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    Ball or Nothing

    4.5 (107 reviews)

    Ball or Nothing Photos

    BALL OR NOTHING ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

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    Nini J.

    My second favorite food truck in DC! They come by the Westend by my job weekly. You can get three of the same balls or a combo. I usually get one veggie, one chicken and one traditional. Their sides are all amazing and the portion size is huge!!! Plus the people that run the truck are so friendly and nice and great with names

    Classic Meatball Platter - $12
    Ricky P.

    The Service: I have been to the food truck and the brick and mortar location in Brookland (which unfortunately is closed) and I would say that the Ball or Nothing service is great! They are pretty quick and the wait is never long unless they are really busy, but still fast compared to other food trucks. The Food: I love all of the unique meatball flavors and sides that Ball or Nothing has. The BBQ meatball usually has a kick but pairs well with the mac and cheese. I also recommend the brussels sprouts which has nuts and is on the sweeter side. I have tried the classic meatball and the polenta which are also pretty solid. A lot of my friends like their salad, which has seasonal flavors. Overall, Ball or Nothing is definitely my go-to food truck and I hope they bring back a brick and mortar location!

    Roasted, dressed brussel sprouts (they were juicy) with walnut topping and vegetarian "balls"
    Prairie S.

    Top-notch, filling food-to-go, and now my favorite food truck in Washington DC. I love that they serve a large heaping of the excellent, freshly-prepared sides to complement their "balls". And I'm definitely a "ball" eater now. I got the vegetarian "balls", which are substantive and tasty without being spicy. They come smothered in a lovely italian tomato-sauce and some parmesan-romano cheese...this alone is rather tasty. Many people at the farmer's market fell for the spicy kale-ricotta or the mac-and-cheese side dish, but I went for the dressed, broiled sprouts topped with walnuts. Oh wow, utterly nice to chew, with lots of grilled, juicy flavor, and crunch. Next time I'm going to indulge in their sweet potato or their mac 'n cheese side. Find this truck, stalk this truck and eat your "balls". Such good value for a heaping of proper food!

    Food Truck
    Jessica A.

    Ball or Nothing officially won me over. From their friendly service from the second you walk up to place your order, to their delicious meatballs and sides. Ball or Nothing has what it takes! Since I skipped the lunch rush, there was no line when I approached the truck. I asked the lady if I could do the 3 meatball + 2 sides combo (~$12) with each meatball being a different flavor, and she said yes. So I got one vegan, bbq chicken, and a classic. She was more than happy to recommend me here favorite sides, and so I decided to go for the mac-n-cheese with brussel sprouts. Roughly eight minutes later, my named was called and I got a piping hot to-go box. I found a spot nearby and dug in. I took a bite out of the brussels sprouts and was pleasantly surprised how good they were! PACKED with flavor. The candied walnuts balanced the flavor perfectly. The mac-n-cheese was good too, but the brussels sprouts really complemented the meatballs well. My favorite ball? The vegan! Out of the three, it was the one that really stood out to me. So on my next visit, I know I'm grabbing the vegan balls with a side of brussels sprouts. Overall, I definitely got a bang for my buck and would come back again!

    Their truck logo
    Andrew P.

    I have been to this truck three times now. The first time was on accident when I discovered it on the square near my job. Its colorful menu got my attention. You have three meatballs to choose from... you can either get one of each, get three of one, or mix and match as you please! The three meatballs I usually see are Regular, Vegan, and BBQ Chicken... I have seen other flavors... a while back I believe one had blueberry! After you pick your meatballs, you have to pick two items from the sides, which include cauliflower, beet & goat cheese salad, mac & cheese, polenta, collard greens... I have had all of those at least once, and I have never been disappointed. The meatballs are flavorful, and the little tray they give the food is definitely filled up as much as it can be. The staff have always been polite. My most recent time (today) I walked 8 blocks to get to this truck! It isn't around much, so I was excited to see it on the list today.. and I wouldn't walk that far just for anywhere. Thank goodness the weather was nice! I was surprised to see no line there... but that just made my service all the better! I got three BBQ chicken meatballs with two salads as my sides: the beet & goat cheese one, and a new one I've never seen before -- honeycrisp apple salad with toasted almonds. The apple-almond ratio was heavily skewed, but that wasn't a dealbreaker for me. My only problem with this truck is that when compared to others, this place is a little pricy because the average is $9-$10 and the meals here are $12. I would be lying if I said it wasn't worth it. I deserve to treat myself sometimes!

