"At your typical DC steakhouse, you’re met with musky scents and a tuxedoed-out maitre d' flipping through a wine list where the bottles cost more than your rent. And when you’re in the mood for a dose of hunting lodge chic with a touch of luxury, that’s cool. When you’re not, thankfully, there’s Annie’s, a 75-year old neighborhood steakhouse that’s anything but average. And while it’s not the best steakhouse in the city, it is the best place to go when you just want to eat a sirloin steak in your sweatpants for under $100. photo credit: Nina Palazzolo When you walk inside the family-owned restaurant in Dupont Circle, expect the bartender to holler from behind the bar, telling you to take a seat anywhere you’d like. There’s a “formal” dining room full of plain wooden pegged tables ideal for laid-back groups in sneakers, jeans, and polyester pants (because everyone knows the best way to eat a steak is in loungewear). Or snuggle into one of the comfy black leather booths, perfect for solo dining, where you’ll join the ranks of loyal customers eagerly awaiting the arrival of their standing lunch order. Getting your signature order down is like a rite of passage at Annie's. Regulars breeze past the menu because, once you've discovered your favorites amid the Maryland crab cakes, pesto pasta, and pot roast, there’s no looking back. For us, that’s the grilled ribeye steak with a tangy cajun spice rub, a side of crispy golden fries, and a sweet-sour key lime pie topped with extra whipped cream. Because similar to tuning into ASMR mukbang videos before bedtime, it's a routine that's incredibly familiar, comforting, and done just the way we like it. But the real magic at Annie's is that you can come exactly as you are. It’s why the steakhouse has been a staple for DC’s LGBTQ+ community for decades. And why you’ll find grandparents splitting an ice cream sundae with toddlers, lunchtime regulars playfully debating whether ketchup belongs on burgers, and friends on a first date spilling their feelings over an order of fries. For 75 years, the restaurant's mission has been to embrace everyone, and it’s a mission that Annie’s champions beautifully. Food Rundown photo credit: Nina Palazzolo Ribeye Steak This 12-ounce ribeye steak is rubbed in a cajun spice blend with hints of garlic and paprika that gives it a peppery kick. Pair the tender, caramelized beef with the fluffy mashed potatoes or fried doused in ketchup. Blackened Salmon Salad The blackened salmon in this salad takes a mix of lettuce, tomatoes, and red onions into an entree that could hold its own on a steak menu. The filet, coated in paprika, cayenne pepper, and garlic, complements the salad’s zingy champagne vinaigrette. photo credit: Nina Palazzolo Fried Chicken Sandwich If Popeye’s has taught us anything, it’s that the best fried chicken sandwiches keep it simple, and the one at Annie’s does just that. Crispy breaded chicken is sandwiched between a soft kaiser roll and topped with fresh pickles, lettuce, and tomatoes. photo credit: Nina Palazzolo Key Lime Pie A buttery graham cracker crust cradles a tangy, velvety custard that’s then topped with whipped cream (ask for an extra dollop, because, of course). It's sweet and savory, but a light end to your meal, especially after tackling a beefy steak." - Omnia Saed
