Boxcar Tavern

Seated quickly, very casual and friendly. Server got to us quick! Burgers were ok, chips were homemade and great! Fish and chips...ok, not good...just ok. Caesar salad was huge and delicious.

Came here for a drink at the bar and thought it was okay. The drink was standard and the atmosphere was pretty low key which is what we were looking for. The service didn’t completely wow me, but I thought our overall experience was fairly good.

Super fast and friendly service. Tasty food. Atmosphere is chill, not loud. Good ambiance. Enjoyed the brunch!

Great pub. Small with limited seating. I had the nachos which were very good but lacking salsa. I've also had the sponach salad with salmon which was very good. Fair selection of beers.

Good service, good food. Pancakes unfortunately a bit stale (dry) but fruits were nice.

Drinks were cold. Music was ok. Though never in my life have I seen a less appetizing caprese sandwich. It comes hot, melted cheese, on a Hamburger bun. 3 week update- So I replied to the rep that replied and never got a response back. Will update if I do. I did happen to go back and and try out their new menu. Caprese sandwich is gone, not surprised. Instead they repurposing the ingredients a salad. Food was alright, my steak sandwich looked nothing like the picture on their website though. I would have given a 3 or even 4 stars had it not been for the patron who was VERY overserved. At one point he attempted to stand up and he tipped forward and faceplanted into the concrete while holding a glass in his hand. The glass smashed into face and he began to bleed profusely. I am guessing the first aid kit was not readily accessible because staff took some time getting the supplies. No ambulance called but the guy had a bandage wrapped around his actively bleeding facial wound that his wife was tending to. The guy was VERY visibly drunk even before this happened, I have no idea how this business could let that happen on their property.

We came across this place when looking for a brunch spot. It’s a pub but don’t let that fool you, the brunch food is really good. We were seated quickly inside and the server immediately took our drink orders. The drinks were great and reasonably priced. Everyone enjoyed their food. Between us we had the avocado Benedict, steak and eggs, wings, brunch burger, omelette, French toast and the breakfast burrito. Portions were large for the price. We liked it so much we went back the following day.

I am unfamiliar with the area and it looked good. Atmosphere was perfect for a rainy October night. I was able to order and receive a beer right away but then waited 15 minutes before the server asked if I had food on the way. Told him I was waiting to order. He took my order and was apologetic. After another 20 minutes or so they brought out a salad which I did not order. After returning that the server comped a 2nd beer. The correct food came out promptly and it was good. After I had finished both my food and beer I waited for a bit before having to ask to close out. After asking it was another 10 minutes before being brought the check. The place was at 50% capacity or less the whole time. Unfortunately it also smelled like dishwater. The staff were very nice but the above detailed issues wrecked my experience here.

This place is highly underrated and not the sub-par bar food you'd find at your typical American tavern. I'm a big fan of some fried chicken and their chicken tenders are incredible. Some of the best chicken tenders I've had in a long time. The chicken is incredibly tender and the outside is perfectly crispy. They even know how to top it off serving it up with some honey mustard. The parmesan fries were so good we ordered two and they went fast. Cute little space with great service and a wholesome, quaint vibe. Definitely go here if you want good bar food!

While this establishment may seem unassuming from the outside, I enjoyed so really good food options here. I tried their Thai chili wings and truffle fries. The wings were so crispy and coated in the Thai chili glaze and the fries were nice and crispy. The service was great as well. I went around 1pm and everything was quick and went well.

Sports bar atmosphere, with booths, bar side high chairs, and TVs. Service was pleasant and attentive. The prices were reasonable, and the food was cooked slowly. We ordered: 3*Tequila Shrimp tacos: the shrimps were cooked right, tender and tasty, but the side dishes were not up to par. Guacamole was too ripe and a bit unsightly. Pico de gallo tomato salsa and lettuce were bland, too watery, and unappetizing. 3*Baby Back Ribs: the portion was generous. Six baby ribs were cooked very tender. The meat fell off the bones with a gentle touch. The flavor was the usual, nothing special. We asked for carrots, celery and ranch sauce.

Boxcar Tavern is a part of the Hill Restaurant Group, so I figured it'd only make sense to try it out. I was impressed with the layout and comfy seating. Unfortunately, the service was a little delayed, took a seat at the bar and waited for a few minutes before deciding to head next door. All things considered the atmosphere was similar to their other establishments, but the major let down was the service.

