NYC Chain Dig Is Bringing Farm-Sourced Fast-Casual Bowls to Georgetown | Eater DC

"A budding fast-casual chain called Dig (nee Dig Inn) is planting its first D.C. outpost in Georgetown, taking a 1,500-square-foot space at the corner of Wisconsin Avenue NW and N Street NW in the uninhabited portion of the former Paolo’s storefront. I see Dig as a farm-forward bowl concept: it sells seasonal bowls featuring produce it buys direct from farmers, with some bowls topped by meats like charred chicken thighs, meatballs in tomato ragu, or grilled Alaskan salmon, and a long list of sides — garlic-Parmesan cauliflower, charred Brussels sprouts, roasted sweet potatoes, or mac and cheese — that can be bundled into pick-three bowls. The chain has 32 locations (mostly in Manhattan), four in Boston, and plans to expand to Chicago; Danny Meyer pledged $15 million to Dig through his Enlightened Hospitality Investments fund in April. Its website even declares “mindful sourcing is our bread and butter,” emphasizing a commitment to reward growers moving toward USDA organic certification, its own farm in Orange County, New York, and goals to support minority growers including people of color and queer and female farmers. While Eater NY has described it as both a popular lunch spot and a “lunch slop chain,” its model invites easy comparisons to Sweetgreen (and follows a local presence alongside DIRT)." - Gabe Hiatt