This is a combined review of our recent Friday night and Thursday night visit (across 2 weeks). In both cases we made reservations, were seated as soon as we arrived, and got our quiet corner (upstairs, big roundtable that is half a booth). They have cherry blossom specials menu on our second visit (Thursday March 26). See my photo. Cherry Popsicle cocktail. Creative! I had Sakura salad, very good. Last week (that was the Friday visit) I had the American burger, nice enough. They are famous for their tater tots. We always order that as appetizers. Service could be hit or miss. Dishes were served fast enough, but our waitress disappeared and we couldn't find her when we were ready to pay. read more

Tonic - Cherry Blossom special - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Went to GW for my undergrad, so I knew from experience that Tonic at Quigley's reputation is generally... not usually higher than decent on a good day and mediocre most days. The running joke among my generation of students being the former pharmacy will have you going to a real one afterward. In any case, I had a gift card and decided to give them another chance. The customer service was okay; the servers and bartender were amiable enough, but generally disinterested in small talk or anything beyond "What are you ordering?" Very college kid mentality; I get it having been one not long ago, but I did wish for a bit more engagement. I ordered the tomato soup and the coconut curry tofu. The soup was fairly solid, savory and hearty. Probably could have used a little more peppercorn and garlic, but nothing super critical. The tofu was decent; a bit crumbly but it stayed together, and it was generally evenly-cooked save for some burnt portions. The veggies were also decent; crisp and a bit chewy, nothing too offensive about them. The curry, however, was quite bland and in dire need of some spices; cardamom, cloves, allspice, etc. all seemed missing, and the primary spice component seemed to be cumin and chili. The jasmine rice was, well, jasmine rice, nothing much else to say. Would be nice if there was a lower-GI substitute like brown rice, but there isn't. Again, I have some fond memories at Tonic from a decade ago, but the novelty of an eclectic eatery with locally-famous tatter tots in a historic pharmacy has certainly worn off. Would highly advise the management to not whitewash cultural foods and lean into authenticity a bit more. Especially at the prices being charged; this relatively simple vegetarian meal cost over $35 after tax. That's a bit extortionate, even by downtown DC standards. read more

Tonic - Coconut Curry Tofu - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Came for a game and a drink (maybe snack) but settled for the last 15 min of a game (took 10-20min just to talk to someone and had the TV channel changed). Once we got our drink orders in, everything was smooth, though. The weekend day time food menu is extremely limited with only brunch options (limited appetizers or snacks), so we ended up skipping a snack and just settled on our draft drinks. The brunch menu seemed good, just not there for hours of eating, just something to pair with our alcohol and munch on while watching the game. In this sense it was a disappointing bar/pub experience. read more

Tonic - ugh - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I came here with a fairly large group for an event. The servers were all friendly, it was an order at the bar or with your phone sort of arrangement it seemed. The upstairs was a nice sized space for an event. Decided to order some food. I got the salmon burger and the tater tots. The tater tots were delightful. The salmon burger was disappointing. It claimed it was a smoked salmon burger and really just seemed more like the frozen salmon burgers I can buy at Costco. Preparation was decent at least and it wasn't over cooked and did I mention tater tots? There was also a pre-added gratuity which is fine, but a bit sneaky since there were also lines for additional tip. It's likely worth a visit when I'm not there for a large group event, so I'll have to give that a shot and order something else, with tater tots! read more

Tonic - Smoked salmon burger and tots - A burger with a shiny bun and a skewer, accompanied by a pile of golden, crispy tater tots on parchment paper. - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

The tots here are excellent! The rest of the food doesn't do much for me, but you can't go wrong ordering any of their tots, especially the loaded ones. I appreciate that this is a very niche review, but sometimes a place does one specific thing really well. There is a lot more space upstairs, so it's an easy spot to grab a bite. read more

Tonic - Tots and chicken sandwich - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