I went for lunch and had tacos with blackened chicken. I'm super picky about tacos after living in California and Mexico so wasn't expecting much...but they were really good, just enough spice and a normal portion size. Being able to sit outside next to the market was lovely on such a nice day. It's in a perfect spot for people watching and enjoying the market energy. The staff was really fantastic...It was super windy and my menu blew away and as I was trying to get that my own work papers flew off the table into the street. But my really nice waiter Josue amazingly walked around and found my paper. He totally went out of his way! Really above and beyond. The whole staff were super nice and friendly and made my experience great especially for a solo traveler. Thanks guys!

I had a lot more hope for this place - The look is cool, the location is ideal, and they appear to have sufficient staffing. There's just nothing special however, and the service on the afternoon of our visit was lackluster. 1.) It was a warm day, and it took at least 5 minutes to get water (and menus) after being seated. The host was trying hard to look busy as no new customers were coming in...Anything other than offering to help 2.) We could only order from the brunch menu, not the lunch menus they gave us 3.) There was little follow-up by our server through our time at the restaurant. Overall, the burgers were good, and the breakfast burrito was filling. Pricing was reasonable at about $20-$25/person. On a 60-70 degree day (or whatever you prefer), it would be most pleasant to sit outside.

The food was Amazing we went twice going to DC. Definitely going to be my go-to when I go

Some of my friends wanted to get brunch here and I was not terribly impressed. The place itself is pretty nice and they have a nice patio for when the weather is nice, but the food was a let down. I had the croque madame, and I guess two slices of bread was out of the question. Although, honestly, I'm kinda glad there was only one slice because the bread was very chewy and soft when I was hoping for something toasted. The potatoes upset me the most - they looked so good but some of them were pretty close to raw. The only potato that was even remotely close to tender was a little burnt on the outside. Overall, service was good and the patio was nice so leaving this at a three but I'm not sure I'll be back.

This restaurant has the worse customer service OR should i say the worse customer service to Black people. My Mom and I were there on 2/2/24, we ordered appetizers, which took forever, with no explanation from the Manager. But when the white customers came, WOW! what impeccable service they received! I'm sure Management won't give a D** about this review. But just remember one bad word of mouth can destroy your establishment. Signed. You should treat your Black Customers with More Respect

They have changed their menu, clearly to save money. What used to be high end tavern food is now cheap fried items tasting only of salt. The quesadilla my friend and I shared was made with cheese whiz. Only go for the drinks.

Service is usually very good and we've enjoyed the food. I was especially surprised by the fries that came with our burgers. Very crispy and delicious. It is a very cozy place. Bonus: right across from Eastern Market.

This review is for dinner at the bar in December 2021. We're Capitol Hill residents and like the - relatively - affordable Hill Restaurant Group outlets, including Boxcar. service: Service is informal and I mean that in a good way. Place has a welcoming, neighborhood vibe and service matches the place. Waitstaff had good knowledge of menu and solid beer tap recommendations. bar: My wife's Tito Cosmo ($12) and Tito Mule ($12) were solid. I drank Loose Cannon IPA and was happy. food: Nachos ($16) plus chicken with guacamole and sour cream on the side were good. A little dry, so we asked for pico de gallo ($.50) which helped. I had chicken tacos ($14), which were really large chunks of chicken in flour tortillas. My wife had a cup of chili ($8). details: It's Eastern Market, so parking is tough. Boxcar is less than five minute walk from Eastern Market metro station. It's a long, narrow space. All dark wood and low lighting. Very comfortable.

The food at Boxcar Tavern is way above average comforting bar food served in the warmth of a British pub setting. The service always a little haphazard at best. The prices are higher than your typical bar setting, however. The reason for my one star review is their surcharge for Initiative 82. Just raise the prices. Everyone deserves a decent wage. Keep your political commentary to yourself.

Camille is fantastic. 10/10 service. He should get a raise and promotion. Would give 5 stars, but he's an Eagles fan.

Truthfully, at first glance I could barely tell this place was even a different establishment from the restaurant next door. However, we were hungry and they had ready outdoor seating, so we sat. I could describe this place as elevated pub food. They have what you expect out of any unremarkable bar restaurant, except they seem to do it better. I've had their fish and chips twice and both times they fried it perfectly without it being greasy. I'm pretty sure they make their potato chips in house, as my husband wouldn't share his with me because they were so good.