    Today's Menu
    Mangala M.

    Wow just wow. I've seen and heard about this food truck for a while now. I've never been eager or interested to eat meatballs for lunch. I happened to stop here and figured I'd give this place a try with all delicious sides they offered. I got the vegetarian meatballs with sides of Brussels sprouts and Mac and cheese. Best Mac and cheese I've ever had!!! Food and ridiculously good. Ingredients were fresh, and thoughtful out together. Inventive and creative. Portions are generous, so come hungry. My only grip was cost. It was definitely a splurge for lunch. Will definitely come back again so I can try all their sides. They should have a meal option that is sides only!

    roasted sweet potato, beef meatballs, mac and cheese!"
    Aysia F.

    I tried this place for the first time back in 2014 and was absolutely blown away by how good it was. Unfortunately, due to my change in job location, I was never near any of the areas that the truck goes to for lunch hours - VERY TRAGIC :( Fortunately, I got a new job downtown and I am able to have this delicious food much more often for lunch :) Service is great and quick, they give out rewards card which is a HUGE plus! I'm close to filling mine! My go to is getting the beef meatballs and mac and cheese. I alternate between different vegetable options. For this particular time I got the roasted sweet potatoes which weren't bad I think next time I will try the brussells sprouts. They really fill up the container - the food is delicious and homemade - I highly recommend for lunch! They have vegetarian/vegan options and always have a chicken meatball option. Also, if you're a committed foodie (like myself), set up tweet notifications on Twitter so see where the truck is daily ;)

    BBQ chicken meatballs with mascarpone polenta and Mac and cheese
    Laurie W.

    4.5 stars. Hands down, one of the better trucks out there. Also a little more pricey than some of the trucks out there (3 meatballs & two sides go for $11), but I think it's worth it. It's been ages since I'd had Ball or Nothing and previously I remember eating their chili and liking it a lot. That was at least 6 months ago, probably more - so when they showed up at State Department this past Thursday (and after this visit, for the next month I see myself eating there every Thursday) I was excited and noticed they had a revamped menu since I'd last visited. To get a taste of a number of menu items, I ordered the BBQ chicken meatballs, macaroni and cheese, and mascarpone cheese polenta (carb overload!) and my coworker ordered the classic meatballs with collard greens and roasted cauliflower. The portions were extremely generous. I was able to eat two of my meatballs, some of my polenta, and some of my macaroni and cheese - this could have easily been two lunches and I'll remember that for next time. My coworker reported feeling satisfied and not stuffed and managed to eat his entire lunch. You can tell that this stuff is made with very fresh ingredients. My meatballs were perfectly cooked and sat on a velvety base of polenta, which went really well with the BBQ sauce. I didn't taste an overwhelming flavor of mascarpone, which was just fine with me, I prefer a more mild polenta, and again, the meatball sauce went very nicely. My macaroni and cheese was a surprise - fusilli pasta with a nice, mild cheese sauce and a sprinkling of parmesean. Both sides were prepared beautifully. My coworker reported that his meatballs were also perfectly cooked and accompanied by a "delightful" marinara sauce. He loved the flavor of the collard greens but had two minor complaints - 1) the greens weren't very well cut-up and it was a bit difficult to eat with a plastic fork and knife and 2) they were tough. He also noted that they were a bit spicy, so the spice-adverse should be aware of that. As for the cauliflower - cooked perfectly, although he said that the flavor of the (sesame?) oil shined through more than the flavor of the cauliflower itself. The price and the few nitpicks are the only reason they aren't getting 5 stars from me - but who knows, after a few more visits, I might change my mind!

    Jason J.

    Once again, another great food truck experience here in DC! I've walked past this one many times, always smiling and saying to myself"What a cool name!", blue end up opting for something else. But on this day I decided to give it a try . . . . and boy am I glad I did. I opted for 2 traditional meatballs and one buffalo chicken meatball with roasted cauliflower and mac n cheeses sides. Let me tell you, "It was delicious!". And I didn't even get to enjoy it hot. Something came up at the office and my lunch sat for a while. Sure I could have microwaved it but I was pressed for time. If it was this good just warmish, I'm looking forward to the next time. Sure you might spend a couple dollars more than at the other trucks (The meal should maybe be priced at $10 instead of $12 inleeping with most other trucks in the area and it would probably increase their sales considerably.) but it's worth it.