This is a Foggy Botton staple in NW DC, just minutes from my preferred hotel. It's SO cozy and perfect for an easy date night. It's in a college enclave, but does not feel exclusive or a study hall extension - so all kind of folks were in there. Hubby and I came in on a chilly evening and enjoyed a few warm, savory bites and a night cap. That night, it was all about the tater tots with the dipping sauce trios! The pork belly was interesting, but a bit more saucy than I'd prefer, so maybe next time I'll ask for sauce on the side. The wings were wings - nothing exceptional, but did the job. The highlights were the warm service from the hostess stand to our server, and the free library nook in our booth - a nod to the nearby GW University college vibe. read more

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Good service, good and crispy tots, decent mac and cheese. 20% gratuity with a 4.75% surcharge not out of the norm for D.C. I was pleasantly surprised by how good their mac and cheese was since reviews seemed to vary. The mac and cheese was surprisingly creamy although not particularly cheddar cheesy, so if you're expecting a sharper cheese taste, this may not be the mac and cheese for you. The mini mac ($11) was fairly filling and paired with a side of tots ($5), I was set. read more

Tonic - Small mac and side of tots. - A dish of baked macaroni and cheese topped with breadcrumbs and herbs, accompanied by a basket of fried tater tots in checkered paper. - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Had a great birthday dinner experience. Place was cute, staff was (mostly) friendly and service was fast. All you can really ask for in a restaurant. Lots of options, just picture you typical bar/American/finger food, with a couple of zesty items such as taco salad and coconut curry tofu. Great gluten free options, they make it very clear which options are GF which is extremely helpful. They do in fact charge for birthday desert which is dumb. read more

Tonic - Dilcia's Wrap - A wrap sandwich with a side salad containing cherry tomatoes, lettuce, and onions, served with a small cup of dressing on a metal tray. - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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We ordered the smoked salmon burger and the American burger , both were amazing. My only concern is the hostess who wear the thick glasses rude and unwelcoming. read more

I went here with a friend but I suppose this sort of place is better for drinks, not food. While my friend's pizza looked good, my food was just OK. I got the pulled pork with mac and cheese, but the pulled pork seemed o just have too much barbeque sauce flavor in it instead a more smoky or spicy flavor. The mac and cheese was also OK. The slaw was OK, it was cut too big and tasted generic somehow. The polenta fries were good, but there were only 3 pieces. Everything was just mediocre, something kinda like I messed up cooking at home. I tried the chicken pop things but they were a little too strong tasting, like the sauce was too gloopy. The water had a really weird and bad taste to it, possibly because of the ice in it. 4.5% service charge was really upsetting to me. It's a really dishonest practice to just charge 4.5% more without changing already high menu prices, and the service was quite inattentive. read more

Tonic Happy Hour is hands down one of the most underrated spots in DC! It's super convenient for college students like me, but honestly, it's the perfect happy hour for anyone. My friends and I have made it a weekday ritual to hit the Tonic patio, unwind, and grab some drinks and food! The standout for me has to be their signature chicken tots with mambo sauce. Pretty much everything on their happy hour menu is under $10, which makes it an incredible deal, especially given the quality of the food and drinks. Even outside of happy hour, their regular menu delivers solid portions, great flavors, and something for everyone. Whether you're there for a quick bite or a full dinner, you really can't go wrong with Tonic! read more

Tonic - Frose, Tim's Chicken Tots, & SD French Fries - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

We had a great small meal at Tonic! We sat at the bar and Azam was our bartender. She was very fun and sweet! I ordered a lemon drop martini and after she served it to me, she let me know that she had only been bartending for two weeks and this was her first lemon drop martini...and she wanted honest feedback on it. Honestly, she nailed it! It was perfect! Not overly sweet, but not crazy strong. Of course I ordered two! My husband ordered the pale ale that was on tap and he said it was delicious (also ordered a second!). We got the tater tots appetizer and we split a hamburger. Both were tasty and fresh. Azam was quick to bring me a side of the burger sauce upon request. I've already recommended Tonic to a friend who is coming to DC next month!! I wish they had better merchandise to purchase because I thought a shirt with their name would be cool, but they only had shirts with funny sayings on them. Maybe next time!! Tonic has a cool neighborhood vibe to it! If I lived here, I'd totally hang out here!! read more

