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Ok well we're thoroughly addicted. All the food is gluten free except the hush puppies which do share a deep fat fryer with the fried good so beware of cross contamination- BUT the wings are breaded in rice flour and gluten free spices so it's just a big flavor bomb of a treat!! It's fresh flavorful CLEAN lovely staff and some of the best veggies and salads ever! So happy they're here.
This is a cute little spot with a fun, family-friendly atmosphere. They have free cars for the kids, cartoons playing, and nostalgic décor on the walls, which we really enjoyed. The menu is fairly simple, and the prices were very reasonable. The staff was also warm and welcoming, which made for a pleasant experience. The rice wasn't to our taste--we honestly couldn't finish it. The hot wings, however, had great flavor, and I really enjoyed them. Because of the friendly service, reasonable prices, and enjoyable atmosphere, I would come back to try other menu items before deciding if it would become a regular spot.
I've been meaning to try this place for a while, and it really hit the spot! They give you a ton of food and different kinds of sauces as well. I got the 4x4 which comes with 1/4 chicken, 4 wings, some fries, and some other sides.
We popped by during a weekend not too long ago. This place is vibrantly decorated and cozy. The team was busy, hustling away--the manager or GM (not sure) was even running the register, helping out. We wanted to keep it light and ended up sharing the 4x4, snap peas, and hush puppies. The dry rub used on the chicken and fries is so so good, I can understand why it's a house staple! While we didn't love the house ranch and special mumbo sauce, we devoured every thing! The hush puppies were done right, savory with a warm center... on par with the classic southern staple! Also, the chicken--crispy and juicy! We will absolutely be back!
I saw great reviews for little engine a while back, and after an event on H st., I decided it was a great time to visit. The staff are nice and explain the wing sauces really well..I'm the biggest sucker for wings so I had high expectations. The 6 piece buffalo wings were delicious and lived up to the hype! Crispy but saucy...never soggy. For someone who doesn't like wedges, I really enjoyed these wedge fries. I'll 100% be back on an empty stomach again!
When a chef post another chef's rev'ed up rotisserie chicken spot...you might want to pull up!! So that's exactly what I did!! When I saw Chef Matt Adler @adler81 post this spot, i pulled up!! My New Favorite rotisserie chicken spot good folks!! . Where I am: @littleenginechicken . Location Reviewed: 250 7th St., S.E. Washington D.C. . Items Reviewed: STAMP!! Their Southwest Chicken Salad ($15 with jalapeno lime crema, corn, lettuce, tomato, onion, & fried chicken strips dusted in their signature Hazel's Magic Dust). Hearty, mildly spicy, & that dusted chicken tasted like a combination between Old Bay, Lemon Pepper, & Sweet Heat dust...STAMP!!! STAMP!! Their Chicken Caesar Salad Wrap ($15 with Romaine lettuce, Parmesan cheese, a Caesar salad dressing, & the Hazel Magic dusted chicken strips). PERFECTION!! tasty, savory, & fulfilling! STAMP!! Their Tricked Out Wings ($18.50 for 6 cherry blossom Mumbo sauce wings, & 6 Hazel Magic dusted wings). Crunchy wings with that mumbo sauce that has a hint of real cherry taste, & those deliciously dusted wings!! STAMP!! Their Rev'ed Up Rotisserie Chicken ($17 for flavor dusted half white meat chicken, pickled onions, a tortilla, Full Throttle sauce, & fries). Exceptional delicious!! Well seasoned chicken, well seasoned fries, my new favorite rotisserie chicken spot!! STAMP!! Their Hush Puppies ($5 with sweet corn, & scallions). The absolute BEST hush puppies I've ever tasted. Freshly made, crunchy/soft deliciousness!! . Customer Service: On Point. . Parking: Rough. . Recommendations: The Best Rotisserie in the city!! Accessibility: This spot is wheelchair friendly, & differently abled persons friendly. 5 Stars=STAMP 4 1/2 Stars=LIKE THAT 4 Stars=DELICIOUS 3 Stars=DECENT 2 Stars=PASS 1 Star=NAH #Bigschlimsreviews
