2nd and Florida Ave, NW

From the Mayor’s Office:

“Today, as she kicked off DMV Black Restaurant Week, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced nearly $9 million in grants through the Food Access Fund to provide funding to food businesses to open new locations in Wards 7 and 8. Mayor Bowser included the $58 million initiative in her Fair Shot Budget with the goal of eradicating food deserts and creating employment opportunities and economic vibrancy.

“We have an incredible amount of entrepreneurial talent and creativity in DC, especially in our restaurant and foodservice industries – it’s just not equally distributed or equally funded. The Food Access Grants are going to change that,” said Mayor Bowser. “With this $58 million fund, we can bring DC favorites like HalfSmoke that currently operate in some of our most popular corridors on the west side of the city and support them in opening new locations in Wards 7 and 8. We can also support popular spots that are already in Wards 7 and 8, like MLK Deli, and make sure they have the resources necessary to expand and reach more Washingtonians. We already know that we have residents in every part of our city who are eager to support local businesses; the Food Access Grants are not only delivering more food options to Wards 7 and 8, they’re delivering new opportunities to stay local and shop local.”

The Food Access Fund recipients include: Read More

photo by kristenstake

“Dear PoPville,

DC people, are there any places that do proper memphis* bbq?

*none of that NC, SC, KC, or MO nonsense!”

Some early replies: Read More

rendering for 2000 Pennsylvania Ave, NW

From an email:

“We are excited to share information about a new full-service social bar and restaurant concept coming to Western Market in early 2022. ExPat Hospitality from partners Chef Tim Ma (American Son/Lucky Danger), Jonas Singer (Union Kitchen/Bling Dog Cafe) and Ben Sislen (Kingfisher/The Crown and the Crow) will open the group’s first venue at Western Market, joining the new food hall’s diverse tenants at 2000 Pennsylvania Ave NW. ExPat will be the largest restaurant in Western Market, offering an American style barbecue menu along with other southern staples. Read More

2471 18th Street, NW

We were close but it’s now official from Smoke & Barrel:

“We are excited to say that we ARE NOW OPEN!
Swing by for delicious BBQ, Cold Craft Beer, and Cocktails. Read More

via 2fiftytexasbbq IG

Thanks to Ally for passing on from 2fiftytexasbbq “This is exciting! Great bbq!”

2Fifty writes:

“Word is out! | We’re thrilled to confirm that we’ve been working with @UnionMarketDC to bring our Central Texas Style BBQ experience to D.C.

Since everything we do is handcrafted, it’s been quite a challenge to think about the best way we can bring the best of our smokehouse to the renowned food hall. With the newly added 1000 gallons direct flow smoker from Primitive Pits we can now wood-smoke more meat than ever while keeping our unplugged, no shortcuts barbecue style.

We’re introducing @2fiftys, a simplified version of our flagship restaurant. Our Central Texas Barbecue, wood smoked & handcrafted daily, will be cut and served to order at the Market.” Read More

Florida and North Capitol Street, NE

“Dear PoPville,

Know anything about this? One of my neighbors sent a photo of this sign going up at Florida and North Cap (old NY Pizza place that’s had chainlink fencing around the lot got a while). Looks like Aunteaboba’s Instagram talks about a “DC location coming soon,” but wondering if there’s any other scuttlebutt?” Read More

2471 18th Street, NW

Last week we learned that “Smoke and Barrel is desperately trying to cling to life.” Today they share on their Facebook:

“To our supporters, staff, family and greater DC,

2020 has truly been a year like no other. Since this pandemic took hold of life as we know it, all of us here at Smoke & Barrel have fought to continue serving great BBQ to our community as well as doing everything possible to preserve our livelihood. We are truly grateful for all the support we have received from you all and it has definitely helped keep us in the fight up to this point. Sadly, we have come to the realization that with the pandemic back on the rise and such limitations on dine-in service and our need to survive almost purely on carry-out and delivery, we cannot survive the winter with our existing format. Therefore, we have made the painful decision not to re-open after the the Thanksgiving break but instead work towards finding a more functional and financially viable way to move forward.

I want to personally thank all our staff for risking their health by coming in week after week during such challenging times all in an effort to keep Smoke & Barrel alive. Without them we could not have made it this long. I truly appreciate everything they have done and I hope we can all come back together in the near future as we work to find a way to navigate such uncertain times. Thank you.

-John Andrade, principal”

2471 18th Street, NW

Robert writes: “It looks like the Smoke and Barrel is desperately trying to cling to life.

They’ve got great BBQ and they’re really nice there, so if there was ever a time to share the love it’d be now.”

“We are open
seven days a week.

HOURS:
5pm – 10pm
202.319.9353”

Their website says:

“Smoke & Barrel is a neighborhood gathering spot and BBQ joint, or at least it was before Covid took over all our lives. While we continue to serve delicious BBQ for carry-out and delivery, our dine-in business, like so many other neighborhood restaurants, has all but disappeared…understandably.

As the principal owner of Smoke & Barrel, I am reaching out to you all with a plea for your continued support. We do not have the ability to have any kind of reasonable patio space so we rely entirely on our carry-out and delivery but we are on the verge of suffering the same fate as many of our restaurant peers who have recently closed permanently. Read More

From SEOULSPICE (NoMa at 145 N Street, NW; Tenleytown at 4600 Wisconsin Ave, NW):

“SEOULSPICE, the healthy Korean comfort food concept with locations in NOMA, Tenleytown and College Park, Maryland, has transformed two of its popular fast-casual restaurants into Korean BBQ concepts. Beginning Wednesday, November 11, fans of the NOMA and Tenleytown locations will be able to enjoy a never-ending supply of high-quality, dry-aged beef, served tableside with an ample selection of Korean banchan (sides) and scratch-made sauces. Guests who visit the new Korean BBQ concept can also look forward to a 25% discount for the month of November, followed by a 10% discount for the month of December. The full price menu will launch on January 1, 2021. This special savings only applies to the cuisine (beverages pricing excluded from the discount) during the preview period and is available exclusively at the NOMA and Tenleytown locations. Read More

3155 Mt Pleasant St, NW

Thanks to The Butcher’s Market for letting us know.

From The Butcher’s Market website: “We are an artisanal butcher shop focusing on dry aged meat, fresh fish and “restaurant quality” products. We strive to create great relationships between our purveyors and customers.” Read More