With everything going on, I haven’t had the focus to write here but working now to pick that up however I can. So here we are. I’ve had this post in the works for a while so I guess you could say it’s a bit of a lovely trip down memory lane of our last family trip of sorts.
While most people think of Black Friday for shopping, we have a several year tradition of a different sort. It involves getting out of the house and an activity of some sort to keep Q entertained. And now L, too. This year’s winner? A trip to the National Zoo!
It’s been a while since I’ve been for a visit and I forgot just how much walking a trip entails! I was also sad to find out we’d be visiting so shortly after the panda left the Zoo (Q would ask us for days why the panda went back to China.) Before visiting, it’s worth planning out which exhibits are most important and build your time at the zoo around that. Also check out any special talks or demos that may have going on and factor that into your plans. We did this all on the fly, but it would have been helpful to map out what we wanted to prioritize during our visit since everything is so spread apart.
After all that walking, we were ready for a good seated lunch. Fat Pete’s BBQ caught our eyes as we were making our way back through Cleveland Park for it’s varied menu, kids friendly atmosphere and relatively open interior.
The menu is nice and varied, even with some things that work for the kids. We started with their fried green tomatoes, which were outstanding. I also couldn’t resist trying one of their “in a mason jar” cocktails.
For my meal, I went with 1/2 pound of their smoked for 16 hours pulled pork which came with two sides. The BBQ was nice and smokey, and absent of hard or fatty pieces. Just like I love it. Their candied yams were also great, prepared just like I love them — butter, brown sugar, spices and topped with mini marshmallows. I couldn’t resist trying the hush puppies but they were a touch too fancy for this Bama gal. They are an interesting take though on the classic — stuffed with goat cheese and poblano paired with a maple apple butter.
Here’s hoping we have the chance to get down to DC again for a return visit to both before the end of the year.
National Zoo – Washington, DC
Note the Zoo is currently closed as of March 14th due to the pandemic.
Fat Pete’s BBQ – 3407 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC – 202.362.7777
Support Fat Pete’s during the pandemic. They’re currently open for carry out food, beer and wine orders via CHOWNOW. Sealed beer & wine is available at 50% off.
Leave a Reply