| Review | Submitted By | Date | Abuse? |
| Because Eli's is one of only two gigs in town, I went back repeatedly despite terrible service and mediocre food, but finally stopped for good after I found a fly in my lemon. If you don't care about insects in your food, heed the following: I've shown up at 7:30 to be seated at 8:00 and shown menus at 8:30, ordered falafel, and been told they just ran out ten minutes ago (40 minutes into my wait time, but who's counting?). They feel free to substitute all kinds of ingredients. Ordered pastrami? Meh, you probably wanted turkey anyway. Hate rye bread? Here's rye bread! I once waited 20 minutes because the waitress forgot to charge me for my appetizer and couldn't be bothered to stop by my table to correct the bill. If I could give negative stars, I would give many. Meanwhile, I'll just steer clear and recommend you do the same. | Alex Levy | 01/16/2013 | Report Abuse |
| convenient via red line to dupont circle. friendly, fast service, reasonably priced, generous portions,food tasty. can arrange shabbos package. | jacob lehrfeld | 11/25/2012 | Report Abuse |
| Had an enjoyable meal with the family. Portions are generous, lots of good items on the menu in a comfortable, clean restaurant. This is the third time I have been to Eli's and I enjoyed each visit. The kids found chicken nuggets, I found a steak. Not the best ever, but pretty good for the $27 I paid. There is now a takeout place next door where you can but felafel and sushi. It is just a hole in the wall, the prices are takeout prices, a good option when you do not want to settle in for the full Eli's restaurant experrience. | David Barg | 07/19/2012 | Report Abuse |
| Ate at Eli's last night on our way out of DC. I was worried because I'd read mixed reviews here, but the service was very attentive and delightful and the food definitely yummy, even if it's not the best deli we've ever had. It was nearly empty when we arrived but filled up a bit while we ate. Lots of choices on the menu, so you're not stuck with just meat: my son and I got (different) deli sandwiches, but my daughter got a roasted-veggie wrap that looked sublime. She was simply in awe at how delicious it was and the flavourful dressing on the veggies. Service was pleasant and helpful throughout and I'd definitely eat there again next time I'm in DC. | Jennifer | 05/08/2012 | Report Abuse |
| Just got home from the worst restaurant experience I've ever had! When we walked in, we were told it'd be a 45 min. wait to be seated b/c they were so full. Once seated, we ordered and did not receive our food for over an hr. (only after we complained). Our appetizers never came so we had 4 entrees. When we got the bill, we demanded a major discount (which they didn't argue with). We paid for 2 entrees only. The food was fine, but nothing to brag about. | Cheryl | 03/04/2012 | Report Abuse |
| this is probably the worst kosher restaurant I have ever eaten at. unfortunately for those of us who keep kosher it's just about the only game in town when in d.c. | nanalisa | 10/30/2011 | Report Abuse |
| Please note that www.expressentree.com will deliver from Eli's at least as far as National Harbor, as long as order is over $100. | BB | 09/24/2011 | Report Abuse |
| Excellent. If you come to Washington, DC, you have to eat here. The food was well prepared, portions were generous, service was prompt and polite. I recommend the chicken fajita. Easy to access by the Metro at Dupont Circle if you don't have your car. | Andrew Freedman | 08/11/2011 | Report Abuse |
| Wonderful, ambience and decor delightful. Excellent beef fajita dish with succulent steak and beautifully presented. Beef burger tasty and unique. Great fries. Perfect service even though we came in just before closing we were not rushed. Very reasonable prices. great homemade chocolate chip cookies for dessert for only $2. Quiet enough for good conversation, romantic with fabric tablecothes. sparking clean restroom. | Dalya and Farokh Hakimi | 07/17/2011 | Report Abuse |
| excellent restaurant pour Washington. De très bon Burger. bonne haschgara, bien fréquenté. | jo black | 07/04/2011 | Report Abuse |
| very nicely presented, very tasty food | Chaim Hoffman | 06/22/2011 | Report Abuse |
| Food is great as usual. I eat here once a year when I go to a software conference. This year I needed to bring other associates who weren't Jewish, but they really enjoyed the meals as well. It is so hard to choose with so many choices on the menu!! | Scott Moskowitz | 06/13/2011 | Report Abuse |
| good selection of food with nice wait staff. prices are very reasonable. | bethanyshondark | 05/30/2011 | Report Abuse |
| We ate in Eli's twice during Yeshiva week,one of which during a snow storm. They handled the crowd and the circumstances graciously. The food was delicious,enjoyable and well presented from soup to dessert. The food was prepared fresh to order without waiting too long. We enjoyed a variety of foods from a delicious chili, to other soups, to burgers ,steak sandwiches,taco salad and chicken marsala. All were excellent. The portions were generous while prices were fair. We look forward to going back when we go back to Washington DC. | Sharon Davidowitz | 02/13/2011 | Report Abuse |
| Like many reviewers who have preceded me,I found Eli's to be an excellent food option for someone visiting our nation' Capital. For about 18 bucks, I ordered the Lamb Kebabs, which was served with somewhat uneventful yellow rice. Although the meat was fatty, it was accompanied by a nice array of grilled and fresh vegetables. A nice, fresh, crisp plated salad was also included. The service was OK - but a little slow. And I can highly recommend topping off the meal with a slice of chocolate fudge cake ($4.99). My non-Jewish friend thoroughly enjoyed the brisket dinner (also about $18), which was served with potato pancakes which were out of this world. The ambiance is quite nice, and the server was reasonably friendly. A strong recommend. | Harry | 01/06/2011 | Report Abuse |
| I want to keep the reviews current. The food is good and very reasonable. Lots of choices. Service is friendly. Located just 2 blocks from the Dupont Circle Metro stop (red line) in a residential neighborhood. There are some good hotels very close by as well making Eli's location quite excellent. The sliced steak sandwich, chicken fajitas and the hot appetizer platter were all very good. | Yitz P | 12/29/2010 | Report Abuse |
| Ate here during our DC trip, and found the staff very accommodating, the food excellent, and the price eminently reasonable. Choices include typical deli, mid-east grill, Italian, and Mexican (a few choices among the last 3). We had the opportunity to try samples of all cuisines, and found no disappointments. Our family had enough choices not to tire of the food, and found it tasty enough to want to return repeatedly. We recommend the hot wings, roast beef, shawarma, fajitas and all of the pasta dishes. | Ira Rosen | 08/19/2010 | Report Abuse |
| Nice restaurant. Not fancy, but reasonable place to take co-workers, although not really client-level. | Hillel Caplan | 02/01/2010 | Report Abuse |
| There are already a ton of reviews, but I had to add one because Eli's is everything a kosher restaurant should be. Delicious food, quick service, and most important, I can take non-Jewish co-workers there without embarassment for a business lunch. | Eitan Newman | 01/18/2010 | Report Abuse |
| If you are visiting Washington DC, this is the place to go. Good food at a reasonable price and good service. Sometimes you have to wait in line to be seated, but its worth it. | Daniel Cohen | 12/28/2009 | Report Abuse |
| simply the best! | LiorH | 09/24/2009 | Report Abuse |
| Oh! This restaurant is just wonderful, the food is excellent, and the service is very good, I can just get used to this wonderful service. Their price are very good too. I highly recommend it. | STEVE CHASE | 08/18/2009 | Report Abuse |
| Cost was reasonable given its location in downtown Washington. Food was was good though portions were not large. Be warned that they seem to use some type of spice on EVERYTHING. | Matt | 08/12/2009 | Report Abuse |
| Now also a member of www.rewardsnetwork.com so you can earn cash back or airline miles or hotel points, for free, when you dine here. | DaSuss | 07/31/2009 | Report Abuse |
| We went there twice last week. Everyone (including several who do not keep kosher) loved it. Over the course of the trip we had burgers, chicken salad, meatloaf, burritos and chicken soup. I avoid deli in restaurants unless they advertise that they make it themselves so I can't speak about the sandwiches but what we had was wonderful. We averaged around $20 per person with tip and the rather high DC sales tax. This is quite reasonable for that neighborhood. The salads were fresh, the tables were not too close together and the service was attentive without being annoying. | Louise Miller | 07/05/2009 | Report Abuse |
| We have been in D.C. for a week now and have been eating at Eli's every day (except shabbos) and are loving it. There is something for everyone on the menu. I don't know what the other reviewer was referring two, but the portions are huge and the french fries are delicious. The service has been fantastic, even when they are packed (as they have been the last two nights). We ordered shabbos takeout and they were so accomodating. We especially enjoyed the running chocolate cookie dessert! | Jennifer Sieger | 06/30/2009 | Report Abuse |
| We were in DC for a couple of days and it was nice to have a place to sit down and eat. Location: a couple of blocks from the DuPont Circle Station. The atmosphere is pleasant. For dinner they served us on linen table cloths, with real dishes and glassware. The wait staff was attentive and professional. (they kept our water glasses full) I had the Western Burger, it was done properly, it was juicy and tasty. The "shoestring fries" were not shoestring, they were larger (not steak fries) They were obviously pre-frozen, and they were not good. The chicken noodle soup was very good, with actual chunks of chicken! My wife had the linguine. The marinara sauce was very nice and the meatballs were tasty. She also had the broccoli soup, which she reported as very good. We shared the "appetizer combination" a large plate with buffalo wings, chicken tenders, potato latkes, and onion rings. The onion rings, and chicken tenders were pre- frozen, I suspect the latkes, as well. All that being said, it was a decent dinner in a city with few choices. The total for dinner was less than $50 not bad. | Dave Rubin | 12/12/2008 | Report Abuse |
| If you are looking for an overstuffed sandwich, this is absolutely not the place. I have been here twice and had an "overstuffed" sandwich both times. Most places put more meat on sandwiches from the kid's menu. The first time, I thought maybe it was an accident, but twice shows me that the lack of meat is the intention. I also ordered onion rings and was given about 12 onion rings that clearly came from a bag, possibly Kineret. The chicken tenders were also clearly pre-processsed as well. If this place was in New York and gave the same portions, the customers would start a riot. The prices per item are just on the high end of normal, but if you plan on eating here, you better bring a large wallet, because you're going to have order multiple items if you want to leave without being hungry. | Marc | 11/06/2008 | Report Abuse |
| Conveniently located near DuPont Circle this restaurant has a greenhouse glass enclosed front so you can see or be seen on 20th street. It is an expanded deli with creative and overstuffed combo sandwiches and burgers. It also has a range of grill, broiler, appetizer, seafood, and salad options. I have a personal weakness for their Buffalo wings. There is a full bar and service is attentive. It is a very comfortable place to meet in the downtown DC area for a either a light snack or full meal. Metered on street parking is just what you might expect and not available during rush hour, but there are convenient parking lots in close proximity and the DuPont Circle Metro stop is two blocks away. | Maurie Rosenberg | 07/17/2008 | Report Abuse |
| This was my second trip and both were quite enjoyable. Nice environment and decor. The food is priced reasonably and is tasty. Service was attentive. Parking is impossible. Other than the most lucky or stubborn, you will end up paying, so I recommend you pull right in to the lot across the street. | David Barg | 07/01/2008 | Report Abuse |
| Went there twice on our visit and were very pleased such an option is available. Service was very good and the servers were very patient and accommodating to us and our (little) children! Try the leg of lamb special if available- it's great! | Chaya Lighten | 04/02/2008 | Report Abuse |
| Eli's is not bad. Kind of like a New York deli but not as tasty. The service every time I've gone has been pretty slow and inattentive, and the food is a step up from fast food - think chain food with a nice atmosphere. Hardly high class, and I won't go there for business meetings anymore as it's just not that tasty for the price. Still, considering there's a total of one other meat option in DC, I'll take what I can get. | dan turner | 03/21/2008 | Report Abuse |
| Absolutely the best kosher restaurant in this area. The food was excellent, the service was excellent, the atmosphere was excellent! WILL DEFINITELY RECOMMEND! THANKS FOR A GREAT EXPERIENCE...! | john jacob | 03/15/2008 | Report Abuse |
| Nice restaurant. Offers an array of deli sandwiches and simple fare, as well as more elaborate entrees. Warm, fun atmosphere for a casual family meal, yet nice enough for a business meal in DC. Fast, friendly service. Nice location in DuPont. Street parking can be difficult, but metro access is easy- only one block from DuPont Metro. Take the 19th street exit, not Q street. Restaurant is Glatt. | Ian | 02/17/2008 | Report Abuse |
| We really enjoyed the food and service. They also deliver to your hotel room through ala carte. | Jeremy | 02/14/2008 | Report Abuse |
| Just returned from a trip to Virginia. We drove to Eli's for supper on Sunday. All i can say is one word for the meal "Excellent". Food was great, service was good, we left totally full. | Larry Sobel | 01/28/2008 | Report Abuse |
| Delicious food. Nice size portions. Good service. Stuffed rib eye - yum. Chicken tenders for the kids - also yum. We were very happy. | The Bargs | 01/22/2008 | Report Abuse |
| I ate there with my sons on a vacation trip and we all thought it was great. Food was well cooked with decent presentation, waiting staff was very good, and the decor was pleasant. We all highly recommend it. | William Frauenhofer | 12/24/2007 | Report Abuse |
| Visited Eli's twice this past weekend (10/07) and had great experiences both times. There is a varied and original menu, very good food, nice decor, and friendly service. I highly recommend this restaurant and wish that one like it existed near my home. | Arel Weisberg | 10/31/2007 | Report Abuse |
| Just returned from a trip in DC - ate at Eli's 3 times. Excellent! The restaurant was packed but still had amazing service. Highly recommend the top ribs and the California burger. My parents loved the corned beef sandwich. | Cheryl Ellis | 08/02/2007 | Report Abuse |
| On Father's day, we made reservations for an early dinner for 12. The restaurant was not particularly busy due to the early hour of the meal (4PM). The service was terrific (and super fast), the server attentive, and the food delicious. We particularly enjoyed the chicken tenders with honey-mustard dipping sauce (an appetizer) and the western burgers. Highly recommended. | Mark Ferneau | 06/17/2007 | Report Abuse |
| Nice restaurant, reasonably priced. Our food arrived on time and well-prepared. Bill for two was about $35. Friendly staff. | Haim Baruh | 06/16/2007 | Report Abuse |
| We ate at Eli's two times during a recent trip to Washington and found the food good, at reasonable prices, with friendly and efficient service. We were very happy with it. | Marcia Sandler | 01/04/2007 | Report Abuse |