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    Nando's Peri-Peri

    3.8 (515 reviews)
    Closed • 10:30 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

    Order Nando's Peri-Peri Takeout or Delivery

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    NANDO'S PERI-PERI ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Ron E.

    This is a chain that I really enjoy. I wish we had some in California in Nevada. But we first got introduced to Nando's when we were in London. And now it's a must stop whenever I'm in the DC area or Chicago. For my kids, they have some great meals where everything is very fresh, we got chicken strips and mac & cheese meals. For the wife and I we got the whole chicken option which is shareable with two sides. We chose, honey, glazed cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts in their special mayonnaise sauce. They are an interesting fast, casual restaurant as they provide ceramic plates and silverware, which is different than the traditional recyclable plates and silverware. If you've never been to Nandos at South African in Portuguese. Most of all the entrées are flame grilled and spiced. Definitely check out the medium with herbs sauce. Service was super positive and everyone was very nice.

    Tiny chicken
    Nima B.

    These are photos from two different visits. I thought maybe it was a mistake but they barely put any chicken on your sandwich. A sandwich, drink and fries is almost $20. I should bring a scale and weigh the chicken. Better to walk over to chikfila if you want to be full.

    LEMONADE: honey lavender + blood orange mango
    Toya D.

    When life gives you lemons...drink NANDO'S lemonade! honey lavender + blood orange mango Stopped in recently after shopping (and dropping) at the nearby TJMaxx. It was a beautiful day and a perfect time to enjoy some refreshing flavored lemonade. Ahh! __ I thrift. @DCthriftish I eat. @f.hux

    Scott H.

    The food was excellent. My friend and I had the 24 piece wings with fries. I always like the nando's pea mash. The dining room was clean and well kept. But the service was abysmal. The guy taking the orders, curly hair, was either stoned or heavily medicated. He had absolutely no personality, and he stumbled over the simplest parts of taking an order. When he spoke it was as if he were on thorazine. The guy roaming the restaurant handing out food, young guy, dark hair, was worse. He wandered expressionless around the restaurant. He refused to make eye contact with any customer and he never said a single word that wasn't dragged out of him. When he dropped off the food he essentially literally dropped the plates on the table and walked away. It looked like he hated his job. The kitchen staff were turning and burning impressively. The manager was working hard. But the two most customer facing employees should have been kept hidden in a back room somewhere.

    Peri Chicken Rainbow Bowl
    Jacky C.

    Came here for lunch. There is table service, but the server will tell you to scan a QR code and place your order and pay all on the site. They would then bring the food out to you. I ordered the Peri Chicken Rainbow Bowl ($15). I was very surprised how balanced this meal is with the right amount of protein, carbs, and veggies. And yes, this tasted fantastic. I would order this again.

    Pero PERi Mac Stack w Brussel Brussels Sprouts
    David S.

    Food: the food is always excellent, this peri mac stack sandwich is bomb. It's a mix of mac and cheese, slaw and shredded chicken in a Portuguese roll. The sprouts are mad good and the kids grilled chz and fries are nop notch. Service. And this is why I only gave 3 stars. The employees of nando's are young I get it but you guys gotta become more friendly and want to actually serve and help the customers. I asked for silverware and a To-go box today and I could just tell how annoyed the runner and employee behind the counter were. Your job is to serve the customer, so do it and be happy to do it and do so with a smile on your face. Same with the host/hostess, when you greet the customer have a smile on your face. Ambiance: the ambiance is great, very cool chill relaxing atmosphere, love the stories written on the walls. My daughter loves nando's because of the music and just pure charm. Nando's is a great chain, I just wish the attitude of the staff could improve a bit.

    Tank G.

