The pancakes were phenomenal. Its a great little place where you can get an easy breakfast while enjoying some history. The people who manage the restaurant were very friendly and were quick with the orders. Unfortunately youre not able to sit inside at this time but definitely check this place out if youre nearby.
I ordered yams and Mac n cheese. The lady charged me and came back to tell me the yams weren’t ready. Next time, tell people this before charging them. Replaced the yams for collard greens and didn’t like it. It has a sweet kick to it. Mac n cheese was good though. Work on signage. Came from MD and luckily found the place.
They were short staffed but pleasant which made the wait not so bad. Plus other waiting customers were pleasant as well. The food was worth the wait. Simply delicious. Ample servings. We will be back even if we have to wait again.
I was inquiring about the menu which fish, chicken and fried pork chops were only what they had. I ordered a whiting fish dinner for my husband and was charged $17 for it and their was only 1 fish and 2 sides. So I continued to ask about the pork chops and was told fried only. Theres nothing on the menu that cost $17. While Im considering and I never disrespected anyone. The lady in background cursed me out and said that she wasnt going to serve me and slammed the window where you order and pickup. Okay swell, I started walking to my car and the lady ran out the back door and got in my face saying the customer isnt always right. She disrespected me so I cursed her out. She then retreated still cursing. Saying she was 50yrs old and mine you Im 75yrs old. She running the FLA. AVE. GRILL! I never experienced that before so I see why they are only open from 9am to 2pm only. The food and price wasnt what I expected and I was very dissatisfied. I would not recommend.
Ive been getting my chitterlings from Florida Avenue Grill for years!! I was upset to learn that they no longer serve it! I drove from the suburbs of Maryland to order. What a downer. I hope that once these viruses are in more control, they will reconsider and bring it back!
I would argue this is the best breakfast restaurant in DC. Homey, delicious food. Other restaurants with high ratings may be larger and fancier, but this no frills diner style restaurant serves fantastic food at a great price. Can’t go wrong coming here. Each meal was $11.95 (two meals in the attached photos).EDIT: We came back a second time to enjoy the wonderful breakfast (served all day) the last day of the trip. Take time to read the history hanging on the walls (literally).
My favorite spot for breakfast. Love this place and always have❣️❣️🙏🏾
Florida Avenue Grill is an historic place in Washington, its walls sporting signed portraits of American icons who have eaten there. A greasy spoon breakfast or lunch after 11am with a Southern flare. Home fries and corned beef hash are among the best in town. The salmon cake is awesome. You can sit in a booth where Martin Luther King, Jr. once sat to plan the March on Washington.
Florida Avenue grill looks like it’s stuck in time compared to the other buildings around it, but don’t let that fool you. We went for breakfast and got the Fried Catfish with Homefries and Pancakes with Grits. Everything was made to order, and delicious. I’d highly recommend trying this place, however be prepared to wait for a seat.
This place is incredible. Great vibes and the food is what you expect. Great music was playing in the background and the people working there were genuine. I’ve been meaning to try this place and I finally did. If you are looking for fast service, you won’t get it here but that’s not a bad thing. Enjoy the experience and enjoy the food!#20somethingtolife
The food was great. The diner is really small but there is a to go window. The wait was really long. Like when you go to big mama house and she ask if you hungry and you say you could take something and 45 minutes later shes pulling the food from the oven. Well same thing here. You want good food you gotta wait you gotta watching fuss and arguing. But soon you are in Food Comatose Happiness and none of that matters. You tip your Auntie and waddle out to car. Had to take off one star for the wait.
Let me tell you about the food at this restaurant. If you want to know what it feels like to be loved, come and eat here. This food is like being the baby spoon in a heartfelt embrace. Off jump, the atmosphere and service was unmatched. I felt like family in there and knew I would be well taken care of. I ordered a hot chocolate which was 🔥🔥🔥and the fried chicken with greens and Mac. I prayed before I began eating but after I had that first bite, I had to bow my head again and thank the Lord for blessing me like that. The food was hot and so flavorful. The chicken was seasoned perfectly and crunchy in the best way. The food was so filling that I couldnt finish it and didnt have room for the sweet potato pie which I will be back for. Even the ice cubes in my glass of water were the bomb. Simply the best. Keep doing whatever yall doing at this restaurant. Yall are doing the Lords work and made a southern girl feel right at home. Cannot wait til my next visit.
Great Food, steaming hot. Went on a Sunday morning they were short staffed so the wait was long but worth it.
Glad they are back! Great soul food.
