On the hunt for the best Burger in DC. Not only was it the best in DC, it's the best I've ever had and I've travelled to all 50 States. Walked in and seated at the bar right away. Novice was the bartender and recommended the Proper burger. I added my typical fries and a Diet Coke. The burger came out quickly. Right off the bat, it's visually amazing. A properly stacked Burger is hard to find. The 2 best things about this burger are 1. The taste , and 2. The form of the burger. The taste is absolutely fantastic. The Gouda paired perfectly with the red onions and the perfectly cooked, juicy beef patties. The aioli was just enough and not overbearing, like looking at a painting of a castle and noticing the subtle blurred background of misty forest. The arugula added another layer of flavor that helped kick this burger into the highest echelons of Burger superiority. And of course, the brioche bun was perfect for this style of burger. It kept its shape while I gently smushed it down in my hands. The entire burger kept its shape and didn't fall apart like some other Burgers will. As I sank my teeth into the first bite, the first thing I noticed was all the flavors blending together. Each bite afterwards just added to my mystified and puzzled bewilderment. The texture was moist and soft. As I chewed and swallowed each morsel, I began to think to myself, is this it? Is my search over? Is this the BEST burger in the country? Never had I tasted such a wonderful burger! (Sorry In-N-Out 2x1, raw onions, chopped chilis, toasted bun, you are no longer on the top of my list). As I neared completion of my newly discovered epitome of gluttonous desires, a feeling of sadness started to take over. I would be done with the burger in a few more bites, and with that, my journey would conclude. I sat there, staring at what would be my final bite. The last bit of pleasure in between my slender fingers, still dripping with the juices God had placed there after it was grilled to perfection in the Kitchen. I placed the final delectable piece into my mouth. I spent what felt like an eternity chewing this treasure before finally gulping down the goblet of wonder. What came after was a feeling of pure bliss. I had finally done it. All the years, all the time dedicated to finding the best Burger ever, is complete. I called my wife and told her "Honey, it's time. I'm coming home." The fries were ok. read more

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We had a nice and quick dine-in experience for lunch. It was Take Your Child to Work Day and I didn't even know they had a kid's menu! Buttered pasta for the win hah. I had a burger and fries and both were tasty! It was slow service but once we got our food it was quick to get our check. Decor was cute and cherry-blossom-themed for a DC spring. read more

Duke's Grocery - Burgers Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Colleagues and I tried Duke's grocery for the first time. The food was delicious and came out pretty quickly! The staff were friendly--even with how big my group was! The restaurant is perfect for big groups (recommend a reservation), small groups, and folks who just want to sit at the bar. I think the downside to the menu... the burgers/sandwiches don't come with a side. You have to an extra $4 for fries when the sandwich is already $15-17. read more

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Had such great expectations based upon the reviews however our experience was mixed. Duke's is located in a great part of town and has a great vibe. The menu offered true pub fair with a great beer list. We started with the truffle mac-n-cheese what was great and then had their WAGYU burger was done perfectly. However the service was absolutely terrible! It was like she absolutely did not care about her job nor what she was doing. The menus were printed from an inkjet printer so they were very hard to read. When we ordered our main courses we did not know sides were an option like fries. Our app came out before our drinks and were never asked if we wanted more from the bar during our main even when we had empty glasses sitting on the table. Really this is a loss for the restaurant as we wanted to order more drinks and food and were not given the opportunity. I know people have off nights but this was bad. If anything Duke's needs to print better menus. read more

Duke's Grocery - Burgers Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Finally got to try the renowned Duke's Grocery. You can bet I tried that a Proper Burger, which really hit the spot with the Gouda, the sauce and the pickle. Definitely top 5 burger of all time. Truffle fries were nice and they had a top notch beer selection. Would highly recommend read more