    I came here for lunch. You will find this place in a trendy outdoor food court. There is metered street parking, a metered parking lot and a commercial garage within a reasonable walking distance. They have a decent sized dining area, an out door seating area on the sidewalk out front and a large patio area on the other side of the sidewalk to sit and eat. The inside is very hip and trendy. They do not offer table service. You are seated and place an order using a QR code. After you place your order, they will bring your food to your table though. If you do not have a phone or is not tech savvy, they do have paper menus available and will assist you in ordering. The staff there was friendly enough. I only had limited interaction with them though. The restaurant is part of a small chain and they serve delicious Peruvian food. I ordered the mango & lime chicken wings, with Peri chips (aka Fries), Peri honey sweet potatoes and a naughty natas for desert. The restaurant is none for its sauces, which you will find in a self serve station by the drink area. The sauces include: lemon herb, garlic, medium, hot, XX hot, and orginal. It took about 12 minutes for them to bring me out my food. It was fresh and hot. It was something different for me, but was delicious. The wings were good. I got some of the medium sauce to dip it in. The sweet potatoes were awesome. They were very unique and flavorful. I highly recommend them. The fries were very good, well seasoned. I topped my meal off with the naughty natas. It was a savory pastry and put an exclamation point on my meal. All in all, I really enjoyed my meal here. It is a hip place with a cool vibe. The food was very tasty and I highly recommend checking this place out.

    inside
    Joanna Z.

    Great choice for a place to grab lunch or dinner. I stopped by to place an order for takeout and it took about 10-15 minutes since they cook the chicken on the grill to order. Inside was spacious and had plenty of seating. I had the 1/2 chicken along with fries and brussel sprouts. They had this special mayo based sauce on the brussel sprouts that was so delicious. You can also get the other peri sauces to go in little plastic containers and they had plenty of choices from lemon garlic to hot sauce. It's located in a nice plaza area with other restaurants/cafes and is a nice place to hang out. Would recommend!

    PERi PERi Chicken Bowl
    Emi M.

    I loved Nando's when I tried them in Chicago a few years ago- and I found it near where we were staying in crystal city so we went there. I cannot remember what I tried before, but I was sure I would enjoy anything with rice and chicken. We chose to just seat ourselves and order online from our table (which I think is great and convenient). We ordered and entered our table number accurately, but it seemed servers were confused between ours and people sitting next to us. They delivered their food to us, and my bf got a drink cup when he had ordered sangria. They were not friendly either. The other location was so much better. I liked the peach rooibos tea. I wish it was unsweetened, because it's always easy to add sugar. But there's no removing sugar from sweetened tea. I had a bowl which had many toppings like hummus, and corn. It was delicious. My bf ordered one chicken breast with a small side of rice, and it was $14 - I think that particular one is overpriced. Not a good value. I would not recommend it. However, Portion of my bowl was reasonable. Nando's is still my favorite but this location in particular was sub par, unfortunately.

    Two 1/4 Lemon & Herb Chicken Legs with 2 Sides, Corn on the Cob and Mixed Leaf Salad, Pineapple Lemonade 16oz
    Emil C.

    This location is located fairly close to the Pentagon City Station which makes it very convenient. From the station, I just walked through the Fashion Centre shopping mall to reach the restaurant. My friend turned me onto this delicious South African chicken when I was over in London last year. They're known for their PERi-PERi pepper aka African Bird's Eye Chili. After I was seated, I used my phone to scan their QR code and ordered two 1/4 lemon & herb chicken legs with 2 sides. For my sides, I got the corn on the cob and mixed leaf salad. For my drink I got a 16oz pineapple lemonade. They have an open kitchen, so you can actually tell when your food is about ready. Once you're done, you can leave your plates and cutlery at your table as someone will come and bus the table.

    Half chicken with peas and garlic bread
    Jennifer D.

    My dinner here was fantastic. I ordered the half chicken with two sides which was about $18. For my sides I choose the garlic bread and the spiced peas. I was really impressed on the amount of food and how delicious everything was. The peas had a wonderful mint spice blend on them and the chicken was perfectly juicy. They have a sauce station where you can get cups of their different flavors of their peri peri sauce. I had plenty to take home for leftovers. I noticed that they do family meals here as well so it would be a great place to grab to go dinner for a family. The medium spice on the chicken was perfect for me but if you are not a fan on heat they have plain or other sauces that are not spicy for you.

