Founding Farmers
A farm-to-table, all-day American restaurant downtown near Foggy Bottom, known for big portions and a sprawling menu.
The call
Worth it for the right traveler.
Short answer
Is Founding Farmers worth it?
Founding Farmers is a specialist choice, not a default stop. Go early or reserve ahead. Crowds are part of the cost.
The answer depends on your budget, time and travel style; the breakdown below shows who gets the most value.
Why
- 01
Bustling, family-friendly, and crowd-pleasing — a deep menu of comfort food that works for almost anyone, from breakfast to late dinner.
- 02
Wildly popular, so expect a wait.
Is it a fit?
Think twice if
You're watching the budget
Save the money. Founding Farmers does not return enough for the price.
You only have one day
Leave Founding Farmers for a longer trip.
You're traveling with kids
With kids, Founding Farmers needs the right timing and tolerance.
You're traveling as a couple
As a couple, Founding Farmers needs the right timing and tolerance.
The plates that decide it
- Chicken fried steak and waffle — the dish the kitchen is best known for — breaded sirloin, white gravy, a waffle and maple syrup; the genuine signature
- Skillet cornbread with honey — buttery, sweet-corn-studded and the one starter regulars insist on
- Overambitious specials — stick to the comfort classics the kitchen does best
Plan it well
- Cost
- Moderate per head
- Allow
- 1–1.5 hours
Sources and method (3)
- Opened 2008 near the White House in Foggy Bottom; owned by 50,000+ family farmers of the North Dakota Farmers Union. wearefoundingfarmers.com ↗
- Has ranked among OpenTable's most-booked restaurants in the entire US for multiple consecutive years. wearefoundingfarmers.com ↗
- washingtonian.com ↗