Corner stores worth going out of the way for?

Submitted by BoogerPresley t3_11g67pc in washingtondc

what are the corner stores in DC that are worth going out of the way for? Places that have esoteric or homemade stuff, exceptional takeout food, or anything that makes it stand out and worth a trek. Looking to try some new things and support small local shops. Thanks!

(Just found out that Cornercopia in Navy Yard carries local homemade kimchi, realized I've never gone inside and there's probably a whole world I'm ignorant of)

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ittybittymanatee t1_jamxd0x wrote

Commenting for the algorithm, I want to see the answers to this!

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maxlevites t1_jamxu20 wrote

Its overpriced for sure but Odd Provisions on 11th and Lamont has good quality stuff and its very charming. They have a good deal where you can get two of their bottom shelf wines for $20, and theyve got decent ones if you know what to look for!

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district-of-cholula t1_jamyq57 wrote

Black Lion in columbia heights might fit the bill. Avoid buying standard products (all overpriced) but they have a good selection of spices sold in bulk containers. They also sell a lot of traditional ethiopian food and cookware. In the back, there is a butcher counter but it's only operating occasionally and I believe they cater to the ethiopian community as well (not sure exactly what they stock).

They sell solid sambusas by the cash register too. I always find something interesting when I pop by.

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mr_grission t1_jamzhqz wrote

Old City Market and Oven near Union Market makes delicious pizza and has a sick collection of vinyl records you can browse in their basement.

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Vaegir_Archer t1_jamzq9w wrote

Not sure if it fully counts as a corner store, but Old City Market and Oven is awesome. They have great food and a solid beer/wine selection. Very friendly, too.

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dataminimizer t1_jan0jh7 wrote

Does Each Peach count? Probably not…though that’s the place I thought of when I saw this post.

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BoogerPresley OP t1_jan0owf wrote

Replying to mr_grission (#2,145,319)

They're the other shop on my mind when I posted this but didn't mention them cus I thought it might sound shill-y:) Excellent wine selection and prices, they initially turned me on to pét-nat and I don't think I've had a bad wine from them. Love the corn salad when they have it. Will note that their large pizza is a lot better than the small due to crust consistency.

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WuPacalypse t1_jan16gr wrote

Union Kitchen’s selection and their sandwiches are all great. Good wines too.

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AwesomeAndy t1_jan1urc wrote

I was going to say Cornercopia, but you found them yourself!

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Training-Ad-134 t1_jan22na wrote

Dc mini supermarket/ Marty Clark’s, in bloomingdale. Great sandwiches.

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resdivinae t1_jan299f wrote

There is (was?) a little Mexican grocer on the corner of Georgia Ave. and Morton St. that had a good selection of Mexican herbs, spices, and candies. Last time I was there (last year), they had a little kiosk with freshly made baked goods.

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IceMan_dangerzone t1_jan3bum wrote

Sort of a corner store, more of a very small grocery store, Hana Market in Adams Morgan has a wonderful selection of Japanese goods, ranging from pocky to frozen, sushi-quality fish. They close pretty early (7 iirc), so don’t go too late in the evening.

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joesierp t1_jan3g9x wrote

Cornercopia! It's a delicious corner deli

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Sudden_Stock_8749 t1_jan3x4p wrote

Hana Market at U and 17th NW makes their own omusubi and has lots of Japanese and other convenience store foodstuffs

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mandolin08 t1_jan82nj wrote

Aurora Market in Park View is great, and the owners are super cool too.

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NPRjunkieDC t1_janasud wrote

So's your mom on Columbia in Adam's Morgan has amazing sandwiches and a variety of coffee varieties in bulk, so you can buy as little or as much as you'd like. They also have European cookies + Chemex

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LazyPasse t1_janbem8 wrote

Dent Place Market, 34th and Dent Place NW

Stachowski’s, 28th and P NW

Scheele’s Market, 29th and Dumbarton NW

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Trash_Scientist t1_janbh9e wrote

Argyle Market in Mt. Pleasant has great sandwiches. Meatball or Hot Turkey and you’re good to go.

