My husband, Bobby, and I recently attended the FinCon Expo in Washington, D.C., where Bobby wanted to learn more about blogging, digital marketing, and scaling an online business. I was there to learn more about launching a podcast. We hit a few nice places to eat while in D.C., and when Bobby learned that my aunt and uncle who live in Greencastle, Pa., were going to drive into the nation’s capital to pick us up (instead of at a train station in Maryland), he really wanted to treat them to a nice lunch in D.C. That didn’t work out, and we’re glad for it.
Washington, D.C. traffic is never very fun — from what I can tell. Even when it is on a Sunday and the Redskins are playing an away game. I think my Aunt Kim and I were not interested in stopping for lunch until we got out of the city. Uncle Jay, who was driving, was O.K. with that, too, so Bobby was out-voted, although no actual voting took place. Once it was decided we’d get out of town, Bobby set his mind to finding a unique location for us to eat.
After reviewing a few options he threw out to us from his Google search, we decided to try Ted’s Bulletin in Gaithersburg, Maryland. We chose it because we were looking for some regular American fare or what I like to call stick-to-your-bones comfort food. Bobby told us that Ted’s Bulletin served “Modern American” food.
I have to be honest, I was pretty hungry when we arrived. The ol’ adage about eyes being bigger than your stomach was definitely in play when I sat down to order. We had already walked by the front of the restaurant where a woman was frosting a cake and a bar that had on its counter several different layered cakes — one being a beautiful and decadent looking chocolate cake. At the bar there was also signs showing that they not only made mixed drinks, they made milkshakes. Believe me when I tell you, my mixed drink of choice is a chocolate milkshake. So we weren’t even being led to our table and already my mouth was watering!
As we were walking to our table I couldn’t help but look down at a couple eating the largest cinnamon roll I had ever seen. The woman was cutting a slice to give to her partner. So then I had that in my head, too!
It took us a while to order because of the variety Ted’s Bulletin offers. Bobby decided to fill the gap by ordering an appetizer of hot buttered pretzel bites with an Amish pimento fondue. They came out just as advertised hot and buttered. They had a nice chewiness to them that makes for a good soft pretzel. The fondue was different for us, in that usually you get just regular cheddar cheese sauce or a beer infused cheese sauce. I’ve only knowingly eaten pimento cheese twice and both times I have been pleasantly surprised at how much I like it.
Although I knew that we would end up taking much of our food with us, I made sure we ordered a cinnamon roll, which incidentally is advertised in their menu as a “cinnamon roll as big as ya head (while they last).” When it came out it was pretty big (maybe not as big as my head because … well you’ve seen my head). The best part of it was the icing that came with it. It came in a little gravy boat that I then poured over top of the hot cinnamon roll. Yum! Then I found myself slicing it into four pieces so we could all enjoy it. Which we did.
Our waiter, who was a most gracious and patient young man, gave us advice on the different dishes we asked him about. He highly recommended the grilled cheese super deluxe with tomato soup. So I decided to go with that. The grilled cheese deluxe sandwich comes with braised short rib and three cheese mac ‘n’ cheese. I love a good roast and these short ribs tasted like that. What was nice is that the macaroni and cheese didn’t overpower the sandwich, but also didn’t get lost in it either. This may be because of the added cheese flavor coming from the grilled cheese portion of the sandwich. The tomato soup was perfect. Not too thin and had a nice tomato flavor. Talk about the ultimate comfort food!
Bobby decided on chicken and biscuits with hash browns. The menu explained the dish includes 3 biscuits, hand-breaded chicken tenders, honey drizzle, mumbo sauce and hash browns. The mumbo sauce was on the side and appeared to be a sort of tomato based sauce. Honestly, though, Bobby didn’t even use any of it and really didn’t eat that much of his meal, because, well, my eyes were bigger than his stomach!
Kim and Jay decided to share their meal of fish and chips. They are older and wiser than us — not that much older, but plenty wiser at least in knowing their limitations. They said the fish was very tasty.
Jay partook of the shake options by ordering a chocolate, peanut butter and banana shake. He gave it a thumbs up. It looked to me to be a very thick shake. I like that they bring the milkshake out along with the amount that wouldn’t fit in the glass in the old-style metal milkshake cup.
We were stuffed. Or at least I was stuffed. I couldn’t even think about eating any more food. Which was pretty disappointing to me because I really, really wanted to try the chocolate layered cake. My husband knows me so well. He ordered a piece of it to go. (How can you not fall in love with a guy like that?) When we ate the cake later that evening, we couldn’t eat it all, even then! It was moist and the frosting was the thick ganache type that really sticks with you. Some might even say it was too rich. Not me, mind you, but others I know.
To give a little history of Ted’s Bulletin, Ted was a real life man who lived in Southern West Virginia during the mid-20th century. He was a man who would grow a large garden and share the produce with friends and neighbors, freely giving out of the abundance. He also had an open door policy where he would feed anyone who came to his door, be it a door-to-door salesman or mailmen or delivery men or friends who just popped in for a visit. He never owned a restaurant, but his children, in honor of his memory and love for feeding people, opened Ted’s Bulletin restaurants.
I think his children have done him proud with their restaurant. They have provided a wonderful legacy for Ted and a tremendous dining experience for us. There are several locations located in the DMV area. If you are ever there, you should give it a try. I promise, you won’t be disappointed!
