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This is my second time at a Duke's location (and I haven't been to one in a few years). I can gladly say the "proper burger" still lives up to the hype. It's just as good as the one I had at their original location. Juicy, flavorful, sweet, and cooked perfectly. Just satisfying. I came with a party of 11 on a Thursday evening around 7:45pm and luckily they were able to sit us all (I did call ahead to make sure there was room). There's street parking so that's good but I'm sure on the weekends, it's difficult to find parking around here. Overall, super glad I was able to check this spot out. I really liked the animal theme they had going on haha.
This was the next stop on my holiday pop-up tour, bamboo land which is in a series of several holiday pop-ups at different duke's grocery locations throughout the area, with each one having a different theme (they even give you a passport card so you can check off each location you visit). It's a spacious location and decked out from top to bottom with Santa hat wearing pandas and all the bamboo decor you can dream of. There was a decent sized crowd at that time of the evening but the servers were timely and pleasant in greeting the customers and taking orders. Their holiday inspired cocktail options included a here comes panda claus, gin-gle bells, and gingerbread hot chocolate. I decided to try the gingerbread hot chocolate, which was so excellent I had to get two. Definitely a fun space and one of the better holiday inspired cocktails I've tried during the season.
Duke's Counter was the perfect place to stop for lunch after a trip to the Zoo! It's welcoming and colorful appearance and basic yet accommodating menu made it an appealing choice for our family with two kids. They seem to be a cherished small local restaurant with a few locations throughout the D.C. area. We all enjoyed what we'd ordered, and the service was friendly. We would return if in the area!
Duke's delivered in menu options and flavor, but definitely could have amped up the portions given the price. Even though the elote was delicious, it wasn't worth $15 for likely canned corn and I appreciate when my burger already has fries included. As many have already stated, the burgers here are flavorful and need no substitutions as each bite is better than the next. Service was slow during lunch on a Saturday - lots of traffic from the zoo. Expect all the dishes to come at once, even starters. The decor is a little gimmicky but fun for kids and families looking for a quick lunch.
After a long, hot afternoon at the zoo, we were looking for somewhere to sit down and have a delicious meal. A quick Yelp search led us to Duke's, which is directly across the street from the main entrance of the zoo. My husband knew them right away, and that they were known for their burgers. Their menu even states they were voted DC's best burger. My husband would know, because when he goes to the Foggy Bottom location, he always orders the pho they have on their menu. So we grabbed an outdoor seat, and got ready to dive in. If the weather is cooperating, sitting outside for people watching is the way to go. We started off with appetizers of elote, and the pickle pots. The elote was wonderful, consisting of a big portion of fresh corn, crema, cojita cheese, and a drizzle of red pepper sauce, and a couple of lime wedges. The pickle pots consisted of three ramekins of dill pickles, pickled beets, and pickled daikon. Perfect way to replenish all of the salt we had lost, walking the zoo the previous five hours. Now it was time to give that best burger claim a run for its money. I went with the Proper Burger. A massive burger with two Angus patties, Gouda cheese, pickles, red onions, chili sauce, and aïoli on a brioche bun. Before it even arrived, we knew it was the right move just by watching them get delivered to other tables. One bite was all it took to know that their claim was legit. Delicious, tender burger that was juicy throughout and packed with flavor. And having the panda bear branded onto the bun was a fun touch. Husband went with an interesting sandwich call the Cubano Torte Milanesa. A breaded chicken schnitzel cutlet, Jarlesberg cheese, capicola ham, tomato, avocado, as well as red onions and garlic aïoli. He left off the pickled jalapeños, because he is not as cool as he used to be when we first started dating. The sandwich was great. Was like a tour of Cuba, Germany, and Italy, all mixed into one. And it might have had more heft to it than the burger. Only real miss were the fries. Fries are always good next to a burger, but these were a bit pedestrian. They do the trick as an add-on, but just didn't stand out. Would also note that the iced tea is Thai inspired, with a little vanilla taste and that ubiquitous orange coloring. Definitely not the version you're going to get a Cracker Barrel. But you'll never get a burger like this at Cracker Barrel. Keep it up Duke's; looking forward to trying your other locations that all have one or two unique dishes, specific to them.
