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In Philadelphia, there’s Geno’s and Pat’s cheesesteaks. In New Orleans, it’s Café du Monde’s beignets. And in D.C., some dishes have amassed their own cult-like followings.
Sweet Corn Agnolotti at Graffiato
Graffiato fans nearly started a riot when these corn-stuffed, pillow-shaped pasta went out of season last year. The popular dish will return on June 23.
Orders per week: 500
Pop Tarts at Ted’s Bulletin
The homemade version of the lunchbox treat is fresher and flakier than the kind you ate in the fifth grade (and without the xanthan gum and modified wheat starch). Current flavors include peanut butter bacon, brown sugar cinnamon, cherry, blueberry cheesecake, and strawberry.
Orders per week: More than 1,000
Fried Chicken at Central
Michel Richard readily admits he was inspired by KFC for this ultra-crunchy entrée. Good thing it’s also available in to-go buckets.
Orders per week: 300
Palak Chaat at Rasika
This crispy baby spinach appetizer with sweet yogurt, tamarind, and date chutney has managed to put an Indian dish other than chicken tikka masala on the map.
Orders per week: 50-60 at both the Penn Quarter and West End locations
Toasted Marshmallow Milkshake at Good Stuff Eatery
No hard feelings, burgers. But this s’mores-inspired hand-spun shake topped with charred marshmallow may be chef Spike Mendelsohn’s greatest feat.
Orders per week: 1,400-1,700
Photos by Greg Powers (Graffiato), Cris Molina (Central), Michael J. Colella (Rasika), Joe Shymanski (Good Stuff)