100 Best Restaurants 2009: Founding Farmers

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

No. 96: Founding Farmers

Founding Farmers

1924 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20006
Phone: 202-822-8783

Cuisines:
American, Southern, Modern, Breakfast

Opening Hours:

Wheelchair Accessible:
Yes

Nearby Metro Stops:
Farragut West
Foggy Bottom-GWU

Price Range:
Moderate

Dress:
Upscale Casual

Noise Level:
Chatty

Reservations:
Recommended

Special Features:
Late Night, Party Space, Weekend Brunch, Kid Friendly

Parking:
Valet

Website:
Click here to open in new window.

Best Dishes
Heirloom-pimiento-cheese puffs; sliders; 17-vegetable salad; chicken pot pie; beef stroganoff; poached eggs with Edwards ham; scrambled eggs with mushrooms and asparagus.

Price Details:
Breakfast entrées $6 to $14; lunch and dinner starters $2 to $18, entrées $9 to $42 (for a New York strip steak).

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Reader's Rating:
2.4 out of 5

Cuisine: Bob’s Big Boy meets trendy bistro. Produce is trucked in daily from a nationwide collective of farmers, and the menu covers more ground than a roadhouse diner—soups, salads, fish, steaks and chops, cheese plates, cocktails, and a slate of wines. Portions are big, and prices make you think you’re dining in the country, not three blocks from the White House.

Mood: The two-level space can best be described as barnyard chic—urban industrial touches are leavened most memorably by a collection of pickled produce. Young professionals at the bar give the front of the house a party air.

Best for: A comfort-food pick-me-up.

Best dishes: Skillet cornbread; fried chicken with waffles and a side of mac and cheese; rib-eye steak with mashed potatoes; “fisherman’s pasta” in broth for two; the 17-vegetable salad (big enough for three); buttermilk pancakes and eggs.

Insider tips: The big, home-style breakfasts are of the sort you wouldn’t expect to find in the city. Forgo an order of pancakes and get them on the side—you’ll still get three.

Service: ••

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

>> See all 100 Best Restaurants 

Reader ReviewsWrite your own review
 
Below Average What a shocking surprise???
LoveMyFood — October 2, 2009 10:18 AM
After reading so many positive reviews of the restaurant, my husband and I decided to try it out. We love the concept of a restaurant serving food that is grown/raised on small family farms and the space itself is quite nice. The food, however, More ...
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Terrible Overpriced & Rude Server
apple1234 — August 25, 2009 10:51 AM
The most expensive menu item was around 26 $ but beware of the specials and 'market prices'! Those will run you around 30 $ . We were shocked our okay, but not huge or special salmon was 30 dollars and ran double the price of the chicken (15 $). More ...
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Excellent Great Dining
niteowl — August 8, 2009 12:16 AM
Our August 2009 dinner at Founding Farmers was outstanding. The cedar-planked salmon was infused with incredible woody flavor. The diver scallops were huge. Everything was served with spices and sauces that complimented the food and delighted the More ...
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