I've consistently tipped 15% or more for decades, even when the food was underwhelming. But this time? I left $5 on a $134 bill, and I regret being that generous. That tip wasn't for service; it was for escaping with my dignity intact. Let me paint you a picture: I went to Duke Grocery on the strength of its supposed "great burger." What I got was a hockey puck masquerading as medium-rare. It was well-done in the way charcoal is well-done. Dry, joyless, and sad. But hey, that happens sometimes--mistakes in the kitchen aren't unforgivable. Sadly, this wasn't a lone misstep. It was just the first brick in a monument to incompetence. We were a party of four and entered a restaurant with few diners and many open table. After a few minutes of being ignored by the host stand, someone finally acknowledged us--with a time limit. "You can have a table, but you'll need to be gone by 7:45." It was barely after 6. I guess the ghost crowd was expected to arrive any minute? Then we were led to a high-top in the bar--tiny, cramped, clearly not meant for four people unless they're circus acrobats used to contorting over dinner. It took another 10-15 minutes to flag down someone--anyone--for menus. When our hapless server finally approached, it was like watching a deer try to perform brain surgery. He wasn't rude, just profoundly out of his depth. He informed us someone else would return to take our orders. I asked if we could at least get beer and appetizers going, as we'd already been left to fend for ourselves long enough to begin foraging. After several minutes of waiting I walked to the bar to ask where are our beers --keep in mind, the place was still practically empty. Before making it to the bar, I saw a new server bringing two beers, and sat back down. One of our group's sodas showed up later. The appetizer, though? That came out right away... and just sat there, like a sad, reminder of the service still not happening. By the time the burgers arrived--overcooked atrocities, every one--we were too tired to complain. The server just took off - no questions. After several minutes, we were able to get the attention of the server and requested condiments and a few basics (you know, like napkins?). Napkins materialized and a tiny container of mustard. It was like dining in the Twilight Zone. I'm not going to detail every absurd failure--we'd be here all day. But I will say this: if Duke Grocery is where you go for a "great burger," then DC's culinary standards have fallen into a pit and are clawing at the sides. Bottom line: In my opinion, if you're looking for overpriced disappointment served with a side of cluelessness, Duke Grocery has you covered. Otherwise, save yourself the aggravation and go literally anywhere else. read more

Duke's Grocery - Vomitus of the Month April 2025 goes to Duke's Grocery Foggy Bottom. - Burgers Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I went to Dukes grocery for brunch at the Foggy Bottom location and we enjoyed everything thoroughly. I think the sleeper was the Cubano desayuno . Of course the proper burger hit all the right spots, but do not sleep on the Cubano. It was so delicious. I would go back and order the espresso martinis again as well, which were made by Ketel one vodka. My friend ordered the proper English breakfast and devoured it. We went on a Saturday around 11 AM and by 2 PM It was packed. There was a Wimbledon game going on and everyone was enjoying their food. Such a solid spot for food and drinks and inside the western market. There is plenty street parking available during the weekend as well which is a plus. read more

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Wow, this Duke's is not quite up to par with the others or they were having an off day when I visited. I ordered the Proper Burger and fries... very standard order. It took over 30 minutes to come out! And then the burger didn't even have much flavor... I had to ask for extra sauce. At the Dupont location, this is one of my favorite burgers! Not sure why it's different at this one. Oh well. All of the staff is very nice and It's super conveniently located in Western Market. Hopefully they were just having issues that day. read more

Duke's Grocery - Proper Burger - Burgers Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

The bartenders were KILLING IT at this sold out venue for a private watch party of a reality TV show. Service was quick and friendly despite being busy. I really enjoyed my Shakshuka and the two beverages I tried - Citrus Crush and Rum with Diet Coke. Reasonable prices. I am planning on coming back for brunch eventually! Thank you, Duke's for your hospitality! read more