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Cute restaurant with faux-British decor, playing football (soccer) on the TV. We stopped here before a show at GW. The ambiance is warn, friendly, and relaxed and the staff were super nice. I was torn between a burger and the chicken and waffles, and having just had a burger the previous night (it was that kind of weekend), I decided to go for the chicken. Well, next time I would trust my Yelper buddies and get the burger. The chicken itself was great - juicy, nicely fried, delicious glaze. But the rest of the plate needed some help. There wasn't a scallion to be had in the scallion waffles, and the blue cheese butter was just a terrible accompaniment - and I love blue cheese. The regular maple syrup was actually much better. I don't know that I've ever met a waffle with such little flavor. The other weird thing was the portion size. I got one medium sized piece of chicken with my waffles. My friend got the fish and chips and had a massive plate with three pieces of fish and a billion fries. I'd go back, but I definitely try the burger read more

Several sources suggested that this was the best burger within a short walk of my hotel, and I dunno. The beef was good, and the runny egg was a nice add-on, but the bun wasn't up to the challenge, the aioli was excessive, and the chili jam made the whole thing eat too sweet. There's a nice vibe here, especially if the West End is too fancy for you, but I find it hard to believe there isn't a better burger nearby. read more

Stopped by Duke's Grocery and had a great experience. The burger was absolutely amazing--juicy, flavorful, and easily one of the best I've had in the area. You can tell they really focus on quality and getting the flavors just right. On top of that, the staff was incredibly friendly and welcoming, which made the whole visit even better. The service was attentive without being over the top, and the overall vibe of the place is relaxed and enjoyable. Definitely a spot I'd recommend if you're craving a really good burger and a laid-back atmosphere. I'll definitely be coming back. read more

Duke's Grocery - Burgers Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Great service, food and atmosphere. Went with a group and everyone was able to find something on the menu that they enjoyed. We loved the wide variety so not everyone had to get a burger. Half of us got the Salmon and it was very good and very reasonably priced. Will be back! read more

For what it was, World Cup semi, packed to the gills and more, Duke's was in full party mode. Thank goodness the staffers were very accommodating and deserve medals. I've been here twice before (local) and enjoyed it. Today I had the half-dozen Hackney Hot Wings. Delicious. And hot (I like that). The dipping sauce for celery/carrot sticks is eye-poppingly good too. Duke's is a row house wedded to a larger new building in back that houses, not a grocery but a food court. Duke's knows how to party and will accommodate your party. Everyone will have a good time. In the rear passage to food court row, kids and a dog were welcomed. read more

Duke's is amazing. They have a great, extensive menu & efficient and friendly service. The food is delicious and comes out quickly. Everything is tasty & the Reuben is PERFECTION! Highly recommend! $20/person is a great price for the proportions you get too. read more

Duke's Grocery - Proper Burger - Burgers Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I frequently crave Duke's Spicy Aubergine Sandwich. The breads are always fresh and the sandwich fillings are hearty and plentiful. The prices are unbeatable and really haven't changes in years. It's a great value with exciting options. The service and operations are the reason this is not a five-star review: - they fill water cups from a big jug, so the servers don't have the time or capacity to keep your cup filled. Not sure why they don't use pitchers like every other restaurant. - the tables are not pre-set with silverware or napkins and it took the server 5 minutes after our food was served and we flagged a runner to bring these important items. Again, not sure why tables are not pre-set like every other restaurant. - they only have one vegetarian sandwich (which is bomb) but when asked, they were unable to substitute the spicy aubergine into other sandwiches. Missed opportunity to have an eggplant parmesan sandwich since you already have a fried eggplant sandwich and a chicken parm sandwich - just saying. - the regular fries were incredibly crispy and seasoned, but the sweet potato fries were soggy and stuck together. - lastly, we ordered soft drinks that never came even after reminding our server, so we asked the server to remove them from the check before we closed out. Duke's is all about the sandwiches and the value, but the rest of the experience leaves something to be desired. read more

Came here during the furlough to take advantage of the offer they had, a complimentary shot of whiskey with a burger/entree purchase. I got a burger and tasted great. I also got the wings but they were a bit too sweet/tangy and not spicy for me. I could barely finish them as they left my mouth feeling that post-tangy sensation. It was a weekday night so they did close earlier than my buddy and I liked as we were watching the MLB playoffs game but service was fantastic. read more

