ABOVEGROUND

In my opinion it’s a waste of your money and time with this place. There are so many better places at Union Market to enjoy food which is good quality and reasonably priced with a friendly service. I was really excited to try this place. Born British and have now lived in the DC area for 17yrs it's always nice to find a little taste of home. Unfortunately this place offers nothing close to traditional British Fish and Chips. The Chef prides himself on serving British Scran #donepropper. Scran is a good word to use here as it can mean low quality food. For one portion of Fish and Chips and one regular can of soda our check came to $30.22. That's for a take out meal! Not a served sit down dining experience. The Fish looked like a whale but after cutting into it we found an extremely thick, mostly doughy, cakey undercooked batter hiding a small portion of fish. The chips aren't chips. They are potato wedges. And to add insult to injury the meal is served with a cold, watery pitiful serving of mushy peas in a condiments cup you'd find ketchup in at any fast food joint. It was also so greasy. Not an enjoyable meal and wouldn’t recommend it.

Just had fish and chips here, my wife also had batter sausage and chips. The chips were nice and crunchy, as well as the fish. The fish was well cooked and hot, the batter was criapy and hot. The portion of the mushy peas could have been larger, but we're sufficient. There is vinegar provided, which was a surprise, as most of the places in my 27 years of living in the US one has to ask for the vinegar. There was only one other place that I have been to, which is unfortunately closing, that proves vinegar without asking. One suggestion I have is to a

TLDR: I highly recommend Aboveground for your fish-and-chips needs (plus good vibes)! Aboveground is a hidden gem in DC, serving up delicious fish and chips from London, as well as other bites with South/Southeastern Asian influences. My wife and I had heard about this place, so we ventured to Union Market to see what it was all about! We ordered the big fish sandwiches, two sides of chips (French fries), and the curry fish puff pastries (similar to samosas)—all three were great! The fish was fresh, hot, and fried perfectly. Same goes for the fries. Our favorite dish, though, was the curry fish pastries…wow, they caught us off guard with those. The pastries were large, soft, samosa-like treats that we devoured. Also, the ingredients are nut-free (but still tasty), which was a bonus since my wife has a nut allergy. Finally, the chef, Nick Martino, and his staff were friendly and welcoming. The chef even explained how he prepares the dishes and the history of some of the dishes. The warm hospitality we experienced just added to the delicious flavors we experienced.

Had my first experience at Aboveground as a gluten sensitive person and was blown away! Food: I ordered the Chicken Tikka Masala and Chips. The tikka masala was the perfect combination of sweet and savory. Definitely a bit sweeter than an Indian tikka masala which I liked! The chips have been rated best in DC and I can see why. Perfectly seasoned and crispy and I enjoyed it with their curry ketchup. They also sell lots of British treats including candy, so we snagged a few of those too! Service: I was lucky enough to come while Chef Nicolas was working and he is the BEST! So personable and you can tell he’s super passionate about what he has created. He gave me lots of background about the food from aboveground, the flavors I was tasting, and the history behind the meals. He also let me know the chicken tikka masala is 100% gluten free and the chips are better for someone who may be gluten sensitive since it’s fried in a fryer next to gluten and flour may fall into the chips fryer. Overall, had such a great experience and will be back!!

Us English like our fish and chips. And when I seen this place i thought id try it. Thinking its not going to be as nice as home. Boy was i wrong it looked and tasted amazing. Truly English fish and chips

