Senate Bean Soup: The Most Consistent Part of Congress Since 1906
Does Senate Bean Soup live up to the hype? Why has it been the most consistent thing in congress since 1906?
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 along 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. In the 1980s and 90's waves of Ethiopian's and Salvadoran's decided to call DC home.
Food History & Culture
DC is home to 40+ Michelin awarded, restaurants, dozens of James Beard Award finalists, and only 600K full time residents. At the same time, it's home to a long-standing 'carryout culture.' How does a place so small have such a concentration of culinary talent?
In the mid to late 1800's, a restaurant's quality was determined by how good its turtle soup was. Terrapin Soup, now known as turtle soup, was all the rage. Its even said that President Lincoln ate a bowl of it on the eve of his inauguration.