The food is excellent. Cooked to order and fast out to you. The potatoes were my favorite, followed by the corned beef hash.The location is very decieving. It looks like your typical DC carryout joint from the outside. Once inside, it takes you back to a time when service was first and everyone is willing to help you have a great experience. I sat at the bar and was greeted and served with a smile. This is dinner where the grill is right in front of you, so you see the action as it takes place.I highly recommend this place for breakfast and I think I may have found my new spot. I will have to return to try out lunch sometime.
I am Mad at myself for living in the DMV for 6 years and never visiting here. Honestly, I did not even know about it until I saw it on the travel channel. That is disappointing that no one talks about this place that has soo much history!Location- Small diner, but you can really tell it is full history. signed photos from all types of celebrities and history from people of color in there. they had the front door open because it was hot in there. few gnats flying around but nothing major. they have outside seating but there are only 2 tables and they are full.Food: My favorite part... Ahhh. The food was amazing all the way around. I am a southern girl and I am not easily pleased, but I promise that someones grandmother cooked this food. This was the first time I had grits and did not have to add anything to them. The catfish was perfectly seasoned and fried crispy. The homefries (potatoes) were already seasoned with green peppers and onions, the sweet tea and lemonade mix did not give you a sugar rush. The eggs....oh the eggs, cheese was actually cooked into the eggs and not placed on top.Payment- I wanted this place to be cash only soo bad. lol but they do accept cards. I feel like when a place only accepts cash, they know that their food is so good you will be forced to go to the ATM. lolServer- I felt like home, i didnt catch his name, but he was a young guy very straight forward. not too much conversation but he was very attentive and delivered exceptionally well.overall this place gets 5 stars and I will definitely take everyone here.
Yall do know MEXICANS COOKING YOUR FOOD IN THE BACK!! BARF!!!!!!! 0 STARS!! FOOD POISONING!! STAY AWAY!!!!!!!
Love the authenticity of this establishment! I always eat here when I visit DC. This was my first time having their dinner but it was EXCELLENT. Catfish fried to my likings, Macaroni &Cheese (cheesy and extremely TASTEFUL), Cornbread Dressing (I couldnt stop eating it), and the Corn-Muffins (cornbread muffins) were like biting into heaven because it has a sweet taste to it.
The only true breakfast diner in the area. Historic and yummy.
Mmm.. good breakfast sandwiches and home fries hit the spot.
I have been coming to Floridia ave grill for the past 30 years. The Service and food has always been excellent until the pandemic i dont know what happened. I guess it changing like the neighborhood. And the fat rude white lady needs to learn some customer service and how to take an order.
Go to the Famous Florida Ave Grill remembering home cooked sleepy mornings on the weekends as a HU student. Food is good. Many sweet memories.If the foods not good ask for the manager!!!!!!
Great food and service
This was probably some of the nastiest breakfast I ever had. I was on a rode trip with 4 friends & look this place up & gave them a try, no one are their food most of it went in the trash. French toast was like a piece of toast with cinnamon on it, waffles was hard as a rock. Only thing that was good was the turkey sausage. When we went back to tell them we didn’t like the food at all they got rube with us & basically told us nothing they can do.
I really enjoyed my meal at this restaurant, and my family who are usually skeptical of 99% of the restaurants I like really enjoyed there food. Maybe more than I did. The server Danita was a very warm and welcoming spirit to a group of tourists from Ga.P.S. Dont let the look on the outside deter you, some of the nicest people you will ever meet work within these doors.
Missing out if you haven’t been here
Fast and friendly service, really great food at a reasonable price! We’ve been for breakfast several times on the weekend and (before covid) it was always full. They’ve adapted to covid well with to go offerings!
My wife decided to try something new. So we called the order in and drove across town in the rain. Stood in line for 13 minutes only to be told they do not see my order. The caucasian lady who originally took our order also caught a case of amnesia. (Im very good with voices) Then they attempted to retake our order. No thank you! Im already famished and was willing to spend $30.00 for 2 platters! Definitely will not be back. Clearly its some issues going on.
There isnt a bad item on the menu. I attend Howard and i come here every weekend religiously! They do it right over here! the staff is very fun and friendly. They work hard and fast and they are just top notch. Nothing but praised for this establishment!
Soul food heaven! Good sides too. Small restaurant but you are very satisfied when you leave. Nice location in the city. Right on the corner. Parking can be difficult because its only street parking, no lot or dedicated structure.
The BBQ sauce could be thicker and sweeter. Cornbread was dry... Greens wasnt seasoned the way Im use to it being seasoned. Yams was good... Potato salad was good... Ribs were chewy and tough. DC and Maryland lost its touch with soul food its not the same anymore...
Very crowded but on first bite of my omelet, I understood why! The food was down home cooking, the kind your Big Mama used to make. The lemonade was worth the wait alone. The pancakes made me do a happy dance. Such a great little spot! Cant wait to go back!
