Awesome selection of soups, sandwiches, burger's, and a super fresh salad bar. They also serve hot entree's. Everything we had was fresh and tasty.
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I have to recognize the highly professional services in the Stars and Stripes Cafe' at the American History Smithsonian. My (almost) seven year old son and I spent a few hours there after yesterday's inauguration and it was the perfect choice!
The calm, professional, mature work of everyone in the museum kept everything moving smoothly and influenced the crowd to maintain composure, enjoy the opportunities in front of them and to be kind to their neighbor. We headed to the cafe' exclusively for ease of location for our day but were thrilled to get down to the bright windowed space with calm adults in charge quietly working hard to make sure that everyone enjoyed themselves on every level. From the first gentleman greeting the lunch and warm-up crowd with directions to the trays, food selections to please everyone served by knowledgable, very nice folks, to the professional adults keeping the tables and floors CLEAN, I am not sure I have been in a restaurant with more observant, patient and caring staff- EVER. I sincerely mean this and we go to a lot of restaurants all across the scope including the "finest."
The food in the cafe' is VERY TASTY, homemade made in small portions in that seemingly small space for such a large DC day yet had something available for all: healthy moms and kids needing to warm up, vegetarians and academics, fried food/pizza for the tourist teens and families and yummy easily approachable seasonal selections. I did not take the time to look at each and every offer as when I heard the greeter say that they made their own NC style BBQ meat on the premises I was hoping to be rewarded- and was sold! The homemade Mac and White Cheese was fabulous and perfect for the winter day!! BBQ plenty and spiced right down the middle so everyone would find it yummy served on a huge and perfectly soft roll with the right amount of slaw on top at our request. In all honesty, I could order trays for home!!! From the kitchens of the Smithsonian Museum!! (Especially of that mac and cheese!) I am speaking the truth here and not just blowing steam. The food was good!! Speaking of steam, the fresh mixed veggies from the station were hand chopped and perfectly cooked! (And here I had hoped to maybe get a decent yogurt into my kid that day!) I was only sad that we didn't also try the beef brisket, mashed potatoes and greens as I am sure they would have been winners. We also grabbed a individually bottled juice (lots of choices in our fav brand) and premade mixed green salad before also hitting the bright salad bar for some additional long day craving selections- hard boiled eggs, good looking (and tasting) asparagus spears and mushroom salad. I can't forget our big cups of what had to be homemade hot chocolate, chocolate pudding and carrot cake. The premade salad was literally the freshest premade salad I have ever purchased - huge variety of high end mixed greens and enough color. One premade dressing was available next to it (Cesear for the chicken Cesear next to it) but a kind, cool worker told us to use the dressings on the bar. The tiny paper cups weren't the easiest thing to use to fetch it but the dressings were plentiful, CLEAN and TASTY so I'm not picking. We came away with much more food than needed on purpose as it looked appealing and I wanted to streamline operations on such a potentially insane day. We paid the dollar for it as it cost over $50 but really had enough food for another adult and it was tasty and fresh and healthy while we sat with no pressure in a safe, clean, free museum looking at the Washington Monument out the window and sneaking in a charge for our phone at one of the few outlets. My only tweeks for the staff to consider would be to rethink the teeny paper cups (there was some element of dressings and sauces at the refill area but I didn't know about them before or check them out after and it wasn't a big deal, for a live feed of CSpan (instead of the inhouse production) so we could keep tabs on the day's events and for more opportunities to charge phones.
In the last few years, I have heard of the new yummy cafe' at the Native American museum, experienced the bad downstairs cafe in the natural history museum and didn't know what we'd get with this space set in the middle of renovations on one of the busiest and potential for who knows what days ever in the heart of literally a million people wanting to be a part of American History. I learned that there is a WONDERFUL restaurant and resource below the first ladies' gowns staffed by caring, intelligent, professionals doing their utmost to make our nation's capitol shine. My sincere thanks to the staff.
(And please offer mail order Mac and Cheese!)
American Selections.... Clean Cafeteria with "American" food selections. Fabulous Salad Bar, Pizza, BBQ, Hot Entrees, and Beer to drink!
What are you gonna do?. Of course it is overpriced. Of course it is crowded. But it's convenient. We were hot, hungry, and in need of nourishment. We could've done worse.
I was well pleased with all of the really healthy choices offered here. Advice: due to expense: seriously consider sharing meals or food. Often the servings are generous enough for two people. And don't pay the exorbitant prices for soft drinks: get a cup at the cash register for water (or bring your own).
Long lines, expensive food….average museum food court experience! However, the chicken sandwich was surprisingly good. It was crispy, juicy, and the sweet sauce was perfect. Surprising!
Fantastic!!
The old reviews are flat wrong.... The new chef and the new choices are wonderful. Though it may be a small selection, the ability to pick and choose and even build your own plate is a delight. Add that to delicious food while prepared and it is a five star.
Good food at Museum prices. For example my burger, fries, water, and brownie was about 28 dollars. Think how much delivery would cost, per person, but likely cheaper with membership. Not bad but I prefer the food I can get at the Native American museum.
I was very pleasantly surprised by the quality, freshness, and offerings of this cafe. Probably the best museum food I’ve ever had. Well seasoned and nice selection of healthier options.
Honestly your typical food court in America experience. If you need a place to eat while not wanting to leave the museum this is the place to go as it has plenty of options but definitely can feel expensive, especially when they charge by the pound for some item.
Even if the dishes were quite expensive even if it wasn’t that much, I found that the high diversity in the selection for what we wished for was quite enjoyable ! Whatever sort of food we were craving, it was present ! If it was a salad, a sandwich, pasta, taco or something more fast food, it was available for us.
To add to this, there was no wait whatsoever to get to the open bars which is also the case for the registers. It was always fast and definitely good for a simple lunch with family or yourself which is why I am placing this rating.
Feels like they remodeled the place, and improve the menu, they have something for everyone from classic fast food to charcuterie plater, wine, salad bar that you pay base on weight. Is nice to know that you have enjoyable food inside de museum so you can spend more time in the museum.
The price might be higher but save you time.
We pay average $15 per person
Perfect place to eat lunch. Has everything, a grille, pizza section, and a meat section. You can find little snacks and drinks in the middle as well. Food tasted pretty good but nothing fancy. Great place and conveniently located on the lower level of the American History Museum. For three people in my party it costed $33, yes it’s over priced, but your in D.C and for one, your in a museum cafe so know what your getting into. Dippin Dots machine is located greatly as well. Make sure to put your trey on the machine of treys, it’s pretty cool! You might want to stop around for a bite since there is no real restaurant in the area. Kids will need to get on the simulators, have a few extra dollars for that since it’s a must! Expensive food but museum entry is FREE! So it’s kinda like a mini contribution. Have fun at your time in Dc.
Wide variety it is expensive as expected but since there is no ticket price for the museum I consider it sort of a donation to the museum. I had chicken strips and fries. Fries were very good, chicken strips were ok but small portion for a large price.
It is a nice option for those who like to spend hours at the Smithsonian museums. Overpriced, but there is a wide variety of food options. Also, it is a huge space with free wi-fi, and water to fill your bottles.
They have great food, and it’s convenient for a lunch if you stay long at the museum.
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