To be a restaurant open for lunch in Eastern Market, you have to somehow cater to adults and children alike. It's hard to do, but Little Engine does it well. Popping in for a late lunch on a Sunday in March, here's my nine-year-old daughter and my experience. 1) Food: To feed us both, we ordered the kids quesadilla and the adult one. The kids meal comes with chicken inside, which my daughter usually doesn't love, but she did this time. The fries that it comes with are wedges and tasty. Ask for their ranch sauce to dip them in. The adult pulled chicken quesadilla comes with a great lime crema on top. 2) Drinks: They have bottled water, Coca-Cola products in cans, lemonades, and more. They even have Fanta! 3) Service: It's excellent! The person behind the register was patient and helpful. 4) Space: It's small, but there are several booths and window seating. With big windows, lots of natural light pours in. The walls are decorated with baseball cards and old CDs giving it a retro vibe. There are two unisex restrooms in the back that don't require a code. 5) Area: Even when it's busy, you will eventually find street parking nearby. On weekdays, I usually find a spot along 8th Street SE a block away. Another option is to park in the Trader Joe's garage free for 60 minutes with a purchase.
Ugh I wish I could relive my first experience at Little Engine all over again. I came in with my heart set on the chicken Caesar wrap, but when I got there and took a better look at the menu, I knew I had to try the wings. But then, I also felt I had to try the regular rotisserie chicken. I settled for 2/3 and ended up getting the 4x4, and I was so happy with my decision. For $19, you get 1/4 chicken, 4 wings, 1 side, and your choice of sauces. I was super hungry and still had to take some of that to go. I want to start by giving a special shoutout to the staff here. Everyone was super friendly. The cashier was very welcoming and gave me recommendations as I placed my order. Typically, I go into a place knowing what I'm gonna get but I also love some feedback on what's good and how the restaurant recommends you order. I was gonna get the chicken plain, but was convinced to add some sweet baby raj sauce and I was so glad I did. I loved that the cashier had some solid recs ready and that she spoke confidently about the menu. Next, if you're eating the food there, another member of staff will bring you your meal. The young lady that was delivering the meals to each table was super warm and very bubbly, if a customer made a move to go get something, she said not to worry, and that she would handle it. She was very quick and very attentive. Next, the kitchen staff was also very friendly and very quick with the meals. I went to ask them about a to go box and bag and just all in all, it was a very pleasant experience with every member of the staff here. You can tell everyone's genuine interest in working at this establishment and I think service is so important and unfortunately lacking in a lot of places these days. On to the food, the rotisserie chicken was very juicy and flavorful and even though I got some sauce on it, I could tell it would've been flavorful even on its own. I went with buffalo for the wings and they were crispy, saucy and had a great flavor to them - I also liked the quality of the wings themselves. They weren't tiny and they weren't those huge GMO wings you sometimes get at places these days. Honestly, I loved everything on my plate, but I may just come back and order wings on their own next time because they were so yummy! Potato wedges were also a perfect side addition. You'd think you can't really mess these up, but trust me, they are not all created equal and these were the perfect crisp, salt, lightness. Last, I wanna give a shoutout to the dipping sauces. This is like the first place I've come into in recent history that doesn't charge extra for every sauce. They gave me two cups of ranch and the sauce seemed to be a homemade ranch, which I really enjoyed. It wasn't overpowering or overflowing with too many herbs as I've encountered with other house-made ranch. This is a very casual spot that I anticipate coming back to regularly, even if it's just for takeout. I was very impressed on my first visit and I wish this establishment much success, which I know won't be difficult in this area. They have a great team and great food! Give it a try, you won't regret it!
