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A classic half-smoke from Ben’s Chili Bowl.
A classic half-smoke from Ben’s Chili Bowl.
Rey Lopez/Eater D.C.

22 Iconic D.C. Area Dishes Available for Takeout Right Now

Tastes every DMV diner should know

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A classic half-smoke from Ben’s Chili Bowl.
|Rey Lopez/Eater D.C.

There are certain dishes that are just inextricably linked to certain Washington restaurants. New customers travel far just to try them. Tourists seek them out. Regulars can't stop ordering them even though they know they should try something new.

This map features some knee-jerk picks that immediately come to mind, from the messy-as-can-be half-smokes at Ben's Chili Bowl to late-night favorites likeinsanely greasy jumbo slice. Others reflect a diverse D.C. community that bonds over curtido-topped pupusas, pork pate-packed banh mi, and beautifully charred Peruvian chicken. Others are composed signatures that have developed their own following at places like the Red Hen and Peter Chang.

What else belongs on this map? Share in the comments.

—Updated by Tierney Plumb

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Kitfo at Beteseb Restaurant

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Silver Spring is home to one of the largest concentrations of Ethiopian restaurants around D.C., and there’s no better option than Beteseb. Order up the kitfo — spiced raw beef — and vegetarian platters, then use tangy injera bread to scoop up cabbage, collards, and spicy lentils. Open fortakeout and deliveryvia DoorDash and GrubHub.

Pupusas at Pupuseria La Familiar (Multiple locations)

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This chain of restaurants run by the Hernandez sisters might sell the best pupusas in town. The College Park location is a popular stop在Maryland’s pupusa highway. Order takeout at the restaurant, which is offering limited seats for dine-in service.

Neapolitan Pizza at 2 Amys

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Considered D.C.’s standard-bearer for traditional Neapolitan pizza, this fan favorite amongst diners and chefs alike opted topivot to takeout only for the rest of 2020. Anchovy lovers will be very happy here. Finish off meals with sweet cannoli. Place在lineorders for takeout.

Neapolitan pizza at 2 Amys
Neapolitan pizza at 2 Amys
2 Amys [official]

Falafel at Amsterdam Falafelshop (Multiple locations)

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Late-night standby Amsterdam Falafel just closed its14th Street NW location for good, but its Adams Morgan outpost is still going strong fortakeout and deliverydaily. Customize the falafel pita with as many pickles, toppings, and sauces as your heart desires. Its L’Enfant locale is temporarily closed.

A falafel pita from Amsterdam falafel
A falafel pita from Amsterdam falafel
Amsterdam falafel [official]

Half-Smokes at Ben's Chili Bowl (Multiple locations)

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A Ben’s half-smoke covered in chili and cheese is arguably D.C.'s most recognizable dish. Order takeout在linefrom itshistoric U Street locationor on H Street NE.

A half-smoke from Ben’s Chili Bowl.
A half-smoke from Ben’s Chili Bowl
Rey Lopez/Eater D.C.

Duccini's Pizza

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The Adams Morgan go-to known for late-night hours and jumbo slices thathold up while soberfamously fed June protesterstaking refuge inside the home of a good Samaritan.Ordertakeout or delivery from 11 a.m. to 5 a.m.

Ducinni’s Pizza DC slice
A massive slice at Duccini’s Pizza.
Rey Lopez/Eater DC

Khachapuri at Compass Rose

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Khachapuri, a traditional Georgian dish of bread, cheese, and egg,became an instant hitin D.C. and is gaining traction across the U.S. Order takeout and delivery from Compass Rose viaTock, Wednesday to Sundays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Khachapuri from Compass Rose
Khachapuri from Compass Rose
Compass Rose [official]

Rigatoni at Red Hen

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This Bloomingdale restaurant's rigatoni with fennel sausage ragu and pecorino romano is the definition of comfort food. Make it at home via chef Mike Friedman’s to-go meal kit for 2. There’s also a prized dessert dish on the menu — a roasted maple panna cotta with caramelized hazelnut crumble and whipped cream. Order在linefor pickup 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The bar at the Red Hen
The bar at the Red Hen
Rey Lopez/Eater D.C.

