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    Little Engine

    4.9 (44 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

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    LITTLE ENGINE ATMOSPHERE

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    Recommended Reviews - Little Engine

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    4x4
    Saha S.

    I've been meaning to try this place for a while, and it really hit the spot! They give you a ton of food and different kinds of sauces as well. I got the 4x4 which comes with 1/4 chicken, 4 wings, some fries, and some other sides.

    Pineapple habanero wings
    Takia C.

    This is a cute little spot with a fun, family-friendly atmosphere. They have free cars for the kids, cartoons playing, and nostalgic décor on the walls, which we really enjoyed. The menu is fairly simple, and the prices were very reasonable. The staff was also warm and welcoming, which made for a pleasant experience. The rice wasn't to our taste--we honestly couldn't finish it. The hot wings, however, had great flavor, and I really enjoyed them. Because of the friendly service, reasonable prices, and enjoyable atmosphere, I would come back to try other menu items before deciding if it would become a regular spot.

    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!

    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

    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.

    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!

    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.

    Definitely coming back again. If you're looking for a nice Saturday or Sunday afternoon chill vibe. Little engine and their food, (especially their breakfast burrito pop up) is the ideal situation. Great for a first date or just a relaxed morning. Their food is flavorful and thoughtfully made. Sure, there was a bit of a wait, but a little patience goes a long way and the food is proof of that. Appreciate the flexibly and great service from Ricardo and the rest of the staff. I definitely will be back 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!!!

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    Great food! Disappointed in hottest sauce they had tho. Otherwise great flavors and the 4x4 is a great amount of food.

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

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    Ask the Community - Little Engine

    Unconventional Diner - Lebanese Fried Rice

    Unconventional Diner

    4.4(3.5k reviews)
    2.0 miShaw, Downtown
    $$

    High quality elevated diner food at a reasonable price in DC. Brunch is an option every day before…read more3:45PM. Recommend the corned beef hash. Big chunks of meat, potato with roasted onions and celery, all with a black pepper gravy. Comes with two sunny-side eggs. You will be stuffed. Biscuits are great too. Coffee is solid. Reservations by Resy. Online ordering here https://order.online/store/unconventional-diner-washington-295238

    True to its name, Unconventional Diner is not your average brunch spot - it delivers on fun and…read moreunique dishes (available until 3:45pm). The Tikka dish with fried egg was tasty, but wish paneer or larger protein option was built-in (not an upcharge)! The creamy red Tikka curry sauce, caramelized onions, crispy brussel sprouts, and fried ere tasty and paired well, the dish felt incomplete and something was missing, maybe some paneer or naan? I paid $5 for a side of zesty naan topped with different spices and really wish it came with the dish just came with it. While I was tempted to order the falafel, I couldn't justify shelling out another $5 for another upcharge and spend $10 on them for a total of $26 for just an entree - when these 2 upcharges should have been included in the entree by default. Wish there were more fun vegetarian dishes on the menu. Might come back for drinks and to explore the menu!

    Photos
    Unconventional Diner - Space is large, bright, and contemporary.  Reservations recommended.

    Space is large, bright, and contemporary. Reservations recommended.

    Unconventional Diner - Tip-Top Chop

    Tip-Top Chop

    Unconventional Diner - Caribbean Shrimp & Grits

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    Caribbean Shrimp & Grits

    The Smith - Chicken

    The Smith

    3.9(1.8k reviews)
    1.7 miPenn Quarter
    $$

    We stopped in for Happy Hour. Or as they call it "Martini Happy Hour."…read moreWe enjoyed a dirty vodka martini and a dirty blue Martini - made with bleu cheese stuffed olives and a bleu cheese vermouth. Nicely priced at $12 each. Also served with the cocktails were a bottle of still and a bottle of sparkling water - very welcomed on our August 20,000 step sight-seeing tour. We ordered the $12 shrimp cocktail - 5 decent shrimp with two sauces. The $7 fries were insane! If we're in the area again on this trip, we'll definitely stop in again for Martini Happy Hour.