    So flavorful and filling!
    Deborah H.

    Ball or Nothing clearly doesn't need my five stars but here they are anyways because this food truck is really good! It caught my eye with a unique, inventive menu that offers meat, veggie and vegan options. And the list of sides, impressive! Then add to the fact that it's not a sandwich shop like almost every other food truck in the line and I was sold. I ordered the regular meatballs with brussel sprouts (sweet and sauted with pecans) and summer squash (savory, on a bed of dandelion greens). Everything was fresh and flavorful. I appreciated how my squash was carefully divided from the rest of the food by a piece of wax paper. My friend, who ordered veggie balls with the brussels and polenta had her meatballs and sauce placed on top of the polenta - a tasty and thoughtful presentation. Price is a little high for a food truck ($12.10, including tax), but you're getting a TON of a food and it's really filling and tasty. So worth it! Hoping to see them parked again at L'Enfant soon.

    Toby F.

    Whoa, that's a top five DC comfort food meal. I've missed the mark so many times on food trucks. But these guys need a store front. I had the meatballs, Mac, and cauliflower. It paired so nicely into this creamy ball of joy in my mouth!

    I got squash and mac n cheese....with a side of meatballs apparently.
    Doug L.

    I'm always down to try out trucks I haven't been to and this truck seems like it has a nice variety of choices...but mostly choices of sides and not balls. I got 1 classic ball and 2 chicken Buffalo blue balls. Upon opening the container, blue balls is certainly what I got. For the hefty price, I was expecting much bigger balls to put in my mouth. Given that, the food was still delicious. If it weren't for the meatballs, they might be a good vegetarian option. I got Mac and cheese which was creamy using larger loop pasta. I also got local squash with honey which sounded weird at first, but the sweetness worked. Overall, it was pricey and not enough balls.

    Meatballs with Rougail sauce, succotash, and mac & cheese
    James S.

    Color me impressed. I am not usually a huge fan of meatballs or meatloaf as they tend to be (in my experience) rather bland and often dry from most places. Ball or Nothing's "Balls" are neither of those things. I opted for the platter today which comes with a generous portion of 3 large meatballs, choice of sauce, and 2 sides. I was torn between the Marscapone Polenta and the Mac & Cheese, but once I saw the Mac I had to try some. My second side was the Succotash, which being a southerner comes with high expectations on my part. I was not disappointed by any of my selections. The meatballs were moist and flavorful, though they could have been just a BIT firmer for my tastes. I was originally going to try the "Ghost" Tomato sauce but when I saw the Rougail Creole Sauce I had to give it a shot. The vendor was very friendly and knowledgeable about his menu and gave me a great run-down on the origin of the Rougail sauce from the Indies, tomato based and loaded with ginger and a nice dose of hot peppers - often served with seafood this sauce made a very nice, and unusual addition to the tender meatballs. The succotash was wonderful and very much done in a traditional southern "stewed" style. Loaded with onions, baby lima beans, corn, and (an unusual addition) green beans. Paired with the very rich Mac & Cheese and slightly spicy meatballs and sauce I feel myself gradually slipping into a mid-afternoon food coma after my substantial lunch. The Mac & Cheese bears it's own mention. Obviously home-made, it is done with a wonderful large spiral fusilli pasta which serves to provide greater surface area for the rich mornay sauce (the fancy french term for "cheese sauce") to cling to. Garnished with a nice dusting of what tasted to be fresh Parmesan it is an artery clogging but delicious side. My overall dish was complemented nicely by a "Jamacian Grape" soda, which was not cloyingly sweet like a Nehi. Also offered are lemon and orange San Pelligrino and the usual soda options. The unusual additions to the drink line-up are a nice change of pace from the usual coke, sprite, and water that most trucks serve. Though our food was served quickly (luckily there was no substantial line), I will second the comment that the owner needs to get a second person to dish up food while he is taking orders. If this place gets popular (which I am guessing that it will) they will likely struggle to serve quickly with only one person handling orders and food. Keep up the great work Ball or Nothing... you surprised and converted me with your fantastic meatballs.