We were looking for something quick and were very happy with our choice! The Proper Burger was one of the best tavern burgers I've had! They use Gouda instead of american cheese which added a differently level of richness and saltiness. The patty was perfectly cooked. My boyfriend got the Cubano that was unique and delicious. The bacon in it was a bit much and needed more acid to balance the grease from the fried chicken but overall was good! Service was good and quick. read more

NOT the best burger. I came here for dinner after reading lots of reviews saying they had the best burgers in DC. Dukes is a cool pub with fun pub atmosphere, but the wagyu burger was a 5/10. Come for a pint or to watch a game; do not come for a Gastropub experience. read more

We popped in for dinner at 8pm on a Thursday evening and was seated within 5 minutes. I have dined here before and came back for another Wagyu Burger with a side salad. The food was good. Not as amazing as I remembered. Tomato soup was served lukewarm and was tasty. The side salad was arugula, radish and carrots. Nothing special. For dessert we ordered the bread pudding in a skillet. My preference to make this dessert spectacular would have been vanilla ice cream but was topped with whipped cream. Was not impressed. We shared the dessert but didn't finish it. Hopefully next time will be a better experience because location of Dukes is walking distance from the Courtyard Marriott. read more

Duke's Grocery - Wagyu burger with side salad. Tomato soup and glass of Cabernet Sauvignon. - Burgers Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Came in for lunch today with some friends. I got the Spicy Aubergine sandwich ($16) and a side of fries ($4). The sandwich was OK. It sounded good with charred red onion, pickled jalapeño and green chili purée. Honestly, I didn't find it spicy and there was such a heavy pesto sauce that the sandwich ended up being messy and not terribly interesting. The ciabatta was fine. I left half of the sandwich on the plate. Really disappointed. The fries also were meh. I shared the fries with my friends and they each ate one or two before passing on them. Overall a disappointment. The ambience here is casual. It's a bit loud. The service was fine, but not exceptional. On the plus side, they do put a bottle of cold water on the table when you sit down so there's plenty of water available to share. read more

Duke's Grocery - Spicy aubergine sandwich and side of fries. The sandwich was essentially pesto flavor - no other flavors cane through. The fries were meh. - Burgers Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

My friend wanted to visit here for brunch to get their English breakfast which he thoroughly enjoyed! I ordered the avocado toast which was delicious as well. Servers were attentive and prices were reasonable. read more

Duke's Grocery - Avocado toast - Burgers Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Duke's Grocery is a GW stable that is always a solid choice when you are in need of a late night bite! The ambiance is a well-decorated in a UK-centric style. Very cute and photo worthy! As for the food, it is a bit pricey. The fries were tasty, but nothing to write home about. I also tried their Moscow Mule and one of their holiday drinks. Both were tasty and served as a nice addition to the meal. The service was a bit slow. It was a busy night, but our waiter often forgot to check back in with our table or give us our order. I appreciate the bartender coming back to us to ensure we got all we had ordered. Would be back to try an entree! read more

Duke's Grocery - Burgers Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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My husband and I came in on Tuesday night around 4 ish - we didn't have reservations but it wasn't that busy ! The gentleman that was the host set us at a very small table upfront of the World Cup tv ! I politely asked if we could move so I could watch the World Cup and sit next to my husband and he shook his head in an angry manner and said no !!!! Then we had a nice young lady that was our server come to take care of us and we asked could we please move so I could watch the World Cup too ! She went up to the greeter and he told her no , do not move us as there was a big group with reservations - by the way they never showed up in the hour or so we were there - she went above and beyond for us and grabbed another table and totally accommodated us which was a blessing cause by that time I was ready to walk out and take my business elsewhere! The host was pissed you could see it in his face !!!!! How rude !!!!! Anyways , we both ordered drinks and food - my husband got the proper burger which was delicious and I got the grilled cheese and tomato soup which was super delicious as well !!! We really do appreciate your waitress that went above and beyond for us and we tipped her extremely well . I would of given this place 5 stars but because of the rudeness of the host- non accommodating especially when you had many open tables you only get four stars ---- your waitress made up for his short coming ! Would I come back ? I would but if he was there working I would not ! Great food - great waitress- reasonable priced read more

