Sweet Home Cafe at the National Museum of African American History and Culture

First and foremost, DO go to the museum. Two years after opening you are finally able to get in without timed passes on some days and the crowds are significantly more reasonable. One of the best and most thoughtfully laid out museums, you could spend days here. My companions tired out after about two hours but you could spend four or more and feel like there are still things to see.

That being said, opted for a late lunch at the Sweet Home Cafe, which features African American foods from different regions of the country. This being a weekday not all the stations were open, which was one issue. The other was that the overall menu isn't what you would call "light". On the day we visited there was the fried chicken station and the barbecue station. Each had interesting vegetarian sides one could order but they weren't what I would call "health food". There were any number of fried items (onion rings, fried green tomatoes) and slaw type dishes (the potato salad and coleslaw had similar dressings). Bean dishes and collard greens looked good but suspect, with bacon listed as an ingredient on the Hoppin John. Price points were high -- $4.50 for each side, $13-18 for main dishes (two sides included). The cornbread was rich and buttery and the Mac n Cheese thick and baked with a nice crust (although a dash of hot sauce made for a nice flavor enhancer)

Bottom line: Would definitely go back to the museum but would seek lunch elsewhere. Food may have been okay but not what I would call "veggie friendly" and no healthy/lighter options available. Oprah would not approve.

Sweet Home Cafe -- Part of the Smithsonian Museums cafes, offering food options reflecting the museum focus.
1400 Constitution Ave, NW
https://nmaahc.si.edu/visit/sweet-home-cafe

Comments

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