MY 500th REVIEW! Duke's Counter, which is part of the local DC Duke's Grocery chain, known for their awesome burgers! I learned from Washingtonian magazine they are opening their first local in MD, out in Potomac. Multiple reasons I felt this should be the 500th review: 1. Wanted a 5-star sit-down non-national chain restaurant as the 500th 2. Also, wanted something in the DC area 3. Duke's is similar to my last name 4. My parents came to visit DC to view cherry blossoms amongst other stuff. We went to the Zoo right across the street from Duke's on Friday, March 28, which just so happened to be Peak Bloom for the cherry blossoms at the Tidal Basin So, everything came together on this for this 500th review. My girlfriend & I met up with my parents at the Zoo and walked around for about 4 hours. Also, it was the 2nd time my g/f met my parents, which went a lot better; not that the first time was bad, but this was a great meeting. We were starving after the Zoo, and my mom had mentioned Duke's for a late lunch prior to me taking Friday, 3/28 off work. We walked in and was decorated for in various panda decor in honor of the ones across the street. They have some outdoor seating, a bar area in the front labeled as the Bamboo Bar with mules, panda-rita, and seating behind there. All 4 of us got the Proper Burger, which is double burger with gouda cheese, rocket which is lettuce, and more. I made a couple of adjustments, like I don't like onions. My dad & I got fries and we shared some with my mom & girlfriend. The server was very attentive, answering our questions like my question of what the heck is rocket. He asked me medium rare or well done. My g/f & I like medium rare, so it was perfect. My dad took issue because he said medium well, and the server said it's only medium rare or well done. There was a bit of back & forth between my dad & the server. My dad said he doesn't want the burger burnt, but he doesn't want it too pink. The server assured my dad almost everyone gets the medium rare and that is very well done. I don't remember what my dad ended up getting, but he told the server if he doesn't like it, he's sending it back. On a positive the server was polite the entire time in this exchange & overall. Also, thankfully, my dad enjoyed his burger and did NOT send it back! This was the single BEST burger I've had in 2025 to date! Better than Shake Shack, which is great, but this is even better. Better than Red Robin, where I got my free birthday burger in February. Better than any other place I'm not thinking of. Fries were great too. Also, the server was on top of getting refills on our waters, which is important to me as well. My dad complained to us about the high price here. And yeah technically my dad isn't wrong prices are high in general. It was $72 for 4-meals, 2 with fries, 2 without...$79 after tax. But I said this is pretty on par with other burger prices in DC especially for this quality. My dad paid with credit card but had me pay the tip. I just had a $20, so he just had $18 he had to give me back. So, I also chipped in for $2 of the meal itself. Thankfully, no credit card fee, which was a negative for my favorite BBQ place in MD we went to on 3/26. My dad slammed them with a 2-star Yelp review. I will admit the service there was not too good, and my dad had another issue there. But I'm going to give them a 4-star review when I get to it (would've been 5-stars for the outstanding BBQ, but some service issues there). Back to Duke's, like on typical bills, they break down the tip amounts like 20% is $14.40, etc. My dad had handed me a $10, $5, and 3 $1. I threw down $15, and my dad exclaimed that's more than 20%. I said this server was excellent, I only had $13, and I could round down, but even if I had $14, I'd still would've given him $15. Then, my dad made a snide comment like you have tons of money to throw around. However, in spite of some negatives with my dad, the conversation with both my parents & g/f was great! The burger was outstanding as was the service. If ever over here in Woodley Park area or by another location, I'd try to come back.