Food is pretty good, lots of flavor and the fries are crispy. Service was a little slow, but it was a Saturday lunch time. Despite this they seated our party early and didn't rush us from the table. read more

Great pub for an after work bite! Stumbled here after work for a quick drink. Ver lively atmosphere and the bar tenders were friendly and knew how to make all the concoctions. There are a myriad of tap and bottled beer selections. The food was spot on for bar food and the prices weren't too bad because it is near the university. Definitely worth a try. #enjoygoodpeople read more

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Solid place to grab a burger for sure. My go to burger is the Wagyu with a side of fries. In the evenings it can get really packed so if you're going to go, go early! Nice vibe inside too. read more

Try somewhere else if you actually want to eat, you have the entire Western Market to choose from. This is probably for DC social-events that rely on a majority of low-maintenance bar customers, but for those who actually want to dine-in this was a terrible experience. Although we were seated promptly, we walked through a room of crowded chairs and standing patrons. In addition without exaggerating, it was probably about an hour+ to actually be waited on, as in receiving water and getting our orders down. The loud music, and loud talking, and dimly lit ambiance is just a lot to have a casual evening dining experience. The menu itself is like New-American to Basic British, which is perfect for euro-white tasting palettes who are willing to pay a lot of money for basic food offerings, I mean the price tag must mean quality ingredients? To me, it's just an oversimplification of American diner food with some random things, and of course, those random unexpected things happen to be ethnic food. Feels weird considering the historical context of why Indian food appears on British menus. Fish & Chips are a classic order for these British-pub type places, but beer batter (which is suppose to make fried fish more crispy) went completely soggy after just sitting on the plate even before adding lemon (which was charred, nice touch I can admit). This is probably from sitting on the counter as we waited for the rest of our order to show. Mushy peas were there though, can't say thats a big popular option for American eaters. Had to send back the Banger and Mash, because portions felt extremely lacking as my single banger was swimming in a pool of mash and handful of peas. Manager came out to get reassurance on the re-order which might have been great customer service had I not ordered the Beef Round Eye Pho and added almost another hour to our stay. I think it might have been my fault for ordering something that's not typically in their wheelhouse, but by virtue of it being on the menu and being advertised by two sandwich boards outside, I thought it would have been fine. Beef was thinly sliced, and had the right noodles and toppings, however a lot of foreign pho-makers forget that pho is a broth focused dish, as in we keep eating it because the broth is good, and likely aromatic. Plain beef broth does not cut it, toppings are not a flavor replacer. Sad to say that I was glad our meal was over and thankfully there's other places to dine if you want flavor. I see other people genuinely enjoying their time there, but those were not people who were sitting and dining so lean into the pub offerings to manage your expectations. read more

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The food was delish!! I recommend the truffle fries :-) The BLT was also really good too! The server was really nice and recommended this yummy drink but the name is slipping my mind. Overall a nice place to grab lunch during the week! And the wait wasn't too bad either! read more

Chicken salad sandwiches don't get a lot of love, in my opinion. If you're going to try one, the Dukes version is worth it. The Coronation Chicken Salad offers some spice with curry mixed in, and a crunch with the toasted sourdough. Holding it in your hand, the whole sandwich keeps its form. Don't have to worry about pieces of chicken salad falling out. Good portion size if you eat both halves. At this location, it was very easy to walk in on a Monday night and grab a table. Service was very friendly. They even made sure I knew I was ordering a sandwich, not a salad. I usually take people from out of town here. The menu has changed over the years, with a few things like the Proper Burger always there. A must-get is the truffle mac and cheese (also needs sharing). read more

Duke's Grocery - Coronation Chicken Salad and Truffle Mac & Cheese - Burgers Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