Grilled Cheese at Stoney's (Multiple locations)

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The super grilled cheese, with tomato, bacon, and red onion, is a must-try at this neighborhood bar.Order onlineor call for pickup orders (or snag a seat on the patio) at its dual D.C. locations in Logan Circle and Foggy Bottom.

Chicken Sub at Wisemiller's Grocery & Deli

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Georgetown students on a budget are crazy for the chicken madness sub ($8.95). But fans from all over also make the trek to campus for a hoagie filled with grilled chicken, sweet peppers, onion, bacon, provolone, lettuce, tomato, and mayo. Takeout or delivery is avialable 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.).

Avgolemono Soup at Greek Deli

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This renowned Greek deli from chef/owner Kostas Fostieris turned 30 last year, and its beloved avgolemono soup remains a best seller.Takeout and deliveryare available daily until 2:30 p.m.

Ramen at Daikaya

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Many of Daikaya's ramen varieties are beloved, but the vegan version has made a surprising and lasting impression on diners — even if they end up adding egg or pork to the mix.Ordercarryout or delivery daily from 11:30 a.m. or 9 p.m.

Daikaya DC ramen Digging into a bowl of ramen at Daikaya. Photo:Daikaya

Creme Brulee Doughnuts at Astro (Multiple locations)

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The creme brulee doughnuts, sticky and caramelized and full of custard, from Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken are a local favorite. Order在linefor carryout or delivery at its D.C. and Falls Church locations.

Scallion Bubble Pancakes at Peter Chang (Multiple locations)

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Come here for the eye-catching scallion bubble pancakes, a speciality of pastry chef extraordinaire Lisa Chang. After that appetizer, sample many amazing Sichuan dishes, including dry-fried eggplant, bamboo fish, and grandma's noodles. Open 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. fortakeout or deliveryvia DoorDash.

Palak Chaat at Rasika (Multiple locations)

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The palak chaat — a snack of super crispy baby spinach, sweet yogurt, tamarind, and date chutney — helped chef Vikram Sunderam win a James Beard award. Both the originalPenn QuarterandWest Endlocations are open for pickup, delivery, or patio/inside dining.

Palak Chat from Rasika
Palak Chat from Rasika
Michael J. Colella

Pho at Pho 75

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This cash-only, no-frills Vietnamese joint stands out from competitors with outstanding beef broth that’s kept customers coming for decades. Open for carryout only daily.

View this post on Instagram

Finally some #pho for the soul.

A post shared byGene Park(@genepark) on

Buckwheat Pancakes at Market Lunch

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Get to Eastern Market’s famous lunch (and breakfast) counter early on weekends to pick up its beloved blueberry buckwheat pancakes. It’s open with alimited menufrom 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Debit cards are now accepted. Call for curbside pickup.

Peruvian Chicken at El Pollo Rico (Multiple locations)

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Diehards may debate which of the D.C. area’s Peruvian chicken restaurant reigns supreme, but it's hard to deny that this standby has the most loyal following. Look for the plume of charcoal smoke overhead in Arlington or Wheaton, Maryland. Open daily forcarryout and deliveryfrom 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

G Man Subs at Mangialardo's

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Mangialardo's remains a D.C. destination, not only for its "G Man" Italian sub — piled high with ham, pepperoni, salami, and mortadella — but also because it has avery D.C. backstory.Order在linefor weekday pickup from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Wings in Mumbo Sauce at Good Hope Carry Out

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This Anacostia carryout specializes in mumbo sauce-covered wings, spicy-sweet specimens that are a long-time D.C. favorite. Swing by for pickup from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Banh Mi at Banh Mi DC Sandwich

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The takeout Vietnamese deli in Falls Church with the attention-grabbing green awning offers a wide variety of banh mi, all stuffed with pickled vegetables and fresh herbs. Open daily, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.

