A significant part of the CESJDS community lives in the Shepherd Park area in Washington, D.C., and students need a reliable spot for a satisfying meal. Parkway Deli is the ideal choice for dine-in or takeout because of its delicious and affordable food, as well as its upbeat social environment.
As a seasoned customer who lives walking distance from Parkway Deli, I know that there are too many specialty dishes to try all by myself. So, I invited others to dine-in with me in the cozy booths. There is also seating outdoors sheltered by a tent, which is perfect for a warm day.
After sitting down, the waiters immediately took our drink orders. Not many restaurants offer Dr. Brown sodas, but Parkway Deli includes the brand in their drink menu along with numerous other beverages.
After about five minutes, the waiters returned to take our orders. The vast selection of dishes is difficult to choose from, but there is something for everyone.
While waiting for the meal, customers should definitely journey to the diverse pickle bar. The station offers a variety of dilled specialties such as different pickles and beets. The pickles are free, so I recommend taking advantage of the bar.
If coming to Parkway Deli for breakfast, I recommend the $8.95 sunny side-up eggs with hash browns and a bagel. The perfectly cooked eggs with the drippy yolk taste great when paired with the crispy hash browns. The toasted bagel is also delicious when paired with cream cheese and eggs.
In terms of side dishes, the mozzarella sticks are a treat for any meal. The $6.50 droopy delight paired with the marinara sauce makes for a delicious appetizer. The latkes, which are offered year round in groups of four or ten, paired with the applesauce samples on the side, are the perfect salty and savory treat to pair with any entree. They cost $6.40 for four and $10.99 for ten, and never fail to satisfy.
The $17.00 spinach salad is a great afternoon meal for healthy eaters. The spinach, walnuts, raisins, onions and tomatoes make for a perfect combination with the balsamic dressing. The different flavors add up to an extremely tasty meal. The $10.00 Caesar salad is a safer, simpler alternative for more picky eaters.
When ordering, avoid the grilled cheese with American cheese on white bread. In spite of it only costing $8.00 and looking appealing, the entree is disappointing. The ratio of bread to cheese is uneven and the sandwich was bland. I expected more, especially from a meal so simple to make. The waiters offered a variety of bread and cheese, so next time I will be sure to experiment with a different combination to see if it improves the taste.
Many entrees such as the grilled cheese offer french fries or fruit as side dishes. The fries come in medium-sized portions, but the taste gets boring after a couple of bites. Additionally, they are cooked inconsistently and lack flavor. I would definitely choose the option of fruit on the side.
To top off the meal, I recommend the original Parkway cheesecake. At $5.50 a slice, it is a delicious conclusion to any meal. The cake has a perfect consistency and a strong, sweet taste. The restaurant also has different variations of cheesecake such as cookie dough, strawberry and salted caramel.
The attendance at Parkway Deli was high, but not overly crowded. The ages of customers ranged from children to seniors. There was background noise but it did not affect my ability to have a conversation. Regardless of the time of day, I recommend eating-in at the Deli because of the throwback diner-style atmosphere. The dimmed lights give it a rustic feel, yet it also has hints of modern dining.
The tasty food, paired with the fast service and reasonable prices added up to an overall positive experience. Parkway Deli is a must visit for all eaters who are looking for an enjoyable meal.