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humoresques t1_janbj9m wrote

Foxtrot is a chain but has a few locations that I think are worth mentioning. Dent Place Market in Georgetown is also great!

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Paschalls_Law t1_janesew wrote

Stachowski has some interesting sandwiches and prepared food. Meat prices are obscene though, I'd stick to Costco for meat.

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ugly_but_my_hoes_not t1_janiq16 wrote

Each peach, good subs and where I get coffee from if I cant make it to my fav roasters.

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NorseTikiBar t1_janj1uw wrote

Replying to Training-Ad-134 (#2,145,450)

Haha, wooooow I'm guessing that place is newish, because I remember the convenience store at that location still being one where the employees were behind glass. I'll have to check it out the next time I'm in Bloomingdale.

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88138813 t1_janjk8i wrote

Heat Da Spot for when you don't feel like waiting in a long line at Call Your Mother

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badimojo t1_janjp9l wrote

Yang Market in Eckington is pretty cool, with a unique selection of stuff. There's also a deli there, though I've not tried it.

Not too far away (in LeDroit Park/Bloomingdale), there's also Cookie's Corner, which I can't speak for personally, though I have seen it come up in other posts. From the looks of the photos on Google, it's also got a deli.

I bet a fun excursion would be to hit up one of these two spots for sandwiches, and then take those to Crispus Attucks Park while the blossoms are poppin'. Might have to do that myself!

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Nomorelockeddoors_ t1_janki27 wrote

Check out the Healthy Corners app. Dc central kitchen partners with a few corner stores that stocks fresh and locally sourced produce at a reduced price.

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BasrieI t1_janla1r wrote

If you like traditional Diners, Jimmy T’s Place on 5th and East Capitol is amazing! Cash only, but everything is made fresh after order, homemade corned-beef hash, great waffles, and amazing burgers.

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mosqua t1_janldjc wrote

So's your mom in Adams Morgan, great subs there too.

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awkabulous t1_janlr2m wrote

Shopkeepers at Florida Ave and 13th St NE.

They’ve got bubble tea, a delicious lavender cappuccino, Asian groceries and staples that I can’t find in the grocery store (like dried shrimp and full lemongrass stalks), plants and interesting apparel for sale, all in a stylish and relaxing space with Wifi.

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FleetAdmiralFader t1_janm00x wrote

It's not in DC but The Italian Store has great sandwiches, pizza, and Italian goods. It's in Arlington but not metro accessible.

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JaapHoop t1_janmcje wrote

This isn’t NYC. There’s no ‘ocky way’ TikTok stuff. Corner store is a corner store.

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20CAS17 t1_janmz4x wrote

Cookies in LeDroit Park has amazing cookies

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dclizzy t1_janoxqk wrote

My unsung hero Rodmans - larger than a corner shop but has SO MUCH- amazing wine, cheap produce, international foods, small appliances, medical supplies, fancy soaps....

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Gsharpbeatz t1_janpj32 wrote

Kalorama Deli, has great hot food and breakfast the cook up to order!

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kodex1717 t1_janps8t wrote

Franklin's in Hyattsville, MD is a unique establishment. It's part brewery restaurant and part general store. In the general store they have everything from cold beer to kitchen gadgets, gifts, Lego kits, board games, etc. I live nearby and it's always fun to wander in there if I am looking for a gift for someone that's hard to shop for. You can get there easily from DC on public transit, also.

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Lolipop_Chainsaw97 t1_janri5n wrote

God, I used to love going to the corner store down on Edgewood street. pricey, but it has cool people

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kenyam123 t1_janrt0q wrote

Hana grocery!! Cutest tiniest Japanese market you’ll ever find

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OhHowIMeantTo t1_janutza wrote

Dupont Market at 18th and Swann. Tiny store that has gourmet food fares, a decent beer and wine selection, and solid deli sandwiches. Their breakfast burritos cured many a hangover back in the day.

