Jimmy T's Place

***Special Post by Keith***
The Washington Post first reported: "You wouldn't expect to find an honest-to-goodness greasy spoon just five blocks east of the Capitol, but that's what makes Jimmy T's Place such a gem. Settle in at a chrome stool and banter with the line cook while your eggs and bacon sizzle on the flat-top grill. As soon as your diner-quality coffee shows up (in a random mug from a mismatched collection), you'll start to feel like a regular. Located in a rowhouse at 5th and East Capitol streets, Jimmy T's looks like it hasn't changed much since its signs advertising 65-cent ham-and-egg breakfasts were accurate."  Closest Metro is Eastern Market.

I've been living in Capitol Hill for at least 8 years and I think I have said the phrase, "I should really stop in there someday," every time I walk passed this tiny diner on East Capitol.   Finally, after a long night of drinking, I decided to drop in. A tiny row house packed with tables, Jimmy T's is the kind of neighborhood place that doesn't really exist anymore.   It seems that half the people in here either never leave or return every day. The staff is efficient and informal. A sign greets you at the door telling you to grab any clean table and not to bother the chef.

The menu is packed with basics: eggs/cheese/meat on an English muffin, biscuits and sausage gravy. But check the boards behind the counter for such specials as waffles with blueberries and bananas or omelets punched up with red or green salsa. I ordered the Combo 2 consisting of 1 hot cake, 2 strips of bacon and 1 egg. The food is what you would expect from a diner of this sort. Comforting, consistent and best of all cheap. A breakfast for two will cost you around $10 plus tip (cash-only).  I'd definitely return next time I want to avoid all the mimosas, eggs benedict and strollers crowding Barracks Row every weekend morning.

Total Rating: 3.6
Food: 3, Price: 5, Service: 3, Ambience: 4, Accessibility: 5