    BBQ Turkey Meatballs w/ mac n cheese & sweet potatoes - AWESOME!!

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    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - Ball or Nothing

    Is there a brick and mortar restaurant or only a food truck?

    Yes! There's a location in Tastemakers food hall in Brookland.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Went to watch a World Cup match, wisely made reservations online. There was nothing available…read moreindoors but was able to get an outdoor patio table (temps were decent with low humidity). Called as well for confirm that our table would be near a big screen table. When we got there we were led to our reservation, tv view and sound were good. We requested and got an umbrella for the table for shading. The menu had World Cup specials as well as the usual happy hour menu. The outdoor bar area had a water jug for free refills so we can stay hydrated. I got a Sauvignon blanc, and tried some spritz drink as well. Very fitting for summer. Staff came by often to check on us but were not intrusive. Indoor area was nice but too loud (glad we dined Al Fresco).

    This unassuming bar that serves great casual food and delivers some of the best service I have ever…read moreencountered just keeps rolling along. My spouse and I decided to treat ourselves on a beautiful Thursday night and - hold on - The Admiral was the place we selected. Ok, so it's halfway between our office and our house but even if it were WAY out of the way, we would gladly go there. The food is solid, the atmosphere is relaxed and friendly, the service is always perfection. This time I had the Filibuster Smash Burger. OMG so good! A 4 ounce burger patty topped with shaved steak, some sort of sauce that kept it moist and tasty and some veggies to make my doctor happy. The menu said the sauce had jalapeno in it but there is not even a hint of spiciness on this burger. However, it is a total huge mess to eat so I had to eat like a grandpa, cutting the burger with a knife. But I didn't care because I loved this burger! My spouse had the All American Burger and he put the server through his paces asking for every topping to be served on the side. Sounds like a mean thing to do but the server gladly satisfied his wishes. To be honest, my spouse enjoyed the burger immensely and added only the toppings he wanted, in the amounts he wanted and there is nothing wrong with that. Our server, Declan, was very friendly, fast and served us perfectly. So, another great meal at The Admiral with great food, great service and great times!!!! This is truly what a neighborhood place should be!!!

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    Unconventional Diner

    4.4(3.5k reviews)
    1.8 kmShaw, Downtown
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    Yep. If you're reading this, you should just make that reservation and go... and yes, I would…read morerecommend a reservation because this place is pop-u-lar, and I see why. The space itself is bright and airy and a bit on the noisy side. But the service was very good, and the food was served quite quickly. I've been on a shakshuka kick lately, so I opted for the the Sweet Potato Shakshuka, which is described as: Sweet Potato Curry, with Chickpeas and Sunny Eggs with a the chicken add-on - gotta get that protein in, after all. This was one of the most unique shakshukas I'd ever had... It literally tasted like a curry dish you might get at your local Indian restaurant, with a bit of a brunch flair to it. The curry itself had a wee bit of spice and was a bit sweet - but that could have been from the sweet potatoes. The chicken was served in a bowl on the side, which felt a bit... odd... I would've expected it to be incorporated into the main dish. It was kind of bland and a bit lukewarm, so I don't know that I'd order that again... but I would definitely order this again!

    True to its name, Unconventional Diner is not your average brunch spot - it delivers on fun and…read moreunique dishes (available until 3:45pm). The Tikka dish with fried egg was tasty, but wish paneer or larger protein option was built-in (not an upcharge)! The creamy red Tikka curry sauce, caramelized onions, crispy brussel sprouts, and fried ere tasty and paired well, the dish felt incomplete and something was missing, maybe some paneer or naan? I paid $5 for a side of zesty naan topped with different spices and really wish it came with the dish just came with it. While I was tempted to order the falafel, I couldn't justify shelling out another $5 for another upcharge and spend $10 on them for a total of $26 for just an entree - when these 2 upcharges should have been included in the entree by default. Wish there were more fun vegetarian dishes on the menu. Might come back for drinks and to explore the menu!

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    Unconventional Diner - Space is large, bright, and contemporary.  Reservations recommended.

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    The Capital Burger - Our namesake burger is served French onion-style with caramelized onions, Wisconsin Grand Cru gruyère and shallot aioli.

