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Where to Eat Like the Bidens in D.C.

Where to Eat, Drink, and Party for Pride 2023 in D.C.

Sip and Swim at These D.C. Pools With Drinks

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A classic half-smoke from Ben’s Chili Bowl.
A half-smoke from Ben’s Chili Bowl, one of D.C.’s classic restaurants that ships direct to your door.
Rey Lopez/Eater D.C.

13 D.C. Food and Drink Specialities That Can Be Shipped Nationwide

Half-smokes, pastrami, ice cream, and oysters are all available with an assist from e-commerce platforms

by Tim Ebner
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A half-smoke from Ben’s Chili Bowl, one of D.C.’s classic restaurants that ships direct to your door.
| Rey Lopez/Eater D.C.
by Tim Ebner

No matter where people are based in the United States, it’s possible for them to try a D.C. half-smoke from U Street’s legendary Ben’s Chili Bowl, or a smoked brisket sandwich from Wagshal’s Deli, or even a pint of Ice Cream Jubilee’s “Cuppa Joe,” a coffee-flavored ice cream paying homage to our 46th president, Joe Biden. While the COVID-19 pandemic has presented plenty of challenges for D.C. restaurants and bars, it’s also opened up new avenue for business; e-commerce platforms like Goldbelly have helped them expand service to a nationwide customer base.

Whether people are looking to send a care package this Valentine’s Day, or maybe get a taste of home while telecommuting from far away, these shops quickly deliver. They’ll pick, pack, and ship a box of treats in as little as 24 hours in some cases.

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Wagshal's Market

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This upper Northwest butcher shop and deli maintains a national presence thanks to its partnership with Goldbelly. A two-pack of prime-smoked brisket sandwiches costs $69 and comes with six slices of Rye bread for a build-your-own double deckers. The sandwiches arrive unassembled on ice packs.

4845 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016
(202) 363-0777
(202) 363-0777
Photo: Wagshal’s

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Sticky Fingers Sweets & Eats

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This vegan-friendly Columbia Heights bakery sells cookie-brownie combo pack for $55, along with cookie sandwiches and DIY-cake, cupcake, and brownie mixes to bake at home.

1370 Park Rd NW, Washington, DC 20010
(202) 299-9700
(202) 299-9700
Photo: Sticky Fingers Sweets & Eats

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Ben's Chili Bowl

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A Ben’s half-smoke is one of the District’s signature food items. Both sausages and chili arrive packed and frozen for national mailing orders — the starter pack of eight half-smokes and chili sauce is $39. And don’t forget dessert. Owner Virginia Ali’s banana pudding is on sale for $35.

1213 U St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 667-0909
(202) 667-0909
Ben’s Chili Bowl DC half-smoke

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Service Bar DC

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This unpretentious U Street cocktail bar recently rolled out its e-commerce site selling pre-batched cocktails ready to pour over ice. Drinks are available coast-to-coast, excluding 10 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Iowa, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Rhode Island, Utah, and Wisconsin. The staff favorite cocktail box is $62 and includes carbonated and refreshing drinks: Baked Apple & Pear Gin & Tonic, Rosé All Day, and Italian Bubble Coat. There are six bottles and 12 servings total.

926-928 U St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 462-7232
(202) 462-7232
Photo: Service Bar

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Ice Cream Jubilee

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Ice Cream Jubilee works with Goldbelly to ship pints of ice cream overnight on dry ice. For the Inauguration of President Joe Biden — a devoted ice cream lover — there is a four-pack option ($95) that includes vanilla chocolate chip, rosé sorbet, Cuppa Joe (coffee ice cream made to honor President Biden), cardamom Amaretto, and two walnut chocolate chip cookie dough balls ready to heat up in the oven.

1407 T St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 299-9042
(202) 299-9042

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La Bodega

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La Bodega, the weekend bakery run out of Compass Rose by James Beard-nominated pastry chef Paola Velez, offers packing and shipping for merch and a few baked items. Tins of soft 6-inch rum cakes (chocolate or golden vanilla pound cake; $45) come soaked in the sweet spirit and scented with whole spices like cinnamon sticks and cloves. Thick ’em cookies come in flavors like chocolate chip, cranberry raspberry white chocolate, or noir. — Gabe Hiatt

1346 T St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 506-4765
(202) 506-4765
La Bodega [official]

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Republic Restoratives Distillery and Craft Cocktail Bar

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The woman-owned distillery in Ivy City has a robust online shopping site that delivers Civic Vodka, Purpose Rye, and Borough Bourbon nationwide. A limited-batch of “Madam” Whiskey, honoring Vice President Kamala Harris, which already sold out on the Made in DC online shop. Shipping is not available for Alaska, Arkansas, Georgia, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

1369 New York Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 733-3996
(202) 733-3996

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ANXO Cidery & Pintxos Bar

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The most fun and interactive shipment you can send to a friend or loved one is this D.C. cider company’s sampler pack, with a virtual tasting included. Anxo sends a pack of sugar-free, dry ciders. Co-founder Sam Fitz hosts guided tastings that walk through the process of cider-making, the apples used, and fermentation techniques. Each reservation includes a URL to a Zoom tasting and a mixed 12-pack of 12 ounce cans, for $46.97. See the list of states that accept Anxo shipments here.

