Favorite places to eat while in town for Homecoming
By Kelvin Childs
Food is a big part of Homecoming fun. Several cool spots in the vicinity of Howard’s main campus offer a variety of eats, from upscale dining to casual meals. Here are a few popular choices.
1942 Lounge (https://www.1942loungedc.com/)
Location: 1942 U Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
Phone: 202-643-8751
1942 Lounge, co-owned by Howard alumna Shavonne Holman (B.S. ’12) and business partner BenG, offers great vibes and cool music. The main bar provides craft and signature cocktails, and the kitchen serves upscale comfort food.
Ben’s Chili Bowl (https://www.benschilibowl.com/)
Location: 1213 U Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
Phone: 202-667-0909
Other Locations: https://www.benschilibowl.com/locations
Founded by Howard alumnus Mahaboob Ben Ali (B.S. ’55) and his wife Virginia Ali in 1958, Ben’s Chili Bowi is legendary for its signature chili and its half-smoke sausage sandwiches. A popular gathering spot for celebrities for decades, Ben’s Chili Bowl has branched out to other sites.
Ben’s Next Door (https://www.bensnextdoor.com/)
Location: 1211 U Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
Phone: (202) 793-8696
Where Ben’s Chili Bowl offers quality diner fare, sister site Ben’s Next Door, launched in 2008, is a bit more upscale. There’s a bar, daily specials including alcohol beverages, and meals including burgers, chicken and seafood.
Bukom Café (https://bukomcaferestaurantdc.com/)
Since 1992, Bukom Café provides West African dishes inspired from several locales on the continent, as well as handcrafted cocktails and a live performance space.
Location: 2442 18th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
Phone: 202-265-4600
Busboys and Poets (https://www.busboysandpoets.com/)
A cool spot for breakfast, lunch and dinner, drinks and books, Busboys and Poets is more than a place for meals; it’s a place to be.
Location: 2021 14th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
Phone: 202-387-7638
Other Locations: https://www.busboysandpoets.com/locations/
NuVegan Café (https://www.nuvegancafe.com/)
Since 2008, NuVegan Café took a new look at comfort food and makes popular favorites in a plant-based way.
Location: 1369 New York Avenue NE, Washington, DC 20002 (pick up and delivery only)
Other Locations: https://www.nuvegancafe.com/store-locations
Phone: 202-779-1054
Oohh’s & Aahh’s (https://oohhsnaahhs.com/)
With chicken, seafood, and brunch options, Oooh’s & Aaah’s has been serving up flavorful soul food since 2003.
Locations: 1005 U Street NW, Washington, DC 20001 (pickup and delivery only)
Phone: 202-667-7142
Roaming Rooster (https://www.roamingroosterdc.com/)
Nearly all of Roaming Rooster’s comfort food is halal (except for bacon as an add-on, cooked and stored separately). Its chicken is halal, antibiotic-free, grain-fed, and free-ranged.
Location: 1301 U Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
Phone: (202) 808-2993
Other Locations: https://www.roamingroosterdc.com/locations-and-hours/
The World Famous Florida Avenue Grill (https://www.floridaavenuegrill.com/)
Established in 1944, Florida Avenue Grill proudly claims to be the oldest soul food restaurant in the world, serving all-day breakfast and all-day lunch.
Location: 1100 Florida Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009
Phone: 202-265-1586