Tonic - Azam's first lemon drop martini...delicious!! - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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The food was decent. I would give it around a five out of 10 but the service was an absolute zero out of 10 did not have enough menus and the whole restaurant was empty. We had to order and pay off the QR code and we asked for menus and they said they had no more. They just do not have enough staff or are not trained property. The man working the front desk who was checking people in was also a server and leaving the front desk unattended. read more

This college bar is on the George Washington University campus. There are two floors of diners and lots of tables inside and out. This is an old historic pharmacy that's turned into a casual restaurant bar. Happy to walk in from the National Mall and be able to get a table for lunch A Very nice casual lunch menu with a big bar. They are known for their tater tot and they have a whole top menu, including tater tot covered in nachos. My husband ordered salad and I ordered a California veggie burger with tots of course. Ainsley, our server took good care of us. My burger was very good. I enjoyed the tater tots with the three different dipping sauces. My husband wasn't impressed with his nacho salad. Lunch was generous and reasonable, but we were surprised at 3% surcharge was added to our bill . read more

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Tonic at Quigley's is a charming bar situated right outside the heart of George Washington University's campus. Formerly known as the Quigley Pharmacy, this small bar utilizes all levels of its historic building, including a take-out counter, a private function room, and ample outdoor seating. The decor captures the history of the building and GWU through vintage photos, period elixir and tonic advertisements, and fun GW memorabilia, all complemented by several televisions for viewing Colonials basketball games or other programs. With hardwood furnishings and a patio perfect for hot summer days, Tonic offers a cozy yet vibrant atmosphere. We made a reservation for seven people for a Thursday at 6pm, and it was a good call, as the restaurant and patio were nearly full. Happy Hour runs on weekdays until 7pm, offering most drinks and shareable appetizers for less than $10--a fantastic deal. They have a convenient system where you can order through your phone by scanning a QR code, with the option to order as a group or individually. We chose to order three appetizers as a group and each got our own drinks. The drinks arrived within five minutes, and my friends enjoyed their various selections. The standout was the $6 Frose, an adult slushie made with "Frozen house rose, agave syrup, and seasonal fruit puree." The house red and various beers were also hits among my friends. The appetizers were a pleasant surprise! We shared Tim's Chicken Tots ($7), described as "fried boneless chicken bites tossed in your favorite tonic sauce." We tried every sauce on the side, including "Bernie's Spicy, BBQ, Extra Stupid Hot!, Mambo, sweet Thai chili, Old Bay, blue cheese or ranch." Our favorites were Bernie's Spicy, Sweet Thai Chili, and the daring "Extra Stupid Hot!" which packs a nice kick. The chicken, resembling popcorn chicken, was crispy and came in a takeout box reminiscent of Chinese takeout. We also enjoyed their Tater Tots ($8), which were perfectly deep-fried and crispy. Lastly, we ordered the Nachos ($9), which comes with your choice of Taco Beef (we chose this), chicken, or Spicy Tofu, along with homemade cheese sauce, shredded cheese, tortilla chips, salsa, guacamole, black beans, jalapeños, shredded lettuce, and diced tomatoes. This was a mountain of food! The chips retained a lovely crunch, and the fresh toppings and meat were generous, especially for the price. Overall, we had a fantastic time at Tonic. Their happy hour offerings are unbeatable, the service is snappy, and the food and drinks are excellent. Tonic is a must-visit in the GWU area! read more

Tonic - The Spread: Tim's Chicken Tots ($7), Tater Tots ($8), and Nachos with Taco Beef ($9) - Four individuals are seated at a wooden table inside a restaurant, with food and drinks including nachos, cocktails, and water. The restaurant has large windows showing an outdoor scene. - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Good food and nice atmosphere. The server was attentive and prompt. Would recommend if you address the GW campus area.