We came here to grab drinks after dinner near the Eastern Market and it was the perfect choice!! We played a fun bar trivia came for about an hour, and then chatted with the bartender for another. I sadly do not remember his name but I wish I did as he was the friendliest person in DC and gave us the best service!!! He gave us all sorts of insights as a local which was so kind!!! I had a watermelon margarita and it was exactly what I wanted, my friend had a martini and it was just how she liked it too. We just were treated so well here!

Location is adorable, the food was great, and the bloody Mary's were awesome. Only regret is that we didn't get to sit at the front table. We were all the way in the back it would've been nice to be in the front and enjoy some of the ambience of eastern market.

This has become on of my favorite bars. From the GM James to all the bartenders, every one has a way of always making you feel welcome. They greet you by name and always in good spirits. The food is amazing and happy hour is perfect to wine down for the day. It's the perfect hidden gem! I recommend Boxcar to everyone in the Eastern Market area.

We just went here to grab a bite to eat and a beer. Their Mac and cheese and wings are not to be missed! We like everything. Service, food and atmosphere are stellar.

I had a good experience at boxcar Tavern today. The interior of the restaurant has a warm classic feel, with seating centered around a wood-top bar. The service was friendly and prompt and the entrées were decent. However, lots of salt and pepper were needed to bring out the flavors. The kitchen should focus on adding additional seasonings to the food. Despite this I had a enjoyable lunch.

It was my first time there and I was not disappointed. The bartenders greeted me soon as I walked in as did the chef as he was walking by. I had this amazing drink with orange juice and Sierra mist.Amazing!! #NoComplaints I had the fried calamari and seafood penned pasta!!! #Fantastic #Flavorful and I didn't even finish my drink by the time the chefs had my food ready. Shoutout to the kitchen if I had a bigger tip I would've personally gave it to them. Overall definitely 100/10 experience and food. I will be back real real REAL soon

Came here to grab a quick bite after browsing eastern market. Also wanted to watch a bit of the World Cup. Got the eggs Benedict from the brunch menu and was disappointed. The poached eggs were cold and the potatoes were underdone. Maybe their other dishes are better, but I have pretty high standards for a basic eggs Benedict and this was not it.

Nice ambience with rustic tavern feel. Food was ok - cuban sandwich and fries were great! But Veggie burger was dry and not flavorful.

Really subpar. Floors were so sticky. Even for bar food it's just meh. The nachos had the chips going for it. That's it. The chili was watery. Wings were good. Two beers we tried to order were out. Just very average and unfortunately the service is also bad. Same girl is hostess, waitress, bartender.

My friends and I came to Boxcar Tavern after having drinks a few other places, and we were looking for one final drink on a Friday night. We easily sat at a booth and each ordered a drink, and the Peach Bellini was discounted to $8 so I chose that. The booths are very comfortable, and the ambiance is enjoyable. I enjoyed the ambiance more than anything. Service was slow for the desserts my friends ordered, and the drinks were just fine. I wouldn't rush to come back, but I had a fine experience.

Went there for quick bite today and sat at the bar. A previous customers dirty bar napkins and water was on the bar. Maybe a minor oversight, I cleaned it myself. No biggie. But it doesn't get any better. Bartender walks by, no acknowledgment, I say "hi" first. He stood at the POS system, which was right in front of me. I get it, your busy, your closing out. I literally had to say, can I bother you 4 individual times. Can I bother you for a menu- 2) a cocktail 3) utensils and 4) water. Guess when he removed the dirty pile of napkins? When he puts my check down. Come on, let's do better Kyle, your service is seriously lacking and unacceptable. I will not go back or recommend you to go, if KYLE is working behind the bar. Must Do Better!

Not good at all. Food was just underwhelming. "New" potatoes were old and barely cooked. An over medium egg we got was barely cooked. Bacon was flimsy and the avocado toast looked like it came out of a grocery store bagged bread. They also didn't let us order off the normal menu even though it was 12pm on Saturday. Much better options nearby.

No wait, great service, even nicer people and solid food. Our day sightseeing was going to be so sporadic that I didn't feel like I could make reservations somewhere and keep them so this place was the perfect opportunity to stop and grab a bite before hitting the road. I must say everyone was extremely nice and that made what would be an average place much better.

