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Here are D.C.'s 25 Iconic Meat Dishes

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What meat-based dishes are really symbolic of D.C.? Whether it be dishes that reflects the city's international population, mascot-style dishes like the Ben's half-smoke, or immensely popular items like the Ray's Hell Burger, there was no lack of meaty favorites to choose from for this feature. For the sake of narrowing the field, this dish forsakes chicken and seafood in favor of truly meaty items like beef, lamb and pork. Have another suggestion for an iconic D.C. meat dish? Share it in the comments.

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Ray’s³ [Ray's To The Third]

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The Dish: The original Hell Burger
The first Hell Burger location, as well as its offshoot spin-off, have both closed. But the burger itself lives on at Ray's to the Third in Arlington.

Ben's Chili Bowl

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The dish: Half-smoke with chili
The half-smoke is D.C.'s mascot dish, and no one makes a more iconic one than Ben's.

Dino's Grotto

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The dish: Wild Boar ‘Cinghiale’
Dino's beloved wild boar pasta has made its way onto the Dino's Grotto menu.

Duplex Diner

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The dish: Meatloaf
Perhaps D.C.'s most famous meatloaf, the dish draws regulars to the Adams Morgan diner.

Little Serow

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The dish Si Krong Moo (pork ribs)
These Asian pork ribs have been on the menu at Little Serow since the beginning.

Meaza Restaurant & Market

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The dish: Regular kitfo
This dish is a signature on most Ethiopian menus, and Meaza is a destination spot for raw meat items.

Fast Gourmet

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The dish: The Chivito
Late night diners seek out this multi-meat sandwich in a converted gas station.

Mangialardo & Sons

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The dish: The G-Man
This classic Italian sandwich, piled high with meat, is the signature dish at this longtime D.C. institution.

Ravi Kabob House

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The dish: Lamb kabob
Ravi Kabob is one of the most popular destinations in the area for kabobs (so much that they've expanded to multiple locations) and the lamb kabob consistently delivers.

Hill Country Barbecue Market

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The dish: Moist brisket
Texas-style brisket can be hard to find in D.C. but Hill Country is a consistent source for the juicy meat.

The dish: Jamón ibérico de bellota Fermín
Jose Andres was instrumental in bringing this prized Spanish ham to D.C.

Pho 75

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The dish: Pho #1
D.C. residents can argue over who serves the best Pho in the area, but the conversation isn't complete without at least considering Pho 75.

Le Diplomate

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The dish: Steak frites
DC has a surprising number of restaurants serving up the dish, but Le Diplomate's version has been a hit since the restaurant's opening.

DGS Delicatessen

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The dish: Reuben
This sandwich spot (which also makes a mean pastrami) delivers on this corned beef combination.

Bourbon Steak Washington DC

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The dish: Prime dry-aged steak burger
One of D.C.'s most expensive burgers is also one of its best.

The dish: Roasted goat shoulder
The goat is frequently the grand finale for the tasting menu at Komi.

Honey Pig Gooldaegee Korean Grill

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The dish: Pork belly (Korean bbq)
Diners customize their own tableside barbecue at Honey Pig, but it's pretty likely that pork belly will end up making an appearance.

Red Apron Butchery

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The dish: Porkstrami
Red Apron has several popular sandwiches, and the porkstrami has a particular cult following.

The Passenger

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The dish: Pork cheek nachos
The Passenger's food menu is pretty limited, but these nachos are among the standouts.

Stachowski Meats & Deli

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The dish: Pastrami
It's almost hard to pick a signature dish from Stachowski's, which also excels at sausages and other sandwiches, but the pastrami is a definite favorite.

Prime Rib

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The dish: Prime Rib
This old school DC classic restaurant is the place to get the eponymous dish.

La Caraqueña

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The dish: JP's favorite
La Caraquena is known for its arepas, and this one is stuffed with steak, peppers and onions.

Toki Underground

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The dish:Toki classic ramen
Customers will wait in hours to get a seat at this tiny restaurant, known for its ramen.

Matchbox Vintage Pizza Bistro

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The dish: Miniburgers
Ordered by the number (3, 6 or 9), these miniburgers are DC's most famous, topped with a huge portion of onion straws.

Ray's The Steaks

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The dish: Hanger steak
Ray's is one of D.C.'s most affordable destinations for steak (and the meat's still stellar).

Ray’s³ [Ray's To The Third]

The Dish: The original Hell Burger
The first Hell Burger location, as well as its offshoot spin-off, have both closed. But the burger itself lives on at Ray's to the Third in Arlington.

Ben's Chili Bowl

The dish: Half-smoke with chili
The half-smoke is D.C.'s mascot dish, and no one makes a more iconic one than Ben's.

Dino's Grotto

The dish: Wild Boar ‘Cinghiale’
Dino's beloved wild boar pasta has made its way onto the Dino's Grotto menu.

Duplex Diner

The dish: Meatloaf
Perhaps D.C.'s most famous meatloaf, the dish draws regulars to the Adams Morgan diner.

Little Serow

The dish Si Krong Moo (pork ribs)
These Asian pork ribs have been on the menu at Little Serow since the beginning.

Meaza Restaurant & Market

The dish: Regular kitfo
This dish is a signature on most Ethiopian menus, and Meaza is a destination spot for raw meat items.

Fast Gourmet

The dish: The Chivito
Late night diners seek out this multi-meat sandwich in a converted gas station.

Mangialardo & Sons

The dish: The G-Man
This classic Italian sandwich, piled high with meat, is the signature dish at this longtime D.C. institution.

Ravi Kabob House

The dish: Lamb kabob
Ravi Kabob is one of the most popular destinations in the area for kabobs (so much that they've expanded to multiple locations) and the lamb kabob consistently delivers.

Hill Country Barbecue Market

The dish: Moist brisket
Texas-style brisket can be hard to find in D.C. but Hill Country is a consistent source for the juicy meat.

Jaleo

The dish: Jamón ibérico de bellota Fermín
Jose Andres was instrumental in bringing this prized Spanish ham to D.C.

Pho 75

The dish: Pho #1
D.C. residents can argue over who serves the best Pho in the area, but the conversation isn't complete without at least considering Pho 75.

Le Diplomate

The dish: Steak frites
DC has a surprising number of restaurants serving up the dish, but Le Diplomate's version has been a hit since the restaurant's opening.

DGS Delicatessen

The dish: Reuben
This sandwich spot (which also makes a mean pastrami) delivers on this corned beef combination.

Bourbon Steak Washington DC

The dish: Prime dry-aged steak burger
One of D.C.'s most expensive burgers is also one of its best.

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Komi

The dish: Roasted goat shoulder
The goat is frequently the grand finale for the tasting menu at Komi.

Honey Pig Gooldaegee Korean Grill

The dish: Pork belly (Korean bbq)
Diners customize their own tableside barbecue at Honey Pig, but it's pretty likely that pork belly will end up making an appearance.

Red Apron Butchery

The dish: Porkstrami
Red Apron has several popular sandwiches, and the porkstrami has a particular cult following.

The Passenger

The dish: Pork cheek nachos
The Passenger's food menu is pretty limited, but these nachos are among the standouts.

Stachowski Meats & Deli

The dish: Pastrami
It's almost hard to pick a signature dish from Stachowski's, which also excels at sausages and other sandwiches, but the pastrami is a definite favorite.

Prime Rib

The dish: Prime Rib
This old school DC classic restaurant is the place to get the eponymous dish.