This place was eh. Service was not good. The guy that took our order did just that. Took our order and then we never seen him again until he brought the check. Someone else brought the food to us and cleared the dishes. We ordered unsweetened iced tea and never received it. The burger lacked flavor other than the sweet pickles on it which I would have preferred dill. For the best burger in Washington DC this place is in trouble!!! The skin on fries had no skin on them and needed salt but wasn't able to ask for any since we never saw our server once the order was taken and once the food was brought never seen anyone. The truffle Mac was probably the best dish we got but could have had more truffle flavor considering I was TRUFFLE Mac. I wouldn't recommend this place at all. read more

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I never got my tea drink and they didn't check in on us once. Server was there at the beginning and end -- to take our order and give our bill. Someone else brought us our food. Good thing it never came because I would have never gotten my refill. The place brags that they have the best burger in DC. Gosh ..if this is the burger in DC I'm worried to try another burger. First the pickle is sweet. Second, the burger patty is bland. The skin on fried doesn't have any skin. There's no salt and pepper shaker available. Truffle Mac and cheese is ok. There's definitely a lot of truffle oil drizzled. read more

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Cool British vibe inside. Service was okay / average. Grilled cheese and tomato soup was great on a cold day! read more

Duke's Grocery - Crispy Cheese and Tomato Soup - Burgers Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

The interior decor was really pretty especially the ceiling. It feels like you're walking into a low key tavern. Combined with the low light, my first impression of the place was that it would make a good date spot. Not the "best" burger I've had but it was still good. There was a flavor I could not identify that threw things for a loop, maybe gouda, but couldn't pin it down. They do not allow substitutions which is ..kinda antiquated, people like to customize burgers. At least the fries were good. The peanut brittle sundae was pretty good, from the whip cream to the ice cream. It's served in a tall glass, first with the whip cream, peanut brittle, pudding, then ice cream at the bottom. That was better than the burger. The service was ok, a little slow and inattentive for a mostly empty Monday evening. Overall, not quite a 4 start but close. Really wish I could have substituted cheese on that burger... I will probably return to try something different, the menu has a lot for everyone but would like to try other spots in Western Market first. read more

Duke's Grocery - Proper Burger - Burgers Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Nice spot in western market on GWU campus. Very casual. Everyone raved about the proper burger but I tried the crispy aubergine and squash sandwich. Thumbs up! Loved the fresh bread. Fries were meh, not fresh cut, so I would advise skip the fries here. Even tho the server specifically said the ranch was house made, I would not recommend it, if they made it they did a terrible job. As a salad dressing snob I would recommend the lemon basil that comes with the salad normally. That dressing was delicious! Also, the salad is served with arugula, and not romaine as the server told us. Bread pudding dessert was also excellent, a huge serving and we ate the entire thing. Street parking is available and I think there are some garages nearby too. Very close to metro. Definitely recommend. read more

Duke's in Foggy Bottom has a great beer selection, good outdoor area (6 or so picnic tables), and the same great menu that we can expect from Duke's. The burgers were great, prices were reasonable, and they even had a good kid's menu. Service was fast and friendly. Worth popping in! read more

Alright thjs spot was rated one of the top places for burgers so we had to try it for ourselves. I ordered The Duke's burger and it was delicious but I wish they had more toppings on it. The burger patty was juicy and I asked for well-done (don't judge me) but it came out medium-done which I was fine with. The ambiance was very casual, they're known for their brunch menu. My gf ordered the Chicken and Waffles and she was very happy with it. They're located inside Western Market in DC if you ever want to check them out! read more

Unbelievable burgers. This is a must visit in DC. Giving tavern/pub vibes, the restaurant is located in the Western Market of DC with both indoor and outdoor seating. The staff are incredibly kind and provide great service. For food, I'd recommend their Proper Burger or their Wagyu Beef Burger, and their house-made fries are delicious. There is also a Pho Joint connected to the restaurant which is surprisingly also an option on the menu read more

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This is inside Western Market, you could easily miss the entrance if you don't look for it. The portions are kind of small for what you get. I ordered my daughter the impossible burger and fries. The burger does not come with anything else, everything it seems is a la cart. The burger itself was good but nothing to brag about. I got the shakshuka, again flavor was good but overall dish was nothing great. We were seated right away, because they weren't very busy, but service wasn't that great. Decor is like Britain with British flags and red telephone booths, not sure why it's called Duke's grocery. Overall wasn't impressed by this restaurant. read more