Come here multiple times in a months time. Sameer (bartender) is great and the Friday night "crew" that is always there gives me a good laugh. The entire staff is great to be frank. Crowd definitely is more local and a good place to just go hangout if you want to grab a dinner or beer alone. Good pub food. Just go and have a good time. Thats all I can say.

We enjoyed sitting outside while we had dinner. There are just three tables in front of the restaurant & we sat at one of them. Our food was good. We shared an appetizer of fried calamari. It was good, though not great. We also shared an entree of fish & chips. Again, it was fine but not great--the haddock was definitely better than the fries.

I've been here twice after meandering around Eastern Market for brunch so I figured it was probably time to write a review. I will say when the weather is nice is very busy just like all the other places around Eastern Market but that is something you should know going in. Otherwise, the staff have been attentive taking orders, cleaning out empty dishes, and refilling coffees. The interior is small but it is very welcoming and not pretentious at all, in fact it has an older feel without feeling rundown or dirty. As for the food, I'd highly recommend the chicken and waffles with the whipped cream and syrup--delicious even though it probably accounts for all the calories you need for the day. Other recommended options include the eggs benedict, the huevos rancheros, and the French toast with berries. You have plenty of options in the area but if you want a relaxed, fair priced, and filling breakfast/brunch then this is the spot.

Brunch at Boxcar Tavern was perfect! Fresh ingredients well seasoned and deliciously prepared made for perfect eggs Benedict and tasty, crispy chicken and waffles. Smiling service by Toya was the icing on the cake!

You go to Eastern Market on a Sunday, you walk too much and buy a bunch of food that you may or may not eat at all. It's fun and quaint and it all makes you hungry... That's the story of how I ended up at the Boxcar Tavern. It was a good, if random choice. We had drinks and burgers, which were delicious, big and with perfectly greasy fries. I'd say this is a wonderful place for the weekend when you're relaxed and don't really care to remember about your diet or other worries. But, what I would say is the standout here is the Brussels sprouts. They make the best ones in my humble opinion. Covered in a yummy sauce and smothered in bacon, they're what other Brussels sprouts wish they can become one day. If you go, try them! I'm salivating just reminiscing of my time there.

We ended up here on a whim while shopping around the market. The food was super good & we will definitely be back to try more things on the menu. Good atmosphere, especially on a Saturday afternoon.

Great staff, great food, fun/casual atmosphere. Great place for a low key night with friend.la. Definitely recommend

I just don't understand how the rating for this place is so high. Wife and I went last Saturday, and and the food was terrible! I sent the "croque madame" back immediately. I was basically an open- face egg sandwich. The bread was plain toasted white bread, the ham was the thickness of a slice of deli meat and the sauce had no flavor. There was no thought whatsoever put into the dish. Yuck. Wife got chicken and waffles. The waffle looked like an Eggo waffle and the two strips of chicken tenders were heavily breaded and had lines from the basket they were fried in. Look at how dark and dry the chicken is and how bland the waffles looks. I could go on, but it's not worth it. Skip this place.

I liked Boxcar! Easy going - sports bar meets modern casual dining. Came in for a drink at the bar on a Sunday afternoon with a buddy and ended up staying to watch a game. Good tap list with awesome prices (low end draft pint for 5 bucks!) in a homey environment. The only thing was the beer came out a bit warm - would recommend they lower the temp of the kegs. Also although we didn't imbibe, they had quite a nice selection of bourbons behind the bar. Would return if back around eastern market!

Poor service. Mediocre food. Didn't prepare food orders correctly. Had to ask multiple times for refills. Won't be back.

Grabbed a quick bite here in between activities on our trip. It hit the spot! I had the French dip sandwich and it was great. Good service and a nice outdoor atmosphere.

We stopped in here since it was close to our Airbnb, and wanted a quick walk somewhere. We got in about 8pm and the place had a few customers, but it wasn't packed full. There were only two people running the floor and one of them was the actual server, who was also running the bar. Probably a staff shortage. We did wait about 10 minutes for someone to get our drink order. We ordered food and drink at once. My husband and I both ordered two Lincoln Parks. I quickly learned rum is not my favorite but it was decent. The food came out pretty quick. The grilled chicken sandwich was simple and really hit the spot. The pesto gave it a good flavor. The salad was really the star for me. It was fresh and had variety to it. My husband's Mac and cheese was not anything special. The cheese was soupy and didn't stick well to the noodles, leaving you with a good bit of sauce left over. It didn't have much flavor either. The truffle fries were also great. I just didn't understand the white sauce they gave? It was thick; maybe mayo? Overall, this place was decent and I would come here again. It seems hit or miss on the food items, but that could just be my taste.

