9.28.15 26

Carpe DC Food Tours

It’s no secret I love playing tourist, especially in my own city. So when Carpe DC Food Tours reached out to me to take a food tour around the U Street and Shaw Neighborhood, you know my immediate response was hell yes. 

After an easy booking process online, this past Saturday, Monica and I spent the day eating and drinking our way through two popular up-and-coming neighborhoods in Washington, DC: U Street and Shaw. Let’s just say this was definitely the most educational and fun way to hair the dog I’ve ever had.

DC readers—I’ve done all the tours. The Duck Tour. The jump-on-and-off Big Bus tour. The self-guided Smithsonian tour. This one was by far my favorite—and not just because booze was involved—but because it covered a history of DC that is often overlooked: one that shows how everyday citizens have lived in this city I call home.

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Our first stop on the tour was Ben’s Next Door on U Street. When we arrived, we were greeted by Stefan, who runs Carpe DC Food Tours along with his wife, Mary. Over chili cheese fries and a half smoke from Ben’s Chili Bowl—which, you guessed it—right next door, Stefan told us about the history of this DC establishment, which is a personal favorite for late night. Complimenting our delicious, hearty food was a glass of beer from local brewery, DC Brau.

carpe dc food tours review

Between each stop on the tour, Stefan, who is working towards his PhD in archaeology, gave us so much knowledge about the history of the neighborhood we were in.

On U Street, he focused on how the 1968 riots during the Civil Rights Movement still shape a lot of the history in the neighborhood today. This history was particularly interesting to me, as I usually just hurry through the U Street neighborhood off to bars or to my former spin studio, without giving too much thought to how its changed with the arrival of more young professionals and development dollars over the past decade.

(I won’t give away all the facts though—you’ll have to take the tour yourself to get the whole story!)

carpe dc food tours review

carpe dc food tours review

The second stop on the tour was EatonvilleThis was by far my favorite stop on the tour, as the restaurant decor was gorgeous and the food was even better.

Named after Zora Neale Hurston’s hometown in Florida—you might know her as the author of Their Eyes Were Watching God—we enjoyed their version of a fried green tomato while Stefan told us about Hurston’s friendship with Langston Hughes. The restaurant actually sits close to popular local restaurant Bus Boys and Poets, named for Hughes, which is a nod to their friendship—and fun fact to whip out at your next U Street happy hour.

carpe dc food tours review

Now, a few years ago I would have been skeptical of gas station food. But my favorite sandwich shop in Charlottesville, Bellair, is located in an Exxon, so when Stefan lead us to Fast Gourmet, I knew we were in for a real treat.

We ordered corn empanadas, but you really can’t go wrong here. (José Andrés once came here and ordered everything on the menu!)

While eating our empanadas on the walk over to Shaw, Stefan gave us a great overview of the neighborhood, including the history behind DC alleys, the only art moderne building in the city, the ever-popular 9:30 Club, and the African American Civil War Memorial near the U Street Metro.

carpe dc food tours review

carpe dc food tours review

After the 45-minute walk into Shaw, Monica and I were ready for more food. We popped into Etete, known as the best Ethiopian restaurant in the city. That honor says a lot because Washington, DC has the largest Ethiopian population outside of Ethiopia!

We enjoyed some of their traditional cuisine paired with Ethiopian honey wine before heading out again to get a better feel for the Shaw neighborhood.

carpe dc food tours review

Our second-to-last stop was a much-welcomed caffeine stop at Compass Coffee DC. Neither Monica nor I drink coffee, but the ice tea we sipped on for the remainder of the tour was the perfect afternoon pick-me-up.

If you’re ever in the neighborhood, this coffee shop is definitely worth a visit. I could see myself blogging there for an afternoon while enjoying the upbeat vibe of the neighborhood. They also color-code all their coffee beans by region of the world, so my OCD side was absolutely grinning.

carpe dc food tours review

carpe dc food tours review

After a stop at the Howard Theatre, we ended the tour with some tea and cookies at Calabash Tea & Tonic. I left the tour full and happy, and excited to have learned so much about my city in a short afternoon.

