Founding Farmers, Washington. D.C.

Finding traditional Southern American food in Washington, D.C., isn’t as easy as it sounds, so it’s always a delight to stumble on a place like Founding Farmers. The restaurant serves up traditional fare like hash, cornbread and all the fixings and has steadily become a local favorite over the years.

A friend and I went for breakfast one morning before hopping a flight home. Having grown up in the South, I miss the food tremendously in SoCal, and this was a much needed reprieve.

© Founding Farmers | Flickr.jpg

I had the fried green tomatoes, of course, and they were about as spot on as they get. The cornbread was also delicious, though slightly stiff. Slathering them in butter made them moist again, though.

My friend had the waffles. To be honest, they were kind of burnt and certainly nothing to write home about. I’ve always felt waffles were hard to mess up, but I guess the chef was off his game that morning.

© Founding Farmers | Flickr

The location is so close to the White House that traffic can be a nightmare and it’s always loaded with tourists. They also seemed to be going for some sort of modern farmhouse look that didn’t really work. When I’m having traditional American, I want to feel like I’m down home in the South, not in a place trying to mimic New York City.

Service, however, was pretty good for such a busy place. Out waiter was pleasant, fast and attentive and we left him a sizeable tip he definitely earned. Overall, I’d definitely go back for another helping of fried green tomatoes. Just avoid the waffles.

Founding Farmers

1924 Pennsylvania Ave NW

Washington, DC 20006

202 822 8783