clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile
Photo: Missy Frederick/Eater.com

7 Days of Food Specials at D.C. Restaurants

View as Map

The ritual of eating dinner can quickly turn into an all-out obsession. And theme nights or specials of the week can draw a particular following from regulars and devotees. Sometimes they're coming for a good deal; sometimes it's just because it tastes so damn good.

Eater wanted to know what dishes keep the regulars coming back for more, so we put together a new map in the tradition of our 7 Days of Happy Hours map. This time, food is the focus, where the combination of a reliable special and a comfortable atmosphere result in a cult-like following.

So whether Mondays mean "pig out" night or Fridays are Bouillabaisse day, pick a day, pick a dish and start your weekly devotion.

Read More
Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Monday: Pete's Diner

Copy Link

This is House Speaker John Boehner’s usual breakfast spot. But, this Capitol Hill diner also pulls a crowd on Bulgogi Mondays. The traditional Korean dish is a nice surprise from the restaurant's diner fare.

Monday: The Pig

Copy Link

On Monday and Sunday nights, pig out at The Pig with a platter of pork. Chef Michael Bonk prepares a dish that can be split with two or more. He calls it “the pig out.” The platter is a heavy helping of four cuts of pig: pork belly, shoulder, loin and hot links, plus four sides, three barbecue sauces and cornbread. This small feast costs $39.

Monday: The Pinch

Copy Link

When you have a surplus of duck bacon leftover from weekend brunch, what do you do? Make Quack’n’Mac. Every Monday night, The Pinch in Columbia Heights adds duck bacon to their mac’n’cheese with a side of sautéed string beans for $10.

Tuesday: Dogwood Tavern

Copy Link

Seafood lovers can sample a boatload of options on the cheap at Dogwood Tavern on Tuesday nights. It’s all about the raw bar from 4 p.m. to close. Try a half-dozen oysters or clams for $4, a half-pound of shrimp for $4, a dozen sautéed mussels for $4, or two snow crab clusters for $8.

WednesdayS: The Black Squirrel

Copy Link

Skip the beer garden on Wednesdays and head to the Black Squirrel in Adams Morgan instead. An oversized bratwurst platter and a liter of Hofbrau beer goes for $20 on Wednesday nights.

Thursday: Society Fair

Copy Link

Every Thursday is French steak night at Society Fair in Alexandria. Choose from a New York, rib eye or filet with sides, a salad and dessert for $45.

Thursday: Bourbon

Copy Link

Aside from a great bourbon whiskey selection, this Glover Park restaurant serves a mean happy hour food special on Thursday nights. Fried chicken with biscuits and mashed potatoes goes for $7 a plate.

Friday: 2941 Restaurant

Copy Link

How about a date night special on Thursday or Friday night? 2941 Restaurant in Falls Church offers a five-course tasting menu prepared by chef Bertrand Chemel for $68 per person. The five course tasting menu changes routinely with what’s in season. Just be sure to save room for pastry chef Caitlin Dysart’s sweets.

Friday: Le Diplomate

Copy Link

To end a long week at the office, head to Le Diplomate on Fridays. This is their Bouillabaisse night. The briny seafood stew goes for $29 a plate.

Saturday: Brookland's Finest Bar & Kitchen

Copy Link

New and extended bar hours keep Brookland’s Finest open until 3 a.m. on Saturdays. That goes nicely with their recently released late night menu, which includes a variety of bar bites and sandwiches. But, what about late night cannolis? For something sweet and surprising, go for the dessert bites, like cannolis ($6) and snow cones ($5).

Sunday: Red Derby

Copy Link

Seafood Sunday is a thing to relish at Red Derby. All seafood dishes are half-off, including the fried po-boy sandwich or the foot-long fish dog with fries (each just $5 on Sundays).

Monday: Pete's Diner

This is House Speaker John Boehner’s usual breakfast spot. But, this Capitol Hill diner also pulls a crowd on Bulgogi Mondays. The traditional Korean dish is a nice surprise from the restaurant's diner fare.

Monday: The Pig

On Monday and Sunday nights, pig out at The Pig with a platter of pork. Chef Michael Bonk prepares a dish that can be split with two or more. He calls it “the pig out.” The platter is a heavy helping of four cuts of pig: pork belly, shoulder, loin and hot links, plus four sides, three barbecue sauces and cornbread. This small feast costs $39.

Monday: The Pinch

When you have a surplus of duck bacon leftover from weekend brunch, what do you do? Make Quack’n’Mac. Every Monday night, The Pinch in Columbia Heights adds duck bacon to their mac’n’cheese with a side of sautéed string beans for $10.

Tuesday: Dogwood Tavern

Seafood lovers can sample a boatload of options on the cheap at Dogwood Tavern on Tuesday nights. It’s all about the raw bar from 4 p.m. to close. Try a half-dozen oysters or clams for $4, a half-pound of shrimp for $4, a dozen sautéed mussels for $4, or two snow crab clusters for $8.

WednesdayS: The Black Squirrel

Skip the beer garden on Wednesdays and head to the Black Squirrel in Adams Morgan instead. An oversized bratwurst platter and a liter of Hofbrau beer goes for $20 on Wednesday nights.

Thursday: Society Fair

Every Thursday is French steak night at Society Fair in Alexandria. Choose from a New York, rib eye or filet with sides, a salad and dessert for $45.

Thursday: Bourbon

Aside from a great bourbon whiskey selection, this Glover Park restaurant serves a mean happy hour food special on Thursday nights. Fried chicken with biscuits and mashed potatoes goes for $7 a plate.

Friday: 2941 Restaurant

How about a date night special on Thursday or Friday night? 2941 Restaurant in Falls Church offers a five-course tasting menu prepared by chef Bertrand Chemel for $68 per person. The five course tasting menu changes routinely with what’s in season. Just be sure to save room for pastry chef Caitlin Dysart’s sweets.

Friday: Le Diplomate

To end a long week at the office, head to Le Diplomate on Fridays. This is their Bouillabaisse night. The briny seafood stew goes for $29 a plate.

Saturday: Brookland's Finest Bar & Kitchen

New and extended bar hours keep Brookland’s Finest open until 3 a.m. on Saturdays. That goes nicely with their recently released late night menu, which includes a variety of bar bites and sandwiches. But, what about late night cannolis? For something sweet and surprising, go for the dessert bites, like cannolis ($6) and snow cones ($5).

Sunday: Red Derby

Seafood Sunday is a thing to relish at Red Derby. All seafood dishes are half-off, including the fried po-boy sandwich or the foot-long fish dog with fries (each just $5 on Sundays).

Related Maps