U Street

Judging Restaurants – Henry’s

By Prince Of Petworth

We’ve admired Henry’s signs before but have never properly judged the food. You may recall there are now two locations (pictured here) 1704 U St, NW and the newer one is at 317 K St, NW. Their Web site says:

“The Henry’s Soul Café, Home of the Sweet Potato Pie known for fine southern cooking has a family tradition that was originally established in the summer of 1968 at the Washington DC based Henry’s Deli Carryout.

In 1997, almost thirty years later the family legacy was brought to a new and exciting plateau when the younger generation- Jermaine Smith and his business partner Bernard Brooks Jr. opened the doors of the popular Henry’s Soul Café, in Oxon Hill, Maryland. In March 2004, a new location opened in Mitchellville, Maryland. Several new locations are slated to open in the Washington Metro area over the next few years.

The wide variety of menu items that are available on a daily basis “ cooked to order”, is what differentiates Henry’s Soul Café from other soul food restaurants across the nation.”

You can see their menu here. Any must order items besides the sweet potato pie?

New restaurant/Taqueria Coming to 1819 14th St, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

Back in April, we first noticed movement at this space. It had been closed for years. A commenter at the time thought it was purchased by the owners of nearby Masa 14.

We know that Masa 14 is already looking to expand into the second floor of their current location but has anyone else heard that they may be opening up a new taqueria as well?

The alcohol application says:

“New restaurant/Taqueria with entertainment serving Mexican cuisine. Entertainment to include
acoustic bands, Mexican style music. Restaurant will have Summer Garden with 99 seats and a
Sidewalk Café with14 seats. Total occupancy load is 274.”

Who ever owns it, it sounds like it’ll be pretty sweet!

U Street Movie Series Continues with Buena Vista Social Club, Tues. July 13

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo courtesy of Meridian Hill Neighborhood Association

From an email:

The theme of this year’s movie series pays homage to the musical and culturally diverse roots of the U Street Neighborhood, with a series of documentaries and films telling moving stories of accomplished musicians. The last film, Michael Jackson’s This Is It, was seen by a crowd of over 450 in June.

The schedule for the rest of the summer is as follows:

July 13: Buena Vista Social Club (rain date July 20)
Aug 10: The Soloist (rain date Aug 17)
Sept 14: Duke Ellington’s Washington and Soul Power (rain date Sept 21)

All films will be shown at the field at Harrison Recreation Center on V Street between 13th and 14th Streets, NW Gates will open at 7 pm. Free popcorn will be provided to the first 100 attendees beginning at 8 pm. Showtime will be at sundown around 8:30 pm. Full information can be found here.

Good Deal or Not? “Charming 1890’s Victorian” edition

By Prince Of Petworth

This home is located at 1306 W St, NW:


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The flier says:

“Charming 1890’s Victorian located in the heart of U Street. Minutes to Metro, restaurants and shopping. Beautiful exposed brick and hardwood floors throughout. 3 Bedrooms (with a den/possible fourth bedroom), 3.5 baths. Library outside of master bedroom. Laundry Room. Sunny back deck, ideal for entertaining.”

You can find more info here and photos here.

I’m often intrigued by these 3 story row houses. What do you think of the inside of this one? Think it’ll go for $729,999?

Mural of the Week

By Prince Of Petworth

I feel like I may have seen this one in the PoPville flickr pool but this is the first time I passed it in person. It’s in an alley off U St, NW near 11th.

Judging Restaurants/Bars – Patty Boom Boom

By Prince Of Petworth

Patty Boom Boom is the Jamaican spot from the folks behind nearby Marvin and the Gibson located at 1359 U Street NW. I have two questions about this spot – how are the Jamaican pattys (any must order items)? And how is the music scene upstairs?

Oil/Grease Spill on U Street NW – Massive Clean up Continues

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo courtesy of @DDOTDC

Around 7:30 this morning word started to spread on twitter that U Street was a mess. Literally. Around 9am DDOTDC updates on twitter:

“U street NW closed in both directions due to grease spill. Cleanup could take another 1-2 hours. Use alt. routes.”

At 9:50am they write:

“Update: U St will reopen shortly. Traffic will help grind sand into roadway but use extreme caution. 10 mph please.”

Word is the spill spreads all the way from 16th to 7th St, NW.

DCist reports:

“According to a DDOT employee working on the scene, a truck that was driving down U Street at 4 a.m. this morning left a significant trail of oil and grease on the road.”

Anyone pass through this morning?


Photo courtesy of Jay’O

Dear PoP – What’s Going on next to Republic Gardens on U St, NW?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

The last few mornings, the door to the boarded-up space beside Republic Gardens on U Street, NW, has been open and there are workers in there. Any news on what’s going on in there?”

Hmm, back in June we learned that this space (the old State of the Union) located at 1357 U St, NW was slated to become Kindred Bar and Lounge. Their Web site says:

“Here’s where KINDRED Bar and Lounge comes in. My goal in launching this unique and inclusive tavern is to provide everyone with a great space and great prices. I’m not trying to get rich quick, or to open up a chain of KINDREDs across the country. What I am trying to do is simply to pool our resources to create a space that saves us money, brings us together (with inexpensive drinks!) and ultimately provides a unique space for the community — for us.”

Though the site says only 3% of donations needed have been registered so I’m not sure what the current story is. An email I sent has not been returned. There is definitely work going on in this space, has anyone else heard any details and/or rumors of what’s going on here?

Chain Link Fence Comes Down at new Building on Corner of 11th and T Sts, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

I’ve been watching the progress of the new building at 11th and T Streets, NW for many months now. I was psyched to see the big chain link fence had come down. It’s looking a mere weeks away from completion. I’ll be sure to post when units go for sale, hopefully there will be a good virtual tour. But now that the fence is down and we can get a better look at the building – would you say thumbs up or down?

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