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    20 days ago

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    7 months ago

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    16 days ago

    The service was great, ordered chicken breast, it came nice and fresh. The food was delicious and the price is really great

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    Hey Nasan B., you know what's up! We can't wait to see you again soon!

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    1 year ago

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    Hi Ron E., thanks for the love! See you again soon! : )

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    We're loving this energy! We can't wait to see you again soon.

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    1 year ago

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    Hi Chantel P., thanks for the love! See you again soon! : )

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    Thanks for the rating! See you again soon : )

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    6 months ago

    Lowk fire ngl would go again if I was not leaving in a day. That one Hispanic employee is very apologetic

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    Hi Mary, thanks for the love! See you again soon! :)

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    Hi Heather, Thanks for the review! See you again soon! :)

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    Hi Monica, thanks for the love! See you again soon! :)

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    Hi Anushka, thanks for the love! See you again soon! :)

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    Page 1 of 13

    Nando's Peri-Peri Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Nando's Peri-Peri

    Is the chicken halal?

    Hi Bismah, Thanks for reaching out to our team! At this time we do not serve Halal meat in the US,… 

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    Swahili Village - The Consulate DC - Beef Stew Nyama Mchuzi

    Swahili Village - The Consulate DC

    4.3(404 reviews)
    3.1 mi•Downtown
    •$$$

    Finally got an opportunity to dine here. Ive had the food catered before and this time I was able…read moreto try in house. The establishment itself is quite dated. The awning outside needs refurbishment and inside furniture is not updated. It's dark inside, almost like a night club. Perhaps it is sometimes. I did not like the decor, it was a little run down and honestly did not match up to the prices. The service was also disappointing. I felt that staff lacked a bit of professionalism and they rarely checked on us. The plates are huge. That is a plus. My partner ordered the goat and I tried the red snapper. I think one plate is big enough to share. I like the spinach, but everything needed a bit of salt. While the red snapper was coated in a lovely tomato and red pepper gravy, I felt it made the crispyness of the fried fish disappear and it was kind of soggy. Maybe you can ask for the gravy on the side. The food is not bad, but given the physical establishment and the service I wouldn't return.

    The sheer ambiance and service of this restaurant pushed this from a 3 to a 4 star. This is…read moredefinitely, more on the fine-dining end- which I was not aware of. Our waiter was so charismatic, helpful, and kind. He even turned up the music in our corner of the restaurant upon request! The food was generally good, just a bit on the drier end. Even the stew wasn't really soupy. So if you were trying to mix some rice with some stew, you basically got cake on your plate. Regardless, everything was seasoned to absolute perfection. Also, don't know if this matters but it may matter to some- though this is an East African Restaurant, the menu is slightly more Kenyan than Ugandan. Something to keep in your expectations when visiting!

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    Decor in dining room

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    Nando's Peri-Peri

    Nando's Peri-Peri

    3.8(973 reviews)
    3.2 mi•Dupont Circle, Downtown
    •$$

    Their story is full of the love they have for the food and the service they being to this…read morecustomers. We had the two quarter leg combo with rice and mashed potatoes. The chicken was amazing! Full of flavor already and you can select from additional dipping sauces like garlic, lemon, spicy, etc. Every employee as very friendly and their customer service was second to none. The menu was extensive and everything looked so good.

