It doesn't get much busier than Whole Foods at Foggy Bottom. Expect long lines to pay for your groceries, and more than a bit of luck finding a seat during the lunch or dinner rush. Lucky for me, I came in only for a hot Burger and Fries from WF's Prepared Foods area in the back.
Ordering is a breeze, thanks to a row of order kiosks. You can even pay for your food at the kiosk, leaving you with only a short wait for your food to be prepared. Once your name is announced, you can pick up your order at the appropriate station; but color me impressed at their text message notification, which allowed me to stake out a hard-to-find table beforehand. Even though she was busy, the woman who assembled my order stopped to say hello and wish me well. Bravo!
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| French Fries |
Prices are quite reasonable, almost in line with the nearby cafeteria at George Washington University Hospital (but demonstrably tastier.) A double patty burger with raw onions and tomatoes cost only $6, while an order of Hand-cut Fries set me back an additional two bucks. FYI, you can outfit your burgers anyway you like 'em... on the aforementioned kiosk. Burgers are cooked WELL-DONE, which is OK but not ideal: It would be great to be able to customize doneness in the future. In regards to taste, it reminded me a little of Five Guys (right down to its aluminum foil wrapping.) No complaints.
The fries (skin on) looked amazing but lacked seasoning. They were also a little overdone, and miles from crispy. Still, for only $2, it's hard to complain too much. Besides, isn't that what ketchup is for?
Dining in, is far from comfortable... especially at 12:30 on a weekday afternoon. The front of house is very, very loud; and there are lots of people pushing/rushing by your seat. Proceed with caution.
Would I order the same thing again? Sure, why not. It's hard to beat the price; and the food quality is good, not great. It's not as good as Bobby's Burger Palace or BTS (both, less than a couple of blocks away) but it sure is convenient. Sounds good to me.
Atmosphere: D (Crowded and loud. Order "take away" if possible.)
Burger: B- (Double patties, generous toppings.)
Fries: C (Good looks, average taste. Grab a salt packet.)
Service: B (Kiosk is easy-to-navigate and efficient. Nice cooks.)
Value: B
Overall: B-/C+ (C+ if you eat in, B- to go.)
