Best place in the area! You can't go wrong with breakfast. Lunch is the steak and cheese or the hot quesadilla. Amazing and friendly staff!
jimenez GS
Not a good service when you are trying to order food for pick up.
Sabin P.
I have been patronizing this place since it open 7 or eight years ago. I ordered a BLT, took back to manager and explained that the bacon was not fully cooked. I actually said "raw". His initial response was if I had offended him because I had an issue with the food. He did not make an attempt to ask question or confirm anything for himself or through his employees. So I asked for the sandwich back and opened it for him to see the rawness. He asked if I wanted another sandwich, and I indicated that I had to return to work. At that time he said do not come here with this issue and I said I will come in here anytime I want to, just give me my money. At this point I was extremely offended and upset that he treated me so disrespectfully and not like a valued patron of this establishment.
T S.
Not a great option for lunch in downtown DC. The food quality is not good, the staff is rude, and it's overpriced. Go elsewhere. I got a wrap and it was bare bones and not tasty, no flavor, and they wouldn't let me add a sauce or condiment to it after I saw how unappetizing it looked. Then I didn't feel great the rest of the day eating there.
lovelyone0509
Worst customer service ever. They don’t like big orders. They told me to wait just before I put in
oliviayoung99
The National Natural History Smithsonian is one of my favorite museums. I love it so much that I didn't want to leave during the middle of my visit for lunch; so, I decided to eat at the Atrium Cafe. Fellow museum-goers, do yourselves a favor and DO NOT eat here! Go anywhere else! I had the mac n' cheese, french fries, and a piece of cake, and all 3 were absolutely awful. Everything was cold, as if it all had been sitting out for days. The fries were so undercooked that they would be better classified as mashed potatoes. The cake was extremely dry and had a weird aftertaste. The mac n' cheese tasted stale and seemed like there was more grease and water in it than cheese. I have never felt so much remorse for spending $7.95-- the food at this place is that bad! Seriously folks, do not eat here! Go anywhere else!
pedro Mendoza
Make your Delivery
Heather R.
Enough is enough. This is where you go if you want to get less for your money. This deli is mock up of Phillips or any deli. It's fresh ingredients and carved meats do not excuse a deli that does not give you your money's worth. The online GrubHub menu must be old because I've never paid those prices, but it certainly reflects what you receive. I've been here for salads, sandwiches, and breakfast burritos. Breakfast burritos. This is the only item that they prepare at a good value and quality. All of the other items are made at 3/4 the size or amount that they should be. If the prices reflected the amount given, it would be a reasonable place to buy a meal. There are other delis and eateries scattered around Chinatown. Just walk around the blocks. Save your hard earned cash folks! Service is friendly, but of course it would be when you are getting scammed. They do have a coffee bar, beverages ( bottled/ fountain), chips, some sweet treats, a cold case with ready made items ( i.e. skimpy salads, sandwiches, fruit cups, yogurt, etc.). There is a sitting area that the line forms through it while you try to eat your food. Have fun with eating while someone's tush or groin is in your face. Not meeeee.
Sedela S.
I got the white bean kale soup. It was much thinner than normal white bean kale soups (basically broth with some kale and a few beans). Sorry I paid $5 for 100 calories if even. The crackers that cane with it were slightly stale as well.
Tera B.
I've worked across the street from this cafe for almost 10 years. I have stopped going for years at a time based on the service, the prices and the competency. It's convenient so that's why I end up going most of the time. The food is pretty good and fresh but I won't take that over an establishment appreciating my business. Today I ordered a pastrami sandwich and forgot to say "hot" in front of it because I was talking to a coworker. When I saw my sandwich, I saw it was cold and asked that they put it on the grill and that I was sorry I didn't say it correctly. Then, when I got the sandwich I realized my bread wasn't toasted so I only asked for toasted bread and that I'd keep the meat I already had, I realized this was totally my fault and was very apologetic. The lady at the front said "you didn't ask for hot pastrami" I told her I realize that and if they could please just replace my bread because I didn't want un toasted bread. She made a very big deal about the mistake that I admitted to making and apologized several times to her and the guys making the food. I feel like I know I made a mistake but I shouldn't be made to feel like I can't make a mistake ONE time out of 10 years and that they don't want to correct it. This is a normal practice for them in not wanting to correct mistakes that they usually make.
