‘one last fireworks pic…maybe’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99’
On July 3rd, picnic foods procured from the CVS down the street or whatever leftovers have been floating around my fridge seem like a great idea. But by the time I get mid-fireworks on the 4th, I’m starving. If you feel like a little extra sustenance this year, you are in luck.

• Liberty Tree– Lobster and clam boils to go, whether it’s to the Mall for fireworks or your backyard kiddie pool. There are three packages available: clam boil ($15), lobster boil ($25), clam AND lobster boil ($35). Each package includes the whole shebang–the seafood, corn on the cob, red bliss potatoes, pork sausage and carrots. Must be pre-ordered by Thursday for pick up on the 4th between 11am and 2pm.
• Equinox– Head to this close-by location if you’re looking to eat up before the fireworks.  From 4pm-9pm, the gourmets at Equinox will cook up standard BBQ fare for either dine in or carry out. Priced from as low as $9, they expect to offer pork sandwiches, burgers, panini and sides to fulfill all your patriotic culinary needs.
• Sou’Wester – If you are in the mood for a fancy 4th, make your way to Sou’Wester for their “Pigs for the People” event. For $75, you’ll get burgers, home-made bratwurst, pork confit sandwiches, salads, corn on the cob and a fabulous whole roasted pig. Dine from 5pm-7pm, then watch the fireworks while you digest from the Mandarin Oriental’s lawn.
• Asia Nine– The restaurant will be offering $20 to-go meals (pre-order please) that include an entree and two sides. Entrees will include barbecue chicken and grilled beef with sides such as sticky rice and papaya salad. Also on the board will be patriotic sushi rolls such as the “firecracker roll” and the “independence roll”.
• Buzz Bakery – It’s not just cupcakes, folks. Available on Saturday (they will be closed on the 4th), the shop will have boxed fried chicken lunches complete with potato salad and cornbread for $9.50. And it would be a crime against nature and liberty not to pick up some of their baked goods–I’m especially interested in some patriotic cupcake cones.
• Birch & Barley – Between 12pm-4pm on Saturday, pick up burgers and fixings for four. A steal at $28, you get four burgers, buns, a half pint of sauerkraut, cheese, and mustard. If you need some sweets with your burgers, pick up four oatmeal-raisin cookie sandwiches for just $10 more. Place your order by Friday at 5pm.
• Charlie Palmer Steak – Taking advantage of their proximity to the fireworks, Charlie Palmer is putting together an indoor block party. (I like a restaurant that knows the value of air conditioning.) From 4pm-8:30pm on Sunday, they will have all you can eat appetizers, a carving station, cotton candy machine and chocolate fountain all for just $45. It’s what a carnival would look like if Top Chef got their hands on it.

Don’t worry, if classing your dinner up doesn’t seem like the Fourth of July you are used to, there are plenty of great options for sandwiches in the city that will outdo the hummus and carrots in the picnic basket next to yours. A quick stop by Taylor Gourmet, So’s Your Mom, Jetties, or the Italian Store will leave you very happy, and very full.

Ashley Messick

Ashley is a born and bred Washingtonian who left for college but came running back to the District as fast as her little legs could carry her. By day she is a Capitol Hill brat, but by night she is a lean, mean, eating machine. It’s her goal in life to steal Anthony Bourdain’s job…by whatever means necessary. Contact her at Ashley (at) welovedc (dot) com or follow her on Twitter.