Florida Avenue Grill is a Soul food restaurant, located near Howard University. It is a small dinner with awesome food. The dinner is old with historical information throughout. Do not expect a 5 star atmosphere, but do expect 5 star food! Will definitely go back!
Looks can be deceiving. Dont judge a book by its cover. Berthas Breakfast is a great deal. The French toast is delicious. Pancakes are perfect. Home fries cooked well. Server was nice. Recommended for breakfast.
Had an awesome lunch with my son after visiting the Department of Justice and the Dr. Luther King Jr. Memorial. The place has so much nostalgia. The service was A1. And the price was more than just right. Im planning a special trip there in a few weeks. I can already taste the smothered pork chops and that mac yummy mac & cheese. Cant wait!
If you want that good ol home cooking flavor, this is a must stop! Especially their breakfast!
Grits were watering and the eggs needed salt & pepper. They didnt even give me the powder sugar for my pancakes. The pancakes were good.
Fried catfish and pancakes are delicious.
Lady with nasty attitude told me I cant walk in and I have to go to the window to order. IT MIGHT BE HELPFUL TO PUT SOME TYPE OF SIGN UP STATING THAT instead of being RUDE!!! Wont get my money in LIFE!!!!
This is a hole in the wall that puts all its effort and energy into the food they make, but once you have a bite you won’t want it any other way. Ordered a bunch of sides that were absolutely banging. Also got some pork ribs, which were amazing. The one waitress worked quickly to accommodate me and the other tables.
Tried to give this place a second chance after the horrible experience I had a few weeks back. This time I decided to get a refund, which was the easiest part of the experience. My friend and I ordered Bertha platters at the same time. However the system crashed when my friend’s order was being placed. While my order was being made 3 other orders some how got placed, then they decided to hand write a ticket for my friend’s order. The cook then said he had eggs for the other 3 orders but not the ticket that should’ve gone in before those orders. My platter was made, but then the cook forgot the French toast as well. This place isn’t worth the hassle, definitely taking my business elsewhere. Plenty of breakfast spots. This is a combined 1 star rating for the two times I’ve been burned by this place. So 1/2 star per visit.
Food was great and our server was an African American women with a Baltimore accent. She was incredible!!! If they want to keep tourists coming to this diner they better keep her! Amazing. The cooks were accommodating and I loved the experience.
Went here to see what all the fuss was about. Turns out it was worth the trip (and the wait). Speaking of the wait, thats probably the only thing that I wasnt completely pleased with. If youre going to visit this spot, expect a wait. Plenty of folks are trying to get in to enjoy the food here most days. Once you get in though, you forget all about the wait, as the courteous staff help you get your meals. We had the pork chops with greens and they were very good. We also had the awesome fish and fried chicken (by the way, the chicken breast was so fresh and delicious, probably one of the most juicy Ive ever tasted. The lemonade was on point as well. Definitely a spot Ill visit again and would recommend to visitors.
Small, quaint local restaurant with southern style food ( think pigs feet and chitterlings). Large portions and delicious!! The staff was also exceptional. Love this place!!
This place has the best fish, grits and candid yams in D.C. Martin Luther King sat at a table in this particular place to plan his March.Lots of black celebrities have eaten at this restaurant. Most of the heavy weight boxers. They have lots of pictures of the celebs when they were very young. Maybe thats why its very, very, very EXPENSIVE.You will leave here HUNGRY after spending about $15.00. Im thinking if you spend $30.00 ordering extra sides you might get full lol 😂Those pictures make the plates look much larger than what you actually get. Everything here is great except those greens. They have no flavor at ALL. Dont try them and disappoint yourself.
Great soulfood, quaint space, great service.
The baked chicken is delicious. The yams are sooo good but very syrupy.
The food was awesome,Shout out to the cook n owners, the service was fantastic, thanks to Tonya, Tonya keep doing what u doing at Florida Ave Grill. Tonya made our day it was like being home in the kitchen dining area back in the day, staff had great attitudes and smiles on there faces,it makes a big difference when u get top notch service. Thanks again Tonya for making our first time a 5 star rating ! I forgot one thing, They have our COOL AID FROM BACK N THE DAY NOW THATS WHAT IM TALKING ABOUT.
There is something amazing about eating at the Florida Avenue Grill. Sitting in a booth looking at pictures of the celebrities that have also eaten here. Enjoying food prepared in that soulful style I grew up with. Fried fish and real baked macaroni & cheese. Smothered pork chops will make you wanna smack somebody!
Not enough seats outside
I thoroughly enjoyed our authentic, neighborhood mom and pop joint and the delicious soul food. Service was friendly and professional. Nowadays, places like this are scarce. There was an abundance of autographed pictures of very famous people on the walls. I plan to make more return visits.
