Washington, DC is a city of transplants and it's food scene reflects that beautifully. Half-smokes from Ben's Chilli Bowl, Ehtiopian Injera from the U Street corridor, Pupusas from Columbia heights and Senate Bean Soup served up for 100+ years.
The District of Columbia is not only home to the federal government, but a collision of food ways, cultures and budgets. It's home to Mambo Sauce, Senate Bean Soup and the famous Half-Smoke. The Gin Rickey was created at a bar in the late 1880s. The District has been through it all. It's was home to a growing freed black population after the civil war, wealthy aristocrats and everything in between. The freed blacks brought along with them foodways from West Africa and plantations adding to the culture of 'soul food' with such landmark restaratants like "Florida Avenue Grill"
In the 1980s and 90's waves of Ethiopian's and Salvadoran's decided to call DC home. Throughout the U-street corridor and Columbia Heights, small pupusarias and Ethiopian Markets serving up Injera can be found. One of my favorite places is 'Ice-n-Slice' an ice cream and ethiopian Pizza joint owned by the same family that has run 'heat da spot for decades.'
If you ever have the chance to visit, I hope you leave the national mall area and explore more of what the city has to offer.