    We've loved Nando's since our first visit in London, so when we stopped in last night after a long…read moretravel day, walking over from our hotel for dinner felt like a no-brainer. Unfortunately, this location didn't hold up. The ordering process was a mess from the start. They were out of boneless chicken, so we pivoted to a half chicken... only to be told they were out of that too. Then it turned out they did have it. We ordered the hummus appetizer and got the side portion instead, which meant another trip to the counter to sort it out. We ordered medium peri peri sauce and got something noticeably spicier. Too tired and hungry to send it back, we just ate it... and the meal just didn't hit the way Nando's usually does. The mushy peas we'd been looking forward to aren't even on the menu anymore, which was its own small disappointment. On the bright side, I ordered a 5 oz glass of wine and got what looked like a double pour. Not complaining... but it does sum up the vibe. The staff seemed indifferent, whether it was end-of-night fatigue or just an off-night, hard to say. We'll probably give Nando's another shot elsewhere, but this DC visit was disappointing enough that I can't really recommend this location.

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    Nando's Peri-Peri
    Nando's Peri-Peri
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    Nando's Peri-Peri - 2 Two 1/4 Chicken Breasts with garlic bread and mashed potatoes

    Nando's Peri-Peri

    3.8(1.3k reviews)
    3.2 mi•Penn Quarter
    •$$

    This was my first visit to Nando's in downtown DC. I ordered the half chicken with no sides, and…read moremedium spicy sauce. The chicken came out with blackened edges because of their preparation method. I don't prefer that taste, but others may. I did not find the sauce to be particularly spicy so I added the 'extra hot' sauce on the side, which helped to add more flavor. Surprisingly, the chicken breast was very moist, along with the thigh. The ambience is casual and relaxed. There are plenty circular or modular seats along with smaller tables along the back end of the restaurant. My biggest complaint was their restrooms. They have gender neutral restrooms; two stalls total. Both restrooms were in great need of cleaning with a LOT of bodily fluids all along the toilets and floors. Also, there was no option for hand towels, only an air blower to dry your hands, which is one of the most disgusting ways to dry freshly washed hands. I recommend either creating one male and one female stall instead of unisex because men and women have very different habits in the restroom. On the positive side, Carolina and Barian were quite helpful and kind. They made the overall experience better.

    I visited Nando's PERi-PERi for dinner on July 8, 2026, around 7:00 p.m. with a group of eight. A…read morefew of us were first-time visitors, so after being seated, we waited for someone to take our order. Unfortunately, the hostess never mentioned that we needed to order at the counter. There was a sign, but it wasn't very noticeable when we walked in, so we completely missed it. A quick explanation when we were seated would have made a much better first impression. Once we realized how ordering worked, everyone went to the counter. I ordered last, but my meal was fairly simple: The Wingman (6 wings with PERi Chips and PERi-PERi ranch) plus a side of rice from the kids' menu. Everyone else received their food, ate, and finished before my order ever came out. To the staff's credit, one employee noticed I still hadn't been served and appeared to rush my order. When my food finally arrived, I was disappointed to find one of my six wings was so small and burnt that it wasn't edible (see photo). Some of the other chicken served to our table was also a little over-charred. On the positive side, I really enjoyed the lavender lemonade, and I liked the variety of PERi-PERi sauces available to customize the flavor and heat level. Overall, the experience had some service and food quality issues, but there were enough positives that I'd be willing to give Nando's another try. Hopefully, the next visit will be smoother.

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    Nando's newest flagship restaurant in Penn Quarter

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    Maydan - Roasted carrots

    Maydan

    4.3(1.4k reviews)
    4.3 mi
    •$$$$

    Came here for a date night and it was INCREDIBLE!…read more The aesthetic in here is gorgeous and so dim and moody, very nice for a cozy dinner. My fiancé and I got the Tawle dinner option which incorporates multiple dishes to be shared. We enjoyed it thoroughly but we had a lot of food boxed because we couldn't finish it all lols I think we would've been better off with à la carte - I do think the Tawle works best with a group of people (minimum 3/4) just because the number of dishes, but nonetheless 10/10 experience. With regards to parking, the closest garage is like ~8 min walking distance so I mean it's not bad.

