Annie's Paramount Steak House

"Annie’s Paramount Steakhouse in Dupont Circle took home to prestigious 2019 James Beard “America’s Classics” award, marking more than 70 years of business as a family-owned steakhouse and landmark for D.C.’s LGBTQ community. Much of the menu, including its huge helping of fries and steaks, remains the same as it was decades ago. On a popular restaurant strip on 17th Street NW, Annie’s has one of the most impressive sidewalk patios in the city. Open for all-day dining; call for carryout." - Tierney Plumb, Eater Staff

"For over 75 years, Annie’s has been a refuge for DC’s LGBTQ+ community, where the words “you don’t have to hide that here” can be found on laminated placards on every table. The family-owned steakhouse in Dupont Circle keeps it casual with a bartender shouting from behind the bar, inviting you to sit wherever you want, and a “formal dining” room brimming with laid-back groups in sneakers, jeans, and polyester pants (because the best way to eat a steak is in loungewear). Regulars know their go-to dishes among the Maryland crab cakes and grilled ribeye steak—for us, that includes an order of the sweet and sour key-lime pie with extra whipped cream. " - omnia saed, tristiana hinton

"When the craving hits for a prime sirloin steak in your sweatpants, Annie’s Paramount is your spot. The iconic family-owned steakhouse in Dupont Circle has been around since the ‘40s, and is full of diners who come here so often they don’t even need a menu anymore. Seat yourself at the wooden pegged tables, great for big friend dinners, or the black leather booth, which we love for dining solo. Get the ribeye with a tangy cajun spice rub, a side of crispy golden fries, and a sweet-sour key lime pie for dessert. " - omnia saed

"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

"This longtime gathering place for the gay community and the Dupont Circle neighborhood as a whole is known for martinis that are strong and generously portioned." - Vinciane Ngomsi, Missy Frederick