AhwatukeeGlenn

My family will be staying at the Homewood Suites in Washington DC (1475 Massachusetts Ave NW). Any suggestions for restaurants in the area? We have three boys: 9, 13, and 14. They can really pack away the food, so knowledge about decent, moderately priced restaurants will be helpful.

MikeT

It's not a neighborhood I think of as having kid-friendly dining options. What do they like?

AhwatukeeGlenn

They like Chinese, Mexican, American, Italian...They are fairly adventurous when it comes to food, but a good burger always goes a long way!

AhwatukeeGlenn

I left out seafood...there's another they like.

bardo1

Some options within a few blocks:

Logan Tavern:
http://www.logantavern.com/

Right next to Logan Tavern is Merkado:
http://www.merkadodc.com/

Also Hamburger Mary's is close by.
http://www.hamburgermarys.net/dc/

kayd

Not a restaurant, but across the street from two of bardo's suggestions, P street between 14th and 15th), is the Whole Foods market where you can get provisions for your hotel suite, fresh baked goods and tasty take-out.

MikeT

I thought of all of those, bardo, but would you consider any of them child friendly? Hamburger Mary's (which has actually changed names) is a logical choice, but I'm not sure how kid-friendly it is.

There are some restaurants on 17th Street (which isn't exactly kid-central) but could work. They would include Dupont Italian Kitchen, Skewers, Luna, Annie's.

bardo1

OK, maybe the Merkado menu isn't very kid friendly, but the OP said his kids are fairly adventerous eaters. I have no hesitation to recommend a place like Logan Tavern for a great burger and other such tavern fare.

I often took my kids (once preteens) to pubs/taverns (both abroad and in the US) when we went on vacations. It was never a problem and the children enjoyed the familiar and hearty cuisine.

rb_travelerxATyahoo

I don't know the name of it, but I had a great meal at an Ethiopian restaurant on the SE corner of 14th & P. I noticed a number of food venues in the area, both take-out and eat-in of all sorts.

MikeT

Fair point, bardo.

rb_travelerxATyahoo

Some of the best meals and the best meal deals in my home area are at taverns or pubs ... often owner operated, and not a "gin-mill" or party-spot ... more a family spot. Think "Archies Place" (Archie Bunker) if you remember it.

MikeT

Well, Logan Tavern is much more a bistro or brasserie than a "tavern" but they do have comfort food.

AhwatukeeGlenn

Thanks for all the suggestions! BTW, I remember Archie Bunker very well. I seem to recall something about Washington being a non-smoking city, or becoming one soon. I ask because my youngest has asthma and I'm wondering if the tavern might be smokefilled. Logan Tavern sounds like a place my guys would enjoy.

MikeT

We still have smoking here. New law takes over next year.

kayd

But most restaurants have been smoke-free voluntarily for years; you should have no trouble finding non-smoking places even before the law takes effect.

MikeT

Kayd, I think that's a bit of an exaggeration. You will be able to find places, but for instance none of the places Bardo mentioned will be smoke-free

kayd

I wasn't referring to Bardo's recommended spots and should have made clear that I was speaking of my experience in DC generally. It's just that I can't remember when I last saw anyone smoking in a DC restaurant, but I admit I don't dine out often (once a month or so) and have not been to those P Street establishments. Still, a family that requires nonsmoking restaurants will find plenty of them.