Duke's Grocery - Shakshuka - Burgers Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Went for bottomless brunch on Saturday and LOVED it!!! The staff was great and so friendly. And by far one of the best burgers I've ever had. Great mimosas also high quality espresso martini. The debate seems to be whether the proper burger or the wagyu burger is better.... My friend and I each got one and ate half of each and they were both phenomenal! The proper burger is a high quality classic burger and a must if you are a pickle fan. The wagyu stood out to me more / surprised me because of the bacon jam - WOW.. I love a sweet salty moment. You could really taste the quality of the meat. Incredible. If I went again, I would probably get the wagyu over the proper. If you are a sweet potato fry fan you must get them!!! Some of the best sweet potato fries I've ever had. Best burger, great experience, and so fun for brunch!!! read more

Duke's Grocery - Proper Burger - Burgers Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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This outpost is located inside GW's western market food hall. The interior is pub-esque , complete with UK-influenced motifs. It houses a red phone booth, Union Jack decorations and pillows on the chairs with London skylines etched into them. Their signature dish is the proper burger. Most of the burgers in their menu come with 2 patties as the default (instead of 1). Sides are ordered separately. They even have a wagyu burger (sounded really good and reasonably priced). They also sell several varieties of pho. As much as I wanted to try the burgers and pho, I went for a traditional British staple; fish and chips. The meal came with 2 beer-battered and crispy cod fillets on a bed of chips (sans vinegar). Very filling and satisfying without being too oily. My companion approved of his pan-seared salmon entree. Service was polite and prompt. Will need to try their famous burgers (proper or wagyu). read more

Duke's Grocery - Pan Seared Salmon - Burgers Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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First time I came to this Duke's Grocery location, which is within the Western Market FoodHall. There's a decent amount of space inside; outside it is pretty unassuming. If you walk in from the Foodhall you have to walk through the restaurant to get to the host booth. The greeters/hosts are very nice, and showed me to my seat. When I saw the menu, I thought these were really great prices, but when I asked, the burgers don't come with sides, so you have to order the sides separately. The server highly recommended the Proper Burger, so my friend and I had to try it, of course. There two patties, which is nice (but they're a bit flat). The sweet chili sauce, the type you dip your spring rolls in, threw me off a bit. It also dripped down the sides of my burger before I even took my first bite, so I didn't taste it much in the burger. I ended up somewhat dipping my burger in it before taking bites. I wouldn't say it hurts the burger's flavor but I personally didn't think it enhanced it too much. The burger itself was delicious. My friend and I shared a plate of sweet potato fries. By sharing the sides, it does come out to a very reasonable price. I also would recommend ordering the sides to not be served on the same place with your burger (or entree), but on a separate plate, so the fries don't touch that sweet chili sauce (in my case). I'm interested in the theme of Duke's. It has a lot of London motifs, like the iconic red phone booth. I looked on the website, since I was interested in learning more. It speaks to the inspiration of small joints you can find in London. I wonder if the burger's ingredients were inspired by London cuisine in any way then. Also, how did Duke's become such an iconic DC spot if it's based on London-inspo? Just curious. read more

Duke's Grocery - Proper Burger - Burgers Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Came in with a group of 20 during a volleyball tournament. Super kind people, terrific food and they accompanied everyone. Recommend to anyone! read more

This was our first time going to Duke's as we have heard so many positive reviews about the burger game. We wanted to go to the DuPont location but saw that it's closed for renovations and opted for the new Navy Yard spot. We arrived at 6pm and it was a packed house on a non-game night. Quite frankly it was the busiest establishment on the block! Although we didn't have reservations, we waited to dine in but it took longer than we would have liked, so we ended up sitting at the bar. I ordered the proper burger, and he ordered the wagyu burger, along with a side of French fries (which doesn't come with the order btw). Food came out piping hot, oozing with delicious burger grease! Service was great from the bartender despite sitting at the bar. While the food was 5/5, the atmosphere could have been better. Because we sat in the bar area, we were exposed to the drafty open garage door (yes, the restaurant was designed with a garage door so that people can come and go easily, which is appealing in the summer and during warmer weather). Someone complained and they finally closed the garage door so we can all be comfortable. We also saw many open tables when we waited, and we weren't sure if we couldn't get these tables because of the wait staff ratio. Luckily our server knocked it out of the park, handling all his patrons at the bar. Def would come back, and I hope they add more things to the menu. read more

