Mélange DC

"Eater DC’s 2021 Chef of the Year Elias Taddesse’s acclaimed burger bar Mélange will serve its last burger in Mt. Vernon Triangle this weekend." - Tierney Plumb

"Ethiopian chef Elias Taddesse (Mélange) is up for emerging chef of the year." - Tierney Plumb

"Mélange, a two-year-old venue in Mt. Vernon Triangle, is known for its inventive mashups of East African and American cuisine. Led by Elias Taddesse, the venue offers doro wat fried chicken sandwiches and brown butter aioli cheeseburgers. It started as a pop-up at Shaw’s Wet Dog Tavern in early 2017 and has gained a reputation for blending heritage with modern culinary techniques." - Tierney Plumb

"Since opening Mélange in fall 2020, D.C. chef Elias Taddesse has wowed Mt. Vernon Triangle with his fast-food mashup menu centered around French techniques and Ethiopian flavors. His standout cheeseburger constructed with freshly ground Maryland beef patties and brown butter aioli is just an entry point to Mélange. Ethiopian spices stored in translucent containers inside the ordering counter clue customers into more inventive options that mix up Taddesse’s East African heritage, Michelin-starred background, and nostalgia for American drive-thrus. Do not miss the National, a berbere-marinated and dry-spiced fried chicken sandwich reminiscent of doro wat stew. Takeout pints of ice cream and hand-spun milkshakes in simple flavors like milk or toast are also spectacular splurges." - Tierney Plumb

"Chef Elias Taddesse brings a unique blend to American fast food at Mélange, incorporating haute French cuisine and traditional Ethiopian ingredients. His new French dip features ribeyes aged in niter kibbeh, topped with caramelized shallots, sliced jalapenos, and senafich cream sauce, accompanied by a broth inspired by kikil. New keto-friendly items include a braised short rib box and a grilled avocado salad." - Gabe Hiatt