So, if you consider yourself a DC foodie, or are just looking to escape the usual tourist traps when you’re here or have guest in town, I’d highly recommend Carpe DC Food Tours. Of course, don’t forget to wear comfortable shoes because you’ll definitely be earning those Fitbit steps on this one!

carpe dc food tours review

Thanks again to Mary of Carpe DC Food Tours for inviting me, and Stefan for a fabulous tour! If you’re interested, they also offer happy hour tours on 14th Street. While I received a complimentary ticket, all opinions here are my own. 

Leave a Comment

26 Comments

  1. Christen wrote:

    Wow, that sounds like a fun (and delicious!) tour!

    Published 9.28.15
    Reply
    • Katie wrote:

      Thanks Christen! It definitely was — would highly recommend if you’re ever in the area.

      Published 9.29.15
      Reply
  2. Emily wrote:

    Ok I need to do this!!! Looks awesome and I love all of those places.

    Published 9.28.15
    Reply
    • Katie wrote:

      Let me know what you think if you do! xx

      Published 9.29.15
      Reply
  3. This looks amazing. And what a gorgeous city too! Now I need to look up how I can recreate it in my city 🙂

    Published 9.28.15
    Reply
    • Katie wrote:

      Yes! I hope they have one where you are :]

      Published 9.29.15
      Reply
  4. I love this kind of lifestyle posts 🙂
    Lovely photos, beautiful buildings, good food and happy people. It makes me go virtually to place I have never been.

    Published 9.28.15
    Reply
    • Katie wrote:

      Thanks lady! I will try to incorporate more :]

      Published 9.29.15
      Reply
  5. Rachel wrote:

    This looks like so much fun! I’ve never done a food tour, but I love food so it’s something I should definitely do asap 🙂

    Published 9.28.15
    Reply
    • Katie wrote:

      Yes! Now that I have been on it, I really think all tours should have food ;]

      Published 9.29.15
      Reply
  6. Looks like some good spots! I’ll have to check them out!

    Xx Taylor
    http://lightscameracatwalk.com

    Published 9.28.15
    Reply
    • Katie wrote:

      Yes, come to DC anytime :]

      Published 9.29.15
      Reply
  7. Kelsey wrote:

    I have yet to visit DC, but I just put this on my must do list! Whenever I travel I am always looking for new ways to discover the city + the must visit restaurants and this tour did it all 🙂

    Kelsey | http://www.abalancingpeach.com

    Published 9.28.15
    Reply
    • Katie wrote:

      Let me know when you do, and I would love to give you some pointers :]

      Published 9.29.15
      Reply
  8. So jealous!

    Published 9.28.15
    Reply
    • Katie wrote:

      You’ll have to come do one! xx

      Published 9.29.15
      Reply
  9. This tour sounds like a lot of fun. I will definitely have to check them out when I decide to head to Washington, D.C. And you know I love all the architecture you’ve shown us so far :). Love this post.

    Kia / KTS
    http://www.houseofkts.com

    Published 9.28.15
    Reply
    • Katie wrote:

      Thanks Kia! YES – so glad you love architecture too :]

      Published 9.29.15
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  10. What an absolutely delicious way to explore the city! And yes, I love being able to go places and hear about how people actually live there…not just tourists!

    Published 9.28.15
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    • Katie wrote:

      Yes! Completely agree :] Hope you can take one sometime. xx

      Published 9.29.15
      Reply
  11. This looks like such a fun way to discover new spots in your own town! I’ve only heard great things about how DC’s food scene is changing.

    Published 9.28.15
    Reply
    • Katie wrote:

      Yes – DC has an awesome, awesome food scene! Come here and have a bite anytime :]

      Published 9.29.15
      Reply
  12. libys11 wrote:

    ooohh totally something I’d be interested in!! 😀

    Have a great week!
    Animated Confessions

    Published 9.28.15
    Reply
    • Katie wrote:

      Hope they have one where you are! xx

      Published 9.29.15
      Reply
  13. How fun! Everything seriously looks so amazing! I can’t get enough of those beautiful colored houses either!

    Annessa
    http://www.seekingsunshine.com

    Published 9.29.15
    Reply
    • Katie wrote:

      Aw thanks lady! Hope you can come here and check it out sometime. xx

      Published 9.29.15
      Reply