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Gumburcules t1_janwu7u wrote

Replying to dclizzy (#2,146,479)

I live all the way across town but I do a once monthly trip to Rodman's for all the tea, chocolate, international snacks, and wine I can't get over in NE.

Also, they sell the fancy wooden cases their wine comes in for like $2 each. One of those cases stuffed with wine, Ritter Sport, Walker's shortbread, Williamsburg peanuts, stroopwafels, etc. is my go-to christmas gift for pretty much anyone.

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BCNJ t1_jao02ei wrote

Salumeria in Brookland has really good Italian goods and foods. Though not sure if that ends up being more of a specialty market and not a corner store.

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awkabulous t1_jao67u5 wrote

Replying to steph233 (#2,147,150)

Aww so glad my post helped you find this place! It really is a hidden treasure, especially since there’s a distinct lack of relaxed and “homey” coffee shops in this part of town.

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District_Dan t1_jaohodi wrote

Stachowskis Market in Georgetown if you’re craving a Jewish deli

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Led4355 t1_jaosl8x wrote

Not a corner store, but Capital Supermarket on 11th NW (between M & N) has a great selection of Central American cheeses and other goods, Mexican chocolate, animal cuts that require extra love and attention - tripe, tongue, etc., and a good selection of Ethiopian and Korean products (the owners are Korean).

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BigLeagueBanker69 t1_jaouno3 wrote

Has anyone ever heard of that one really under the radar and gourmet place called Founding Farmers? It's pretty on the DL so shhhhhhh

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dcdane t1_jap5var wrote

Yang Market in Eckington.

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False-Conversation41 t1_japc0iy wrote

Yang's Market!! eckington- sandwiches and the comfort of the store when you enter is amazing!

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No-Two3620 t1_japhqxh wrote

Pyramid Atlantic in Hyattsville has a cool shop that sells handmade artisan goods and art at reasonable prices. While you are there you can check out the printing presses and art classes.

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zoo49 t1_japkfxq wrote

Old union market on 4th Street NE all sorts of wholesale clothing hats, gloves, socks, slippers, fruit and vegetables store. Metro is right down street NOMA

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peterongo86 t1_japu5ul wrote

Cookie’s corner in Bloomingdale has fantastic BLT’s and Cheeseburgers.

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AUBlazin t1_jaqk47w wrote

Cookies corner. Breakfast sandwich and cookies

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l-o-l-a t1_jaqxg7y wrote

Idk if this counts as a corner store but Wine & Butter on Cap Hill. They have great sandwiches, pastries, coffee, desserts, and all sorts of cool stuff if you go inside.

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sg8910 t1_jaqy1xr wrote

Teaism dupont, so pretty to sit there and drink so many kinds of health tea and asian food is really good, not to mention the oat scone things forgot the name....its like zen

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stos313 t1_jaqzyzb wrote

Stachowskis (sp?) in Georgetown.

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Significant-Point98 t1_jaraq9m wrote

Bethesda has 2 really exceptional corner stores - both are metro accessible so while not in DC they’re still pretty easy to get to. First is Hinata carryout - they have floor to ceiling imported Japanese goods and a sushi counter in the back. Solid place to get some frozen dumplings and a little treat. Other spot worth stopping for is Ege Market. It’s a Turkish and Mediterranean corner store with some of the best halva I’ve ever had, plus fresh pastries and Turkish coffee behind the counter.

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naghallac t1_jarc64w wrote

Capitol Hill Supermarket for their sandwiches - still under 10 dollars. probably the only deli left in the city with that price

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L00NEYT00NEY t1_jarfw2y wrote

Old City Market and Oven and A Litteri near Union Market

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DerErdkundeMeister t1_jbi03eq wrote

Not sure if it counts but Rice Market on 14th is one of my favorite places to grab East/Southeast Asian grocery in town. Pretty well stocked with some of the stuff others don't carry (i.e. frozen tteokbokki, Lee Kum Kee Premium Oyster Sauce, a pretty broad range of chili crisps, etc.)

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