View this post on Instagram

When the lighting hits your bánh mi just right

A post shared byAims(@feedingaims) on

Fried Whiting at Horace & Dickie’s (Multiple locations)

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This institution closed its H Street NE location last year, but fish fans can still flock to locations in Camp Springs, Maryland, and Takoma for takeout of its famed fried whiting and other seafood dishes.

An order of fried whiting at Horace & Dickie’s
An order of fried whiting at Horace & Dickie’s.
Rey Lopez/Eater D.C.

Kitfo at Beteseb Restaurant

Silver Spring is home to one of the largest concentrations of Ethiopian restaurants around D.C., and there’s no better option than Beteseb. Order up the kitfo — spiced raw beef — and vegetarian platters, then use tangy injera bread to scoop up cabbage, collards, and spicy lentils. Open fortakeout and deliveryvia DoorDash and GrubHub.

Pupusas at Pupuseria La Familiar (Multiple locations)

This chain of restaurants run by the Hernandez sisters might sell the best pupusas in town. The College Park location is a popular stop在Maryland’s pupusa highway. Order takeout at the restaurant, which is offering limited seats for dine-in service.

Neapolitan Pizza at 2 Amys

Considered D.C.’s standard-bearer for traditional Neapolitan pizza, this fan favorite amongst diners and chefs alike opted topivot to takeout only for the rest of 2020. Anchovy lovers will be very happy here. Finish off meals with sweet cannoli. Place在lineorders for takeout.

Neapolitan pizza at 2 Amys
Neapolitan pizza at 2 Amys
2 Amys [official]

Falafel at Amsterdam Falafelshop (Multiple locations)

Late-night standby Amsterdam Falafel just closed its14th Street NW location for good, but its Adams Morgan outpost is still going strong fortakeout and deliverydaily. Customize the falafel pita with as many pickles, toppings, and sauces as your heart desires. Its L’Enfant locale is temporarily closed.

A falafel pita from Amsterdam falafel
A falafel pita from Amsterdam falafel
Amsterdam falafel [official]

Half-Smokes at Ben's Chili Bowl (Multiple locations)

A Ben’s half-smoke covered in chili and cheese is arguably D.C.'s most recognizable dish. Order takeout在linefrom itshistoric U Street locationor on H Street NE.

A half-smoke from Ben’s Chili Bowl.
A half-smoke from Ben’s Chili Bowl
Rey Lopez/Eater D.C.

Duccini's Pizza

The Adams Morgan go-to known for late-night hours and jumbo slices thathold up while soberfamously fed June protesterstaking refuge inside the home of a good Samaritan.Ordertakeout or delivery from 11 a.m. to 5 a.m.

Ducinni’s Pizza DC slice
A massive slice at Duccini’s Pizza.
Rey Lopez/Eater DC

Khachapuri at Compass Rose

Khachapuri, a traditional Georgian dish of bread, cheese, and egg,became an instant hitin D.C. and is gaining traction across the U.S. Order takeout and delivery from Compass Rose viaTock, Wednesday to Sundays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Khachapuri from Compass Rose
Khachapuri from Compass Rose
Compass Rose [official]

Rigatoni at Red Hen

This Bloomingdale restaurant's rigatoni with fennel sausage ragu and pecorino romano is the definition of comfort food. Make it at home via chef Mike Friedman’s to-go meal kit for 2. There’s also a prized dessert dish on the menu — a roasted maple panna cotta with caramelized hazelnut crumble and whipped cream. Order在linefor pickup 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The bar at the Red Hen
The bar at the Red Hen
Rey Lopez/Eater D.C.

Grilled Cheese at Stoney's (Multiple locations)

The super grilled cheese, with tomato, bacon, and red onion, is a must-try at this neighborhood bar.Order onlineor call for pickup orders (or snag a seat on the patio) at its dual D.C. locations in Logan Circle and Foggy Bottom.