This is the Little Engine that CAN and WILL become a regular part of your rotation. Located in Eastern Market, the Little Engine has a cool, 90s nostalgia vibe with a CD wall, wall of 90s sports cards, and 90s movie posters gracing the walls. Look closely in some of the upper nooks and you'll even see some old VHS tapes. They had light music playing from the 90s as well. Service was fast, friendly, and the staff gave great recommendations. While you really cannot go wrong with whatever you order, they help you pick the flavors that you are craving. The food is fantastic! They have rotisserie chickens roasting on a spit and the wings are packed with flavor. The Hazel's Magic Dust was a table favorite with its dry rubbed spices and the Thai peanut, spicy Szechuan, and Sweet Baby Raj sauce all left us looking forward to trying more at our next visit. Great for takeout and a more casual dine-in (with 90s vibes included), the Little Engine is well worth a visit and will be one we come back to again and again!
Absolutely amazing. The food was made to order. I ended up getting wings and wedges, and I will say that the portion size was great. As a matter of fact, I couldn't even finish all of my wings. The wings were nicely sauced; the flavor I tried was sweet baby Raj or something of that nature it had like a barbecue like taste. It was actually recommended by the cashier and I was not disappointed. I originally got my food to go, but it smelled so good in there I decided to sit in and eat.
I'm a fan! I've had them twice and the food has been consistent. The hush puppies really are that good! I love that I can order all flats with the wings. And the wings are a good size. The rotisserie chicken is also good, not as good as some other chicken spots but still a good option to have in the neighborhood. I do like that you can get a variety of sauces with your chicken. They are .75 extra but worth it. I've had the jalapeño lime and Thai peanut sauce. I will say, if you are ordering for pickup, check your bag and make sure you have everything. I ordered extra sauces and caught that they didn't include but forgot to check for the others. I was looking forward to trying the Sweet Baby Rajs. Good spot overall. I have yet to eat in but they have some dining seats inside and nice options outside. I'll be back!
As a big fan of chicken wings, im now a big fan of Little Engine! I got the 4x4 meal so I could try the wings and the rotisserie because I couldn't decide. They also have different sauces and dry rubs to pick from and I wasn't sure what to get, so the owner actually came over to give his recommendation on the most popular things. The chicken was 10/10! Crispy, flavorful, and hot! The space was also really cool , very 90s and early 2000s vibe with the music and decor.
Helluva wing spot right next to Eastern Market. Clean space. Incredibly kind employees. And the wings? HELL YES! I stopped by yesterday morning on my way to the airport and got 12 perfectly cooked and sauced wings. And they will accommodate all flats! Hot damn! This little engine sure as hell can!!!
2 months ago
I stopped by Little Engine after seeing all the great reviews and it did not disappoint. I got a chicken pesto pita which is no longer on the menu unfortunately and it was juicy and full of flavor. I'm looking forward to going back for more and to try other items on the menu. All of them. lol I also loved that they had a little area where customers can take or donate toy cars. I thought it was thoughtful touch and adds to the overall personality of the place. Overall it was good experience, the food was great and I'll definitely be back! read more
2 months ago
3 months ago
Ok well we're thoroughly addicted. All the food is gluten free except the hush puppies which do share a deep fat fryer with the fried good so beware of cross contamination- BUT the wings are breaded in rice flour and gluten free spices so it's just a big flavor bomb of a treat!! It's fresh flavorful CLEAN lovely staff and some of the best veggies and salads ever! So happy they're here. read more
This is a cute little spot with a fun, family-friendly atmosphere. They have free cars for the kids, cartoons playing, and nostalgic décor on the walls, which we really enjoyed. The menu is fairly simple, and the prices were very reasonable. The staff was also warm and welcoming, which made for a pleasant experience. The rice wasn't to our taste--we honestly couldn't finish it. The hot wings, however, had great flavor, and I really enjoyed them. Because of the friendly service, reasonable prices, and enjoyable atmosphere, I would come back to try other menu items before deciding if it would become a regular spot. read more