Came for brunch and got the poached pear salad (amazing), chocolate pancakes, and chicken tacos - all were great! The bottomless brunch drinks were also amazing, and you can choose between 3 options so it was nice to be able to switch between things too - the frose was great on a hot day! The staff was super nice, very kid friendly, and our server Lucy was so attentive. Would definitely return! read more

Tonic is always a great spot to grab a drink and some appetizers. Great selection and happy hour prices. Service can be slow but everyone is always very nice, friendly, and the tater tots are great! Patio outside is also dog friendly. read more

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This is a pub style spot. The drinks are hit and miss- I feel they don't have a good happy hour special at all. The outdoor tables need to be replaced they are so sticky to me that it feels yucky. The burgers are really good. This is a okay gathering spot but can get very crowded inside. read more

Tonic - Boneless wings and fries - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Stopped in for a beer. I had the Other Half Green Flowers. BF had the DC Brau Public Ale. Beers were $8-9.50 for 16 oz pour. Bartender gave us a taste of a pumpkin beer which is not my fave. Older Cute pub with character. Didn't try the food. read more

Tonic - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Super cool restaurant! The servers were very sweet and the food was so good!!! I got a plain Jane pizza and I can't even describe how good it was. And the tots were delicious as promised. My family also love their food too! Would come again! read more

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Came here for a friend's birthday and had a very middle of the road experience. We were a large group, so we were split amongst several tables. That was the last we saw of any servers. We ordered through our phones and the food came FAST. I mean, we ordered and 7 minutes later had our entrees. I got the loaded tots, and the queso choice was great. It wasn't layered the best, so the tots were mushy after only a few bites. My friend ordered chicken, but when the food runner brought it out, they dropped globs of sauce on me and didn't even notice :( I don't think I would initiate come back here after that experience, but it wasn't so bad that I wouldn't be open to going for someone else's special event. Hopefully next time will be a bit better! read more

I have had a better experience at a fast food restaurant. In our group of 8 our food arrived in shifts, so we had to eat in front of hungry people for 20 minutes. Order wasn't correct but who do you even talk to since the food is thrown at you and staff bolts? My tall chair was rickety and was missing a footrest. Impersonal and unimpressive. read more

Go-to spot. Signature tots that are incredible. Amazing happy hour menu. Great service all the time. Indoor, upstairs, and 2 outdoor seating venues. Hosts events like trivia weekly. Super great spot and vibe. Definitely check it out. read more

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Service was okay, neither extremely great nor bad. Mac and cheese was surprisingly disappointing (was fine if ate with pulled pork, but not on its own). Generous ratio of pulled pork to mac and cheese in the Pulled Pork Platter. read more

Tonic - Pulled Pork Platter - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Party of 2, sat outside very nice atmosphere. Order on your phone and the food comes to you. Unfortunately my appetizer and entree came out at the same time (I hate that). The food wasn't the best, fish tacos were fried hard and the cod isn't a good choice for them (in my opinion) I got chicken nachos the chicken wasn't shredded, and they put extra lettuce on it. Ummm, probably won't return. Side note, I'm sure the atmosphere and the drinks probably make the food taste better. read more

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The first night in Washington, DC needed to get food nearby and was recommended to this restaurant. Nice indoor outdoor atmosphere alot of options on the menu. The grilled shrimp salad was good. The shrimp was not over cooked, the peach bourbon froze was strong. They closed at 10p if your staying at one of the neighboring hotels this is a good restaurant to visit. read more

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Had an issue with the bill. Staff refused to get the manager and were argumentative. Never going back. Terrible experience. They tried to issue a mandatory 24.75% tip. Bartender insulted me and my party to our face with profanity. Wtf, used to be a decent place. Would give negative stars if possible. DO NOT GO HERE! read more

Excellent happy hour! We had the taco beef nachos and beer for less than $25. Great service and LOTS of seating inside, outside, and upstairs. We sat outside and it was very cozy with overhead heaters... read more

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George Washington University alumnus Richard Lucien Quigley opened this location as a pharmacy in 1891 after earning a degree in pharmacy science, running it until 1938. In addition to pharmaceuticals, the shop also offered a lunch bar. Today it's a popular American sports bar and grill. Plenty of seating in the main bar room with upstairs seating and an outdoor patio. Plenty of on-tap beers and food options. We had the House Lager and Austin Eastciders Blood orange cider, a nice option if you enjoy a sour. The Crispy Crunchy Cajun Egg Rolls lived up to their name complimented with a nice, tangy sauce. We had the Memphis Burger and tots (a signature side here) and the Steak Department Salad for mains. read more

