Feeding Your Soul in D.C.
by Ra’iatea Lohe (Spring 2017)
Soul Food Friday. The only employee appreciation “event” I attended at my restaurant and arguably the best. We had collard greens with pork, cornbread, and mac and cheese. I put all of it in a to-go container, and snuck in the back, whenever I could, during my shift, to chow down. I was so excited, it reminded me of food from back home in Hawaii; laulau, potato mac salad and just other really good comfort food that makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside. A couple of servers thought it was hilarious I was so happy about soul food, and thankfully appreciated my enthusiasm for their culture. Because this is the real food culture of D.C. that should not be missed or overlooked. One of our first program trips was to Florida Ave Grill. I got the fried catfish and grits with a side of collard greens. Don’t settle for an omelette and pancakes, explore with your taste buds!
Florida Ave Grill chef cooking up some deliciousness// Photo Credit: Vicky Liao
Yes, D.C. is known for it’s international food, which does seem to surpass even Boston’s restaurant diversity. Buredo, serving burrito sized sushi, was at the bottom of the building I intern in, so it was a bi weekly indulgence. Yaffa, across the street was a coworkers favorite that served delicious Mediterranean food bowls (she basically went there every other day). And even shout out to Firefly that serves a killer brunch. As part of the BUDC program we were exposed to District Taco, Amy’s Pizza (certified by the Italian government), and more. (District Taco is amazing and a place to return to for sure.) So D.C. is a place of fusion and tradition in food choice. But the diverse narrative of the people and cuisine is drowning out the history.
Soul food is most important to the longer history and people of the city. Eating at Oohhs & Aahhs you step into a beloved place that you just know values sticking to the roots. Some fried shrimp, mac and cheese, collard greens, and rice and gravy was deliciously simple. Trust me, your tummy will be happy.
Oohhs & Aahhs plate lunch filled with steaming fingerlicking goodness.
Just like the structure of the metro and the larger public transportation system. It was setup to bring people into the city rather than around; showing the historical infrastructure in the transportation system. Soul food is the historical infrastructure of D.C. cuisine. It showcases the city’s Southern past. And as D.C. has gained global significance it has slowly lost some of it’s original identity.
So don’t miss the fried catfish at Florida Ave Grill or the cheesy grits at Busboys and Poets, along with all their other amazing food. These are the underlying hints of Washington, D.C.’s southern culture that can intrigue your soul. Just like Hawaii, D.C. has a historical food culture, as well as the international cuisine. I believe it’s important for the nation’s capitol to showcase the variety of food that multiple cultures bring to the U.S. when they come here. And it is a known fact about D.C. and represents the diversity of the people that live here. But I’m worried, as with anywhere that previously had a strong culture, that it will be lost in the shuffle towards “progress” and globalization. Dive in, don’t let it be masked by the flashy international cuisine’s. Next stop Henry’s Soul Cafe!
Ra’iatea is graduating with a bachelor’s in Environmental Science and will be staying in D.C. working for the Senate and Cheesecake Factory.
