The team behind Matchbox and Ted’s Bulletin have another crowd-pleaser in DC-3, their hot dog joint on Capitol Hill. Named for the Douglas DC-3 air plane from the 1930s—which explains the giant vintage propeller on one wall—the counter-service restaurant dishes up a roster of regional hot dogs from around the US, from the famous DC half smoke to the New Jersey bacon-wrapped ripper, the Chicago 7 with pickles and tomatoes, and even a version of the standard New York dirty water dog. And then there’s the not so classic. The Bay Bridge pretzel dog nods to the mid-Atlantic with crab dip heaped on the hot dog. Fried pickles, cotton candy and soft-serve ice-cream round out the playful menu.
If you were were to put together a list of your dream things to do in Washington, DC, hitting a diner might not be right at the top. DC museums? Sure. You know you have to check them out. Fancy French DC restaurants? They're probably in your tourist guide. But DC's diners are worth a look, particularly if you're on the go—they're pumping out great burgers, delicious shakes and fries to die for. Here are the city's best.
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