Came down from Baltimore to get a taste of home with my American wife. I always tell her how the fish and chips here aren't like the ones back in England, so I was excited to bring her and also grab a sausage roll, steak and ale pie and some snacks. Fish and chips were great, they could have used some salt on the fish and it didn't seem like any was on offer there but I am probably wrong on that front, still nice it was put in the box like the other things included. The batter was crispy, fish was soft and served hot from the fryer. Vinegar, tar tar and mushy peas being included was a nice touch. The chips were more like wedges but they tasted all the same, more crunchy than the soggy ones from a chippy back home. Up to preference but I actually enjoyed them. It was comparable to a chippy back home, though the price is on the higher end. Still, it was a treat and I enjoyed it, my wife certainly enjoyed it. The sausage roll was great. Not much else to say, little pricey but where else are you getting one in the DMV? Tasted like home and my wife loved trying it. The steak and ale pie was good, a little different than what I'm used to but not in a bad way. I think it could have used a little more steak and a browner gravey, but still good. Everywhere does it differently back home, so I'm not going to knock it for that. Decently priced, I enjoyed it. As for the selection of snacks, again little pricey (between 1.50 to 10 for select items, issue here is none of them have price tags which is little annoying considering the price of some items) but good variety overall and again, where are you getting this stuff? Online will be just as expensive if not more so. Still, I'd really say they need to label the snack prices considering the layout is a bit like a corner shop but the prices are far from it. We spent around 40ish on food, which I felt was fair enough. But 30, 10 of which was for the Ribena alone was a bit much. Staff were fine, polite enough. Same goes for the Union Market. It was clean, had free parking and you could chat comfortably. We weren't expecting a pub or a carbon copy of a chip shop from the Wirral, so if you don't either, it shouldn't bother you. Overall, good. I enjoyed it and so did my wife. You won't up spending as much as we did, though we also didn't get drinks. I think locals would enjoy some of the unique food on offer and anyone from the UK whose craving a sausage roll or a lucozade without breaking the bank or buying in bulk would enjoy it. Worth the visit in the end.

I recently visited Aboveground at Union Market, and overall, it was a great experience! They serve a variety of British classics like fish and chips, shepherd's pie, and chicken and leek pie. The fish and chips are really tasty, though at $18, the price feels a bit steep for the portion size. The English sausage roll was also quite good and definitely worth trying. One thing to keep in mind is that seating can be tough to find, especially on weekends, so be prepared for that. On the plus side, they offer a solid selection of beers, cocktails, and soft drinks. The staff were all very friendly and worked quickly to get our food to us, which was much appreciated. Definitely a spot worth checking out if you're in the area and craving some British comfort food!

I was looking forward to trying this out since I’ve been craving some fish and chips! But as someone who grew up in UK, the food was too seasoned (especially the chips!). The fish and mushy peas were delicious though and the portion was not bad although $19 (without tax) was a bit much compared to prices in local British fish and chips shops. I think if they made everything less seasoned it would seem more authentic 😂🇬🇧

Have you ever had fish & chips from England? If no, there is a spot inside of Union Market D.C., that's got that!! This eatery has imported candy too!! Who said English food was bad? Let's GO!! . Where I am: @aboveground_dc . Location Reviewed: 1309 5th St., N.E. Washington D.C. inside of @unionmarketdc . Menu Includes: *See Website* www.abovegrounddc.com/ . Items Reviewed: Their Curry Fish Puff (with Madras curry, English peas, puff pastry, & curry mayo $6). LIKE THAT!! A well blend of curry spices, not fishy!! STAMP that mayo too!! Their Sausage Roll (English spiced pork, puff pastry, & curry ketchup $7). STAMP!! A meaty, mild sausage, flaky, & STAMP that ketchup too!! Their Governor's Fish & Chips (Atlantic Cod, triple cooked chips, tartar sauce, & malt vinegar $18). STAMP!! Best fries I've EVER HAD!! The beer battered fish...GET THIS!! Their Shepherds Pie (with minced lamb, carrot, & mashed potatoes $15). STAMP!! Well seasoned lamb, creamy potatoes, DELECTABLE!! Their Chicken & Leek pie (with free range chicken, Dijon cream, & puff pastry $14). LIKE THAT!! It's like a chicken pot pie!! Their Irn Bru Soda (an orange cream soda $3). STAMP!! Not overly sweet, with a bubble gum aftertaste!! Their Ribena Crush (a black current drink with vodka, lime, & mint $10). DELICIOUS. It was proper bitter ole chap!! Good. The Imported Candy ($3 each). STAMP the Crunchie!! A chocolate coated crunchy butterscotch. STAMP the Lion!! A caramel, Nestle crunch KitKat!! YES!! The Starbar DELICIOUS. It's chocolate covered roasted peanuts with caramel. Personal preference...I just didn't like it. The Fruit & Nut Chocolate Bar...PASS. Chocolaty, but this was like the fruitcake of chocolate!! The Fruit Pastilles...STAMP!! A gummy fruit candy!! . Online Navigation: Easy . Customer Service: On Point . Parking: ROUGH in the lot. . Recommendations: Get the Fish n Fries, that shepherds pie, them candies... . Music:YouTube-The What Band Let the Beat Ride 5 Stars=STAMP 4 1/2 Stars=LIKE THAT 4 Stars=DELICIOUS 3 Stars=DECENT 2 Stars=PASS 1 Star=NAH #Bigschlimsreviews

Cute spot with efficient service and quality eats. Doesn't try to do too much. Had a delicious shepherd's pie that's truly memorable. This classic English dish comes topped with piped mashed potatoes that are broiled to a wonderful, golden crisp. It's really a hearty, savory meal--not just a snack--and satisfying. Jolly good, AboveGround. I'll be back.

My favorite chocolate bar is Cadbury's Starbar. Since Dean & Delucca closed, it is challenging to find it in DC. Eastern Market has a cute stand inspired by Britain. There is a selection of treats and food you would find in Britain. No worries, you can leave your passport at home! I am willing to pay more for something that is an easy commute from my house. During the week, it is easier to find parking.

Amazing fries and a large portion of crispy fish. Was ready in about 10 minutes and delicious!

This place is a small pocket england in DC. I got the fish and chips and it was great sized portion and nice presentation. All the parts of the dish were great. A solid place for fish in chips not just un union market but in the whole city.

The shepherds pie is delicious! Fish and chips are huge and crispy. Great chips too. My next try will be their mushy peas!

Came here on a weekday. This isn't a restaurant that you pay a premium to experience the ambience, it is a small stall in an indoor shopping area. That being said the service was fast and the food was excellent. I only tried the Shepard pie but it was definitely one of the better things I've eaten in a long time. The potato topping had a crispy layer almost like a potato chip while the inside had peas beef and other things. It was really good and I could see myself eating them all day. I definitely plan on coming back and trying their other items.

Ordered from their place at Union Market. I loved seeing the spread of chocolates they had available. Unfortunately the chocolates are pretty pricey so I didn't go crazy eating all the nostalgic treats. I would like to come back to try their fish and chips, this time around I stuck with a pie. What we got: Chicken and leek pie - 3.5* I was a little bit disappointed with the crust. I felt that it could have been thicker as it almost felt non-existent. The inside was nice and creamy and the chicken and leak was pretty good. But once again, it almost felt like it was more of a thicker soup than a satisfying, hearty pie.

Stopped in recently on a whim - overall enjoyed, the sausage roll and steak and ale pie are pretty decent and it's not like these are available many places in dc. the pastry part of them were good, but the inside of both weren't quite there for me. Prices feel expensive for what is more of a snack vs a meal though

In a place chock full of options, this place stuck out the most. The workers were kind, and the food was quickly prepared. The chips were great, on the saltier side of things. The sausage was a bit dry, so if i were to go here again id probably try something else. They also provided several different sauces like mustard, ketchup, and vinegar.

We love trying a variety of food and restaurants when we go to food halls and this was one of our picks when we were at Union Market. My husband and I only got a sausage roll since we were trying other places too. I've actually never had one before, but I enjoyed this one. I'd happily come back and try more of the menu.

Excellent fish and chips, and a delightful and hospitable owner. Forget other imitations of fish and chips, get yourself to Union market and embrace the calories!!!!!!

I haven't tried much from AboveGround but what I have tried I really like. I love a sausage roll and theirs is pretty good and the sausage even has a slight hint of heat. The fish and chips are the standout. The fish is super crisp and delicious, as are the fries. I couldn't finish it all as the portion is big. I even heated up some later and it was still good. Service is super friendly. I think the few times I've been there I've chatted chatter with the owner/chef, who has been excellent. I highly recommend AboveGround.

I was SO excited to see an English restaurant since I grew up fed in Australia by a Scottish mum who was an AWESOME cook and I spent a couple of years in the UK so I adore great English-style cooking. I love good pastry and it's hard to come by. So I went a little nutty and got a bunch of dishes delivered by Uber including Steak & Ale Pie $10.00, 2 Curry Fish Puff $12.00, 2 Sausage Roll $14.00, Chicken & Leek Pie $14.00, "THE GOVERNOR'S" Fish & Chips $18.00, Chicken Tikka Masala $15.00, Big Fish Sando $19.00 with chips $4.00, Shepherds Pie $15.00. Sadly, I wasted my money. The only item I'd order again were the Sausage rolls. I will admit I don't much like cod so there's that. But none of the other items were worth repeating since either the pastry/coating was a let down or the filling wasn't good (and stingy which turned out to be a good thing), often both. Maybe I got unlucky the day I ordered but the food just didn't have the quality that speaks of professional chef, it tasted like not-very-good home cooking. I'd try again if I was passing, just it case...I'd have been a regular customer if they were great:(

Staff is really friendly. Found the little gem while walking around and seeing what the market and taking in all of the offerings. I loved this place they had some candies that I remember from my last trip there. They even had the different pies!!

AboveGround is a new concept in Union Market serving British street food. Having grown up overseas passing through London a few times a year, I'm down for this new food stand. I went on an August Thursday afternoon for lunch. Here's my experience: 1) Food: Keep in mind that British food is less spicy and flavor-forward as other Union Market vendors like TaKorean or Thai Street Food. Appreciating both the spice and bland, I found my sausage roll and braised red cabbage tasty. The bread and sausage combo played well. Candidly, I lost my breath every time I ate a bite of the braised red cabbage due to the intense vinegar, but I enjoyed it. 2) Prices: AboveGround is expensive. The fish and chips cost $17. A shepherd's pie is $15. A chicken and leek pie is $14. Because of the prices, I opted for a $7 sausage roll and $7 braised red cabbage, both way too expensive for what you get. For $14, I expect to leave lunch full, but that wasn't the case. 3) Service: It wasn't friendly, but it was efficient, which I appreciate. The small line flowed well and my food was out within seconds. They put it in a small brown bag with napkins and silverware. 4) Market: Behind the cut-out of the Queen is a little market of products from England like smarties, Heinz baked beans (my favorite) and digestives. If you have a connection to England, you'll appreciate this food stall. If you're a Gallaudet student, you get a 10% discount.

Came here for lunch based of a suggestion from a friend who had heard it was opening up but that was all we knew. Always being curious to trying new places we ventured out. We got an order of Fish n Chips, Sausage Roll, mushy peas & two waters totaling $34. Small portions & not cheap but you're in Union Market so real estate is prime. Fish n Chips ~ one piece of fish, served with a lemon wedge, side of mushy peas & steak fries. Fish was hot & flaky but very much on the bland side. Perfectly cooked but unseasoned "chips" & flavorless mushy peas. Sausage Roll ~ this was on the bland side too & incredibly small. Mushy peas ~ the most bland of all (zero flavor) & very soupy for mushy peas - literally thought I was eating subpar pea soup. This was the most flavorless, under-seasoned meal I have eaten since I don't know when. The only saving grace to our food was the sauces, thank you sauces!!! The curry ketchup saved the day & was very delicious. We were also given HP sauce & malt vinegar. This place just opened recently so they do not have their liquor license yet - the guy said they'd be serving in two weeks (today's date 7/24/21). No cause for concern as all of the other venues in the market sell whatever libation you are looking for if you so desire. To top it off, the guy at the register seemed annoyed & irritated by questions from any customers that were asking. At one point he rather curtly answered an inquiry from two girls to talk over top of them & flirt with another girl sitting at the table directly across from the counter. I give three stars because they are so new and hopefully they will iron out the kinks but I won't be back anytime soon to find out.

Overall: 8/10 Taste: 10/10 - One of the best fried fish I have ever had. The batter was very thin light and crisp. The fish was very juicy and flaky even though the piece of fish was huge. The fries were decent and well fried. Price: 8/10 - $20 for fish and chips was a little too much for my liking even though the piece of fish was big Service: 7/10 - The workers seemed like they were tired of being there and didn't seem to care that much Ambience: 7/10 - The place is located in Union market which is a plus but the shop itself looked a bit like a convenience store and diner combined

We need an AboveGround in San Diego! I really loved the charm and look of AboveGround, London is probably one of my favorite cities and seeing the tube logo made me feel so nostalgic. While I didn't get any foods, I did see that there were sausage rolls ready for you buy and go! I ended up getting a couple of my favorite chippies, prawn cocktail and the twirl chocolate bar. Again, I wish we had something like this in San Diego!

Brilliant food stand inside Union Market that serves legit British food fares & beers. Had myself a sausage roll with an Old Speckled Hen ale. Breakfast done proper!

How hard is it to get a two item order right. I ordered a simple order and it was wrong. I ordered battered sausage and chips. The container label is right but inside the container was some sort of pie. I Wouldn't know how good or bad the food is as I didn't get any but the service isn't that great.

Seeking a return to the halcyon days of our youth in London, we went for lunch at said establishment. We had the steak & ale pie and 2 sausage rolls. The Good ...the sausage rolls are the real deal. The sausage tasted just as we recalled, and the pastry was buttery and flaky. The Bad... steak and ale pie was too salty with just a scant top crust. The saltiness was so bad we couldn't finish it. The Ugly ... the prices $7 for one sausage roll. Yikes.. only justifiable if the sausage came directly from England. The pie at $10 was also very pricey. We may return for our sausage roll fix unless we can find the sausages locally. (Any ideas fellow Yelpers?) But it''s a firm "no" on the pie.

Ok, this is a tough one for me. I'm a fan of the place. Their fried fish is still the best (the batter, tenderness of the fish). The tartar sauce still the best. But my most recent visit on 1/2/2023 the fish had an ammonia smell. And I wasn't the only customer who complained. That means the fish was not fresh, on the verge of going bad. (No danger of food poisoning. But completely destroys the fried fish.) Please, please get better quality raw material!

I haven't been to Union Station in years and was excited for the new selection of booths. After some browsing the ecclectic decor and funky menu of AboveGround peaked my interst. I went with the standard fish and chips with mushy peas but honestly their pies, tarts and even chicken tikka masala looked very good. I apprecited how authentic and British everything from the decor to the produce they were selling and excited for my meal. My favorite part of the whole dish was the curry mayo which they should bottle and sell. It goes perfectly with the fried fish and fries which were also excellent and not too oily. Portions are massive and it also comes with a small portion of mushy peas so you don't have to order it on the side. Overall, great flavors and the guys working there are fantastic. Prices are a bit high is the only drawback butI'm sure this is due to the crazy renter fees.

Best fish and chips I have had outside of England. I saw someone in the market with the dish and it was love at first sight. I ordered and was not disappointed. Crispy. Filling. Fantastic chips. Definitely coming back for more.

The place to go for delicious fish & chips! Everything was flavorful and crispy. A bit pricey tho. The fish comes as one big piece rather than typical small tender pieces. I really enjoy the fries, even though, they're potato wedges. So soft inside and crunchy on the outside!

Went for the fish and chips, figuring that it ought to be good based on the great decor and good reviews. Sadly, this was one of the few meals in recent memory that I could not finish. The fish had an off taste to it, like it was a day past when it could be served. The crust tasted like old cooking oil, and was quite oversalted. The chips themselves were not too bad, but also completely oversalted. I will say that the tartar sauce was very well done, but what good is it when the fish itself should be tossed? Lady at the counter was nice.

Food and service was great!! Highly recommend you try. If you are in a hurry and can't for some reason, grab the orange drinks- they're unbeatable!! The fish and chips were delicious. The fish is huge and perfectly breaded!

First thing you notice is the excellent customer service. The owner is super friendly and the cook, so you can bet the food is delicious. The sausage was perfect and the flaky crust made it even better. The pie is seasoned good and again the crust is flaky. I came for the fish and it did not disappoint. Not a fan of curry, but the puff was not bad. I definitely plan to return.

It took me a bit to get over the shock of getting one piece of fish for over $20, but the flavor and quality was spectacular. Appropriately crunchy chips and mouth watering fish didn't fail me. It left me with a hankering for even more, although it wasn't particularly filling. This was my mother's first bite at union market and she was satisfied with the flavor as well.

Fast excellent food, paired phenomenally well with the beers they sold. Owner is excellent and knowledgeable, great place will definitely come back

Love when you go to a place and you get your food hand cooked by the owner/chef. I never bother with fish and chips in the states because after devouring the real deal straight from newspaper packets squatting outside a pub you can't go back. But Nic has brought this English classic to our favorite pop up venue! The fish and chips was to die for and the Shepherd's pie was a comfort food standby. Literal teleportation by food, when eating here ! Not to mention that you can buy real UK smarties, flakes , and Cadbury there which IYKYK

Best fish and chips in DC, hands down. The Shepherds pie was also really tasty. Chef Nick is awesome!

