bhc Chicken Twitter/X Food Review

5PC (Spicy) Wings combo at bhc Chicken

Korean fried chicken is easier to find than ever, so good doesn’t necessarily cut it anymore. @bhc_official__ recently opened in Ballston & our 1st visit took an extra 15 minutes to start 😠 Once in hand however, positivity took over, 5 stellar wings… big, crunchy, hot 🥵 & loaded with high quality meat. B+ Matcho-King sauce for dipping is little more than a runny soy sauce C- Fries were crispy, hot & super clean (A+ on the oil test) B+ Small soda cups & the aforementioned surprise wait = disappointing. $17.22 for a combo is probably 3 bucks too much, but everyone’s gouging nowadays, right? Crowded for a Saturday late afternoon, so clearly others like it.

Grade: B- (One & done)

Little Beast Cafe & Bistro Twitter/X Retro Food Review

Tomato Bisque at Little Beast Cafe & Bistro

Now That's a Combo

Retro Review (12/30/25) For such a little (pun intended) menu, the folks at @LittleBeastCafe sure know how to please. This end-of-the-year visit featured a break from their standout pizza, but still produced near-orgasmic reactions. Great service ALWAYS, and a to-die-for Tomato Bisque (sans the Grilled Cheese) with equally lethal (in a great way) Classic Buffalo Wings. Said wings (15 bucks) are huge, crispy and chock-full of fleshy, perfectly-cooked meat inside. The buffalo sauce is just the right amount, so as not to overwhelm. A (possibly the best wings in DC.) As for the soup, it demands to be placed on the menu by its lonesome (so everyone can enjoy.) Perfect texture and flavor. A+

Grade: A+

Cosi Twitter/X Food Review

Miso Chili Chicken Crunch Sandwich at Cosi

Another great sandwich at @get_cosi. Ordered the Miso Chili Chicken Crunch Sandwich ($12.99 minus a $5 Monday coupon) and couldn’t be happier. Forgot to select side chips (oops) but the sandwich (roasted chicken thighs, Asian slaw, red chili 🌶️ miso sauce, spicy sriracha mayo & wonton strips) was more than enough for a filling & super-satisfying lunch. Didn’t detect much heat, but the chicken was sensational (as always.) Lots of crunch, and proof that cold sandwiches don’t have to be boring.

Grade: B+

Dave's Hot Chicken Twitter/X Food Review

Dave's #4: 1 Slider with Fries at Dave's Hot Chicken

(Too) long wait at @hotchickendaves but no arguing about taste & value. It starts with a scalding Hot 🥵 10-pc. Dave’s Bites (only $6.99 including bread & pickles) that might render your tastebuds useless for a week. To think there’s 2 levels hotter than hot. Despite the heat, the bites are incredibly flaky inside & literally bursting with flavor. B+ Super filling on its own, but… I was crazy enough to also order the Slider & Fries ($9.99) which could feed 2 people by itself. It comes with a mini mountain of pickles B and a generous portion of sublime crinkle (seasoned) fries B+ and an enormous slider that closer resembles a burger. It’s slathered in Dave’s sauce & served atop a bed of crunchy kale slaw (& more pickles, of course.) I couldn’t finish 1/2 of it, but not for a lack of effort. I simply couldn’t handle the heat anymore. It’s still a solid B, but one has to be careful not to order too much. Drink-wise, Dave’s is known for its Slushers, but I opted for a $4.69 Strawberry 🍓 Shake instead. It was too thick to start, but eventually became manageable (not to mention delicious!) Another B. I have a feeling my next order will be better (with Mild sauce) but as is, a super strong B overall.

Grade: B (Too bad about the wait.)

Colada Shop Twitter/X Food review

Colada Shop's Empanada Duo

Lots to like at @Coladashop, including our new pick for DMV’s best muffin (Carrot Pineapple, $4.45) moist as Mawsynram, India and so tasty, you might complain that it’s (only) seasonal. A+ Their $9 Empanada Duo (Chorizo/Carrot & Picadillo) is just as good, but more tender than crunchy. A- Absolutely delicious 😋. Yuca Fries are tasty but you only get 5 for $6.75. Not enough B- Other positives… Crispy Sazón Chicken tenders had a nice tangy bite, but no sauce 😳 B. Plantain Chips were crunchy, lightly salted & plentiful B and that tiny Brownie Bite had me wanting for more (super-soft, very chocolatey.) B+ Nice vibe inside & beautiful people to boot.