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Finally gave Dukes Grocery a try and had a great experience. I ordered my food to go. The staff were friendly and the energy was lively. The burgers were absolutely delicious, made fresh to order, and the fries were awesome too. This place is also a great spot to catch sporting events. The combination of the lively atmosphere and the screens displaying the games made it an ideal place to watch sporting events. One thing that stood out to me was the presence of flags representing every country, nice touch!! I recommend trying their Proper Burger, which features two Creekstone Farm Angus patties, Gouda cheese, charred pickles, red onion, sweet chili sauce, and rocket on a brioche bun. And don't forget to get a side of Parmesan fries. You won't be disappointed! read more

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Good fish and chips and burgers, with solid service. Great spot for a quick bite and a beer, though the martini is mediocre.

Went there with a group of 13. Everything was excellent. Appetizers & entrees came out quickly. Everyone enjoyed their meals. Servers were attentive & helpful. Great experience for a casual lunch. read more

Came here for lunch and got the proper burger. The bun was burnt, and the burger was dry. For $18+ I expected more of flavor and better presentation. read more

Duke's Grocery - Burgers Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Congratulations, Duke Grocery--you've earned my Vomitus of the Month award. Wear it with pride. What a spectacularly awful dining experience. I don't say this lightly, but if I could claw back the money I spent on that catastrophe of a meal, I'd demand it with the righteous fury of a thousand Yelp reviews. And I never stiff servers--even bad ones. I've consistently tipped 15% or more for decades, even when the food was underwhelming. But this time? I left $5 on a $134 bill, and I regret being that generous. That tip wasn't for service; it was for escaping with my dignity intact. Let me paint you a picture: I went to Duke Grocery on the strength of its supposed "great burger." What I got was a hockey puck masquerading as medium-rare. It was well-done in the way charcoal is well-done. Dry, joyless, and sad. But hey, that happens sometimes--mistakes in the kitchen aren't unforgivable. Sadly, this wasn't a lone misstep. It was just the first brick in a monument to incompetence. We were a party of four and entered a restaurant with few diners and many open table. After a few minutes of being ignored by the host stand, someone finally acknowledged us--with a time limit. "You can have a table, but you'll need to be gone by 7:45." It was barely after 6. I guess the ghost crowd was expected to arrive any minute? Then we were led to a high-top in the bar--tiny, cramped, clearly not meant for four people unless they're circus acrobats used to contorting over dinner. It took another 10-15 minutes to flag down someone--anyone--for menus. When our hapless server finally approached, it was like watching a deer try to perform brain surgery. He wasn't rude, just profoundly out of his depth. He informed us someone else would return to take our orders. I asked if we could at least get beer and appetizers going, as we'd already been left to fend for ourselves long enough to begin foraging. After several minutes of waiting I walked to the bar to ask where are our beers --keep in mind, the place was still practically empty. Before making it to the bar, I saw a new server bringing two beers, and sat back down. One of our group's sodas showed up later. The appetizer, though? That came out right away... and just sat there, like a sad, reminder of the service still not happening. By the time the burgers arrived--overcooked atrocities, every one--we were too tired to complain. The server just took off - no questions. After several minutes, we were able to get the attention of the server and requested condiments and a few basics (you know, like napkins?). Napkins materialized and a tiny container of mustard. It was like dining in the Twilight Zone. I'm not going to detail every absurd failure--we'd be here all day. But I will say this: if Duke Grocery is where you go for a "great burger," then DC's culinary standards have fallen into a pit and are clawing at the sides. Bottom line: In my opinion, if you're looking for overpriced disappointment served with a side of cluelessness, Duke Grocery has you covered. Otherwise, save yourself the aggravation and go literally anywhere else. read more

Duke's Grocery - Vomitus of the Month April 2025 goes to Duke's Grocery Foggy Bottom. - Burgers Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia