Throw a Party at DC-3

DC-3 is already a go-to lunch spot for hungry Capitol Hill grown-ups—seriously, where else can you top a premium sausage (beef, chicken, or falafel) with add-ons like coleslaw, pickled kimchi, or cheese whiz? Now, the vintage-y, airline-inspired joint caters to kids, too, by hosting hot dog parties that come with all the fixin’s.

Let’s Party
Equipped with padded picnic tables, which were specifically designed with little hot dog lovers in mind, DC-3’s parties are super-customizable. For about $10 per kiddo, you get hot dogs or corndogs, fries, juice boxes, party favors and dessert (more on that below). Essentially, all you need to bring is the birthday boy or girl and their friends. Bonus: A hot dog party wouldn’t be complete without a chef dressed up in a hot dog suit, now would it?

Let’s Eat
Plain dogs or corn dogs with cheese dipping sauce will go over well for the kids. But for the adults in attendance, the “Chicago 7” (topped with sport peppers, yellow mustard, tomato, dill pickle, neon relish, raw onions, and celery salt) is a must try. For dessert? Swap birthday cake for soft serve ice cream or homemade pop tarts, which DC-3 scores from their sister restaurant Ted’s Bulletin, and you have yourself an (almost) mess-free party.

Let’s Play
After party-goers’ bellies are full, let them run their energy off at Washington Market Park. The park is a couple of blocks away near Eastern Market and offers a perfect backdrop for candid photos. Or, if they’ve become more subdued post-lunch, host a mini-story time at Playseum, which is stocked with books (plus, art supplies and dress up clothes) and is just a few doors down on 8th St. SE.

423 8th St SE (Capitol Hill)
202-546-1935
Online: Eatdc3.com

What do you think is the best thing about DC-3? Let us know below.

—Ayren Jackson-Cannady

Photos courtesy of DC-3 and Playseum