Why go: The finesse of a white-tablecloth restaurant at fast-food prices. Owner Emma Perez’s superb, Peruvian-style ceviche is a case in point: The lime-marinated pileup of fish, shrimp, potatoes, corn, and red onion—assembled with care and beauty—is only $11.25.
What to get: Beef hearts marinated in lime and aji panca, a chili pepper, then grilled and served on skewers; creamy shrimp soup garnished with veggies and capped with a poached egg; Cubano sandwich; alfajores, anise-flavored shortbread cookies filled with caramel.
Best for: A festive lunch or dinner.
Insider tip: Many plates are big enough for two, and two can feast happily on an order of soup and ceviche and either a sandwich or a main course.
Open daily for lunch and dinner.
>> See all 2009 Cheap Eats restaurants here
Ann Limpert joined Washingtonian in late 2003. She was previously an editorial assistant at Entertainment Weekly and a cook in New York restaurant kitchens, and she is a graduate of the Institute of Culinary Education. She lives in Petworth.
