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A Dozen Quick-Meal Spots Offering Booze with Food

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Washingtonians are notoriously busy, which probably explains why the fast-casual food movement (an industry term for upscale fast food: think places like ShopHouse and Sweetgreen) has taken over the area in recent years. And while there are plenty of places around town to grab a salad or sandwich on the go, let's face it — sometimes those diners need a drink too, and fast.

Thankfully, a number of restaurants have upped their game and are including alcoholic beverages on their menus, from beer and wine to top-shelf cocktails. Here are a few such destinations for such combinations as a burger and a buzz.
— Travis Mitchell

Have another favorite spot that fits this criteria? Share in the comments.

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Booeymonger

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Tucked away on a quiet block in Georgetown, this local sandwich shop sells wine by the glass as well as basic selections of bottled and draft beer. You can even get a pitcher of beer — during happy hour they are only $5. Its neighborhood vibe and relative lack of tourists makes it a great pit stop. There are also locations in Friendship Heights, Bethesda and Ballston.

Burger Tap & Shake (BTS)

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The boozy “shaketails” at this Foggy Bottom bar will surely take anyone's burger routine to the next level. The Apocolypto is made with cinnamon whiskey, homemade marshmallows and chocolate ice cream. BTS also offers a diverse selection of crafts beers on draught and they're likely to have local options from DC Brau, 3 Stars and Atlas Brew Works.

Cava Mezze Grill

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The fast casual offshoot of the more formal Mediterranean tapas restaurant offers a variety of wine and beer. Craft varieties from Bell’s, Avery and Port City go for around $5 at the Tenleytown location. Customers can order a Mythos and fully embrace the Greek-inspired menu. Multiple locations.

Chipotle Mexican Grill

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Customers who haven't tried beer or a margarita with their Chipotle are missing out on the best way to wash down a burrito. This popular chain serves alcohol, including Patron margaritas, at 10 Maryland locations, including six in Montgomery County and four in Prince George’s County, and in the District as well. Unfortunately, these options are no longer available in Virginia.

Nando's Peri-Peri

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Stop by this flame-grilled chicken joint for a bottle of Portuguese beer or a bottle of wine. The sangria is loaded with chunks of booze-soaked fruit, and pitchers are heavily discounted during happy hour.

Shake Shack

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Head to the Penn Quarter outpost of this popular New York burger import and enjoy a Shackmeister ale, brewed by Brooklyn Brewery. A pint of beer here will run customers less than $6, and the burger can compete with anything from at a sit-down restaurant. It’s the perfect stop for before a game or after a weekday happy hour.

ShopHouse Kitchen

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The Dupont Circle location of this Chipotle sister restaurant offers regionally appropriate beers to accompany its Southeast Asian rice bowls. Grab a Singha or a Chang to help fight the heat of the fiery red curry. A Chinatown location just opened as well.

Vapiano

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With a full bar and cocktail menu and its unique pay-as-you go format, Vapiano is an ideal place to grab drinks with a group. Happy hour includes discounts on glasses of wine and select draft beers. As a bonus, the Bethesda and Dupont Circle locations have patios.

Custom Fuel

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This new entrant into the fast-casual pizza space serves up beer, wine and margaritas alongside its quick-cooking pizzas. Multiple locations.

Tom Yum District

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Try an Asian beer to go along with customized rice bowls with sauces such as green curry at this Rosslyn favorite for lunch.

We, The Pizza

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Spike Mendelsohn knows that pizza goes best with a glass of wine or a cold beer, so his recently-expanding pizza restaurant obliges.

Noodles & Company

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Noodles & Company seems to be adding more and more locations in D.C. and Virginia lately. Customers can order a variety of dishes, whether it be macaroni and cheese or Asian noodle bowls, and finish the meal off with beer or wine.

Booeymonger

Tucked away on a quiet block in Georgetown, this local sandwich shop sells wine by the glass as well as basic selections of bottled and draft beer. You can even get a pitcher of beer — during happy hour they are only $5. Its neighborhood vibe and relative lack of tourists makes it a great pit stop. There are also locations in Friendship Heights, Bethesda and Ballston.

Burger Tap & Shake (BTS)

The boozy “shaketails” at this Foggy Bottom bar will surely take anyone's burger routine to the next level. The Apocolypto is made with cinnamon whiskey, homemade marshmallows and chocolate ice cream. BTS also offers a diverse selection of crafts beers on draught and they're likely to have local options from DC Brau, 3 Stars and Atlas Brew Works.

Cava Mezze Grill

The fast casual offshoot of the more formal Mediterranean tapas restaurant offers a variety of wine and beer. Craft varieties from Bell’s, Avery and Port City go for around $5 at the Tenleytown location. Customers can order a Mythos and fully embrace the Greek-inspired menu. Multiple locations.

Chipotle Mexican Grill

Customers who haven't tried beer or a margarita with their Chipotle are missing out on the best way to wash down a burrito. This popular chain serves alcohol, including Patron margaritas, at 10 Maryland locations, including six in Montgomery County and four in Prince George’s County, and in the District as well. Unfortunately, these options are no longer available in Virginia.

Nando's Peri-Peri

Stop by this flame-grilled chicken joint for a bottle of Portuguese beer or a bottle of wine. The sangria is loaded with chunks of booze-soaked fruit, and pitchers are heavily discounted during happy hour.

Shake Shack

Head to the Penn Quarter outpost of this popular New York burger import and enjoy a Shackmeister ale, brewed by Brooklyn Brewery. A pint of beer here will run customers less than $6, and the burger can compete with anything from at a sit-down restaurant. It’s the perfect stop for before a game or after a weekday happy hour.

ShopHouse Kitchen

The Dupont Circle location of this Chipotle sister restaurant offers regionally appropriate beers to accompany its Southeast Asian rice bowls. Grab a Singha or a Chang to help fight the heat of the fiery red curry. A Chinatown location just opened as well.

Vapiano

With a full bar and cocktail menu and its unique pay-as-you go format, Vapiano is an ideal place to grab drinks with a group. Happy hour includes discounts on glasses of wine and select draft beers. As a bonus, the Bethesda and Dupont Circle locations have patios.

Custom Fuel

This new entrant into the fast-casual pizza space serves up beer, wine and margaritas alongside its quick-cooking pizzas. Multiple locations.

Tom Yum District

Try an Asian beer to go along with customized rice bowls with sauces such as green curry at this Rosslyn favorite for lunch.

We, The Pizza

Spike Mendelsohn knows that pizza goes best with a glass of wine or a cold beer, so his recently-expanding pizza restaurant obliges.

Noodles & Company

Noodles & Company seems to be adding more and more locations in D.C. and Virginia lately. Customers can order a variety of dishes, whether it be macaroni and cheese or Asian noodle bowls, and finish the meal off with beer or wine.

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