Duke's Grocery - Proper Burger - Burgers Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Good place to come when you're craving burgers or beer. The wagyu burger was great. Beer is great. Ambiance is casual-- good to come with friends. Service was pretty good too-- everyone is friendly. read more

Duke's Grocery - Spam Wagyu Burger - Burgers Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

A $16 burger without fries is insane. But a great burger is worth it and this was not worth it. I got the proper burger and it's not worth the hype. The burger is basic. The bread is fresh but the burger is nothing to write home about. read more

Duke's Grocery - Proper Burger - Burgers Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

This is another awesome location for Duke's Grocery. We generally come here for the burgers and other menu options. Making a reservation is generally a good idea. The staff is always friendly and helpful. Service is good as well. We enough the ambiance and the food here. Among our favorites are: The Proper Burger Fish and Chips White Truffle Mac and Cheese Fired Up Chicken Taken With Liberty The desserts are nice too and good enough to share. The cocktails can be a bit of a miss sometimes. The consistency of the quality of the food and service makes it our top spot for burgers and the other menu items read more

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We were looking for a place for dinner that was reasonably close for our theater outing, so my daughter chose this place.It has a loose London theme, which consists of British flags, a British phone booth, some British music and a few menu items. I had the Fish and Chips, which seemed to fit the theme. They were OK, but nothing special. My daughter's grilled cheese looked interesting and my wife and other daughter split the mac and cheese and a burger. The burgers are supposed to be the speciality here and they have won several awards for them, but my taste testers were not that impressed. read more

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While these burgers may not look like anything special let me tell you it was one of the juiciest tender burger I've ever had! I will definitely be stopping here every trip to DC. I had the spam wagyu burger i loved the hint of sweet aioli with the spicy chili. The spam added a salty flavor. Just an all around good burger joint! read more

Duke's Grocery - Side Truffle Oil - Burgers Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Happy with the pleasant service, tasty tuna melt, crispy fries and generous arugula salad. Bathroom very clean. Atmosphere pleasant and welcoming. read more

Duke's Grocery - Really clean bathroom - Burgers Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Nice bar and grill type restaurant with a pretty good menu selection. I tried the wagyu beef burger, it was full of flavor from the bacon jam and garlic aioli and quite messy (but in a good way). I added the side salad which was arugula, radishes and tomatoes and it was ok. Service at the bar was top notch and atmosphere was fun. I definitely recommend it. read more

Duke's Grocery - Wagyu Burger - Burgers Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Thought it was really mid. The pork al pastor had no flavor and was really dry. The bun of the burger was soggy which I don't like. The elote was not good and was just a bunch of not melted cheese. The decorations are very to the theme which is cool. Have heard a lot about this restaurant, but wasn't a fan. read more

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Service with Natalie was fantastic. The happy hour is a great deal. We had wagyu burgers and fries with the spicy mayo. Fantastic.

Love the ambiance of this place and definitely a foggy bottom staple. GREAT burger. Really good portion for the price.

Dukes Grocery is a great spot for brunch, with bottomless mimosas and fancy pub-style food. Inside is kind of crowded and has a definite pub vibe. The outdoor tables are nice even in the heat - big umbrellas with an outdoor bus station for water and service. It's definitely a trendy place and the crowd skews kind of young. We went with bottomless mimosas and food for the table. The mimosas were pretty great, not too sweet and not too bitter. We started with the Elote Loco - it works as either a dip or a side dish. It was great both ways. i'm going to have to start seeking this stuff out, I'm definitely getting a taste for it! We finished with about half of the menu - Shakshuka, fish and chips, and truffle mac and cheese with the bacon on the side. The Shakshuka is fantastic! The eggs were cooked just right, not hard, but not too runny, if that makes sense? And there is some nice heat to the tomato sauce. There was plenty of sauce to dip up with the pita bread. I love Shakshuka, and am happy to see it on more menus. Fish and chips had a kind of thick breading, but the fish was good and the chips had a great texture. I'm not a big mac and cheese fan, but enjoyed the truffly, cheesy shells. Everything came out in cute little iron skillets for a fun presentation, and, personal preference, highball glasses for the mimosas. I'm not sure why you would give anybody drinking bottomless mimosas stemware, so I appreciate the squatty little glass that has a better center of gravity. Finally, the staff had these awesome t-shirts with pitbull dogs wearing sunglasses. I now own an awesome Duke's grocery t-shirt with a pitbull dog wearing sunglasses with a Union Jack, because I love me some bully dogs! read more