Grade: A- 

Wok and Roll Karaoke Twitter/X Food Review

General Tso's Chicken at Wok and Roll Karaoke

I realize that @WokNRollDC is probably best known for karaoke, but I'll take good food over (bad) music any day of the week. Based on my delivery order of General Tso's Chicken ($22.95) Egg Drop Soup ($6.75) and Vegetarian Spring Roll trio ($6.95) they can afford to give their microphones a night (or two) off. The spring rolls are extra large, crazy crispy (even after 30 minutes) and full of tasty fillings. B+ Their egg drop soup, on the other hand was conspicuously bland. I didn't see or taste ginger, green onions or even soy sauce. It was just egg and broth, and I barely finished half of it. D However, this dinner was all about the entree, and Wok & Roll rocked it for sure. If you're hungry, really hungry, this is what you order. You get a ton of chicken, and each piece is to-die-for. Moist inside, crunchy outside, and just the right amount of savory, spicy, sweet sauce to make you pang for more. That said, there's more than enough for me and a competitive eater to share. Great rice too (again, even after half an hour.) A

Grade: B+ (Scratch the soup (or swap it for hot & sour or wonton) and we're talking home runs. As is, a bases-clearing triple. 

wagamama Twitter/X Food Review

Korean Fried Chicken Bao Bun at wagamama

1st visit to @wagamamaUSA & I’m already a fan. Korean Fried Chicken Bao Bun (a steal at $10.50, 2 baos) is a culinary work of art with simple ingredients (green onions, sesame seeds & a sticky Korean BBQ sauce) smothered across a generous-sized fried chicken tender, then tucked inside a fluffy, soft-as-a-pillow bao bun. Seriously, what more do you need? Decidedly Pan-Asian. Decidedly tasty.

Grade: B+ 

Fuku Twitter/X Food Review

Fuku's Tenders & Fries

First time trying Fuku @momofuku chicken at @CapitalOneArena and color me unimpressed. $22 Tenders & Fries tastes like every other tender trio & fries, served in any American arena or stadium 🏟️ (zero taste.) Only difference is waffle fries, which I expected to have "sweet jalapeño" seasoning. Fat chance. Plain & boring. Went back to get them at start of 4th quarter and they were already closed. Bad business. Bad food. Bad review.

Grade: F (22 bucks, no drink?)

Gordon Ramsay Street Burger Food Review

Hell's Kitchen Smash Burger with French Fries at Gordon Ramsay Street Burger

Lost in Transit

Retro Review (1/15/26) Gordon Ramsay and delivery doesn't sound like a marriage made in culinary Heaven, but midday trips to downtown Penn Quarter sometimes require shortcuts. After a successful visit to Gordon Ramsay Street Pizza last May, expectations were high, but DoorDash hasn't figured out time travel yet. Our order arrived at 2:02 PM, way past their promised 1:28-1:47 PM window. Considering we ordered it at 12:43 PM... you can probably guess how this goes (especially after spending almost $40 for a burger, fries and a few wings.) The Hell's Kitchen Smash Burger sounded promising (two double smash patties, Hell's salsa and a spicy tomato chutney) but looked otherwise. Taste was problematic too... bland, cold and dull. D (Must have been better hot.) Fries were skin-on, with salt & pepper, but (also) cold & flimsy. D- Their Wings (6-count) were decidedly nicer, both in appearance and flavor. Slightly cold, they still tasted hotter (G.F.C. sauce is considered mild, but I was impressed) and had plenty of meat. B (Again, probably better fresh.) 

Grade: D+ (It's not Ramsay's fault, but it is what it is. They certainly deserve a second (dine-in) chance.)