I don't know where to begin. I guess I'll begin with the fact that my son and I were sat at a two seat table next to the bathrooms. This means that guests made their way by us coming and going the entire time we were at the restaurant. This was concerning because non African America patrons were seated at four seat tables with only two people. We dealt with the not so ideal seating situation and proceeded to order. My son ordered a spicy chicken tender sandwich. It was processed chicken at its finest. No joke it was a breaded chicken filet drenched in buffalo sauce. Let's just say my son was very disappointed and he typically eats everything (that's what teenagers do). I ordered what they call the wagyu burger. I've enjoyed all cuts of meat. My no good biological father is a butcher so I know meat. This was a frozen patty of ground chuck. This was NOT wagyu. This was vending machine quality at best. The kind of "burger" you get from a hospital vending machine back in the day. The bun was fresh. The toppings (lettuce tomatoes, onions) were fresh. I ordered two panda-Ritas. Their play on margaritas. All ice, minimal liquor in a porcelain panda cup with a cardboard bamboo straw. This was a cool cup and straw but should NOT be considered an alcoholic beverage. I was highly disappointed. I didn't make a scene. I just expected so much more from this place. I really want a refund of my $78 bucks $66 food and 20% gratuity)! I'm not sure that Dukes can even make things right.
1 year ago
The most proper spot to grab burgers, sandwiches, drinks, and snacks. From ordering take out, enjoying this place during restaurant week, and just grabbing some quick drinks and small bites, this place really hits the spot. My favorite is definitely the proper burger. It has definitely got to do with that sauce they got that goes so well with their burger all together. Also, don't laugh, but... I also really like thier pickles. They add a nice tang that just ties all the flavors so well together. My go to sides are definitely the mac n cheese, the elote, and the white truffle fries. This is why I also look forward to restaurant week... because it just makes so much sense to get alllll the sides and share. This place gets raving reviews for a reason. I will say their service is a hit or miss at times but I've had more hits than misses and it's why I give them 5 stars. My biggest advice is to go hungry here. You might feel terrible after so grab some drinks to pucker yourself back up and go for a walk at the zoo across the street after. Or go to the zoo first then end your perfect day with a proper burger. :) read more
2 years ago
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3 years ago
Came here for lunch during our visit to the Zoo across the street. Hands down my favorite meal. My Taken with Liberty sandwich was flavorful, as was my husband's Torta Milanesa Cubano, which was loaded with guacamole and flavor. The kids said the Mac and cheese was their favorite. The crew here is friendly and informative. We sat outside, which had plenty of space and good for people watching. We recommend Duke's for anyone looking for a casual, delicious lunch while in the Woodley Park district or nearby. read more
2 years ago
During such times it's a delight to bring your family to the national zoo to get out and enjoy some family time. It was nice to have Duke's open right across the street from the front entrance. There are some outdoor seating areas and plenty of social distanced indoor seating as well. We love that there are both options. You have to scan a barcode for the menu and they serve one time use utensils to keep you safe. The indoor bathrooms are open for patrons. We absolutely loved the proper burger cooked medium rare... the east side pastrami was also perfectly served with a nice balance and crunch that comes from the sandwich pickles. The side of fries is extra and only the kids meals come with fries on the side. The fries are probably one of our favorite parts of the meal and our kids absolutely loved it. Definitely come and enjoy it with your family after a nice day at the zoo! read more
4 years ago
Made 10:45 brunch reservations for Sunday -- seated right away. Super welcoming, professional and friendly staff -- loved the vibe! Full English breakfast was crazy generous amount and beautifully traditional. Coffee good too! Side of salmon? We asked for it raw and it was perfect -- arranged like a flower blossom -- no gray/oily bits, great flavor. Pickled radishes/pickles/beets was a neat way to wake up the taste buds before the main course. Bloody Mary was okay, but everything else was so great it made up for it! Will definitely go again! (We found street parking in the neighborhood a couple of blocks behind the restaurant). read more