300 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 986-3795
(202) 986-3795

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Compass Coffee

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Work-from-home setups result in a lot more at-home coffee brewing. D.C. roastery Compass Coffee’s online retail shop sells beans by the jar- or bag-full. The shop recently rolled out K-Cups and capsules, too. Compass ships to all U.S. states and territories, and standard shipping is free on orders above $25.

1535 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 746-5510
(202) 746-5510
Compass Coffee DC crew

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RĀKO Coffee

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You can find brews this Northern Virginia roasting company in D.C. at its pop-up inside Oyster Oyster, in Shaw, or served by the drip at ChiKo’s I Egg You. Its website lets customers shop for beans or buy a subscription as part of a “roaster’s choice” membership. Coffee beans are roasted to order and ship within 48 hours of the roast date.

1440 8th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
Photo: RĀKO Coffee

Dog Tag Bakery

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Dog Tag Bakery is a business school as much as a business, connecting veterans, military spouses, and caregivers to jobs, including at its retail shop in Georgetown. Ordering gift boxes online is an easy way to support the bakery through the pandemic. The site has gift box sets, bake-at-home kits, and baked good subscription options filled with brownies, cookies, macaroons and more.

3206 Grace St NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 407-9609
(202) 407-9609
Photo: Dog Tag Bakery

Also featured in:

Dolcezza Gelato & Coffee

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Rich, smooth gelato from Dolcezza’s Union Market factory goes quickly on Goldbelly. The site sells four pints of gelato ($79) for next-day shipping on dry ice.

904 Palmer Alley NW, Washington, DC 20268
(202) 733-2879
(202) 733-2879
Dolcezza
Photo: Dolcezza
Photo: R. Lopez

Also featured in:

Rappahannock Oyster Bar (Wharf)

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You can get shucking at home with Rappahannock Oyster Bar’s sweet, mild or briny Chesapeake oysters available by the 25 count at the online shop. In addition to oysters, Rappahannock also ships clams and sauces and condiments, like a smoked chipotle BBQ butter. Shelled oysters and pints or quarts of shucked oysters are packed in mesh bags in temperature-controlled boxes that hold at 45 degrees for up to 48 hours.

1150 Maine Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024
(202) 484-0572
(202) 484-0572

Also featured in:

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Wagshal's Market

4845 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016

This upper Northwest butcher shop and deli maintains a national presence thanks to its partnership with Goldbelly. A two-pack of prime-smoked brisket sandwiches costs $69 and comes with six slices of Rye bread for a build-your-own double deckers. The sandwiches arrive unassembled on ice packs.

4845 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016
(202) 363-0777
(202) 363-0777
Photo: Wagshal’s

Sticky Fingers Sweets & Eats

1370 Park Rd NW, Washington, DC 20010

This vegan-friendly Columbia Heights bakery sells cookie-brownie combo pack for $55, along with cookie sandwiches and DIY-cake, cupcake, and brownie mixes to bake at home.

1370 Park Rd NW, Washington, DC 20010
(202) 299-9700
(202) 299-9700
Photo: Sticky Fingers Sweets & Eats

Ben's Chili Bowl

1213 U St NW, Washington, DC 20009

A Ben’s half-smoke is one of the District’s signature food items. Both sausages and chili arrive packed and frozen for national mailing orders — the starter pack of eight half-smokes and chili sauce is $39. And don’t forget dessert. Owner Virginia Ali’s banana pudding is on sale for $35.

1213 U St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 667-0909
(202) 667-0909
Ben’s Chili Bowl DC half-smoke

Service Bar DC

926-928 U St NW, Washington, DC 20001

This unpretentious U Street cocktail bar recently rolled out its e-commerce site selling pre-batched cocktails ready to pour over ice. Drinks are available coast-to-coast, excluding 10 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Iowa, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Rhode Island, Utah, and Wisconsin. The staff favorite cocktail box is $62 and includes carbonated and refreshing drinks: Baked Apple & Pear Gin & Tonic, Rosé All Day, and Italian Bubble Coat. There are six bottles and 12 servings total.