Downtowner Delicatessen Cafe Twitter/X Food Review

Crunch Fried Chicken at Downtowner Delicatessen Cafe

Poppabox was around forever (11 years) but its' sudden closure gave way to Downtowner Delicatessen Cafe. An under-the-radar soft opening allowed me to try them out, just before 6 PM. I was the only paying customer, and I ordered online. First impressions? Their name is misspelled in their logo (still not fixed, 6 months later) and they don't know how to cook fried chicken. Not a great start. Affordably priced ($9.54 with fries and a soda) the Crunch Fried Chicken (8 nuggets) was cooked to death, dry & chewy like an old boot. F Fries were better... nicely seasoned, plentiful and well done. B- Six Springrolls were downright cheap (only $3.99) yet chock full of (hot) filling and a nice dipping sauce on the side. One was (still) frozen however, so... only a C+. Super clean inside with cool music (@alessir0se, @maisykay) and a broad menu for such a small space. Close proximity to @GWtweets & @WorldBankGroup warrants a 2nd chance, but the kitchen needs to pay (better) attention.

Grade: D+ (Really bad chicken)

Nando's PERi-PERi (Woodley Park) Food Review II

PERi-PERi Wings at Nando's PERi-PERi

Back at @NandosUSA (Woodley Park) & my only complaint is what took me so long? Quite possibly the most flavorful wings in the DMV (Peri Buffalo) cooked magnificently with visible char. Salty, zesty fries & 2 soft (but scrumptious) slices of garlic bread. Inside? Vibrant Afro-Dancehall mix of music, ft. Jaziel Bros. & Nisha Ts (nice!) and Nando’s always welcoming customer service. If you like your chicken 🍗 with flavor, look 👀 no further.

Grade: A- (unreal wings!)

Wendy's Twitter/X Food Review

Double Stack Combo (& extra, free fries) at Wendy's

Is it just me or has @Wendys changed… for the worst? Once upon a time, their square burgers 🍔 yelled, “Eat me!” Not anymore. It still rates as a great value, led by 🆓 any size 🍟 on Fridays, but the quality offsets even the lowest prices. A Double Stack Combo costs only $6 but includes a double patty burger, Value 🥤 & 🍟 AND a 4 pc. Chicken Nuggets + the aforementioned free Large Fries. Sounds great, right? Wrong. The burger, bun & nuggets were ice cold, my nugget sauce was forgotten, and the fries (like the nuggets) tasted of nothing. And I MEAN nothing. No salt. No taste. Nada x infinity. Toss in eating at 

@UnionStationDC_ and you have a recipe for disaster. Affordable disaster.

Grade: D-

Taco Bell Cantina Twitter/X Food Review II

Spicy Potato Soft Taco & Cinnamon Twists at Taco Bell

The term “hit or miss” often leaps to mind with @tacobell. Perhaps more so than any other fast food establishment. Without question, they’re best in price, as a full meal almost never crosses the $10 barrier (even with a drink & dessert.) Today’s lunch cost a mere $7.92 and included a burrito, taco, drink & an order of Cinnamon Twists. Full tummy? ✅ Winners? My $1.29 Spicy Potato Soft Taco, with pico de galo (an extra $.65) was near-perfect (fried diced potatoes = nice!) B+ and the $2 Mango Peach Refresca B+. In between? Light & airy Cinnamon Twists that are ultra affordable but light on taste as well. B- And then there’s the Cantina Chicken Burrito 🌯 which was on sale for $2 (vs. $6.49) yet still felt overpriced. Dry chicken & zero flavor across the board = no bargain at half the price. D- Bad burrito notwithstanding, it remains a strong value worthy of an overall B. Closer to a hit (than a miss.)

Grade: B

SriPraPhai Twitter/X Food Review

Drunken Noodles with Chicken at SriPraPhai

Where's the Heat?

Weekends are (now) for #Wonder, and that means my first try at SriPraPhai. My Thai barometer? Drunken Noodles with Chicken ($16.95) and the question, “Can I handle the heat 🔥?” Imagine my disappointment when I received cold, sugary sweet chicken with even sweeter noodles (what is that sauce?) I realize we’re almost 9K miles from Thailand, but no reputable Thai restaurant would serve anything like this. It’s still edible, but some/any spice is a must.

