It was a sad, sad day when A&D bar in Shaw shed its hot food options, including one of the best Reuben sandwiches in D.C. The bar doesn’t have a full kitchen and ultimately became more of a drinking spot than an eating one, so the owners opted instead for only snacky offerings like nuts and chips. If bargoers wanted more, they could grab a sandwich at Sundevich next door.

The Reuben is still gone, but the good news? Drunk food is back. Texas transplants will be happy to find a Frito pie—corn chips smothered in beef chili with shredded cheese, a dollop of sour cream, and green onions—for $7 (or get just the chili for $6). Another new staple: the half-smoke puff pastry ($6), which is essentially a half-smoke crossed with a pig in a blanket, served with some whole grain mustard for dipping. Other recent warm offerings include a soft pretzel and chicken cordon bleu puff pastry (basically a glorified hot pocket).

It all seems like one more excuse to order another one of my go-to drinks around town: the A&D with Green Hat gin, Sloop Betty vodka, and housemade dirty juice blend.

 Photos by Jessica Sidman