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We came here after walking through the cherry blossoms during peak bloom weekend. We were excited to try to the tots and pork belly Mac and cheese. We also ordered the drink called"something in the watermelon" and the passion fruit margarita. They were each 15$ each. There was nothing that tasted good. The drinks were watery and barely drinkable. The food had no flavor or seasoning. The bartenders were nice but the service was very spotty even though we were the only ones in the "barn" outdoor area. I'm sure this place is a great for college kids looking for overpriced drinks and bad bar food but if you're not then skip this place read more

Tonic - Tater Tots - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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A run-of-the-mill bar that will work in a pinch. Tonic is worth a stop if you are in the area. The totchos (tater tots + nachos) are their most famous offering, which I got. The tots are excellent, with bright, crispy exteriors and fluffy white interiors. These delicious bites are topped with melty cheese, avocado, and your choice of protein (I went with beef). They are great for sharing or as a meal for yourself. $10 during happy hour (5-7 PM). I just wish we had a bit more service. Ordering is done via QR code, which I have no problem with. But aside from bringing you your food, the waitstaff don't come by your table. So if you want napkins, utensils, or water, you'll have to get it yourself. Overall, Tonic is good enough to stick around, and merits the occasional visit. read more

Tonic - Totchos, mid-eclipse - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

The burger was pretty good and the tater tots were great. Ambiance is casual-- nice to go with friends, family, or for a casual date. Service was fast and great too. read more

Tonic - Burger and Tater Tots - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Excellent drinks and food. We tried several draft beer on two. Pretty crowded and noisy. Good staff. read more

Tonic - Outside area - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Loved the vibe in this bar. Great tater tots and chicken bites. Service was top notch.

Great spot for a big family group. We sat outside with plenty of room for the kids to move freely. The variety of tots was a lot of fun and unique to the place. Even more fun that it was a historic building (once a pharmacy-- hence the name Tonic). Close proximity to get to the sights in DC, but far enough to enjoy a meal away from the tourist bustle. Friendly, upbeat and attentive staff. Thanks! read more

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Missing the quality of the food since I frequented this place during my GW days. Tots taste stale and chicken sandwich had an almost rubbery plastic texture to it. read more

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We went here for brunch on a very busy day. That could have been our mistake. The place has nice chill vibes but the service was slow, the ordering was confusing and the food was meh. I would come back for drinks but overall nothing special here. read more

Come for happy hour! Detailed breakdown below: **Service, 4/5** Sometimes hard to get a hold of your waitress, but really friendly when we did catch her. Food and drinks came out quickly. **Decor & cleanliness, 4/5** Table was sticky and decor is fun but definitely has the college vibe bc it's right next to GWU. **Price & portion, 5/5** Happy hour prices are fantastic; regular menu prices are more of a stretch. **Presentation of the food, 5/5** Heaping platters of tater tots - yum!! **Taste of the food, 5/5** - Frosé ($5 during happy hour), 5/5: A good size and definitely strong! Flavor of the day was passionfruit which was tasty. - Tachos ($7 during happy hour), 5/5: We got one chicken and one beef. Massive portions with gooey cheese and piled high with toppings -- sooooo gooooood! **Other notes** Bathrooms on the 2nd floor ;) read more

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We're staying at the Courtyard in foggy bottom. We wanted somewhere that we could grab lunch to take back to the room. Tonic was pretty much the only thing nearby. I had to place my order on Uber eats which was fine. We got the Hannah's hot honey chicken sandwich, old bay wings, and a Caesar salad. The Uber app noted it would take about 15 minutes to get food. Took about 20-22. Not bad. Came out hot. My boyfriend enjoyed his chicken sandwich but stated that the fries were really salty. They didn't give any condiments like ketchup which he usually likes on his fries. Since we were back to the hotel (and the hotel bistro is closed) he just used some of my ranch from the wings. I got the old bay flavor wings. A couple of the wings were overcooked (like burnt) but all the others were great. Side Caesar was a classic Caesar salad. No complaints. Only suggestion would be to include silverware (I had to ask) and traditional condiments. read more