Found this sandwich shop by chance as my partner and I were looking for a breakfast place. Stood in the line and when it was our turn, tried to order a Ham sandwich. But seemed like the sandwich maker wasn’t very happy with my order. Their menu board also did not state that the sandwiches are for breakfast or lunch service too. He then proceed to “make” my sandwich but he wasn’t very happy. He slapped on the thick pile of ham. The bread could hardly hold it. I think if you don’t speak Spanish, good luck on ordering a sandwich here. Don’t think it was a good start to my day. Oh by the way, it was also one of the worst coffees I ever had.
rodney plner
Went here on Dec 29th, my husband and daughter both spent 14.96, for lunch, they both were charged twice thru our debit card. Now bank is filling a dispute. This place is a rip off. They scammed us out of 30.00. Will not go back. Such a disappointing welcome to DC. I will keep fighting until we get our money back! I’m from Va that’s not how we operate. DC is a very different place for sure!!!
Daniella C.
I wish there was a place like this in Chicago. It is a quick deli that serves fresh meats, fresh soups, typical breakfast & lunch sandwiches, bagels & salads. I was in DC for training for 4 days and came here 2 out of the 4 days. They have a a few pre-selected sandwich options or you can create your own. You can also create your own salad. They offer fresh made soups daily and quesadillas too! The first day I had their p4. Which is a caprese sandwich and the second day I tried their p1. Which is turkey. The meats are fresh each day and they cut it in front of you. I also tried their chicken noodle soup which was good as well. They do offer a lot of beverage options like regular to-go juice or soda, fountain soda machine, smoothies, and coffees.
CorvettePete
We were visiting Washington from Australia and came to the museum at about lunchtime. Looking back, we should have got something from one of the food vans while we waited in the queue for security clearance. The array of food available in the Atrium Café was appalling. I ended up have the beef and ricotta pizza. It was limp and tasteless. My wife had the chicken tenders which were very average. All in all, this was the American food at its worst and should have been sent to the dustbin of history. Avoid it if you can.
Rachel L
I was in a hurry to grab some breakfast and coffee before work and I figured I’d swing by this spot. The line was quite long so I figured it was a pretty decent spot. The line went relatively quietly but I wasn’t impressed. The food was extremely salty and rather tasteless. I was sad to discover the cafe didn’t have WiFi so I had to pack up and head to a different coffee shop. The pricing was quite affordable, which lead to my two star rating but I won’t be returning.
Best place in the area! You can't go wrong with breakfast. Lunch is the steak and cheese or the hot quesadilla. Amazing and friendly staff!
Not a good service when you are trying to order food for pick up.
I have been patronizing this place since it open 7 or eight years ago. I ordered a BLT, took back to manager and explained that the bacon was not fully cooked. I actually said "raw". His initial response was if I had offended him because I had an issue with the food. He did not make an attempt to ask question or confirm anything for himself or through his employees. So I asked for the sandwich back and opened it for him to see the rawness. He asked if I wanted another sandwich, and I indicated that I had to return to work. At that time he said do not come here with this issue and I said I will come in here anytime I want to, just give me my money. At this point I was extremely offended and upset that he treated me so disrespectfully and not like a valued patron of this establishment.
Not a great option for lunch in downtown DC. The food quality is not good, the staff is rude, and it's overpriced. Go elsewhere. I got a wrap and it was bare bones and not tasty, no flavor, and they wouldn't let me add a sauce or condiment to it after I saw how unappetizing it looked. Then I didn't feel great the rest of the day eating there.
Worst customer service ever. They don’t like big orders. They told me to wait just before I put in
The National Natural History Smithsonian is one of my favorite museums. I love it so much that I didn't want to leave during the middle of my visit for lunch; so, I decided to eat at the Atrium Cafe. Fellow museum-goers, do yourselves a favor and DO NOT eat here! Go anywhere else! I had the mac n' cheese, french fries, and a piece of cake, and all 3 were absolutely awful. Everything was cold, as if it all had been sitting out for days. The fries were so undercooked that they would be better classified as mashed potatoes. The cake was extremely dry and had a weird aftertaste. The mac n' cheese tasted stale and seemed like there was more grease and water in it than cheese. I have never felt so much remorse for spending $7.95-- the food at this place is that bad! Seriously folks, do not eat here! Go anywhere else!
