Tonic Restaurant
ByThere’s a dose of delicious medicine hidden in the center of Foggy Bottom. Tonic Restaurant is no secret to the students and busy professionals in the area and with it’s delicious salads and burgers, perfect portions and great outdoor seating everyone should give it a shot.
Tonic is located in the heart of the George Washington University campus, making it a great meeting spot for undergrads between classes or for an affordable happy hour destination. The outdoor patio seating offers a great setting for people watching, even featuring outdoor heaters to provide optimal comfort.
As a frequent Tonic diner, I’ve had quite a few great meals there. My latest lunch with a friend offered similar satisfaction. I ordered a daily special, “Southern Fried Chicken Salad” and my friend ordered the “Grilled Vegetable Panini.” My salad had crisp lettuce, avocado, mini french fries, honey dijon dressing and crispy chicken tenders. My only complaint was the chicken could have been more flavorful, but the portion size was more than enough and the dressing had a very light but tangy taste.
The panini is one of my personal favorites and comes with Tonic’s signature tator tots, something that one should visit Tonic without trying. It is a quintessential serving of comfort food. The vegetables were fresh and sprinkled with feta cheese, a very delicious touch.
Our service was prompt, yet not too personable. The combination of a hectic lunch hour and beautiful day seemed to be weighing on the staff. An interesting touch on the inside tables is that every one has crayons and is covered in paper, providing entertainment value for the kid at heart. Tonic also features daily happy hour specials from 4-7pm every weekday. These include half price draft beer, $4 tator tots, and 50 cent wings. This is a favorite among young professionals in the area who frequently crowd the down stairs bar after work.
Another favorite selection from Tonic are there infamous burgers. Their topping combinations include everything from guacamole (which I highly recommend!) to the more traditional fried onion and pickles. They also have veggie and turkey burger options, appeasing their vegetarian diners. The “Build-a-Burger” allows you to be the chef and pick from an array of cheeses, sautéed onions, sautéed mushrooms, roasted red peppers, ham, bacon, fried egg, chili, guacamole, avocado, banana peppers, onion straws, & pico de gallo!
Tonic is a great choice for a quick yet delicious meal without going in to Georgetown and most plates are between $10-$15, making it very affordable as well.
Tonic Restaurant
2036 G St NW
Washington, DC 20036
202-296-0211
