Monday, August 02, 2010

Thrillist: Desperados Burgers & Bar

Thrillist checks out Desperados Burgers and Bar (1342 U Street NW). As the name suggests, Desperados Burgers and Bar is from the same guys who plan to open Desperados Pizza in the old Sun and Moon building (1387 H Street). You can also check out this website for one of their New Orleans places Port of Call. Here's a menu and Facebook page for a Desperados Pizza in New Orleans. I can't swear that these are the same guys on that last one, but I strongly suspect it.

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UPDATE 10:08 8/4/2010
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@HStreetDC has kindly cleared up a few points, so here's my statement of changes based on her research:

Apparently the guy behind Desperados Pizza at 14th and H is NOT the guy behind Port of Call. I got that from the Thrillist article, but I guess it just isn't true. 

Desperados is, as I previously understood, to be a sit down restaurant. But she doesn't think it will offer delivery (I had heard early on that it would).  They will also serve other stuff beyond pizza. Probably burgers.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh wow, Port of Call in New Orleans is really good stuff. I thought the "Desperadoes" name was a little cheesy but knowing these are the guys behind it makes me feel better that at least the food will be good.

Chris said...

Any updates on Vendetta, Joe's Coal Mine (I think that was the name), the noodle joint above the Pug, or the place that's going into the space where Napa 1015 was?

Wasn't there also a pizza joint being opened by Angelico's, but not using Angelico's name for some reason?

inked said...

Joe's Coal & Ice.

Angelico La Pizzaria is now Desperados Pizza.

Toki Underground is coming along, as the Atlas Room, but that's about all the info I have.

Anonymous said...

Not sure what this means for Toki Underground, but the Pug has an application in its window for a change in license that would allow them to expand into the upstairs. If that's the case, then Toki Underground might have been shelved as I don't think a new business could just expand onto the Pug's license.

Derek said...

There is going to be a pizza place in the H Street Connection, next to the 7-11.

inked said...

3:09,
that is just Toki Underground.

Anonymous said...

Love, love, love Port of Call.

They do seem to be going for a considerably more upscale look and menu from what is featured at Port of Call. However, I will give them a try because I miss me some Port of Call.

Anonymous said...

Angelico La Pizzeria is NOT Desperados.

inked said...

2:52,
you mean not Desperados in New Orleans, or not Desperados on H Street?

The New Orleans one might not be them, but the place on H Street, in the old Sun and Moon building is owned by the same guys as Desperados on U Street NW from everything I've heard..

Hamburglar said...

mmmm....Port of Call....DC aint ready for that level of burger deliciousness. Shall make that Spike guys offering look like the freakin drive-thru at Wendy's.

@HStreetDC said...

I ran these rumors down. Musa Ulusan, who is developing the restaurant at the corner of 14th and H, owns Angelico's, among other restaurants in DC and New Orleans. He does not, nor has he ever, owned an interest in Port of Call, but considers it one of his favorite restaurants. He uses that as the benchmark for a great burger. Anybody who's ever eaten at PoC would probably agree. The burger you dream about.

When he met with the ANC6a ABL committee about his liquor license, he said that he would name the restaurant Desperado's, rather than Angelico's as had originally been reported. He said that it would be a sit-down place, and more upscale, not a carry-out or delivery place. He also said that they would offer a wider menu, including burgers. It will probably be much like the one on U Street featured on Thrillist this week. If we're really lucky, he'll give us something close to PoC's burger, but there's no way to get that ambiance away from Esplanade Avenue.
My guess is that he changed to the more upscale Desperado's model rather than the "pizza parlor" image once he saw the H Street market's direction.

I understand that the places that he has in the French Quarter and Mid-City in New Orleans are really good, successful restaurants that serve great food. I hope he hurries up!