    The Capital Burger

    4.3(1.2k reviews)
    2.2 km
    $$

    This place is sooo good! Perfect ambiance, the vibe is kind of a modern pub without being dark and…read moredreary, big comfortable booths, plenty of space to not feel like you're part of someone else's conversation. Honestly we were so pleasantly surprised by how good the burgers are! I had the Capital Burger which had such incredible flavor and the burger itself is thick and juicy. Despite having just had a big dinner somewhere else, as I write this, my mouth is watering. My daughter had the wild mushrooms burger and she loved it -- the aioli had the perfect tang to go with the mushroom and Swiss, both burgers were cooked perfectly medium as requested. The old fashioned was just your typical old fashioned with a slice of candied bacon attached to the outside of the glass. We were hoping for something smokier and a little different but it was still a very good Old Fashioned. We shared the chocolate mousse and it was perfection. Yum! If I lived here this would be my new regular spot.

    I'll keep it simple here: the burger was legit. I really enjoyed it and I would definitely order…read morefrom here again. The fries were good too. Plus we had a good time dining outside while the weather was nice. They also made a solid strong old fashioned which i would come back for. Overall good burger, good fries and good drinks. What more can you ask for?

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    The Capital Burger - Our Stoli Doli spiked shake is long sought & loudly slurped. Stoli Vodka hand-spun w/rich vanilla ice cream & topped w/candied pineapple

    Our Stoli Doli spiked shake is long sought & loudly slurped. Stoli Vodka hand-spun w/rich vanilla ice cream & topped w/candied pineapple

    The Capital Burger - Blue Cheese and Truffle Burger topped with cabernet-braised red onions.

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    The Capital Burger - The Capital Burger offers signature burgers, handcrafted cocktails, local brews and award-winning wines.

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    The Capital Burger offers signature burgers, handcrafted cocktails, local brews and award-winning wines.

    St. Anselm - 16 oz Prime Ribeye

    St. Anselm

    4.4(1.2k reviews)
    3.5 km
    $$$

    First. Get a reservation. This place was packed and rightfully so! It was delicious!…read more We had the Buttermilk Biscuits, Butcher Steak, and Steelhead Trout. All the food was seasoned correctly and served hot. They brought complimentary wine for our anniversary! So awesome! When in the area, I would highly recommend.

    St. Anselm in Washington, DC was absolutely fantastic from start to finish. We dined al fresco,…read morewhich made for such a lovely setting, and our waitress, Ellie, was amazing. She was warm, attentive, knowledgeable, and really made the entire experience feel special. We started with the biscuits served with jam and butter, and they were such a treat. Warm, tender, and comforting, with the richness of the butter and sweetness of the jam making them hard to stop eating. The blue crab deviled eggs were another wonderful start, creamy and rich with the delicate sweetness of the crab and just the right amount of savory flavor. The rib eye was exceptional, beautifully cooked, incredibly tender, and full of that deep, beefy, slightly smoky flavor you want from a great steak. I also loved the grilled okra. The grilling gave it a wonderful char and smokiness while still keeping the freshness of the vegetable. The prawns were another standout, tender and succulent with a slightly sweet, briny flavor that paired beautifully with the rest of the meal. Everything felt thoughtfully prepared, and every dish brought something different to the table. Between the beautiful al fresco dining, the incredible food, and Ellie's outstanding service, this was one of those dining experiences you remember long after the meal is over. I would absolutely return to St. Anselm the next time I'm in Washington, DC.

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    St. Anselm - Bar area

    Bar area

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    The Smith - Chicken

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    3.9(1.8k reviews)
    2.6 kmPenn Quarter
    $$

    We stopped in for Happy Hour. Or as they call it "Martini Happy Hour."…read moreWe enjoyed a dirty vodka martini and a dirty blue Martini - made with bleu cheese stuffed olives and a bleu cheese vermouth. Nicely priced at $12 each. Also served with the cocktails were a bottle of still and a bottle of sparkling water - very welcomed on our August 20,000 step sight-seeing tour. We ordered the $12 shrimp cocktail - 5 decent shrimp with two sauces. The $7 fries were insane! If we're in the area again on this trip, we'll definitely stop in again for Martini Happy Hour.