Chicken Sub at Wisemiller's Grocery & Deli

Georgetown students on a budget are crazy for the chicken madness sub ($8.95). But fans from all over also make the trek to campus for a hoagie filled with grilled chicken, sweet peppers, onion, bacon, provolone, lettuce, tomato, and mayo. Takeout or delivery is avialable 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.).

Avgolemono Soup at Greek Deli

This renowned Greek deli from chef/owner Kostas Fostieris turned 30 last year, and its beloved avgolemono soup remains a best seller.Takeout and deliveryare available daily until 2:30 p.m.

Ramen at Daikaya

Many of Daikaya's ramen varieties are beloved, but the vegan version has made a surprising and lasting impression on diners — even if they end up adding egg or pork to the mix.Ordercarryout or delivery daily from 11:30 a.m. or 9 p.m.

Daikaya DC ramen Digging into a bowl of ramen at Daikaya. Photo:Daikaya

Creme Brulee Doughnuts at Astro (Multiple locations)

The creme brulee doughnuts, sticky and caramelized and full of custard, from Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken are a local favorite. Order在linefor carryout or delivery at its D.C. and Falls Church locations.

Scallion Bubble Pancakes at Peter Chang (Multiple locations)

Come here for the eye-catching scallion bubble pancakes, a speciality of pastry chef extraordinaire Lisa Chang. After that appetizer, sample many amazing Sichuan dishes, including dry-fried eggplant, bamboo fish, and grandma's noodles. Open 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. fortakeout or deliveryvia DoorDash.

Palak Chaat at Rasika (Multiple locations)

The palak chaat — a snack of super crispy baby spinach, sweet yogurt, tamarind, and date chutney — helped chef Vikram Sunderam win a James Beard award. Both the originalPenn QuarterandWest Endlocations are open for pickup, delivery, or patio/inside dining.

Palak Chat from Rasika
Palak Chat from Rasika
Michael J. Colella

Related Maps

Pho at Pho 75

This cash-only, no-frills Vietnamese joint stands out from competitors with outstanding beef broth that’s kept customers coming for decades. Open for carryout only daily.

View this post on Instagram

Finally some #pho for the soul.

A post shared byGene Park(@genepark) on

Buckwheat Pancakes at Market Lunch

Get to Eastern Market’s famous lunch (and breakfast) counter early on weekends to pick up its beloved blueberry buckwheat pancakes. It’s open with alimited menufrom 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Debit cards are now accepted. Call for curbside pickup.

Peruvian Chicken at El Pollo Rico (Multiple locations)

Diehards may debate which of the D.C. area’s Peruvian chicken restaurant reigns supreme, but it's hard to deny that this standby has the most loyal following. Look for the plume of charcoal smoke overhead in Arlington or Wheaton, Maryland. Open daily forcarryout and deliveryfrom 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

G Man Subs at Mangialardo's

Mangialardo's remains a D.C. destination, not only for its "G Man" Italian sub — piled high with ham, pepperoni, salami, and mortadella — but also because it has avery D.C. backstory.Order在linefor weekday pickup from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Wings in Mumbo Sauce at Good Hope Carry Out

This Anacostia carryout specializes in mumbo sauce-covered wings, spicy-sweet specimens that are a long-time D.C. favorite. Swing by for pickup from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Banh Mi at Banh Mi DC Sandwich

The takeout Vietnamese deli in Falls Church with the attention-grabbing green awning offers a wide variety of banh mi, all stuffed with pickled vegetables and fresh herbs. Open daily, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.

View this post on Instagram

When the lighting hits your bánh mi just right

A post shared byAims(@feedingaims) on

Fried Whiting at Horace & Dickie’s (Multiple locations)

This institution closed its H Street NE location last year, but fish fans can still flock to locations in Camp Springs, Maryland, and Takoma for takeout of its famed fried whiting and other seafood dishes.

An order of fried whiting at Horace & Dickie’s
An order of fried whiting at Horace & Dickie’s.
Rey Lopez/Eater D.C.

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