The Capital Burger
Hamburger restaurant · Mount Vernon Square
1005 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
![The Capital Burger by Capital Burger [Official photo]](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62589050/Captital_Burger_DC_pickles.0.0.jpg "The Capital Burger by Capital Burger [Official photo]")
Highlights
Signature French onion burger, boozy shakes, and truffle fries
Signature French onion burger, boozy shakes, and truffle fries
"Located at 1005 7th Street NW across from the Walter E. Washington Convention Center since 2018, this casual counterpart to steakhouse sibling the Capital Grille is best known for its French onion–styled namesake burger ($23) and is part of the Orlando-based Darden restaurant group (which also includes LongHorn, Olive Garden, Seasons 52 and Ruth’s Chris). It was the scene of a high-profile purse-snatching while Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem — nicknamed "ICE Barbie" for her showy deporting demonstrations on TV while flashing a luxe Rolex — was dining there on Easter Sunday. The Secret Service announced two Chilean nationals — one of whom is an alleged "serial offender" — were arrested over the weekend, and the suspects were reportedly "illegal migrants." D.C. Metro Police and the Secret Service took Mario Bustamante-Leiva into custody in connection to the theft and say he’s been charged with robbery in D.C. before; shortly after, Cristian Rodrigo Montecino-Sanzana was detained in Miami as his alleged accomplice, though charges have not yet been formally filed. The stolen black Gucci bag (retails for over $4,000) contained $3,000 in cash, a passport, apartment keys and a DHS access badge; per a statement to WUSA9, DHS says she brought the big stack of bills to allegedly buy both dinner and Easter presents for her family. Per a statement from investigators, Noem was not targeted based on her high-profile position, despite her Secret Service detail being present. Per NBC, a suspect in an N95 mask sat down next to the family’s table, slid the purse with his foot and walked out with it under his jacket — all in a matter of minutes. Law enforcement officials say the suspects are believed to be part of a larger East Coast robbery ring. The restaurant and its Orlando-based parent company have not released surveillance video of the incident or issued a public comment." - Tierney Plumb
"This Capital Grill offshoot has a barrel-aged negroni on its menu to pair with its burgers and sandwiches, priced at a reasonable $12." - Travis Mitchell
"The Capital Grille’s offshoot burger joint has a lunch and dinner takeout menu in Mt. Vernon Triangle. The signature Capital Burger is dubbed “a take on French onion soup you can hold in your hands,” topped with caramelized onions, gooey Wisconsin Grand cru gruyère, and shallot aioli." - Tierney Plumb
"The Washington Post’s Tim Carman weighs in on Mount Vernon Square’s the Capital Burger, which he calls “a steakhouse for burgers, without the tablecloths and the tufted, black-leather booths.” He’s conflicted on the upscale take on the humble burger, but he’s into the steakhouse burger itself. The restaurant stands by its patty so much that diners need to ask for lettuce and tomato. “The ground-beef patty, all by itself, is a thing of beauty: thick, luscious and reliably cooked to your preferred temperature,” Carman writes, but there can be an issue with too much salt." - Adele Chapin
"Every meal at area newcomer Capital Burger starts out with a free mason jar brimming with semi-sweet, crunchy pickle chips that are perfect for nibbling on before lunch or dinner. Or slip a few onto a featured burger to add a funky vinegary pop to every bite." - Tim Ebner
