100 Best Restaurants 2009: Hank's Oyster Bar

Reviewed by Todd Kliman , Ann Limpert , Cynthia Hacinli , Rina Rapuano , Eve Zibart

No. 86: Hank's Oyster Bar

Hank's Oyster Bar

1624 Q Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009
Phone: 202-462-4265

Cuisines:
Seafood, American, Modern

Opening Hours:
Mon,Tue,Sun:
Evening: 05:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Wed,Thu,Fri,Sat:
Evening: 05:30 PM - 11:00 PM
Sat,Sun:
Afternoon: 11:00 AM - 03:00 PM

Wheelchair Accessible:
Yes

Nearby Metro Stops:
Dupont Circle

Price Range:
Moderate

Dress:
Informal

Noise Level:
Chatty

Reservations:
Not Accepted

Special Features:
Weekend Brunch, Kid Friendly

Website:
Click here to open in new window.

Best Dishes
Oyster shooters; peel-and-eat shrimp; fried popcorn shrimp and calamari; broiled oysters; fried oyster po’boy; fried clams; lobster roll; sablefish with soy-balsamic glaze; mac and cheese; onion rings.

Price Details:
Appetizers, $6 to $36; entrees, $11 to $18.


 

Reader's Rating:
No Reader Reviews

Cuisine: Old Salts, Malpeques, Kumamotos—there are always at least five kinds of oysters on the blackboards at these boisterous fishhouses. The rest of the menu draws liberally from New England (fried clams, lobster rolls) but also ranges below the Mason-Dixon Line (nightly meat-and-two specials, nicely spiced collards).

Mood: A festive din rises above the narrow dining rooms.

Best for: A relaxed date; dinner with the kids (but call ahead to put your name on the waiting list); a group oyster feast.

Best dishes: Oysters on the half shell; broiled oysters with butter; peppery sake/oyster shooters; peel-and-eat shrimp; fried shrimp and calamari; overstuffed oyster po’ boy with slaw.

Insider tips: Sunday through Friday from 5:30 to 6:30, selected oysters on the half shell are a dollar each. And keep in mind there’s no dessert—just a chunk of dark chocolate with the check.

Service: ••

Open Monday through Friday for dinner, Saturday and Sunday for brunch and dinner. Moderate.

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