The easiest 5 stars I've ever given out. AND it was for delivery. This has been bookmarked on my Yelp for the longest time. I got the Proper Burger, David got the Taken With Liberty, and we got a side of the truffle mac. Proper Burger: No exaggeration, best burger I've EVER had. Ever. Accepted that the bun got soggy in transit. Double patty, pickles, onions, creamy sauce, it was a dream. Taken With Liberty: Super tasty and loaded with meat. Enough for David so that's saying something. The bread was soft but that might've been because of the delivery. Truffle Mac: We almost didn't get this but then David saw reviews that the mac was life changing. IT WAS. It doesn't look great in the picture, and even without the bacon (which would have been +$4, no thank you) it was incredible. I would eat this over and over. Can't wait to go in after COVID, as I'm sure everything would have been even better. read more
2 years ago
Better than I thought it would be. Duke's Counter is a small establishment. It's across the street from the zoo. A lot of items look good, but most people go here for burgers. You can find some meatless options. I came with a friend for the happy hour. It has deals on drinks and small plates. The place is pretty small but there was room at the bar for us. After sitting we looked over the drinks. The happy hour specials include $5 wells. I had a vodka and tonic. They had a well drink too. I ordered the Pickled Pots. It's about $8 for a sampler size plate. This included beets, daikon, and pickles. Everything tasted good. This isn't that much food so it's not enough for a main meal. Burgers and main items can get expensive. Come for happy hour in order to get some off. This is still much better than paying for any food at the zoo. read more
A great place to enjoy a meal of grab a snack, especially after a day at the zoo. They have a wide variety of food on their menu to placate everyone from foodies to kids. Their fries are delicious too. I'm a big fan of their pork shank "wings." Just be careful, the Korean BBQ sauces has a kick. For those tennis fans, their Proper Burger has been available at the Citi Open in recent years . read more
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Great food. Quick service. Kept our drinks filled. Everything we had was very tasty. Good vegetarian selection. read more
We took a break from the zoo and walked across the street to get lunch here. Good thing we were going back to the zoo because we needed to walk after inhaling our huge burgers! I ordered the "Impossible Duke's Burger" which is a replica of their signature "proper burger" but with impossible patties instead of beef. It was one of the tastiest burgers I've had. I was not expecting it to have 2 patties, so it was extra heavy and very filling but all of the toppings it comes with were so flavorful and complimented each other nicely. They do have gluten free buns which are pretty good as far as gluten free buns go. This is a great place to stop when visiting the zoo. read more
1 year ago
Don't walk past this one! This was a perfect Monday lunch spot. It's right across the street from the zoo and about a mile from the hotel I was staying in. I devoured the Posh BLTA and wouldn't change a thing. The sand which was overflowing with bacon, a nice avocado spread and on a toasted ciabatta bread. If you're into Bourbon, spot the 10 year Pappy Van Winkle on the top shelf- for ~$20 an ounce! For fresh, made to order, food I expected a wait, but there was none! The bartender a was really nice guy. Busy, good at his job. If I'm back in there area, I'd come back! read more
Stopped by Duke's Counter around 2:45 PM on a Saturday and it was PACKED! I was so surprised! I didnt expect Woodley Park to be soo busy! They gave us the brunch menu and we ordered Brunchie Burger (same as the Proper Burger) and added bacon with a side of fries. This burger is AMAZING. Probably the best burger i've ever had. The pickles, red onions, gouda, chili sauce, garlic aioli... ALL SO FREAKING GOOD. I would have never thought of this combination but wow everything complimented each other and it was wonderful. The fries were great as well. We got a variety of softer to crunchy fries which i enjoyed. The dipping sauce seemed like a siracha mayo which was yummy. Overall a really good meal! Definitely try this burger if you get a chance. read more
2 years ago
Located across from the zoo, Duke's Counter would easily be one of my go-to places whenever I can't make up my mind where to eat - had it not been in DC. My friend and I visited on a cold weekend and the place was quite busy, especially since they don't have a lot of space to begin with. Luckily we didn't have to wait and immediately started perusing their diverse and drool-worthy menu. They have a good variety of somewhat healthy but tasty options, but I was craving a burger so I chose their Proper Burger. The meat was cooked to perfection and the Thai chili sauce and garlic aioli made it so much more yum. My friend had the Cod and Chips Plate and felt that the cod was a little too greasy. The service was pretty fast and friendly. They also have a bar. Overall would definitely consider going back whenever in that area. read more
Stopped in here the other night after seeing the ZooLights directly across the street. My partner and I were starving and the variety of sandwiches served here sounded really great! The place was hopping but we managed to get seats at the bar. We tried some good beers while we waited on our sandwiches. The service was friendly and very helpful. I ordered the gyro/Greek sandwich which was delicious and was exactly what I was hungry for. My partner ordered the Cubano and loved it. Just learned that they offer brunch on weekends. So I think we'll definitely be back! read more
