I Spent $100 Trying The Most Viral Foods Online, And Here Are The Actual Best Ones

1.

I have a personal rule while traveling to never eat at chain restaurants unless they’re specific to that area (or if I’m on a budget). My goal is to experience new foods and cultures, so this prevents me from ordering something “basic” that I could get anywhere else. So, for breakfast, I went to Teaism, which is an Asian-inspired restaurant and teahouse. They have three locations in DC (the one I went to is a block away from the White House) and serve all-day breakfast. I ordered their okonomiyaki dish, which was packed with flavor.

2.

As someone who’s lived in New York City for well over a decade, I’ve had my fair share of bagels. Call Your Mother is a neighborhood deli and bagel shop that came highlyyyyy recommended. They have savory and sweet “bangers” to match any mood you’re in, like their “Jetski” (which comes with brisket, two different cheeses, Sofrito, and jalapeño) and their “Summit” (topped with peanut butter, Nutella, marshmallow fluff, and a banana). I ordered their Spicy Pastrami on a cheddar bagel and was not disappointed.

3.

Mumbo sauce (sometimes called “mambo” sauce) is a staple condiment at a lot of DC takeout spots. Most people use it to coat their chicken wings, fries, and nuggets, so I wanted to try it on all three. I scoured through every viral TikTok and Reddit thread from DC natives, and the two most-recommended places were Yum’s II Carryout and Howard China. Yum’s wasn’t too far away from where I was staying, so that’s where I ended up.

4.

I love a good sandwich. There’s something kind of magical about a perfect ratio of meat, veggies, melted cheese, and toasted bread. My go-to spot in DC is Compliments Only, not just because their “Crunchy Boi” sandwich goes viral every month (with several videos hitting over 100k likes), but because it’s genuinely so, so, so tasty.

5.

DC actually has the largest Ethiopian population in the US, and my favorite authentic spot in the city is Chercher. My friend and I always split their deluxe vegan platter, which comes with ~10~ different sides. Neither of us is a vegan or vegetarian, but this platter is so freaking good that I order it every time I’m in the city.

6.

I’m 34 years old and only recently started drinking alcohol after taking a break for nearly a decade. But DC is home to a ton of great bars, so there’s a lottttt to choose from. For a cheap night out, there’s Cucina Morini, which offers $7 martinis during happy hour. But for inventive (and viral) drinks with a great atmosphere, my pick is Opaline Bar and Brasserie. This is the place to go to if you’re trying to impress someone, your parents are in town, or you just want to treat yourself. They have a “First Ladies Cocktail” menu, and each drink is inspired by a different first lady. After all, this ~is~ DC.

7.

I’m a chocolate guy, and I’ve never met a dessert I didn’t like, so when I found out that Baked & Wired created the viral “cakecups” trend, I knew I needed to try them. A little different from cupcakes, these “cakecups” are small-batched cakes with a tonnnnn of frosting. Like, you simply can’t go wrong. This family-owned bakery has a sister store, A Baked Joint, that I’ve also been to (for a breakfast sandwich, which was great!), so I knew I wouldn’t be disappointed.

8.

I didn’t want to make an “appetizers” category because there are simply too many to choose from, so I added a bonus “honorable mention” section for one of my favorite smaller plates in the city. I already mentioned Opaline above, but their charred octopus dish is so good that it deserves a special highlight.