Best Fast Casual Restaurants in Washington DC 🍔 2022 Cheap Eats

These are seven of my favorite fast casual restaurants in Washington, DC. If you're looking for places where you can get delicious meals for cheap, this is the video for you!
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~Resources from this video~
Cheap eats blog post - www.triphacksdc.com/cheapeats
Original cheap eats video - • Best CHEAP Restaurants...
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~Video Chapters~
0:00 Best cheap eats in Washington DC
0:12 Rice Bar
0:55 HipCityVeg
3:06 Little Sesame
4:07 Swizzler
4:53 Rasa
5:35 Surfside
6:42 Cava

[@andrewsheppard8314]

For folks on a tighter budget, check out "Jimmy T's Place." A cheese burger there is currently $4.70. Also, "7th Street Cafe." An egg and cheese burrito is $3.60. These two places are within walking distance of major sites. Rob, very informative video!

[@debrawakefield2910]

While visiting the Library of Congress a Security Guard suggested we go next door to the Madison Building cafe for lunch. I highly recommend this tip! The restaurant is located on the 6th floor and had the feel it was for the locals and employees. We were welcomed by the restaurant workers and enjoyed good food at very reasonable prices. Not to mention a great view overlooking the city. I enjoyed a custom made grilled deli sandwich, while my grandsons had chicken tenders and fries. You could get made to order items as well as a salad bar and soup. Thanks for all your You Tubes Rob!! If any of your followers are thinking about taking your tour...Do It!! We did and it was great!

[@TripHacksDC]

Thanks for the tip

[@hipcityveg916]

Thank you so much for the wonderful shoutout! We're so glad you enjoy our plant based menu 🌱

[@keithclifton392]

Hip City Veg is on my must list for next time in DC!

[@D.N..]

Hi Rob , This is a great video. Knowing good casual places to eat is always a huge plus visiting any city !

[@TripHacksDC]

Yes it is!

[@user-vy3uu3sg9z]

Your videos have been great for preparing for our trip!! Do excited

[@giovannadisarno9945]

As usual, your videos are very informative even for DC residents.

[@TripHacksDC]

Thanks, Giovanna!

[@jugatsu23nichi]

Rob, thanks for refreshing this video! I'm definitely going to try Rice Bar this Aug when I'm in DC next. I learned about District Taco from your last video which was a family favorite! Also, just noticed we got a Cava nearby in Hanover MD and looking forward to trying one of their bowls thanks to your video.

[@TripHacksDC]

Awesome. Enjoy!

[@noalcala43]

I love that your options are so diverse. Thanks for this video.

[@TripHacksDC]

Glad you like them!

[@ItBLikeThatTravel]

Thanks for the updates Rob! We love bibimbap so we'd definitely try Rice Bar 💜💚

[@TripHacksDC]

It's so good!

[@maryohara1604]

Thanks so much! My husband and I are going in October and def. trying a couple of your recommendations.

[@TripHacksDC]

Have fun!

[@anthonycurioso9797]

One recommendation I have, which is a "casual" place that is slightly pricier than many of your picks but still very good, is Maggiano's Little Italy. I go to the location in Boston at least 3 times a year and it is TO DIE FOR. When I come to DC for college, I can't wait to visit the Maggiano's location there (which is a short walk from the Friendship Heights Metro stop).

[@jets9629]

I am going to Washington D.C pretty soon just in time for the video before I go thank you for this video Rob.

[@TripHacksDC]

Happy to hear it.

[@elizabethchamberlain6893]

Rob, thanks to your videos, I learned about District Taco. I ate there twice on my last trip. A recommendation I have is Tatte Bakery and Cafe. I plan on going back there when I am in DC in September.

[@TripHacksDC]

Oh that's a good suggestion!

[@TheStephRoh]

This is great! Thanks. What about Keto restaurants? Have you reviewed any places that are low carb? It appears Cava might be. I see many are listed in town online. Which places are worth our time and which aren't? Thanks in advance!

[@syckindahead]

Just posted! Yes! Thank you!

[@TripHacksDC]

No problem!

[@davidbaldwin2937]

Went to Swizzler and it was AWESOME! Thanks Rob! Used the circulator bus too all you sir!

[@TripHacksDC]

Nice! 🍔

[@kmh9325]

I live in DC and really like your videos, very informative. I've eaten at Hip City Veg, Swizzlers and Surfside and love their food. I also like Bub and Pops on M Street, favorite is their Meatball Sub, and Abunai on L Street, love their Kalua Pig Plate Lunch and Spam Musubi Plate Lunch.

[@TripHacksDC]

These are all great choices!

[@lisagore3227]

I second Bub and Pops! The best sandwiches in DC!

[@kime464]

Is there any Korean black bean noodles (jajangmyeon) and is there a good roast beef sandwich? I’m visiting there and wanted to know

[@yvettehatch5533]

Thank you for listing places with veg options. 🌱

[@TripHacksDC]

You're welcome

[@brentvance9090]

I have a Rasa right by my work in Crystal City and have never tried it. Looks like I'll be heading there soon! Thanks for the tips

[@TripHacksDC]

Enjoy!

[@zafiradaima]

This is great, thanks! We came up from Richmond for 4th of July and ate at Roti at Union Station. It's pretty good and not expensive. There's a Cava at Union Station, but we have one here, so I didn't get that. Mezeh is in Richmond and very similar to Cava, and it's a chain. It's very good too if you're ever in a Cava desert. Little Sesame and Falafel Inc look really delicious!! I'm going to start making more regular trips to DC to sightsee as I used to go up regularly years ago (father's side of the family is from DC). Thanks for the cheap eats recommendations.

