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    Little Engine

    4.9 (38 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

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    Recommended Reviews - Little Engine

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    Reviews With Photos

    Samone J.

    We popped by during a weekend not too long ago. This place is vibrantly decorated and cozy. The team was busy, hustling away--the manager or GM (not sure) was even running the register, helping out. We wanted to keep it light and ended up sharing the 4x4, snap peas, and hush puppies. The dry rub used on the chicken and fries is so so good, I can understand why it's a house staple! While we didn't love the house ranch and special mumbo sauce, we devoured every thing! The hush puppies were done right, savory with a warm center... on par with the classic southern staple! Also, the chicken--crispy and juicy! We will absolutely be back!

    6 buffalo wings with wedge fries
    Tori C.

    I saw great reviews for little engine a while back, and after an event on H st., I decided it was a great time to visit. The staff are nice and explain the wing sauces really well..I'm the biggest sucker for wings so I had high expectations. The 6 piece buffalo wings were delicious and lived up to the hype! Crispy but saucy...never soggy. For someone who doesn't like wedges, I really enjoyed these wedge fries. I'll 100% be back on an empty stomach again!

    The 4x4, white meat with Sweet Baby Raj chicken and buffalo crispy wings
    Jazmin A.

    Ugh I wish I could relive my first experience at Little Engine all over again. I came in with my heart set on the chicken Caesar wrap, but when I got there and took a better look at the menu, I knew I had to try the wings. But then, I also felt I had to try the regular rotisserie chicken. I settled for 2/3 and ended up getting the 4x4, and I was so happy with my decision. For $19, you get 1/4 chicken, 4 wings, 1 side, and your choice of sauces. I was super hungry and still had to take some of that to go. I want to start by giving a special shoutout to the staff here. Everyone was super friendly. The cashier was very welcoming and gave me recommendations as I placed my order. Typically, I go into a place knowing what I'm gonna get but I also love some feedback on what's good and how the restaurant recommends you order. I was gonna get the chicken plain, but was convinced to add some sweet baby raj sauce and I was so glad I did. I loved that the cashier had some solid recs ready and that she spoke confidently about the menu. Next, if you're eating the food there, another member of staff will bring you your meal. The young lady that was delivering the meals to each table was super warm and very bubbly, if a customer made a move to go get something, she said not to worry, and that she would handle it. She was very quick and very attentive. Next, the kitchen staff was also very friendly and very quick with the meals. I went to ask them about a to go box and bag and just all in all, it was a very pleasant experience with every member of the staff here. You can tell everyone's genuine interest in working at this establishment and I think service is so important and unfortunately lacking in a lot of places these days. On to the food, the rotisserie chicken was very juicy and flavorful and even though I got some sauce on it, I could tell it would've been flavorful even on its own. I went with buffalo for the wings and they were crispy, saucy and had a great flavor to them - I also liked the quality of the wings themselves. They weren't tiny and they weren't those huge GMO wings you sometimes get at places these days. Honestly, I loved everything on my plate, but I may just come back and order wings on their own next time because they were so yummy! Potato wedges were also a perfect side addition. You'd think you can't really mess these up, but trust me, they are not all created equal and these were the perfect crisp, salt, lightness. Last, I wanna give a shoutout to the dipping sauces. This is like the first place I've come into in recent history that doesn't charge extra for every sauce. They gave me two cups of ranch and the sauce seemed to be a homemade ranch, which I really enjoyed. It wasn't overpowering or overflowing with too many herbs as I've encountered with other house-made ranch. This is a very casual spot that I anticipate coming back to regularly, even if it's just for takeout. I was very impressed on my first visit and I wish this establishment much success, which I know won't be difficult in this area. They have a great team and great food! Give it a try, you won't regret it!

    Austin G.