    Maydan was such a great dining experience! We ordered the Platter for Two, and everything was…read moreabsolutely delicious and beautifully prepared. There was so much variety, and every dish brought something different to the table. The star of the meal was definitely the butterfly branzino. It was perfectly cooked, flavorful, and honestly one of the best dishes of the night. The platter was a great way to experience a little bit of everything, and we left feeling completely satisfied. The atmosphere at Maydan is also such a vibe. It feels warm, lively, and unique, making it a great spot for a date night, special occasion, or dinner with friends. Everything was grand from start to finish. Definitely a DC dining experience worth having! We were so engrossed in conversation and eating the branzino is the only picture I captured.

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    Elmina - Shrimp & Grits

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    4.2(177 reviews)
    4.2 mi

    This was a good experience from start to finish. I'm so glad that my first exposure to Ghanaian…read morefood was with Chef Eric Adjepong. As always my first time somewhere, I order a lot. I arrived some short time after Chef Eric introduced a prix fixe menu with standout choices. Not on my radar, but highly recommended by my server and the table leaving as I was seated, was the Zaalouk Dip featuring eggplant and goat cheese served with flatbread. Somehow the cheese brightened this dish. I can't explain it, but try it for yourself. I'm a huge fan of okra in all forms, so I added the Crispy Okra Fries. I thoroughly enjoyed this dish. I would also love it if Chef Eric added a spicy dip in addition to the creamy dip that it came with. I wished I were at home with one of my favorite movies and a huge bowl of these -- so good! Also not on my radar, Roasted Carrots. I may have to come back to this review, because I need to pray for better adjectives to describe this dish. I'm half-Korean so when I read chili crisp in the description, I expected a very spicy dish. Hold your horses! Do not be alarmed! This was the most earthy, enjoyable, balanced dish I've ever eaten with carrots. The cheese(s), as in the dip dish, are transformational. I truly could have stopped here and been completely satisfied. I'm very pleased I was able to share my sentiments directly with Chef Eric. By the way, he was very warm and gracious. As Maroon, Las Vegas has set a new standard for steak, Chef Eric Adjepong has elevated the lowly carrot by creating this inspired dish. The ritual: a clear bowl of soapy water, a fresh white towel, a steaming bowl of goodness. The book I can write about my first experience with Fufu. I could have eaten the Fufu swirling it around in the peanut? tomato? broth by itself and been as happy as a pig in slop. Instead, I had the most perfectly cooked seared fish with it. I could have gotten up and danced to the Afrobeats, and what sounded like the Calypso I heard from my childhood. I was stuffed, but I kept eating. I ate every drop. I wanted to lick the bowl. It could not get any better. Wait . . . I was served a Jollof and Duck Pot. The presentation of this dish is so pristine, you really won't want to disturb it. However, I had to taste this Jollof. My first Jollof dish was merely days before, prepared with a Nigerian recipe. I didn't understand what all the hype was about. Chef Eric's Jollof answered my confusion. I'm pleased to say in the battle of two local Top Chefs (Nigeria vs. Ghana), Elmina and Ghana wins! No contest, hands-down, no notes, have a seat, can never be debated . . . Did I make myself clear? The duck was succulent and another surprise, the tiny salad was a star! Again, a thoughtful, bright and balanced dish, perfection. The night ended with an espresso and Malva Pudding Cake. This cake is not for the weak. The richness and texture is not to be toyed with. This was the perfect ending to a fun, unexpected, thrilling meal. I trust Chef Eric will be able to take his precise, alluring talents across the globe, and hopefully to Miami, soon!

    ZIP! ZERO! ZILCH! No complaints. Oh, we had a time!…read more Located off bustling 14th St. in NW, DC, parking can be sketchy...so be prepared to circle the block. I was lucky to find parking and I was on time for my reservation. The downstairs level is a bit small. The kitchen is an open concept, which I love. We ordered a few dishes, to include: oysters, half chicken, fish (I forgot the type), and curry shrimp with chickpeas. The two stars of the evening were the oysters and the half chicken. The presentation of the oysters was so pretty -- almost too pretty to eat! It had a pomegranate finish with jalapeños. Delectable. The chicken was well-seasoned and beyond moist; didn't know chicken could melt in your mouth. It's a lot of chicken, so you will have leftovers. While the fish and curry shrimp were good, I don't think I would order them again. Nothing bad, just not memorable. Lastly, I think Elmina rotates their menu every now and again, so some of the dishes I mentioned may no longer be available. We really had a good time. I've been dying to go back...hopefully, soon! Cheers!