[@TripHacksDC]

Roti and Cava are both solid choices.

[@davidkeates1107]

Swizzlers was really good. Friendly guys working, gave us different sauces to taste. They don’t have social media, so I said I’d give them a shout out on here (I told them I’d seen them on one of your videos)

[@TripHacksDC]

Nice!

[@skybluejay9473]

All of these places look good, we’ll possibly try a couple while we are there next month

[@TripHacksDC]

Sounds great, Jay! Bon appetit.

[@barryandreev8333]

Back when I worked in DC and lived in the area, my favorite places were The Best of the Wurst & The Little Taverns with the green roofs. Wurst was a hot dog place that also had German Wursts, loved getting a brat on my way home. Little Taverns was a burger place but more your typical 'sliders' place. I doubt either exists anymore but l loved them just the same, lol.

[@barryandreev8333]

Forgot to mention that this was from the late 70s.

[@jrrivera4078]

Hello Rob, we love your videos. My family vacation this year 24 will start off in DC for July 4th, you’ve been very helpful! 🎇 thank you!

[@TripHacksDC]

Have fun.

[@annekearney4441]

Excited to try little sesame. When we want something super cheap and fast, we stop by Whole Foods and grab a slice of pizza and a drink.

[@TripHacksDC]

Hope you like it!

[@Raventerp01]

Little Sesame is a new one on me. I'll definitely have to check that out when I'm near one. I have to say, fast casual isn't quite the value proposition that it used to be.

[@TripHacksDC]

I was wondering about that too. Fast casual prices are more than they used to be (10 dollars is probably about the floor price these days) but prices at regular restaurants are up too. I'm not sure how the percentage has changed and don't know if I have enough data to calculate it.

[@keithclifton392]

Great videos! I tried Cava on my recent visit to DC and loved it. Same for Chopt; huge salads made in front of you for about $10. The only disappointment on the trip was District Taco. Not much flavor although the salsa helped.

[@TripHacksDC]

Thanks for the review

[@SecondLineVideo]

great video rob! I just learned the metro lines will be closing this fall in some areas. do you know if the union station line will be out around october?

[@TripHacksDC]

Not for one of the big projects. Always make sure to check weekend trackwork closer to your trip.

[@Tidepodsforbreakfast]

I like how you started standing straight on to the camera.

[@AaronSmith-sx4ez]

Cava is great and is in the National Airport. You should do a top eating options in the DC airports video.

[@jessicawoodburn6107]

I live in DC & frequent Nando’s Peri Peri Chicken & Sweetgreen for salads, both at the Yards.

[@TripHacksDC]

They have solid chicken 🐔

[@pattiebattin315]

Not exacly cheap/fast, but I love Founding Farmers (it's across the street from the Mexican Embassy). Best blueberry pancakes I've had in my life.

[@kellyja8]

I live in MD 2 miles from the DC line. Cava is out of control--I go there every week or so. I would also put Sardi's Peruvian Chicken on the list.

[@user-uq3yd3lv1f]

Planning a trip to DC so I have found this very interesting. I think I've watched three videos in a row. And while you have made a point of mentioning vegetarian and vegan options, you haven't said anything about other dietary restrictions such as gluten-free. Would really love to, see information about that. Thank you.

[@CoffeeWithColeman]

I’ve only been to Cava! I’ve got stuff to Catch up on! Have you eaten at the Roost yet?

[@TripHacksDC]

I have not been to Roost yet but it's top of my list to check out.

[@noam1598]

DMV native here great video man, would suggest to add prices so we know what to expect otherwise very imformative video. I'm surprised I havent heard about little sesame, I gotta check it out. Right now, Sababa holds best hummus in dc for me but Shouk is a very close second

[@TripHacksDC]

Thanks! I decided not to do prices this time because prices seem to always be changing and you can't edit a video. Appreciate the feedback.

[@roddiesimmons8773]

That would have been my response too.

[@vanpelt7645]

Nice stash

[@katietherese1996]

So this is super unfortunate, but I first tried CAVA in Northern VA right outside of DC and fell in LOVE with their food! It was my go-to lunch spot during the work week and I spent way too much money there lmao! But then I moved to Florida and they opened a CAVA here, and it's just not the same.... makes me so sad. The portions are a 1/3 of the size they were up North and the service is horrible and everything was served a bit cold and dry.... such a 180 from the CAVA experience I was used to :(

[@TripHacksDC]

Oh noooo! This is why I don't like expansions. Quality can definitely slip.

[@leeschannel7528]

Check out Bethesda Bagels in navy yard

[@stacysatterfield2154]

Love Pita sandwiches

[@Brandie_La_Bibliophile]

I’m vegan and truly appreciate this video!!!

[@TripHacksDC]

Happy to hear it!

[@mariarezoladelibero1157]

muncheez it s the best and george

[@andycohn5768]

I’m a fan of &pizza

[@TripHacksDC]

Same

[@patrick4662]

You forgot about this place….

[@Michael-zp5du]

Its Funny, I watched a few of your videos, and I was on my bike next to the White House and I biked and swear I heard your voice talking to some people haha!

[@TripHacksDC]

I am out there a lot giving tours.

[@andyl9920]

Need a cheap eats for asian food. Especially chinese food, authentic, not American chinese

[@getcrazyproducts1]

American food street