I've had several things both in person and through UberEats delivery, and I love the food every time. They fit a lot into their space and you can't miss it when walking around Union Market. The chicken and leek pie and fish and chips are wonderful and exceeded my expectations. In person, over the summer (probably 2021?) my husband and I got a curry fish sandwich and a chicken tikka dish. I'm not sure those are on the menu anymore, but those were also good. I loved the canned Pimm's Cup they had during the spring/summer - now there are several other homemade cocktails themed to the restaurant.

I don't know how they won anything that was the nastiest food ever $46 in the trash the fish and chips the fries are the worst ever the fish was not fresh and it's 10am in the morning the big dude with the gold chains smh just not good on no level the city paper lied they are the worst place to eat fries or anything sorry nuffsaid

Amazing quality, and I've eaten fish n chips in New Zealand! A bit pricey, but amazing quality. Definitely check it out!!

I am not a connoisseur for seafood, but they have the best fish n chips in the market!!! Definitely need to try this restaurant out!!

Wow the staff are so friendly and the decorations hit the nail on the head! You truly feel like you're ordering from a pub counter. I loved their chicken and leek pie; the sauce was so creamy, the chicken tender and the pie crust buttery. I also couldnt resist the chips, which were super crispy and salty on the outside, soft on the inside (perfect). The curry ketchup is a winner for sauce! Finally, they have a cute little pantry with British groceries you'd be hard pressed to find elsewhere, so I grabbed some chocolate covered digestives. Such a fun concept and the food was amazing! Def recommend as a top Union Market vendor.

Love trying new food and this one is definitely something I highly recommend! Chef Nick is a beast!!! Service and food are impeccable! Have you signed up for the loyalty program? I did and the savings are worth it!

I decided to grab food here on a whim after seeing a mystery dinner bag being offered. When I arrived I was greeted by the two owners. They were so nice and warm. The head chef explained what I was getting for dinner and honestly I've forgotten. I know one for sure was a curry fish cake. The pie I had was excellent as well. Everything was delicious though and I will definitely be back!

So authentic and amazing wonderful service also I can't believe such a hidden gem was right next to where I was staying on holiday!!

The fish and chips are delicious, large portion and great value. Get the sausage roll, one of my favorite bites in union market and it comes with HP SAUCE! A very unique place too. Feels like you are in london with the store front setup. The chef/owner Nick is really friendly and great to talk to. ABOVEGROUND is always on the rotation of places when I eat at Union Market and always recommend to first timers!

The lil banger is the best $2 snack in the city. Better than snacks triple it's cost. I get it w a beer which the owner dubbed a "power combo" and he's right.

I have found my go-to place for quick comfort food in DC! The Shepard's Pie, sausage rolls and fish and chips are simply wonderful. They hook it up with a great selection of condiments including the most amazing tartare sauce, HP sauce (obvi), curry ketchup, curry mayo and salad cream.

Finally!!! authentic British fare that is absolutely top-notch! I must admit I am partial because I am a super fan boy of Chef Nicholas Martino. anything he touches in the kitchen literally turns to gold. not to mention him and his staff are so charismatic and friendly it's a win-win situation every time you visit!!! Love the concept, love the food and mostly love chef Nicholas Martino he is the bomb.

been in DC for 2 years now and this place is by far the best fish and chips anywhere i have been in DC by far!! Chef Nick was extremely nice and even gave us a free curry fish puff that I would 500% recommend trying and the curry mayonnaise is to die for, if I could I'd bath in it!! sausage roll was amazing and all the little goodies they stock is awesome!! The prices are really good and value for money is really good! quality of food is above and beyond and you can tell that they make it all in house by hand. definitely worth the trip out to Union market for some awesome fish and chips.

Owner is super friendly and love the array of British products he has on stock. So far the food we tried has been awesome.

Great service they fried up fish and chips for me as they were closing. Everything was fresh and crispy. I like that they used wedges for the chips. I am for sure coming back.

Excellent fish and chips! Tender, flaky, meaty fish cooked to order, enclosed in perfectly seasoned, crispy batter. And, the chips (fries) were perfectly seasoned too. Friendly, quick service too. Will definitely be back!!

Best fish and chips in DC - not to mention the mashed peas, which are also amazing! Nicholas really knows what he's doing, and takes the extra steps to make sure he is serving the best food.