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    4.3(359 reviews)
    2.2 mi
    •$$$$

    Parking is scarce in this area and valet parking with the hotel is a pricier option…read more Reservations are strongly encouraged. If you are running behind, a 10 minute grace period is given. If a card was left on file, you may be charged if you're a no show. Dimly lit inside with multiple seating areas. There are alcoholic options available with the bar on site. Food may arrive to the table out of order, so allow some patience and consider ordering all items upfront. Located within "The Potomac" formerly known as The Salamander, Dōgon is one of three fine dining restaurants curated by Chef Kwame Onwuachi. Our visit coincided with restaurant week and had a pre-fixe menu for $65/pp. Our server was gracious enough to tell us about the other specials available but I decided that I would be fine with the restaurant week menu. For my starter, I enjoyed the oxtail patties and a mango basil smash. The entree was shrimp creole with focaccia bread that I graciously used for sopping up the delicious sauce that hugged the shrimp. Rounding out the meal, I chose the rum cake. None of my items disappointed. I found each to be an appropriate serving and shareable. The coco bread was complimentary and the flecks of salt were satisfying. I enjoyed a second cocktail and chose the Sorel Rickey. It was a hibiscus flavored, rum enhanced, and kissed by lime kinda drink. The manager made her rounds and was very personable. The other guests were watching the dishes being presented to the various tables and you could tell that it made one, a bit eager for their own food or a return visit. Our server was top notch and we enjoyed talking with him and his energy. This restaurant supports solo dining, group events, and date night dining. The bathrooms were well maintained and there is an open kitchen concept where you can see what's going on if you're seated nearby. An overall positive dining experience. I would recommend & dine here again. Check out Chef's other ventures, Maroon (Las Vegas), and Tatiana (New York).

    Chef, I did it! Last night's (10/1/2026) dinner was my fourth and final dining experience with…read moreChef Kwame. NYC, Miami and Vegas were in the books. Having eaten at Maroon this past summer, my expectations were extremely high. Perhaps that's the problem. Maroon was a 10/10 from the moment I entered; last night, not so much. I'm kinda kicking myself this morning that I tipped our server well over 20%, because reflecting in this morning's light, she wasn't great! Her service wasn't the main issue. I arrived before my party and sat at the bar. The cocktail list, although there is a full-bar, is very limited. I ordered the Sorrel cocktail and it is juicy and spicy, simply yummy. I was surprised that there isn't a specialty drink featuring each base liquor. I often gravitate to vodka, and feel the rum I had last night. The food . . . As always, I order a lot. I want to try all the recommendations and then some. Starting with the tuna was lovely. I was surprised by how well the fish stood-up to the sauce. Avocado and tuna is a classic pairing, and I did enjoy the ideal touch of ever so thinly sliced onion. Next arrived the famous Hoe Crab. It was nice enough, but there was an imbalance with the size of the cakes and the portion of the crab served. The sauce didn't add or diminish the dish. That's not a good thing. Ben's Bowl came next, and I think this is an ode to Ben's Chili Bowl, but after having the dish, I think I'm completely off-base. There was so much going on with these covered "fritter-like" bites, my brain was confused, and that was confirmed by my mouth. The curry did waken my olfactory nerves. It's a convenient bite, but in my mouth it all turned to mush with very little standing out. I mean was it beef? lamb? A heads-on shrimp dish came out, but I didn't try it. I mention it's heads-on because one person in my party was distraught by the presentation; I thought it looked beautiful. I was very excited to try the Curry Branzino. I did listen carefully to the server's description of the dish, but I was still surprised by the bones in the dish. The same traumatized diner in my party refused to try it. The fish was cooked perfectly, the skin had an exciting crunch. It was worthy, although the pond of sauce overwhelmed the dish a bit. I also don't remember the Callaloo in the dish. I think it came with a highly-seasoned rice and peas side. I specifically use highly-seasoned because I believe there's seasoning, and then there's salty. The BBQ Greens were a complete miss for me. Maroon's coconut greens set the bar. Maroon is also the reason I didn't order steak at Dōgon, IYKYK. I am ruined for life, and will probably never enjoy another steak like the absolute transcendece that is steak at Maroon. I am probably not like most people, but I don't like mushy greens. This dish stepped across the line between done and overcooked. I also think something's missing from the "BBQ" Greens -- perhaps an element of smoke? more acid? I also think the portion is way off with this dish. Thank goodness the Chicken and Rice came next, although I'm confused about Jollof Rice. This chicken was the star of the night. Charred and grilled to perfection, tender but still chewy. The chicken is the way to go! I've heard so much about Jollof Rice, but I don't get it. What I had last night was a seasoned, salty version of dirty rice. I guess I'm comparing this rice to the various versions of peas and rice, and rice and peas I've had from throughout the Caribbean and the Americas. Perhaps my expectation was too high. We finished the night with Rum Cake. Thank goodness I asked if this was like a traditional Jamaican Rum Cake. It's also nothing like the famous Tortuga Rum Cake I've eaten often in the Bahamas. This dessert does hold its own. It's a light, delicious cake with a stunning and delightful crust. I'm thrilled I've supported Chef Kwame Onwuachi across his journey. Last night wasn't a 10/10, but I thoroughly enjoyed this moody spot full of attractive, diverse people, and would do it again.