2 years ago
Great staff. Great recommendations. Ordered kids burger, proper burger and liberty sandwich. Only difference between kid and proper is an extra beef patty! The liberty sandwich was good too. Plenty of fries read more
5 years ago
Pretty chill spot for happy hour! They have a good selection of draft beers on discount. Plus their sandwiches are great and hit the spot. read more
Pro: friendly staff, outdoor seating, bar counter, online pickup. Con: no parking lot. I would like to start out by saying that I wish yelp allow user to rate with half stars because i feel like this restaurant is a 3.5 star. A good place to eat but not great but higher than average. After me and my friends were done visiting the Smithsonian zoo across the street we were hungry and Duke Counter was across the street so we decided to stop in. The offer both inside and outdoor seating and the staff were very friendly. I ordered the sockeye bowl which was a salmon with a pineapple salsa combine with a " forbidden rice" and mayo sauce. I really regretted getting that since the portion of the salmon was really small and the rice was just very meh to me, I guess that why it called forbidden rice because people should not be having it. My friends ordered the the Waugh beef burger and the impossible burger which visually looked good and tasted good since I had a bite of their burger. All in all, I wished I order something else on the menu that I could haves liked and that would have bump up the rating of this restaurant. read more
3 years ago
Quite a gem of a local spot. I landed here after a long day of exploring at the Zoo which is located across the street. Just a note that everything is a la carte but this worked in favor of trying different things. We ordered the White Truffle Mac and Cheese and the Elote Locos street corn to start and they were AMAZING. The Mac was the cheesy goodness you expect to get if your mom made it with just enough truffle flavor, and the Street Corn was well seasoned and super flavorful and a great side choice instead of Fries. We also ordered their impossible Dukes burger and the Posh BLTA as well as the Fired-up Chicken sandwich. All three were delicious and complex with their layers and flavors. I am just a simple guy so I will put it simply, do t miss this gem of a place that serves up some amazing food. read more
Duke's Counter is exactly what we needed after a trip to the National Zoo! Nestled in right across the street, it's truly a hidden gem. We figured it'd be packed just by the location, but the host was able to seat us outside upon arrival. I do think they take reservations which may be worth doing. We started with beers and the White Truffle Mac and Cheese. I'm a sucker for anything that comes in a skillet, and this did not disappoint. For the entrees, we did the East Side Brisket and Fired Up Chicken. Let me just say that the Brisket was amazing!! My husband said it's one of, if not the best, sandwich he's ever had. I mean look at it! Each bite was more flavorful than the last and just meshed so well together... the onions, the mustard, the pickles, the brisket!! We decided that next time we're splitting it! The chicken sandwich was good, but nothing special. When ordering, the server warned me that it was "spicy", but in my opinion, I think it could've used more spice! I clearly didn't read the menu well enough because I was a little surprised that it came with chicken tenders instead of a big, juicy chicken breast. Definitely underwhelming compared to the brisket, and for $14 it should come with a side. We will definitely be visiting Duke's next time we're in the area. Service was fast and the staff was extremely friendly. Definitely worth a try!! read more
3 years ago
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8 years ago
We got the brunch burger and it was the best burger of our DC trip. Before you take a bite into it, make sure you smell the aroma first. This is right across from the zoo so definitely come here first for brunch or after the zoo because it's definitely better than zoo food. You will be truly satisfied! You can add on fries, liver... etc on the side for an additional cost. The service was very good, the waiters and waitress are very attentive to your needs. They always check up on you. I honestly feel this burger may be the best burger I've ever had. read more
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Daniel K.
Hi Jennifer! Thanks for the kind words. We appreciate it!
More info about Duke's Counter
3000 Connecticut Ave NW
Ste J
Washington, DC 20008
Woodley Park
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(202) 733-4808
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http://www.dukescounter.com
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Duke's Counter - burgers - Updated May 2026
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