For me, this answer is a no-brainer. But I should start by stating a couple of things.
First, I won’t assume everyone knows what a carryout is. For the uninitiated, it’s typically an Asian-run food establishment where you literally have to carry your food out because there’s no place to sit and eat. They usually offer signature American Chinese dishes, subs, and breakfast options.
But what most D.C. natives are drawn to is their fried chicken wings and fries with a slathering of mambo sauce—a condiment akin to barbecue sauce, ketchup, or sweet and sour sauce. But don’t be mistaken, every carryout has its own version of mambo sauce. I repeat: Each Recipe Is Not Created Equally! Before even indulging, mambo sauce connoisseurs can predict whether it’s a good batch based on its consistency and shade of red. This, among other reasons, is why you can favor one carryout over another.
Second, the thing about D.C. carryouts is that they’re scattered across neighborhoods like corner stores and gas stations. You don’t have to travel across town for a good one—typically, you can find your favorite within a 5-block radius and call it a day. So while I’ve frequented a lot of carryouts over the years, I have not visited every single one in the city. Therefore, this recommendation is based on a dozen or so spots I’ve tried.
Now, without further ado, the best carryout in D.C. is… the Yellow House!
At the intersection of Minnesota Avenue and Benning Road NE, this beautifully muraled carryout is a Ward 7 gem. Growing up, my friends and I happily handed them most of our allowance, as this was the go-to spot for an afterschool, pre-dinner meal.
It is worth the trek from any neighborhood in the city.
Now, you might look it up on Yelp and say, “Wait, Christina… it only has 3.5 stars!” To this, I say: “Exactly!” The best hole-in-the-wall spots aren’t ranked five stars. They are not Michelin-starred restaurants. They have shortcomings.
At the Yellow House, don’t expect white glove service. It’s also a cash-only establishment, so come prepared or pay a service fee at the onsite ATM.
The food though? Top notch!
The chicken wings are fresh out of the fryer and perfectly crisp because they’re cooked in small batches for a steady stream of customers. The wings are seasoned to perfection, even before adding condiments. While most carryouts offer crinkled-cut fries, the Yellow House serves addictively tasty potato wedges. And the most important part, of course, is the mambo sauce—best in the city. Put it on everything! This, my friends, is the most mouthwatering carryout meal you’ll ever have.
If you plan to stop by the Yellow House, remember that it’s a no-frills establishment. For the best experience, treat it like you’re visiting The Soup Nazi. Know your order (or steal mine: “three wings and wedges; mambo sauce on everything; salt, pepper, and ketchup on the wedges”), come with cash, and don’t ask too many questions.
Christina is an editor at The 51st, who's written for more than two dozen publications. As a staff writer at DCist, she wrote more than 1,600 stories about life in The District.
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