Grade: D (Tastebuds not required.)

Mezeh Mediterranean Grill Twitter/X Food Review

Kid Kebab Rice Tray at Mezeh Mediterranean Grill

Kids Kebab Rice Tray ($7.15) & Pickled Turnips ($1.45) at @mezehgrill. Great deal for a supposed “kids” meal, featuring yummy chicken shawarma atop a generous bed of brown basmati rice, with a Turkish side salad 🥗 bursting with flavor and a few (sadly stale) pita chips + some really good hummus. Easily enough food for an adult (even my size.) Be sure to add the Pickled Turnips (shockingly cheap) for even more deliciousness.

Grade: B+ (original post date 9/13/25)

Popeyes Chicken Dippers Twitter/X Food Review

Chicken Dippers at Popeyes

New Chicken Dippers ($4.99) at @Popeyes with BoldBQ sauce. Identical to their scrumptious Tenders, only smaller. I counted 14! B+ Matched with DMV-best Mashed Potatoes & Cajun Gravy (A) & banner Cinnamon Apple 🍏 Pie 🥧 ($1.89 deep-fried & delicious EVERY time, A+) Yes, Popeyes is that good 😋 

Overall Grade: A-

McDonald's Snack Wrap Twitter/X Food Review

Spicy Snack Wrap at McDonald's

That's (Not Much of) a Wrap My first Spicy 🌶️ Snack Wrap at @McDonalds swings and… misses. Nice order taker caught the first error (no cheese) before I did, but sadly doused with ranch sauce instead of the promised Spicy Pepper Sauce. Cold pita bread & not enough lettuce = prolonged disappointment. At least it only cost me $2.99.

Grade: F (Next...)

Spice Kraft Indian Bistro Twitter/X Food Review

Spice Kraft Indian Bistro's Tandoori Chicken Wings

Excellent service & even better food makes Spice Kraft Indian Bistro our choice for Best Indian Restaurant in Virginia. That’s serious praise after only 1 visit, but why delay the inevitable? Dinner with Talia opens with a $5 Naan Flight featuring the best naan bread (flaky, hot, perfect) I’ve ever had, and a trio of sauces that demand to be bottled (saag sauce #1.) Pair that with a @kingfisherworld 🍺 (as good as @Heineken) and you’re halfway to Heaven. Just as tasty? Masala Fries $5.85 cooked in chickpea oil & served with cilantro 🌿 ranch sauce😋 and 5 gorgeous Tandoori Chicken Wings (with mint chutney) for only $9.45. Toss in Talia’s company & it’s a miracle I ever left.

Grade: A+ (Cue many happy returns.)

Raising Cane's Twitter/X Food Review

The 3-Finger Combo at Raising Cane's

First visit to @raisingcanes and I understand (some of) the fuss. Their menu is seriously limited, but their Chicken Fingers ($11.39 for a 3-finger combo) are literally something else... as in A-mazing. Flavorful/tender batter, lots of fleshy, marinated chicken with a uniquely tasty Cane's Sauce A-. Crinkle cut Fries are standard but darn good regardless (especially with the aforementioned Sauce) B. Sadly the Texas Toast was way underdone on one side, resulting in a soggy nothing. Is it that hard to toast bread? F No soda refills is a hiccup too, but I'll be back for seconds (and some of their Coleslaw too.)

Grade: B (The chicken is that good.)

Duke's Counter Twitter/X Food Review II

Fired Up Chicken with Side Fries at Duke's Counter

The Proper Burger at @DukesGrocery is already one of our all-time favorites, so it's no surprise that their Fired Up Chicken ($17) is absolutely scrumptious! Tenders (not a patty) but perfectly drenched with a spicy sauce that makes you cry for more, dressed in crispy romaine lettuce, tomatoes, pickles & garlic aioli, all carefully tucked inside a branded/toasted brioche bun. Messy & awesome A- Side Fries ($4) are plentiful, hot & worth upgrading to a large next time. B+ And trust me, there will be a next time... soon!

Grade: A-