KitchenCray H Street

"Kitchen Cray on H Street is a multigenerational hot spot where you can woo your partner, get wild with your friends, or chill with momma—all in the same place, which makes up for the aight food. The American restaurant lives up to its name, so some of the menu items will have you tilting your head in both confusion and curiosity (like the burger topped with shrimp). Your eyes will follow every plate that passes the table and the buffalo sauce on the KC chicken sandwich assaults your nose in the best way. Unfortunately, the food doesn’t taste quite as good as it looks or smells, but it’s decent and the portions are huge. Quick warning: if the DJ is playing, be prepared to yell, but the jams are solid and everybody (including the DJ) is usually having a good time." - Tristiana Hinton, Omnia Saed

"Head to Kitchen Cray on H Street for a meal where you can twerk between bites without judgment—the Black-owned American restaurant has a DJ on weekends who will play everything from Luther Vandross to Megan Thee Stallion. It’s a multigenerational party, so it’s fine for your grandmama and your little cousin (but maybe leave alluv’em home if you’re planning to drop it low). The food lives up to its name, so some of the menu items will have you tilting your head in both confusion and curiosity (like the burger topped with shrimp). Everything tastes almost as good as it smells, and the portions are huge so you’ll likely have some to take home with you—helpful if you go a little too hard." - Tristiana Hinton

"Kitchen Cray on H Street is a multigenerational hot spot where you can woo your partner, get wild with your friends, or chill with momma—all in the same place, which makes up for the aight food. The American restaurant lives up to its name, so some of the menu items will have you tilting your head in both confusion and curiosity (like the burger topped with shrimp). Your eyes will follow every plate that passes the table and the buffalo sauce on the KC chicken sandwich assaults your nose in the best way. Unfortunately, the food doesn’t taste quite as good as it looks or smells, but it’s decent and the portions are huge. Quick warning: if the DJ is playing, be prepared to yell, but the jams are solid and everybody (including the DJ) is usually having a good time." - Tristiaña Hinton

"Opened in 2020 during the pandemic, KitchenCray is already a hit in restaurant-heavy H Street. It's all about mimosas during brunch, by the glass or the carafe, plus generously portioned brunch hits like creamy cheddar grits topped with deep-fried catfish and Cajun crawfish étouffée, an oxtail Benedict served on a Southern biscuit, and buttermilk fried chicken served with decadent French toast. KitchenCray's chef and owner James “J.R.” Robinson’s resume includes opening a catering business and appearing as a contestant on “Hell’s Kitchen.” Head here to indulge and celebrate a birthday—or just a Sunday Funday—with a heaping helping of mac and cheese and a DJ-led soundtrack." - Adele Chapin

"Kitchen Cray’s opening in 2013 marked a pivotal turning point in chef and owner J.R. Robinson’s career. At his Lanham, Maryland, restaurant, he served a contemporary take on soul food recipes to celebrities such as Janelle Monae and secured his placement as a contestant on Hell’s Kitchen. He recently expanded Kitchen Cray to H Street NE, where customers can find its signature buttermilk fried chicken topped over a mountain of french toast drizzled with caramel and vanilla sauces." - Stephanie Williams