926-928 U St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 462-7232
(202) 462-7232
Photo: Service Bar

Ice Cream Jubilee

1407 T St NW, Washington, DC 20009

Ice Cream Jubilee works with Goldbelly to ship pints of ice cream overnight on dry ice. For the Inauguration of President Joe Biden — a devoted ice cream lover — there is a four-pack option ($95) that includes vanilla chocolate chip, rosé sorbet, Cuppa Joe (coffee ice cream made to honor President Biden), cardamom Amaretto, and two walnut chocolate chip cookie dough balls ready to heat up in the oven.

1407 T St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 299-9042
(202) 299-9042

La Bodega

1346 T St NW, Washington, DC 20009

La Bodega, the weekend bakery run out of Compass Rose by James Beard-nominated pastry chef Paola Velez, offers packing and shipping for merch and a few baked items. Tins of soft 6-inch rum cakes (chocolate or golden vanilla pound cake; $45) come soaked in the sweet spirit and scented with whole spices like cinnamon sticks and cloves. Thick ’em cookies come in flavors like chocolate chip, cranberry raspberry white chocolate, or noir. — Gabe Hiatt

1346 T St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 506-4765
(202) 506-4765
La Bodega [official]

Republic Restoratives Distillery and Craft Cocktail Bar

1369 New York Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002

The woman-owned distillery in Ivy City has a robust online shopping site that delivers Civic Vodka, Purpose Rye, and Borough Bourbon nationwide. A limited-batch of “Madam” Whiskey, honoring Vice President Kamala Harris, which already sold out on the Made in DC online shop. Shipping is not available for Alaska, Arkansas, Georgia, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

1369 New York Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 733-3996
(202) 733-3996

ANXO Cidery & Pintxos Bar

300 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001

The most fun and interactive shipment you can send to a friend or loved one is this D.C. cider company’s sampler pack, with a virtual tasting included. Anxo sends a pack of sugar-free, dry ciders. Co-founder Sam Fitz hosts guided tastings that walk through the process of cider-making, the apples used, and fermentation techniques. Each reservation includes a URL to a Zoom tasting and a mixed 12-pack of 12 ounce cans, for $46.97. See the list of states that accept Anxo shipments here.

300 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 986-3795
(202) 986-3795

Compass Coffee

1535 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001

Work-from-home setups result in a lot more at-home coffee brewing. D.C. roastery Compass Coffee’s online retail shop sells beans by the jar- or bag-full. The shop recently rolled out K-Cups and capsules, too. Compass ships to all U.S. states and territories, and standard shipping is free on orders above $25.

1535 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 746-5510
(202) 746-5510
Compass Coffee DC crew

RĀKO Coffee

1440 8th St NW, Washington, DC 20001

You can find brews this Northern Virginia roasting company in D.C. at its pop-up inside Oyster Oyster, in Shaw, or served by the drip at ChiKo’s I Egg You. Its website lets customers shop for beans or buy a subscription as part of a “roaster’s choice” membership. Coffee beans are roasted to order and ship within 48 hours of the roast date.

1440 8th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
Photo: RĀKO Coffee

Dog Tag Bakery

3206 Grace St NW, Washington, DC 20007

Dog Tag Bakery is a business school as much as a business, connecting veterans, military spouses, and caregivers to jobs, including at its retail shop in Georgetown. Ordering gift boxes online is an easy way to support the bakery through the pandemic. The site has gift box sets, bake-at-home kits, and baked good subscription options filled with brownies, cookies, macaroons and more.

3206 Grace St NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 407-9609
(202) 407-9609
Photo: Dog Tag Bakery

Dolcezza Gelato & Coffee

904 Palmer Alley NW, Washington, DC 20268

Rich, smooth gelato from Dolcezza’s Union Market factory goes quickly on Goldbelly. The site sells four pints of gelato ($79) for next-day shipping on dry ice.

904 Palmer Alley NW, Washington, DC 20268
(202) 733-2879
(202) 733-2879
Dolcezza
Photo: Dolcezza
Photo: R. Lopez

Rappahannock Oyster Bar (Wharf)

1150 Maine Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024

You can get shucking at home with Rappahannock Oyster Bar’s sweet, mild or briny Chesapeake oysters available by the 25 count at the online shop. In addition to oysters, Rappahannock also ships clams and sauces and condiments, like a smoked chipotle BBQ butter. Shelled oysters and pints or quarts of shucked oysters are packed in mesh bags in temperature-controlled boxes that hold at 45 degrees for up to 48 hours.

1150 Maine Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024
(202) 484-0572
(202) 484-0572

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