Monday Munchies: Florida Avenue Grill

Plaudits: None
Neighborhood: U Street/Columbia Heights

The Setup

Hyped as the best breakfast in DC, Official Girlfriend of DCWD Texas and I headed over to the Florida Avenue Grill.

The Vibe

Growing up in NJ, I have a fondness for diners and greasy spoons that is both inborn and unhealthy. Sadly, diners in DC are both few in number and often misnamed (most notably, the rather upscale Diner in Adams-Morgan). For this reason, one second in Florida Avenue Grill flooded me with the sort of happiness normally reserved for airport reunions. The restaurant is small, spartan, and looks like it was cobbled together from an assortment of spare parts back in the 70s. A row of booths, a diner counter, and a griddle-grill all clamor together in parallel lines creating a weirdly workable space. The space is small enough and the demand large enough that seated patrons seamlessly get replaced with others, a dance that was apparent on this bustling Sunday morning visit.

The Food

Sitting directly across from the griddle, it was hard for Texas and I not to crave the hotcakes, so we ordered up a bunch along with some biscuits and eggs and sausage. The hotcakes are huge, the size of dinner plates, and generously coated in powdered sugar and cinnamon. They are also delicious, moist and sweet and greasy in a good way. The proof is in the pudding in the picture at right; I had devoured half of the plate before remembering I might want to take a picture of it for the blog's sake. Foie gras it's not, but all the more satisfying, recalling both New Jersey diners and late night runs to IHOP. But better.

The Verdict

People who say that it's the best breakfast in DC... well they're not far off.

Food Rating: *** 1/2 (out of 5)
Date Rating: 1 Heart (out of 5)
Dress Code: Casual
Bar Rating: N/A
Vibe: Energetic
Cost: $ (out of 5) (less than $25 for two)