I've been meaning to try this place for a while, and it really hit the spot! They give you a ton of food and different kinds of sauces as well. I got the 4x4 which comes with 1/4 chicken, 4 wings, some fries, and some other sides. read more
We popped by during a weekend not too long ago. This place is vibrantly decorated and cozy. The team was busy, hustling away--the manager or GM (not sure) was even running the register, helping out. We wanted to keep it light and ended up sharing the 4x4, snap peas, and hush puppies. The dry rub used on the chicken and fries is so so good, I can understand why it's a house staple! While we didn't love the house ranch and special mumbo sauce, we devoured every thing! The hush puppies were done right, savory with a warm center... on par with the classic southern staple! Also, the chicken--crispy and juicy! We will absolutely be back! read more
I saw great reviews for little engine a while back, and after an event on H st., I decided it was a great time to visit. The staff are nice and explain the wing sauces really well..I'm the biggest sucker for wings so I had high expectations. The 6 piece buffalo wings were delicious and lived up to the hype! Crispy but saucy...never soggy. For someone who doesn't like wedges, I really enjoyed these wedge fries. I'll 100% be back on an empty stomach again! read more
3 days ago
When a chef post another chef's rev'ed up rotisserie chicken spot...you might want to pull up!! So that's exactly what I did!! When I saw Chef Matt Adler @adler81 post this spot, i pulled up!! My New Favorite rotisserie chicken spot good folks!! . Where I am: @littleenginechicken . Location Reviewed: 250 7th St., S.E. Washington D.C. . Items Reviewed: STAMP!! Their Southwest Chicken Salad ($15 with jalapeno lime crema, corn, lettuce, tomato, onion, & fried chicken strips dusted in their signature Hazel's Magic Dust). Hearty, mildly spicy, & that dusted chicken tasted like a combination between Old Bay, Lemon Pepper, & Sweet Heat dust...STAMP!!! STAMP!! Their Chicken Caesar Salad Wrap ($15 with Romaine lettuce, Parmesan cheese, a Caesar salad dressing, & the Hazel Magic dusted chicken strips). PERFECTION!! tasty, savory, & fulfilling! STAMP!! Their Tricked Out Wings ($18.50 for 6 cherry blossom Mumbo sauce wings, & 6 Hazel Magic dusted wings). Crunchy wings with that mumbo sauce that has a hint of real cherry taste, & those deliciously dusted wings!! STAMP!! Their Rev'ed Up Rotisserie Chicken ($17 for flavor dusted half white meat chicken, pickled onions, a tortilla, Full Throttle sauce, & fries). Exceptional delicious!! Well seasoned chicken, well seasoned fries, my new favorite rotisserie chicken spot!! STAMP!! Their Hush Puppies ($5 with sweet corn, & scallions). The absolute BEST hush puppies I've ever tasted. Freshly made, crunchy/soft deliciousness!! . Customer Service: On Point. . Parking: Rough. . Recommendations: The Best Rotisserie in the city!! Accessibility: This spot is wheelchair friendly, & differently abled persons friendly. 5 Stars=STAMP 4 1/2 Stars=LIKE THAT 4 Stars=DELICIOUS 3 Stars=DECENT 2 Stars=PASS 1 Star=NAH #Bigschlimsreviews read more
To be a restaurant open for lunch in Eastern Market, you have to somehow cater to adults and children alike. It's hard to do, but Little Engine does it well. Popping in for a late lunch on a Sunday in March, here's my nine-year-old daughter and my experience. 1) Food: To feed us both, we ordered the kids quesadilla and the adult one. The kids meal comes with chicken inside, which my daughter usually doesn't love, but she did this time. The fries that it comes with are wedges and tasty. Ask for their ranch sauce to dip them in. The adult pulled chicken quesadilla comes with a great lime crema on top. 2) Drinks: They have bottled water, Coca-Cola products in cans, lemonades, and more. They even have Fanta! 3) Service: It's excellent! The person behind the register was patient and helpful. 4) Space: It's small, but there are several booths and window seating. With big windows, lots of natural light pours in. The walls are decorated with baseball cards and old CDs giving it a retro vibe. There are two unisex restrooms in the back that don't require a code. 5) Area: Even when it's busy, you will eventually find street parking nearby. On weekdays, I usually find a spot along 8th Street SE a block away. Another option is to park in the Trader Joe's garage free for 60 minutes with a purchase. read more
