Washington, D.C. Presidential Restaurant Old Ebbitt Grill

✅Located to the left of the White House, this restaurant is so close that it's often called the "White House Mess Hall." Many White House politicians love dining here. Founded in 1856, this century-old establishment is a favorite among U.S. presidents. ✅It's best to make a reservation in advance! Visit ebbitt.com and it's recommended to book around 11:30 a.m. We booked for 12:30 p.m., but even arriving 40 minutes early, we still had to wait for a long time as it was very crowded. Originally booked for 12:30, we arrived early and the front desk staff kindly changed our reservation to 11:00 a.m., but we still had to wait for a while. The reservation times can be delayed due to the speed at which guests eat and the availability of tables. ✅Avoid the burgers at all costs!! On the left, a family of three couldn't finish their burgers. On the right, a family of four, with three people unable to finish, left half of their burgers untouched. It's clear that this dish is not well-received. ✅After reviewing everyone's orders, here are the recommendations: Oysters: Half a dozen for $22.99, a full dozen for $41.99. The picture shows a half-dozen. The prices have increased compared to the previous menu. If you order a full dozen, you can try half raw and half baked with cheese. The oysters are very fresh, though not very large. The president recommends them, and the menu offers a Happy Hour discount from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: half a dozen for $15.99 and a full dozen for $27.99. (However, we were not given the discount when we paid. We arrived at 12:30 p.m., so it's best to ask in advance.) Salad: We ordered the Spring Market for $15.99. It's just a simple salad with nothing special for the price. It's up to personal preference, but the value for money is not high. We also ordered two steaks: Filet Mignon for $52.99 and Ribeye for $55.99. The Filet Mignon was cooked to perfection—crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. This is the typical preparation for filet, and it's best enjoyed medium-rare to avoid it becoming too dry over time. The Ribeye, compared to the Filet, was even better. While the Filet is tender and lean, the Ribeye has a richer flavor. It's not too fatty or too sinewy, making it a balanced choice. I preferred the Ribeye as it had a more complex taste. Medium-rare is ideal to fully appreciate the quality of the meat. ✅Total expenditure, including tax, was $162 (excluding tip). We had two steaks, one order of oysters, and one salad. We were very full. If you're on a budget, consider ordering one steak, a side like pasta, and a half-dozen oysters. Two steaks might be too much. 👍 The president personally recommends the oysters, Filet Mignon, Ribeye Steak, Cream Soup, Crab Cake, Calamari, and Shrimp Pasta. #WashingtonFood #WashingtonFoodie #WashingtonSteak #WhiteHouseMessHall