Eli's Restaurant

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1253 20th St NW
Washington, DC 20036

Phone: (202) 785-4314

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Neighborhood: Dupont Circle

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  3.8 stars - Based on 13 votes

5 star				4 votes	31%
4 star				4 votes	31%
3 star				4 votes	31%
2 star				1 votes	8%
1 star				0 votes	0%

Top Reviews of Eli's Restaurant

09/02/2008 - MenuPix User
Preety Preety Preety Preety GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

12/27/2006 - JEREMIAH
I know i gave a big score about this place, but think about it: 1.SUPERB new items on the menu,and consistant taste on every item (i love the ribeye steak and the fajitas)
2.The service is always on your side looking forward to help you(the less picky and demanding you are the more they take care of you)
3.Just the name SINA SOUMEKHIAN owner of SIENA'S in ROCKVILLE,should tell you a lot of things about ELI'S(he never denied anything i asked him to do for me,such as customized menu for cattering in a very very fare price)
4. I didn't pay attention to the atmosphare because i always go there to eat not to buy the place and furthermore when i am having a ribeye steak cooked in perfection in front of me do i care about the wood floor or the walls?

12/27/2006 - JOEL
I can't tell you how happy i am that finaly,FINALY a kosher restaurant made into the heart of WASHINGTON D.C. and eventualy into our hearts!!!! Let me begin by the many positives and few negatives.
POSITIVES:great food,good prices,many items to choose from,fast efficient service,great location,DR BROWN'S sodas,alchohol also available,anything you may need is on your disposal,very very good pickles!!!!!
NEGATIVES:chairs and tables look bit old,the outside needs to be finished.
I hope that my review will help you all,my advice go there and sink your teeth to the juicy meat they serving!!!! God was good to us by providing us with ELI'S.

06/29/2006 - Maxala
Truly the best deli in central DC. There are 2 sandwiches that deserve special recognition: the New Yorker and the Freundel. The New Yorker pulls you in with scrumptious pastrami and corned beef and then the cole slaw and russian dressing seal the deal. The freundel--let me tell you about the freundel--pastrami and corned beef piled high and then, just when you thought it couldn't get any better, one slice of roast beef to remind you of the good old days, that is, if your gold old days involved feasting on glorious slices of roast beast as mine did. Purists have said that the slice of tomato is non-traditional. The fact of the matter is that purists think sanwich deliciousness is secondary to purity which is a terrible worldview which should be reconsidered-the tomato is much appreciated. Only drawback-no automatic pickle service, you have to ask for them which is kind of insulting but they more than make up with for it with sandwich quality.

05/05/2006 - Michael
IMHO, stick mainly to the burgers and the deli. The burgers a large and come with a variety of toppings, my favorite being the "Western" topped with grilled onions and pastrami. The deli is -- at least largely -- homemade. Mel Krupin said Eli's had the best tasting pastrami in the DC area in Washingtonian magazine, and I agree. Another item to try is the "5th Avenue," pastrami with sauteed onions and mushrooms, plus mustard on a French roll.

The service can bit lax, but they try. The restaurant can be a bit understaffed, notably when crowds are there. Prices are fine, considering that Eli's is (a) kosher, (b) in downtown DC, and (c) makes a lot of their own food, which adds labor cost. The burgers range from $8 - $9 (with fries) and deli sandwiches from $6 for a salami sandwich - $13 for a triple decker (with chips).

The atmosphere, which I've heard criticized, is just fine with me; I would certainly take a client there for a meal. I know (because I kept walking by every day) how much went into the renovations before Eli's opened last year: new hardwood floors, drop ceiling, lamps, and paint, plus some refurbishing of the bar, if memory serves.

The atmosphere is usually quite nice. There are two flat-screen monitors at the bar, which are normally on either a news channel or ESPN. Eli's uses their CD player and sometimes the radio over their in-ceiling speakers for background music. The times to watch for are when a large group comes in; it's a bit cramped with a full crowd. Even with the place full, I can still carry on a conversation at my table.

03/21/2006 - Steve B
It is great to have a kosher meat restaurant in DC. The quality of the food is adequate but certainly not outstanding value for the price.
I had a hamburger and fries. The portions were large.
Service was adequate.
In summary this is a very servicable establishment and I would recommend it. However, I do not think that the ambience would be very good for a business client meal.