    Dined in restaurant on a Saturday around 8pm. When I approached the hostess table, she asked "table…read morefor 2?" even though I was by myself. She was most likely on auto pilot and appeared embarrassed when she realized it. I politely smiled and said (confidently), table for 1. We solo diners need to be loud and proud! I digress... Before being seated I found the restroom. I found it odd that it was extremely dim. The main dining room was brighter than the restroom! I also saw the Photo Booth. Interesting addition. $5 for pictures. I was seated at a small round table with two chairs by the window. The restaurant was plenty busy, and I'm just glad I wasn't asked if I wanted to sit at the bar (I didn't). My server Noel brought two bottles of water: still and sparkling. I requested lemon slices, which he brought. And I proceeded to finish the entire bottle of sparkling by the end of the meal...guess I was thirsty! But I appreciated the option of both. I forgot to ask for a straw, but saw them in a container at the register right behind my table, so I got one myself. After ordering I noticed a nearby table had some bread so I asked Noel if they served complimentary bread. He said yes and apologized for not bringing it initially. Not that I needed it, but I don't eat bread with butter often and this was a night out to indulge a bit. There were two slices, nothing special. My food arrived within about 10-15 minutes and looked so scrumptious. I ordered the lamb and short rib meatballs and Brussels sprouts. The meatballs were pretty good, but what made them even better was the tzatziki sauce. I didn't realize the green rice was on one side of the plate until I was almost done. That tzatziki sauce was really all I needed to go with the meatballs. It was cool and creamy to go with the dry, meatiness of the meatballs. I honestly wish there had been more of it! I did not finish the rice, which didn't look super appetizing because of the intense green color. I will say though, I'm not a fan of spicy food but the tzatziki had a kick. I think perhaps due to chopped jalapeños. I tried to avoid them once I realized. The Brussels were delicious! Roasted to perfection, not too charred and not too mushy. I requested the green goddess sauce on the side because I'm not a huge sauce person, but once I tried it, I couldn't stop. Again, the combination of the creaminess of the sauce with the flakiness of the Brussels was a genius pairing. During the meal the beverage manager stopped by. I didn't have any drinks with the meal, but perhaps I will return to see what they have. Noel brought the bill at my request, then brought over the portable device so I could pay at the table. While that process is efficient, it's always awkward leaving a tip when the server is standing right there. Anyhow, overall it was a good experience and a delicious meal!

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    The Smith - 3/27/25 At the bar!

    3/27/25 At the bar!

    The Smith - Potato Chips

    Potato Chips

    The Smith - Restaurant space

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    Restaurant space

    Willowsong - Hamachi Tartare

    Willowsong

    4.2(50 reviews)
    1.6 mi

    Only here for the drinks and desserts. And they are phenomenal. Service is wonderful couldn't ask…read morefor a better server. Beautiful atmosphere. Sits on the wharf. I ended up getting the crispy prawns and calamari got greedy. Definitely get them. The icebow cheesecake was different. The sweet potato pie was a little too soft for me but it had good flavor. The warm butter cake phenomenal. These were all shared at a table of 10.

    Went to Willowsong for a dinner with a friend and had lovely service. We sat inside as it was…read morestarting to get steamy outside and the temperature inside was just right, comfy seating, spacious table, good ambiance for a long dinner conversation. - milk bread - 4/5, a little underdone but otherwise quite delicious served in a skillet with three buns and a yummy butter with a small amount of salmon roe on top - nectarine salad - 4/5, a little overdressed but a solid salad with blackberries, goat cheese, pecans, and nectarine slices - duck ragu burrata fusilli - 4/5, a solid offering. I did ask for the burrata on the side which they forgot to do. Duck a little bit salty, pasta was not standard fusilli which was sort of nice - squid ink orechiette - 4/5, my friend ordered this and I did not taste it, she thought the orechiette was a little too al dente but if we were not staying at a hotel for a work conference she said she would have taken the leftovers home Overall a solid offering on the Wharf with great service.

    Photos
    Willowsong - Old fashioned

    Old fashioned

    Willowsong - Yummy 'birthday' cheesecake

    Yummy 'birthday' cheesecake

    Willowsong - Outside

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    Outside

    Little Engine - chicken_wings - Updated August 2026

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