Ugh I wish I could relive my first experience at Little Engine all over again. I came in with my heart set on the chicken Caesar wrap, but when I got there and took a better look at the menu, I knew I had to try the wings. But then, I also felt I had to try the regular rotisserie chicken. I settled for 2/3 and ended up getting the 4x4, and I was so happy with my decision. For $19, you get 1/4 chicken, 4 wings, 1 side, and your choice of sauces. I was super hungry and still had to take some of that to go. I want to start by giving a special shoutout to the staff here. Everyone was super friendly. The cashier was very welcoming and gave me recommendations as I placed my order. Typically, I go into a place knowing what I'm gonna get but I also love some feedback on what's good and how the restaurant recommends you order. I was gonna get the chicken plain, but was convinced to add some sweet baby raj sauce and I was so glad I did. I loved that the cashier had some solid recs ready and that she spoke confidently about the menu. Next, if you're eating the food there, another member of staff will bring you your meal. The young lady that was delivering the meals to each table was super warm and very bubbly, if a customer made a move to go get something, she said not to worry, and that she would handle it. She was very quick and very attentive. Next, the kitchen staff was also very friendly and very quick with the meals. I went to ask them about a to go box and bag and just all in all, it was a very pleasant experience with every member of the staff here. You can tell everyone's genuine interest in working at this establishment and I think service is so important and unfortunately lacking in a lot of places these days. On to the food, the rotisserie chicken was very juicy and flavorful and even though I got some sauce on it, I could tell it would've been flavorful even on its own. I went with buffalo for the wings and they were crispy, saucy and had a great flavor to them - I also liked the quality of the wings themselves. They weren't tiny and they weren't those huge GMO wings you sometimes get at places these days. Honestly, I loved everything on my plate, but I may just come back and order wings on their own next time because they were so yummy! Potato wedges were also a perfect side addition. You'd think you can't really mess these up, but trust me, they are not all created equal and these were the perfect crisp, salt, lightness. Last, I wanna give a shoutout to the dipping sauces. This is like the first place I've come into in recent history that doesn't charge extra for every sauce. They gave me two cups of ranch and the sauce seemed to be a homemade ranch, which I really enjoyed. It wasn't overpowering or overflowing with too many herbs as I've encountered with other house-made ranch. This is a very casual spot that I anticipate coming back to regularly, even if it's just for takeout. I was very impressed on my first visit and I wish this establishment much success, which I know won't be difficult in this area. They have a great team and great food! Give it a try, you won't regret it! read more
This is the Little Engine that CAN and WILL become a regular part of your rotation. Located in Eastern Market, the Little Engine has a cool, 90s nostalgia vibe with a CD wall, wall of 90s sports cards, and 90s movie posters gracing the walls. Look closely in some of the upper nooks and you'll even see some old VHS tapes. They had light music playing from the 90s as well. Service was fast, friendly, and the staff gave great recommendations. While you really cannot go wrong with whatever you order, they help you pick the flavors that you are craving. The food is fantastic! They have rotisserie chickens roasting on a spit and the wings are packed with flavor. The Hazel's Magic Dust was a table favorite with its dry rubbed spices and the Thai peanut, spicy Szechuan, and Sweet Baby Raj sauce all left us looking forward to trying more at our next visit. Great for takeout and a more casual dine-in (with 90s vibes included), the Little Engine is well worth a visit and will be one we come back to again and again! read more