    Photos
    Dōgon - Entry

    Entry

    Dōgon - Wagyu, smoked collard greens, cornbread

    Wagyu, smoked collard greens, cornbread

    Dōgon - Tiki Drink

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    Tiki Drink

    Roaming Rooster

    Roaming Rooster

    4.3(175 reviews)
    4.1 mi•U Street Corridor
    Family-owned & operated
    Locally owned & operated

    Quick service and the food is really top notch. Love how…read moretheir slaw is not mayo based- lighter, crunchier. They have some seating inside, but have signs up limiting you to 30 minutes so it's definitely meant to scarf down your goodies and bop outta there. Liked the coleslaw and chicken, hot was good and actually fairly hot! Honey mustard drizzle to add a little oomph definitely the move.

    One of my favorite chicken spots in the DMV has to be Roaming Rooster on U Street. While this…read morelocation is my personal favorite, you really can't go wrong with any of their locations across DC, Maryland, and Virginia. This Black-owned restaurant has built a reputation for serving some of the best fried chicken sandwiches in the area, and after one visit, it's easy to understand the hype. The Honey Butter Chicken Sandwich deserves every bit of praise it gets -- perfectly crispy chicken, soft bread, and that sweet/spicy balance that keeps you coming back. The OG Nashville sandwich is another standout if you like heat with real flavor behind it. Their tenders are always juicy, the fries are seasoned well, and the Rooster Sauce should honestly be bottled and sold separately. Breakfast is also severely underrated here. The honey butter biscuit and chicken biscuit are easily some of the best breakfast sandwiches in DC. What I appreciate most is the consistency. The chicken is always fresh, crispy, and cooked to order. Portion sizes are generous, and even online reviewers constantly mention how flavorful the sandwiches are and how the fries alone can feed multiple people. The DMV definitely supports this place for a reason. Reddit threads regularly call it one of the best chicken sandwich spots in DC, with people saying the Honey Butter sandwich is "life changing" and even comparing it favorably against national chains. If you're visiting U Street and craving comfort food done right, Roaming Rooster absolutely deserves a stop.

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    Roaming Rooster
    Roaming Rooster
    Roaming Rooster

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    Nando's Peri-Peri - portuguese - Updated October 2026

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