Washington D.C.'s Best BBQ Restaurant: Old Glory

I absolutely LOVE Old Glory. To tell you the truth, I can't remember the first time I went there, but I know it was during my Freshman year at The George Washington University in Washington, DC. After my first taste of the down-home, Southern-style food, I brought all of my friends throughout the rest of college. Whenever my family came to visit, Old Glory was where we went for dinner. My sister, who followed me to GW, took me there for my 21st birthday. Even when I go now, nearly 10 years after sampling the culinary heaven known as Old Glory, I still return every time I visit DC.

The atmosphere is very casual, so you don't need to get dressed up to go. As a matter of fact, the food is so messy, you'll want to dress in jeans. The decor of the restaurant echoes the BBQ theme: exposed brick, wooden floors, paper table covers... You get the idea.

Most of the food (at least, my favorite food) is pretty messy - I HIGHLY recommend the "Falling off the Bone Baby Back Ribs" - so you want to be pretty careful with wearing long, loose sleeves. The servers are all dressed comfortably in jeans and T-shirts, and are all very friendly. Even thought Old Glory is located in Georgetown, you don't have to dress like a yuppy to fit in there. As a matter of fact, if you dress in a suit and tie, you'll be the one that stands out!

Like I said, the food at Old Glory is AWESOME. It's totally worth the moderate price. And, if you're budget-minded, you and your friend can always order a full rack of ribs and share. For sides, I recommend their mashed potatoes and gravy, cole slaw, and baked beans. Their corn bread, which they automatically serve first, is absolutely to die for. If you're not into cornbread, you can partake in the fresh homemade biscuits that come in the same basket. If you don't like ribs, there are other entrees to choose from, too: steaks, chicken (though sometimes dry), lamb... You will be sure to find something that you will enjoy.

Vegetariand beware, though. There isn't a very big selection for you, if a selection at all. Then again, a vegetarian in a BBQ joint is sort of like a fish out of water... I don't think Old Glory is a place a vegetarian would want to go for dinenr. The bar, perhaps, but not for their meal.

Reservations aren't necessary, especially since they aren't taken. On the weekends, the wait for the food is pretty long (about 1/2 an hour), but there is so much going on in the restaurant that you don't even notice. You're always bound to wind up talking to someone there, too. The bar is constantly packed, especially when there is some sort of sports game on television.

There are tables on the first floor. These tables are usually noisiest, as they are right near the bar. It's not a very large restaurant, so you'll hear noise regardless of where you are seated. Personally, I prefer the small dining area upstairs. It's just a little quieter and more intimate. It's much easier to carry on a conversation up there!

There desserts are pretty good, although I got sick from the Key Lime Pie. (Then again, maybe it wasn't a good idea to eat that before I started drinking on my 21st birthday.) For kids, there is always Worms & Dirt-- Some sort of chocolate cookie pudding with gummy worms. And, if you don't like their desserts, there's a Ben & Jerry's right next door.

After dinner, you're given tootsie roll lollipops and wet-naps to clean your hands. If you go to the bathroom, there's a little mouthwash dispenser, too!

Old Glory is awesome. It's excellent reputation is well-deserved. Take a stroll down M Street the next time you find yourself in Georgetown and stop into Old Glory for a laid-back meal. You'll be glad you did.