I stopped at Boxcar Tavern with 2 friends early on Sat. night. We ordered drinks and appetizers and asked the server Toya if we could have the check right away since we had an event to get too soon across the street. She obliged on the check but forgot out drink order, even though it was not even busy. When the drinks failed to arrive after 20+ minutes, I went up to the bar and asked if we could get our drink order, which she did not even remember. She barely even apologize for the lousy service and took her time delivering the drinks even after I complained. If you like overpriced food and drinks and shitty service, Boxcar Tavern is the place for you.

I had brunch here recently with a friend after we enjoyed Eastern Market (which I think is a story similar to most). She has specific dietary concerns, and this was the first restaurant we found that could accommodate her. I had two nice mimosas, although the serving size was quite small, and the service was rather slow. I had chocolate chip pancakes, which were just fine, if somewhat expensive. My friend had an omelette that came with a small mountain of sausages, which was a good thing. Overall ambience here has more in common with your local Silver Diner despite the cool name and interesting seating.On the whole, food was fine but the bill was rather high for what we got and I don't think we'd rush back. It's perfectly acceptable but nothing special.

The ambiance is exactly what you want for a wood paneled cocktail on Capitol Hill. Unfortunately, the cocktails are just gross. I never learn, and consistently order seasonal cocktails and I've never had one that wasn't borderline undrinkable. But the service takes so long to get someone to come by and check on you, I keep drinking them because there's really no alternative. Which I guess is on me. The food is fine, but the happy hour prices/quantities are confusing and seem like a better value than they end up being. I go about every quarter once it's been a few months and the disappointment from my previous visit has faded. There's so much potential, if they just switched to a basic cocktails only menu and the wait staff spent less time coordinating large tour groups and what appears to be fighting with the POS system and more time with each table, it might actually become a great neighborhood place.

Nothing special but a cheap place for drinks in the Eastern Market neighborhood. They seem to have a predisposition with Deep Eddy in cocktails though, which I was not a fan of.

I only came for a drink, so can't speak to the food quality. Bryan the bartender was one of the most attentive and helpful bartenders I've ever met in this city. It's rare to find a place that feels like "home" in DC. The whole vibe is the fun of a grungy Irish pub but without any of the grunge and dirtiness of your standard "pub" vibe. Lots of local folks from the neighborhood just stopping in for a quick bite or a drink. May want to make this my new "spot"

My buddy and I used to regularly go to Molly Malone's (which I still think it a good Capitol Hill staple), but once we discovered Boxcar Tavern, we'd never go back to Molly Malone's again. The space is smaller at Boxcar Tavern, but how they designed their seating is very inviting and we have never had to wait for a table (even on a Friday night). They have two long tables for big groups and the rest are booth seating (some for just two people). They get one star for having cider (Strongbow) on tap. The food is good too from the house salad to the Pan Roasted Atlantic Salmon (sooooooo amazing!). The service is very friendly and fast and you will never have an empty glass since the staff are constantly attentive and on it. Well done, Boxcar Tavern!

Went for the Sunday brunch while passing by in eastern market. The patio is open for service, as I believe inside seating is at this time. We were seated immediately and given menus and water very promptly. The brunch menu has a great variety of sweet and savory options. My friend and I both decided on the Croque Madame... we were not disappointed. So delicious!! The plates came out very quick and looked amazing before we even took our first bites. Ample amount of breakfast potatoes on the side made it even better! The staff could not have been kinder. They made sure to check in and refill our water as it was a hot day. Their enthusiasm and attention throughout our meal made this brunch feel like a great treat. We will certainly be back!

A comfy, friendly local gem with very decent food and classy feel for wine and beer crowd. It's more "cheers" than "Rick's cabaret". Fish and Fish and Chips entree is consistently Great. Order it with a Mac12 sherry cask or a remy1738 neat is a brandy snifter

Jeff was terrific and I would go back just for his energetic attitude. My fish and chips was wonderful as well