Being from out of town, I stopped in this place for some soul food. The food and service was amazing. You might have to wait for a little to be seated. But the wait is worth it.
The food here was great. Its a small mom and pops looking diner. There was about a 30 minute wait to get in on a busy Sunday morning, but it was very much worth it. Friendly people with an upbeat and positive attitude, even when there wasnt an open seat in the place. Loved it. Would definitely go back.
Had a great visit to Florida Avenue Grill. It was a hot day so I was thankful they had it comfortable inside. They do have some outside seating for cooler days. The food was also delicious. I had the hot cakes (pancakes) which were large and fluffy. Things were well priced for the portions given.
My mom and I was visiting from Florida and my brother who lives in DC took us to the Florida Avenue Grill. He thought it would be a great idea to take us to a historic restaurant. We arrived to the facility early Saturday July 14, 2018 evening excited to visit and to eat. I wished I would have taken names because the 1st lady welcomed us in a pleasant tone and said to sit anywhere wed like. Where we wanted to sit had dishes still on the table from previous customers.There was a young man behind the counter and he had no problem clearing the table for us, however, another young lady had an attitude anyone can see and feel. I really wish I gotten her name because when she did approach she tried her best to ask how were doing while handing us the menus. My mom was ready to place her order as the rest of us were also ready, but this no mannered person was in no rush to take our order, yet she was the 1st to tell us to have a great day when we decided to leave without placing an order because my mom was becoming slightly irritated, which turned to agitated and ended with being aggravated. I really HATE that I didnt ask for this individuals name. I may not know her name but her description is short, light skin, and on the plump side.She need to know her manners and and check the attitude because she doesnt know who maybe coming to patronize a historical institution, not only that but she doesnt know how big of a tip she probably would have received.
I had a wonderful time. The staff make me feel like I was family. And the food is reasonably price a delicious.
My Parents got Rob Here
The food taste perfect coming out of here. You wont find a better comfort eating spot in all of DC hands down!
This place was recommended by the concierge at our hotel. I was skeptical at first but gave it a try anyways and the food and service was great. Thanks Andrea, for the wonderful service. She was attentive and really helpful.
Good soul food! The food did take a while to arrive. I believe we got lucky with our wait time. It looks like its the type of place that will have loads of wait time. But still, its a great experience.
Closest thing DC has to a local diner. Amazing character and good southern cooking. Great prices for DC and solid portion size.
Would have been 5 stars with the great food but with the friendly service being so inconsistent, I can only give a 4.Ive been here twice while on our visit too DC. On both trips the food has been great not totally constant in flavor but equally delicious.I got the Big Berthas Breakfast. Which is 2 very large hotcakes with cinnamon and sugar, 2 eggs, how you want and bacon with home fries on both days.First the food.Amazing on both days but better to me on the second visit. The home fries werent a spicy and the bacon wasnt done quite as crisp on the second visit. Again great on both days just my personal preference. The rest of the familys food was also raved about.Service on the two days was very different. The young lady, the shortest of the servers I saw, on our first day which was the busier of the two days was a delight. Checked on us frequently and was always ready for a refill. Took away plates as needed and was fast with the check and even faster with a smile.The service on the second day from another server was nice but definitely lacking from the prior going lady. She started to bring our food while still not bothering with silverware for the table or napkins with two small kids. Only came around once for refills and then disappeared for the rest of the meal forcing us to ask another server, a taller lady with a beautiful African headscarf, for our bill and who also cleared the table.I wish she had been for the whole time, as when we paid she was extremely friendly and asking us about our meal and how we found the restaurant which was from Google and Trip advisor reviews.
Love love love it. Really good portions, food was seasoned and fresh. Will definitely be coming back. Love the fact that it has a mom and pop atmosphere.
Oh my goodness!!! The food was so delicious! Really good prices too, especially for the large portions! A must try!
The grits were watery, no powder sugar on my cakes... even the eggs needed seasoning. Im not sure Im going back.
I have enjoyed The Florida Avenue Grill for sometime. So much SOUL for the mind as well as the body. The food is great. It is so nice to listen to the stories and see the talent that has come through its doors. Your eyes can go down the line when you arrive. Make sure you find out about the shotgun booth. Bring a friend and enjoy!
OMG!!! I saw this place on an episode of Bizarre foods and said the next time Im DC I have to hit it up! The food was PHEONEMONAL!!! It felt like Thanksgiving!! The cherry on top was seeing that we, by chance, were sitting in the same booth that Dr. King sat in! All the way from Chicago and will be a must stop anytime were in DC.