    Dined in restaurant on a Saturday around 8pm. When I approached the hostess table, she asked "table…read morefor 2?" even though I was by myself. She was most likely on auto pilot and appeared embarrassed when she realized it. I politely smiled and said (confidently), table for 1. We solo diners need to be loud and proud! I digress... Before being seated I found the restroom. I found it odd that it was extremely dim. The main dining room was brighter than the restroom! I also saw the Photo Booth. Interesting addition. $5 for pictures. I was seated at a small round table with two chairs by the window. The restaurant was plenty busy, and I'm just glad I wasn't asked if I wanted to sit at the bar (I didn't). My server Noel brought two bottles of water: still and sparkling. I requested lemon slices, which he brought. And I proceeded to finish the entire bottle of sparkling by the end of the meal...guess I was thirsty! But I appreciated the option of both. I forgot to ask for a straw, but saw them in a container at the register right behind my table, so I got one myself. After ordering I noticed a nearby table had some bread so I asked Noel if they served complimentary bread. He said yes and apologized for not bringing it initially. Not that I needed it, but I don't eat bread with butter often and this was a night out to indulge a bit. There were two slices, nothing special. My food arrived within about 10-15 minutes and looked so scrumptious. I ordered the lamb and short rib meatballs and Brussels sprouts. The meatballs were pretty good, but what made them even better was the tzatziki sauce. I didn't realize the green rice was on one side of the plate until I was almost done. That tzatziki sauce was really all I needed to go with the meatballs. It was cool and creamy to go with the dry, meatiness of the meatballs. I honestly wish there had been more of it! I did not finish the rice, which didn't look super appetizing because of the intense green color. I will say though, I'm not a fan of spicy food but the tzatziki had a kick. I think perhaps due to chopped jalapeños. I tried to avoid them once I realized. The Brussels were delicious! Roasted to perfection, not too charred and not too mushy. I requested the green goddess sauce on the side because I'm not a huge sauce person, but once I tried it, I couldn't stop. Again, the combination of the creaminess of the sauce with the flakiness of the Brussels was a genius pairing. During the meal the beverage manager stopped by. I didn't have any drinks with the meal, but perhaps I will return to see what they have. Noel brought the bill at my request, then brought over the portable device so I could pay at the table. While that process is efficient, it's always awkward leaving a tip when the server is standing right there. Anyhow, overall it was a good experience and a delicious meal!

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    The Smith - 3/27/25 At the bar!

    3/27/25 At the bar!

    The Smith - Potato Chips

    Potato Chips

    The Smith - Restaurant space

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    Restaurant space

    Chef Geoff's West End - Butter Pecan Cheesecake

    Chef Geoff's West End

    4.4(869 reviews)
    1.9 kmWest End, Downtown
    $$

    Server DeAngels was the highlight of this visit. The food was typical, however very satisfying.read more

    We always enjoy coming back to Chef Geoff's West End whenever we're in Washington, DC. We visited…read moreover the 4th of July weekend, and even with the holiday crowds, the experience was just as great as always. We've only been here for brunch, and it has been consistently excellent. The food is delicious, the portions are generous, and the restaurant is always clean and inviting. One thing that really stands out is their customer service. On our last visit, we arrived just five minutes before they switched from the brunch menu to lunch, and they still let us order brunch without making us feel rushed. That kind of flexibility and kindness really makes a difference. If you're a fan of Bloody Marys, don't skip them here! They make one of the best I've had and it's the perfect complement to brunch. The atmosphere is lively but comfortable, and unlike a few other restaurants we visited during the summer, they actually keep the air conditioning on, which made our meal much more enjoyable on a hot day. One thing to note is that the restrooms are located downstairs in the hotel next door. They were clean and easy to find once we asked. Overall, Chef Geoff's West End never disappoints. Great food, excellent service, generous portions, and a welcoming atmosphere keep us coming back every time we're in DC. It's definitely one of our favorite brunch spots, and we highly recommend it.

    Photos
    Chef Geoff's West End
    Chef Geoff's West End - Super Kale Bowl

    Super Kale Bowl

    Chef Geoff's West End - Pineapple Mint Sangria

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    Pineapple Mint Sangria

    Ball or Nothing - italian - Updated August 2026

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