After a really exhausting day, we were all ready for an early dinner. I’m talking 5 pm early.
And so we made our way to Founding Farmers.
This place was recommended to me by a few different people, so I was really looking forward to it. Unfortunately, I had a less than great interaction with the staff when I called ahead inquiring about the ability to accommodate our party of five (including one person in a wheelchair).
Not only did they tell me they don’t take reservations (which I later found out was false – they were already booked solid), they also told me walk-ins are fine (which was also incorrect – we ended up sitting at the communal table).
I don’t mind the shared table thing, but older generations prefer more traditional dining and we were traveling with an octogenarian.
Anyway, once we were seated I went straight for the drink menu. Happy hour was calling my name.
Then I learned Founding Farmers had just won 2012 Best Mixologist, which meant I couldn’t possibly stick with the boring wine I was considering ordering.
So I got a Dark ‘n Stormy (and I wasn’t carded, hooray!). It’s similar to my all time favorite drink (Moscow Mule) but has rum instead of vodka. Shockingly, I really didn’t like this drink. It was off in some way, too much lime? I dunno. Not good at all.
The menu is built around “true food” from local sources with the farm to table concept. They make everything in house, using quality natural ingredients, because their philosophy is to promote sustainable agriculture and the ways of the American family farmer at every turn. If you check out their about us page you can read about their focus on sustainable practices.
They also have an entirely separate vegan menu, which was developed after they consulted with Compassion over Killing. I was a bit disappointed by how heavily it relied on Gardein products. They were in almost every vegan dish. No biggie though. Anytime fried chicken and mac ‘n cheese share menu space with massive salads it’s worth celebrating.
Speaking of massive salads.
Since I’d had pizza for lunch, I was in the mood for cool crispy veggies for dinner. The bigger the salad, the better. I wanted this one because of the avocado (it’s rare that I’m not craving avocado). But I wasn’t really into the “fried” part of the dish so I asked if I could have the gardein “chicken” prepared another way – grilled perhaps?
And thus began the waiter vs. Elise gardein knowledge smack down.
First of all, he kept calling it tofu. Let’s get it straight, gardein is not tofu. It has soy protein, but it’s not made from soy bean curds like tofu is. The main ingredients are actually wheat and pea protein. It also contains vegetables and ancient grains, so it’s definitely not tofu. As an FYI, the gardein grains include quinoa, amaranth, millet and kamut, making it a low fat, protein packed, fiber filled, non-meat option. But it’s far from a super food. It’s not organic and it’s processed more than I’d prefer. However, it is vegan.
Second issue, he kept trying to convince me it wasn’t meant to be grilled. He actually told me straight up, it wouldn’t work, it wouldn’t taste good, and the chefs weren’t going to do it. I told him I didn’t want it if it was deep fried, so if the chefs said no to another preparation, I’d chose a different dish. He wasn’t pleased with me but in the end I got grilled “chicken” in my salad. Let’s pretend there wasn’t a side of spit in it, okay? Ignorance is bliss.
Third, he insisted it was pre-made and couldn’t be cooked another way. False. I’ve had gardein before, I know how it is sold, and I know other restaurants that serve it the exact way I was trying to order it (ie The Veggie Grill). I call your bluff. Oh and the gardein website actually recommends grilling it! Even after the kitchen had okayed the different cooking method, he still wasn’t on board. He (again) tried to advise against it, telling me it wouldn’t taste good because it was already pre-made for frying. Whatever.
What really blew my mind, though, was how hostile he was throughout the conversation. I usually go with the “catch more flies with honey than vinegar” approach, but his defensiveness made me want to hold my ground even more. If you’re going to act like you know something about cooking and ingredients, you should probably be sure you have your facts straight. And if you’re working for tips, don’t be an ass. And if you’re in the restaurant business, the customer dinner guest is always right. After all, I’m paying to get what I want.
In the end, I got a lovely salad made to my specifications. Win. And you know what? I bet you they’ll reconsider deep frying the “chicken” in this dish (which totally adds unnecessary fat and risks cross contamination in the fryer with non-vegan food).