Make your Delivery
Enough is enough. This is where you go if you want to get less for your money. This deli is mock up of Phillips or any deli. It's fresh ingredients and carved meats do not excuse a deli that does not give you your money's worth. The online GrubHub menu must be old because I've never paid those prices, but it certainly reflects what you receive. I've been here for salads, sandwiches, and breakfast burritos. Breakfast burritos. This is the only item that they prepare at a good value and quality. All of the other items are made at 3/4 the size or amount that they should be. If the prices reflected the amount given, it would be a reasonable place to buy a meal. There are other delis and eateries scattered around Chinatown. Just walk around the blocks. Save your hard earned cash folks! Service is friendly, but of course it would be when you are getting scammed. They do have a coffee bar, beverages ( bottled/ fountain), chips, some sweet treats, a cold case with ready made items ( i.e. skimpy salads, sandwiches, fruit cups, yogurt, etc.). There is a sitting area that the line forms through it while you try to eat your food. Have fun with eating while someone's tush or groin is in your face. Not meeeee.
I got the white bean kale soup. It was much thinner than normal white bean kale soups (basically broth with some kale and a few beans). Sorry I paid $5 for 100 calories if even. The crackers that cane with it were slightly stale as well.
I've worked across the street from this cafe for almost 10 years. I have stopped going for years at a time based on the service, the prices and the competency. It's convenient so that's why I end up going most of the time. The food is pretty good and fresh but I won't take that over an establishment appreciating my business. Today I ordered a pastrami sandwich and forgot to say "hot" in front of it because I was talking to a coworker. When I saw my sandwich, I saw it was cold and asked that they put it on the grill and that I was sorry I didn't say it correctly. Then, when I got the sandwich I realized my bread wasn't toasted so I only asked for toasted bread and that I'd keep the meat I already had, I realized this was totally my fault and was very apologetic. The lady at the front said "you didn't ask for hot pastrami" I told her I realize that and if they could please just replace my bread because I didn't want un toasted bread. She made a very big deal about the mistake that I admitted to making and apologized several times to her and the guys making the food. I feel like I know I made a mistake but I shouldn't be made to feel like I can't make a mistake ONE time out of 10 years and that they don't want to correct it. This is a normal practice for them in not wanting to correct mistakes that they usually make.
Restaurantji Recommends
Found this sandwich shop by chance as my partner and I were looking for a breakfast place. Stood in the line and when it was our turn, tried to order a Ham sandwich. But seemed like the sandwich maker wasn’t very happy with my order. Their menu board also did not state that the sandwiches are for breakfast or lunch service too. He then proceed to “make” my sandwich but he wasn’t very happy. He slapped on the thick pile of ham. The bread could hardly hold it. I think if you don’t speak Spanish, good luck on ordering a sandwich here. Don’t think it was a good start to my day. Oh by the way, it was also one of the worst coffees I ever had.
Went here on Dec 29th, my husband and daughter both spent 14.96, for lunch, they both were charged twice thru our debit card. Now bank is filling a dispute. This place is a rip off. They scammed us out of 30.00. Will not go back. Such a disappointing welcome to DC. I will keep fighting until we get our money back! I’m from Va that’s not how we operate. DC is a very different place for sure!!!
I wish there was a place like this in Chicago. It is a quick deli that serves fresh meats, fresh soups, typical breakfast & lunch sandwiches, bagels & salads. I was in DC for training for 4 days and came here 2 out of the 4 days. They have a a few pre-selected sandwich options or you can create your own. You can also create your own salad. They offer fresh made soups daily and quesadillas too! The first day I had their p4. Which is a caprese sandwich and the second day I tried their p1. Which is turkey. The meats are fresh each day and they cut it in front of you. I also tried their chicken noodle soup which was good as well. They do offer a lot of beverage options like regular to-go juice or soda, fountain soda machine, smoothies, and coffees.
We were visiting Washington from Australia and came to the museum at about lunchtime. Looking back, we should have got something from one of the food vans while we waited in the queue for security clearance. The array of food available in the Atrium Café was appalling. I ended up have the beef and ricotta pizza. It was limp and tasteless. My wife had the chicken tenders which were very average. All in all, this was the American food at its worst and should have been sent to the dustbin of history. Avoid it if you can.
I was in a hurry to grab some breakfast and coffee before work and I figured I’d swing by this spot. The line was quite long so I figured it was a pretty decent spot. The line went relatively quietly but I wasn’t impressed. The food was extremely salty and rather tasteless. I was sad to discover the cafe didn’t have WiFi so I had to pack up and head to a different coffee shop. The pricing was quite affordable, which lead to my two star rating but I won’t be returning.