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Now the National Zoo is an amazing deal: a world class zoo and they don't charge a nickel. But no one ever comes back from there going "What great food! And so appropriately priced!". I mean, the Panda Grill? I was so disappointed when I learned they don't even serve real pandas. I would have even been fine with red pandas. It didn't even have to be the giant panda. But no, something about "endangered species" and all.
So, when you're heading to the zoo, be prepared and bring a picnic lunch. If time or opportunity to prepare ahead elude you, here are a few options:
If you hit the right time of the year, the
On the Fly Karts will be out and about. The first one will be there this weekend, with another following in early April. Look for full weekday service to begin around mid-April. As I've mentioned
previously, these guys are a great addition to the DC vending scene and I enjoyed them at zoo last year. I like just about everything about them, except the weird predilection for spelling "cart" with a "K".
Now, if you miss the Karts, the only other thing in the immediate vicinity is the
Starbucks outside the gates, which has standard Starbucks stuff. Not a bad option, and it certainly beats the crap inside, but we can do better.
I'm assuming you took my
advice and got off at Cleveland Park and not Woodley. If you didn't, then, as added penance, your only option is the McDonald's on Connecticut Ave. Maybe next time you will listen to me. This is how we learn.
At the Cleveland Park stop, we have a bit more to choose from. Across the street is
Byblos Deli, which has a full menu of Mediterranean options. The food is good and inexpensive. I'm no vegetarian, but I usually end up getting a falafal pita for about five bucks. If you regard this as a bit too adventurous, Byblos offers hamburgers and more traditional sandwiches.
But if that's your taste, I'd stay on the east side and stop in at
Vace Italian Deli as you head down Connecticut. Besides pizza by the slice, they have a good selection of subs and focaccia bread sandwiches. I'm particularly partial to the Italian Cold Cut here, but then again, I am anywhere else as well.
But for picnics to the Zoo, I almost always just go to Magruders Grocery Store and get a selection of items. Magruders anchors the north end of the shopping center you see as you exist the Metro and has been in operation for over 130 years, although obviously not in this location the whole time.
While these are the one's I'd particularly like, there's also several other options nearby. California Tortilla and Yes! Organic Market come to mind.
Now when you get to the zoo, then what? The National Zoo specifically allows picnicking. You may bring coolers, but no grills or cooking devices. Really? Did that need to be said? Also, no hunting the animals. You've been warned.
My second, third, and fourth favorite spots to eat are the Panda Cafe overlooking the pandas, by the Great Ape house to catch an orangutan on the O-line, and the lawn near the Big Cat exhibit. I'm not telling you my favorite because I don't want all of you mucking it up. I'm serious, I can't give out all of my hiding spots. Now go look at a gorilla or something and let me take a nap. Enjoy!
Tuesday, March 10, 2009 at 10:00AM 
Reader Comments (1)
Vace's -- we stopped there today, so here are my thoughts.
With two kids in tow and lunchtime, the deli is unforgiving to people that don't know what they want or are doing. Plus, there's no cafe tables, as I was hoping.
We took our food down to the Connecticut bridge over Klingle Valley(?) and sat on a bench there to eat. That ended up working okay, but not the best situation for kids and pizza. The pizza was enjoyed by the girls, and while my sandwich was not what I expected, it turned out to be pretty tasty.