Everyone else was raving about their meals too, especially Kyle (whi is still day-dreaming about his pasta dish).
He got the wedge salad to start, followed by his all time favorite dish ever.
Butternut squash ravioli.
I snapped pics of some of the other food, but not all of it. I swiped some of Kyle’s toast and a piece of the skillet cornbread on the left (delicious).
In spite of their sub-par people skills, Founding Farmer’s food was great and deserves a try if you’re in the DC area. They can satisfy all dietary preferences, just make a reservation before you go, and avoid Jose C.
Wow! As someone who as educated as you on the topic, I can understand where it would be tough to be cool, calm, and collected. My husband and I actually just moved from VA (35 miles south of DC actually). While we didn’t spend too much time up there, I wish I was still there!
oh my gosh, I would have gotten so frustrated with that waiter!!! What was his deal!? At least you got exactly what you wanted, good job standing up for yourself!
So weird.. sounds like you had a super hostile waiter. I wonder if he knew that he was wrong and instead of owning up to it got more defensive? Strange. At least everyone ended up enjoying their meals in the end!
Sorry you had a bad experience, but glad that you stuck to your guns and got what you wanted!
What a rough meal! I hate it when you get waiters like that, I’ve found that my reaction is completely dependent on my mood. Sometimes I’ll roll over and sometimes I’ll be utterly obstinate. Glad you got what you wanted though!
sounds weird. i would have gone with something else if this guy was being such a jerk and making such a fuss. i wouldnt want to sink to his level by continuing to argue! or i would just go eat elsewhere!
your reviews are great! really thoughtful!
That waiter sounds ridic. I totally agree though when people get defensive I get a sick satisfaction out of proving my point when I know I am right. lol.
I JUST HAD MY FIRST MOSCOW MULE AND LOVED IT!
And for the record, don’t wait staff know that rudeness is going to be a surefire way for me to tip poorly? Seriously.
Wow. I can not believe how rude that waiter was. The customer is always right. I don’t understand why he would be so hostile and unknowledgeable. I understand some restaurants don’t train people properly, but the way he treated you was unjustified. I’m glad in the end everyone enjoyed their meals though!
Oh my gosh a moscow mule is MY favorite all time drink, too! Let’s get together and DRINK THEM!
Atta girl!!! You go and voice your choice of grilled chick’n preferences! I actually was picturing the scenario as I was reading. Very proud of you!
yes yes yes.
i know. he must have been new. sucks because when i take a group of people to a place that ive suggested, i take on part of the guilt when it doesnt measure up. but everyone enjoyed the food, so even though the staff was blah, it was still a good dinner.
ugh. right??
thanks! trying to be honest and helpful for others who may want to try these places.
yeah, i probably should have just ordered a different thing, but in the end it was exactly what i wanted. going somewhere else may be an option if it were just kyle and i (and we hadnt already ordered drinks), but i was with my in-laws (and kyle’s grandma is in a wheelchair). so it was already kinda a big process getting around – finding a van taxi, with room for a wheelchair, within the area, etc. ah well. in the end we all had great food.
me too. if im in a feisty mood, ill push for what i want. but sometimes i just dont have the energy.
could be. he may have just been having a bad day and wasnt in the mood to be flexible for whatever reason (its not like he was preparing the food!). or maybe he really did think he knew better about the gardein?!? who knows, but in the end i was happy with my order.
Loved reading your experience – because I had the SAME ONE! I ate at Founding Father’s over a year ago. Was super impressed with their “true food” motto – and “vegan” menu – yet at the same time SO disappointed. I definitely got into it with our waiter too – rude and unaccommodating – and the gardein are far from “real.” I am with you on that. My humble opinion is that a restaurant that touts such ideals should work on their truly “no harm” menu. The End. 🙂
Elise , SO happy you said this . I like a lot of other people have had the EXACT same experience there. I had the dark and storm too and hated it . Funny. They service is terrible and food is just ok. AMAZING
Glad you had fun in DC though !
Maggie
such a bummer that they have this reputation. they need to get their act together! i actually got an email from the company’s PR person after writing this post.
how unfortunate that this isnt a one time thing…they best get their team on some extra customer service training stat.
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