Inside Her Diner, D.C.’s New Neon-Hued Spot for Crushes and Comfort Food | Eater DC

"Reopening tomorrow at Adams Morgan's iconic "18th and U" address (2004 18th Street NW), the space returns with renewed energy, colorful cocktails, and a Beyonce-themed bathroom. It is the brainchild of Kelly Laczko, who makes her debut as an owner and operator after spending 10 years as general manager for the space’s previous occupant, Duplex Diner; Laczko says she hired back a majority of the old team, the chef included. "The amount of neighborhood support that I’ve been receiving over the past few months has been crazy," she says. The opening menu balances nostalgia with fresh items and ideas: "I wouldn’t dare take away some of the classics," Laczko says. "The meatloaf wasn’t going anywhere, the pigs in a blanket weren’t going anywhere." Choices include breakfast-for-dinner dishes like French toast or a breakfast burrito, the return of milkshakes, and gratis pickles from local business Gordy’s Pickle Jar—"When you sit, instead of bread you’re going to get pickles," she says. Behind the bar are fruit-forward crushes and twists on classics, including a dill pickle brine martini, a Hugo spritz, and a fig vodka mule, with cocktails rotated seasonally. An extensive makeover by designer Joseph Ireland makes the dining room "lighter and brighter" with pops of neon pink, yellow, and green; updated TVs and audio equipment support Bravo-viewing parties and lively weekend brunches flowing with bubbly beverages. The old marquee now sits indoors above the service station while bold new lettering marks the exterior, and the bathrooms received a celebrity facelift—one all things Madonna and another dedicated to Beyonce. The restaurant will be open for dinner daily and weekend brunch to start, with weekly specials and happy hour deals in the works; Laczko emphasizes cultivating a community where everyone can feel safe and welcome: "It’s a neighborhood space as well as a queer space," she says. "You can spend an hour here or you can spend five hours here. I want the vibe to be exactly that." - Travis Mitchell