4 months ago
Absolutely amazing. The food was made to order. I ended up getting wings and wedges, and I will say that the portion size was great. As a matter of fact, I couldn't even finish all of my wings. The wings were nicely sauced; the flavor I tried was sweet baby Raj or something of that nature it had like a barbecue like taste. It was actually recommended by the cashier and I was not disappointed. I originally got my food to go, but it smelled so good in there I decided to sit in and eat. read more
I'm a fan! I've had them twice and the food has been consistent. The hush puppies really are that good! I love that I can order all flats with the wings. And the wings are a good size. The rotisserie chicken is also good, not as good as some other chicken spots but still a good option to have in the neighborhood. I do like that you can get a variety of sauces with your chicken. They are .75 extra but worth it. I've had the jalapeño lime and Thai peanut sauce. I will say, if you are ordering for pickup, check your bag and make sure you have everything. I ordered extra sauces and caught that they didn't include but forgot to check for the others. I was looking forward to trying the Sweet Baby Rajs. Good spot overall. I have yet to eat in but they have some dining seats inside and nice options outside. I'll be back! read more
6 months ago
As a big fan of chicken wings, im now a big fan of Little Engine! I got the 4x4 meal so I could try the wings and the rotisserie because I couldn't decide. They also have different sauces and dry rubs to pick from and I wasn't sure what to get, so the owner actually came over to give his recommendation on the most popular things. The chicken was 10/10! Crispy, flavorful, and hot! The space was also really cool , very 90s and early 2000s vibe with the music and decor. read more
Helluva wing spot right next to Eastern Market. Clean space. Incredibly kind employees. And the wings? HELL YES! I stopped by yesterday morning on my way to the airport and got 12 perfectly cooked and sauced wings. And they will accommodate all flats! Hot damn! This little engine sure as hell can!!! read more
2 months ago
Definitely coming back again. If you're looking for a nice Saturday or Sunday afternoon chill vibe. Little engine and their food, (especially their breakfast burrito pop up) is the ideal situation. Great for a first date or just a relaxed morning. Their food is flavorful and thoughtfully made. Sure, there was a bit of a wait, but a little patience goes a long way and the food is proof of that. Appreciate the flexibly and great service from Ricardo and the rest of the staff. I definitely will be back again. read more
14 days ago
6 months ago
2 months ago
This is some of the best chicken I've ever had. First of all they serve it steaming hot and fresh. The wings had impeccable flavor and also the chicken was juicy and good. The Mediterranean wrap was also amazing it had so much flavor. The only okay thing was the chicken quesadilla. I wouldn't recommend it- it wasn't bad it just wasn't as flavorful as the other things. read more
2 months ago
3 months ago
3 months ago
7 months ago
These wings are insanely delicious and my new favorite go to wing place in DC. The sticky Szechuan is a unique and spicy flavor I couldn't get enough of ; and the sweet baby RaJ was kind of like a sweet heat barbecue flavor I assume like a "Sweet Baby Ray's" type of flavor with a touch of Indian spice. The quality of the wings and the size is so satisfying, and the wings are gluten free! The customer service was welcoming and attentive, and the restaurant clean and bright. I'm so excited to try the other flavors, I would definitely recommend . read more
4 months ago
6 months ago
4 months ago
This is such an amazing neighborhood chicken place. Incredible serving sizes and tasty sauce; always good and friendly customer service too. You all should have celery and carrots to serve with the wings though! read more
5 months ago
7 months ago
7 months ago
Feel like I've tried everything on the menu and it's all delicious. Wings definitely the standout, but all the sides, sauces and dips were incredible too. read more
7 months ago
PERFECT WEEKNIGHT DINNER. rotisserie chicken and wings with sides (salads, fries etc). Perfect for the whole family. Do NOT sleep on the hushpuppies. Best bite of the night. read more
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