Duke's Grocery - Shakshuka - Burgers Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I have eaten at the restaurant a few times as well as ordered for pick up. In both cases the food was consistent and tasted great. I typically get the "Proper Burger" and the "Corn 'Elote Locos'" both of which are very filling. The menu is very diverse and they are also accommodating to allergies.   This location is fairly popular and usually pretty busy. If you go and decide to eat there, I would highly suggest making a reservation beforehand.   If you're looking for a casual sit-down dinner Duke's Grocery is a great place to check out. read more

Duke's Grocery - Proper Burger - Burgers Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I really wanted to love Duke's Grocery. I went with a big group of friends and was excited to check it out. Unfortunately, the experience didn't quite live up to expectations. We visited during happy hour, which turned out to be pretty limited and not as budget-friendly as I'd hoped, especially for a spot near a college campus. At first, the menu seemed reasonably priced, but I was surprised to find that none of the entrées come with a side, and adding one costs $4 or more. That adds up quickly and makes the meal feel less like a good value. I ordered the Wagyu burger, which tasted good, but the portion was on the small side for $14. I was also disappointed that you can't choose how your burger is cooked. They only offer rare or well done. I went with well done, and unfortunately, it came out a bit burnt, which took away from the overall experience. While the vibe was fun and the service was solid, the food didn't quite meet the expectations set by the price point. I left still a little hungry and unsure if I'd come back. There are definitely other spots nearby that offer more generous portions and better bang for your buck. read more

Came here for an early dinner on a Monday evening. Things were fairly quiet, even with it being early I can't imagine one encountering a long wait at any time for a Monday dinner here based on my experience I of course had to try the burger, I added a runny egg, took off the pickles, and had it medium rare as per my server's recommendation. I thought the burger was okay, the sauce and runny egg contributed the most taste since the patties were pretty low on flavor. Perhaps going the wagyu beef for a little extra would make it a better experience, but they seem to go the even salt would be too much seasoning approach The vibes of the place are really good. My server was very nice and attentive. There were clearly some regulars at the bar, and the ambiance would make for a good date spot. Everything besides the burger quality has the makings of a burger spot with tons of crazy topping options that has several locations most major cities seem to have these days (hopdoddys in Texas, Kuma corner in Chicago). However even by those relatively low burger quality standards this one limbos right under it Overall, I think whether you're a local or just visiting you're better served looking elsewhere for your fancy burger read more

The vibe reminds me of a proper English bar and it even has the iconic red telephone booth in the bar area. The restaurant menu is eclectic ranging from traditional pub fare to pho. I ordered the corn "elote" loco and it came in a cast iron skill beautifully sprinkled with Mexican crema and cotija cheese. I devoured the whole thing. For my entree I ordered the proper burger with an extra beef patty cooked medium rare. All I can say is mmhhmmm good!! read more

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It was good will togo back only bad 5hing was parking it's in Foggy Bottom it's part of the George Washington University area of DC the bad thing is that it's hard to get to when you looking for parking but once you find parking and you get into the restaurant the food is good and I can't wait to go back read more

This is a cute restaurant with delicious food! However the service was really lacking, we were extremely frustrated by the end with a very unhappy baby. Would definitely return though! read more

Is this the best burger in DC? I must say it is (best I've had at least). Their signature Proper burger blew me away, especially with the fried egg. I was even more impressed by their Wagyu burger which was incredibly beefy (I like beefy). Compared to other burgers in the area, you can just tell by the texture and mouth-feel that they use quality protein and grill them to perfection. If that wasn't enough, their impossible burger was the best impossible burger I've ever had!!! I like this place more than Lucky Bunz. Truly the best. read more

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Loved this place. Nothing bad to say. Service was awesome, great beer list with fair prices and the food was great. Plus the place itself was just cool. Great location and the atmosphere was fun and inviting. Defiantly a place I wish to visit again. read more

I definitely understand why this is a DC staple! Can't wait to come back Vibe: 8/10 (cool pub vibe with really good music) Service: 10/10 Spicy aubergine sandwich: 9/10 (especially loved the pesto) Wagyu beef burger: 9/10 Overall: 9/10 (4.5/5) read more

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Great greeting stand at the front of a lively dining room adjacent to a room spanning bar will start your experience off well. Here for RW 2022 as a first time try. The lunch menu includes both their famous latkes and corn elite and their popular Proper Burger. The lattkes are not overwhelmingly big nor greasy like many ive encountered so a great start. The Corn Loco Elote was a bit drier than expected, but still very tasty. It is served mixed in a cast iron skillet, not on a cob, which makes it great for sharing. The Proper Burger is not only that, but likely one of the best burgers in DC. 2 patties, pickles, grilled onions and a light sauce topped with a slice of fresh gouda on a potato bun...Jimmy Buffet eat your heart out! We also had the Chicken Tikka Masada. What might be an unusual choice was perfectly blended, rich in Chicken and a generous helping of Jasmine rice adorned with fresh parsley. The Tribeca of RW is the desserts...here it was a rice vanilla pudding and a slice of chocolate cake. After the filling app and entree these were modest in size, bit packed with flavor. The chocolate cake was really a 3 layer treat...cake, chocolate mousse and tipped with a creamy layer of goodness. The rice pudding was equally great, with a solid cinnamon and vanilla flavor in a creamy, yet peppered with whole rice bits. Yummy. 2 special notes; our waiter Brian was phenomenal...attentive but not over bearing. Friendly and knowledgeable. And super quick with the extra asks (pepper, hot sauce). No need to hang onto used silverware, Brian was already bringing it with each course. They do all day (12-7) happy hour so the drinks can be a plentiful addition. For RW, they were featuring a special hot toddy menu with options ranging from a spices cider, to a rum & tea libation, a chai toddy and a Dublin Coffee. What a great way to be introduced to what is sure to be a recurrent favorite spot. read more

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A reliable quick lunch/dinner spot in the area! This location is inside Western Market and has a British pub vibe and a few outdoor long tables for larger groups. The service is really nice and the food usually comes out quickly. The menu is not massive but offers a great variety of appetizers, salads, and sandwiches. They also have gluten-free options! I enjoyed my Posh BLTA. It came with a lot of crispy bacon and avocado. The bread was nicely toasted and held the sandwich together well. Overall nothing to ride home about but a delicious, simple lunch. read more

Duke's Grocery - Posh BLTA - Burgers Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

This place is busy, loud and crowded... but the food is great! You get seated fairly quick and the service is friendly. I was craving burgers and a lot of people always have Dukes grocery on their best burger lists... I can see the hype. *proper burger-delicious! So happy with my choice. It comes med rare or well done. I ordered medium rare and it was perfectly prepared. I ordered it with sweet potato fries. Loved the combination. We would definitely return! read more

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Duke's seated our large group on time with our reservation without issue even though it was packed for Sunday brunch. There's outdoor and indoor seating, and Duke's is part of Western Market. The food is good and the coffee hot! I enjoyed my spicy bloody mary too. Why the four stars? The menu is more on the expensive side. For example, a side is extra for the eggs benedicts. Maybe this can be a good thing for people who want to limit what they order. There were constantly long lines for the bathroom and it's unclear for newcomers where the "more bathrooms" in Western Market are. There was also a lot of confusion about if and how some at the table could order bottomless brunch drinks versus just one drink, and the wait staff did not check on those drinks too often- good on coffee refills though! It was also very, very loud making it difficult to order too. read more

Duke's Grocery - Front room and bar - Burgers Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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One of the best burgers I've had in the DMV area hands down. I had the Proper Burger which had two nicely sized beef patties, melted Gouda cheese, sweet chili sauce, picked onions, aioli, and arugula. This combo makes for a flavorful, juicy burger that keeps you going for more bites. My only complaint is that the buns here are a bit thin and the bottom bun was soggy from the meat juices. I love coming here and will be back in the future. read more

Duke's Grocery - Fired Up Chicken Sandwich (left), Proper Burger (center), Wagyu Beef Burger - Burgers Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Friendly staff and service was fast! Even though it was busy I received my meal quickly!

Stopped by on a Friday evening for an early dinner (around 5 pm) and was surprised the restaurant wasn't busier as the other locations were packed when i stopped by. We ordered the Proper burger, the wagyu beef burger, and the white truffle mac & cheese. The Proper burger is AMAZING. Probably the best burger i've ever had. The pickles, red onions, gouda, chili sauce, garlic aioli... ALL SO FREAKING GOOD. The Wagyu burger was good but i didnt like it as much compared to the proper burger. it had a duke's jam (bacon, onion, cabernet sauvignon, tomato), cheddar cheese, romaine, garlic aioli. i felt this burger was too heavy for me and could have used something fresh like more romaine or a pickle to help cut through the fat and how heavy it was. I wasn't impressed with the white truffle mac & cheese. it came with share white & mild cheddar, shell pasta, and truffle oil. Maybe we had a weird batch but the cheesy sauce wasnt really well incorporated with the shell pasta. it kinda seemed like they mixed the pasta in truffle oil and baked some cheese on top. didnt love it but willing to try again if others have had better experiences. read more

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Proper Burger is delicious and always hits the spot! It was cooked perfectly medium rare. Truffle Mac & Cheese...WOW! I like the super casual vibe, but really liked the front outdoor patio! I wish the fries weren't an add on, but not a big deal! I prefer the ambiance of the Navy Yard location but food-wise there isn't a noticeable difference! read more

Duke's Grocery - Truffle Mac & Cheese - Burgers Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

My go-to spot for a solid hummus plate, burger, or a quick brunch in Foggy Bottom. Will Duke's likely be overrun with college students anytime you visit (and especially on weekends)? Definitely. But is it worth braving the Gen Z crowd for an affordable egg dish and reasonably priced mimosas? In most cases, yes. The service is not the fastest, so if you're looking to do bottomless brunch be prepared for a lengthy waiting period between drinks. Otherwise, a worthwhile spot to stop into for a yummy, reasonably priced meal. read more

Duke's Grocery - Norwegian Breakfast (Eggs, Toast, Lox) - Burgers Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

First of all, their service is fantastic! Stopped by for lunch on graduation weekend and was seated immediately, the waiter was very attentive and willing to explain the menu, and the food was brought out quickly. We ordered the fish and chips and the Cali bowl with shrimp. The fish didn't really impress- the battering was too soft and there wasn't actually that much fish in it, mostly fry, but still decent especially with a lemon squeeze. The fries were great though, not overly salty or fried. The Cali bowl was a lot bigger than expected and pretty tasty, but I didn't really feel like the flavors meshed incredibly well (although that could have been just me and my choice of shrimp instead of chicken). Nothing inherently bad about it and definitely a refreshing meal. Would return to try their burgers and sandwiches! PS- their pho joint is to die for, tried it about a year back and will say it is incredible! read more

Duke's Grocery - Fish & Chips - Burgers Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I went here for brunch with friends and was not impressed with the food or service. I ordered eggs over easy with an English muffin and a banger sausage. The eggs were over cooked at the edges and completely without seasoning. The English muffin was not buttered at all and was dried out and cold when it came to me. But the sausage was the worst. It had a smooth consistency, and not in a good way. I left it on the plate after one bite. It was free of taste or seasoning. I had to ask for salt and pepper for the eggs as it was not on the table, and I also had to ask for butter for the muffin. These are basic things that should be provided without asking. I will not return. read more