    To be a restaurant open for lunch in Eastern Market, you have to somehow cater to adults and children alike. It's hard to do, but Little Engine does it well. Popping in for a late lunch on a Sunday in March, here's my nine-year-old daughter and my experience. 1) Food: To feed us both, we ordered the kids quesadilla and the adult one. The kids meal comes with chicken inside, which my daughter usually doesn't love, but she did this time. The fries that it comes with are wedges and tasty. Ask for their ranch sauce to dip them in. The adult pulled chicken quesadilla comes with a great lime crema on top. 2) Drinks: They have bottled water, Coca-Cola products in cans, lemonades, and more. They even have Fanta! 3) Service: It's excellent! The person behind the register was patient and helpful. 4) Space: It's small, but there are several booths and window seating. With big windows, lots of natural light pours in. The walls are decorated with baseball cards and old CDs giving it a retro vibe. There are two unisex restrooms in the back that don't require a code. 5) Area: Even when it's busy, you will eventually find street parking nearby. On weekdays, I usually find a spot along 8th Street SE a block away. Another option is to park in the Trader Joe's garage free for 60 minutes with a purchase.

    Entry
    Markie'Sha J.

    Absolutely amazing. The food was made to order. I ended up getting wings and wedges, and I will say that the portion size was great. As a matter of fact, I couldn't even finish all of my wings. The wings were nicely sauced; the flavor I tried was sweet baby Raj or something of that nature it had like a barbecue like taste. It was actually recommended by the cashier and I was not disappointed. I originally got my food to go, but it smelled so good in there I decided to sit in and eat.

    CD wall - yes we needed to explain this to our 6 year old.
    Evan P.

    This is the Little Engine that CAN and WILL become a regular part of your rotation. Located in Eastern Market, the Little Engine has a cool, 90s nostalgia vibe with a CD wall, wall of 90s sports cards, and 90s movie posters gracing the walls. Look closely in some of the upper nooks and you'll even see some old VHS tapes. They had light music playing from the 90s as well. Service was fast, friendly, and the staff gave great recommendations. While you really cannot go wrong with whatever you order, they help you pick the flavors that you are craving. The food is fantastic! They have rotisserie chickens roasting on a spit and the wings are packed with flavor. The Hazel's Magic Dust was a table favorite with its dry rubbed spices and the Thai peanut, spicy Szechuan, and Sweet Baby Raj sauce all left us looking forward to trying more at our next visit. Great for takeout and a more casual dine-in (with 90s vibes included), the Little Engine is well worth a visit and will be one we come back to again and again!

    6 wings all flats- Hazels Magic Dust
    Kim J.

    I'm a fan! I've had them twice and the food has been consistent. The hush puppies really are that good! I love that I can order all flats with the wings. And the wings are a good size. The rotisserie chicken is also good, not as good as some other chicken spots but still a good option to have in the neighborhood. I do like that you can get a variety of sauces with your chicken. They are .75 extra but worth it. I've had the jalapeño lime and Thai peanut sauce. I will say, if you are ordering for pickup, check your bag and make sure you have everything. I ordered extra sauces and caught that they didn't include but forgot to check for the others. I was looking forward to trying the Sweet Baby Rajs. Good spot overall. I have yet to eat in but they have some dining seats inside and nice options outside. I'll be back!

    Brittney S.

    As a big fan of chicken wings, im now a big fan of Little Engine! I got the 4x4 meal so I could try the wings and the rotisserie because I couldn't decide. They also have different sauces and dry rubs to pick from and I wasn't sure what to get, so the owner actually came over to give his recommendation on the most popular things. The chicken was 10/10! Crispy, flavorful, and hot! The space was also really cool , very 90s and early 2000s vibe with the music and decor.

    12 flats. Expertly cooked. Little baby Raj sauce and Sticky Szechuan. PERFECTION!
    Dakine B.

    Helluva wing spot right next to Eastern Market. Clean space. Incredibly kind employees. And the wings? HELL YES! I stopped by yesterday morning on my way to the airport and got 12 perfectly cooked and sauced wings. And they will accommodate all flats! Hot damn! This little engine sure as hell can!!!

    Dona P.

    uhm. wow. first of all the answer the phone when you call - SHOCKING. second of all the pulled chicken is dairy free gluten free as is the Thai peanut dressing. third of all- this spicy chicken cabbage salad- I had low hopes- but WHOA! FLAVOR BOMB !! the spice the crunch the fresh mint and tang from the dressing the fresh jalapeño just SO Impressive!! Order looks small but it packs a punch. Clean interior, well oiled machine with staff working well together (with a manager making sure orders are coming out correctly). WELCOME TO THE HILL! my new go to salad for sure !

    Southwest Chicken Salad
    Larry M.

    When a chef post another chef's rev'ed up rotisserie chicken spot...you might want to pull up!! So that's exactly what I did!! When I saw Chef Matt Adler @adler81 post this spot, i pulled up!! My New Favorite rotisserie chicken spot good folks!! . Where I am: @littleenginechicken . Location Reviewed: 250 7th St., S.E. Washington D.C. . Items Reviewed: STAMP!! Their Southwest Chicken Salad ($15 with jalapeno lime crema, corn, lettuce, tomato, onion, & fried chicken strips dusted in their signature Hazel's Magic Dust). Hearty, mildly spicy, & that dusted chicken tasted like a combination between Old Bay, Lemon Pepper, & Sweet Heat dust...STAMP!!! STAMP!! Their Chicken Caesar Salad Wrap ($15 with Romaine lettuce, Parmesan cheese, a Caesar salad dressing, & the Hazel Magic dusted chicken strips). PERFECTION!! tasty, savory, & fulfilling! STAMP!! Their Tricked Out Wings ($18.50 for 6 cherry blossom Mumbo sauce wings, & 6 Hazel Magic dusted wings). Crunchy wings with that mumbo sauce that has a hint of real cherry taste, & those deliciously dusted wings!! STAMP!! Their Rev'ed Up Rotisserie Chicken ($17 for flavor dusted half white meat chicken, pickled onions, a tortilla, Full Throttle sauce, & fries). Exceptional delicious!! Well seasoned chicken, well seasoned fries, my new favorite rotisserie chicken spot!! STAMP!! Their Hush Puppies ($5 with sweet corn, & scallions). The absolute BEST hush puppies I've ever tasted. Freshly made, crunchy/soft deliciousness!! . Customer Service: On Point. . Parking: Rough. . Recommendations: The Best Rotisserie in the city!! Accessibility: This spot is wheelchair friendly, & differently abled persons friendly. 5 Stars=STAMP 4 1/2 Stars=LIKE THAT 4 Stars=DELICIOUS 3 Stars=DECENT 2 Stars=PASS 1 Star=NAH #Bigschlimsreviews

    Sticky Szechuan and Sweet Baby Raj's wings
    Tierra A.

    These wings are insanely delicious and my new favorite go to wing place in DC. The sticky Szechuan is a unique and spicy flavor I couldn't get enough of ; and the sweet baby RaJ was kind of like a sweet heat barbecue flavor I assume like a "Sweet Baby Ray's" type of flavor with a touch of Indian spice. The quality of the wings and the size is so satisfying, and the wings are gluten free! The customer service was welcoming and attentive, and the restaurant clean and bright. I'm so excited to try the other flavors, I would definitely recommend .

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    2 months ago

    Huge fan, great chicken and sides. Will be back often. Had the quarter rotisserie of dark meat, smoky flavor. 10/10

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    2 months ago

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    Robert S.

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    4 months ago

    Everything was pricey great, flavorful with large portions & a friendly staff would def recommend to all!

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    4 months ago

    I got the 4x4 with 1/4 chicken, 4 wings, and hushpuppies. Everything was so so good!!

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    5 months ago

    Everything is so freaking yummy. Went back to back days. Got to say, very good value too!

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