Uncle Brutha's Allsauce No. 9
District native Brennan "Uncle Brutha" Proctor blends serrano chilies, ginger, and cilantro for his smoky twist ($8) on Mexican salsa verde. All the ingredients are natural and gluten-free.
Best for: Eggs and fish or pork tacos.
Where to find it: Order online at unclebrutha.com.
1/5
Woodberry Kitchen Snake Oil
Chef Spike Gjerde of Baltimore's Woodberry Kitchen uses fish peppers for this searing sauce ($12). The chili shows up on his menu in everything from deviled eggs to Bloody Marys.
Best for: Dashing on rich seafood dishes.
Where to find it: Salt & Sundry in Union Market, 1309 Fifth St., NE; 202-556-1866.
2/5
Apinya Thai Chili Sauce
Love Sriracha? Try this similarly flavored Thai sauce ($6) out of Herndon. It delivers a bigger hit of ginger plus hints of garlic and roasted bell peppers.
Best for: Marinades, Asian noodles, and grilled meats.
Where to find it: Order online at apinya.co.
3/5
Capital City Sweet Hot Mumbo Sauce
The District's iconic condiment ($5)—a flavor mash-up of barbecue and sweet-and-sour sauces—gets extra punch from cayenne and habanero peppers.
Best for: Eggs and fish or pork tacos.
Where to find it: Order online at capitalcitymumbosauce.com.
4/5
Small Small Red Pepper Sauce
Aromatic berbere—a spice mix that's a key ingredient in Ethiopia's long-simmered stews—is the basis for this complex and fragrant sauce ($9).
Best for: Marinating meats and vegetables or substituting for awaze, a hot-pepper paste.
Where to find it: Order online at buysmallsmall.com.
5/5
Photographs by Jeff Elkins.
This article appears in the April 2013 issue of The Washingtonian.
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