Food

These DC-Area Restaurants Are Offering Free Meals for Schoolkids

Local chefs are stepping in to help families after coronavirus closes schools.

David Guas is serving free vegetarian meals for kids out of Bayou Bakery. Photograph by Scott Suchman
Coronavirus 2020

About Coronavirus 2020

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As DC, Maryland, and Virginia school systems shut down in response to the growing health crisis, local restaurants are offering free meals for kids. Are you a business offering free food? Email aspiegel@washingtonian.com.

Bayou Bakery
1515 N. Courthouse Rd., Arlington
Chef David Guas is partnering with Real Food for Kids to serve free vegetarian lunches to kids in need out of his Arlington cafe (starting Tuesday, March 17). Families can stop by between 10 AM and noon on weekdays for the grab-and-go meals.

Good Stuff Eatery
Locations in Capitol Hill, Crystal City, Georgetown
School kids can stop by any location for nuggets or a mini burger and small fries. 

Kuya Ja’s Lechon Belly
5268-H, Nicholson Ln, Rockville
The Filipino restaurant is serving brown bag takeout meals to school kids (up to 18 years old), Monday through Friday, 11 AM to 1 PM.

Little Miner Taco
3809 Rhode Island Ave., Brentwood
This taqueria, inside the Savor at 3807 food hall, is offering free kid’s menu items for as long as DC and Maryland schools are closed.

MGM Roast Beef
905 Brentwood Rd., NE
The sandwich shop is offering free sandwiches or salads for kids 12 and under, and free meals for hospital workers.

Purple Patch
3155 Mt Pleasant St., NW
Mount Pleasant’s Filipino restaurant is serving homemade breakfasts and lunches for kids from 10 AM to 12 PM with options like ube waffles and pancakes, fruit bowls, and to-go bags with chicken and rice with fresh fruit. (The restaurant is also open for paid breakfast, brunch, and dinner items via pickup and to-go pantry goods).

Prima
7280 Woodmont Ave., Bethesda
This fast-casual Italian spot in downtown Bethesda will serve free meals to kids for long as Montgomery County schools are closed; takeout and delivery only.

Po Boy Jim
709 H St NE; 1934 9th St., NW
As long as DC public schools are closed, children eat free from the kid’s menu. Options include chicken fingers, pasta, grilled cheese, and a fried-shrimp sandwich.

Rasa
1247 First St., SE
The fast-casual Indian restaurant is offering free takeout meals for school kids (as well as hospital workers with a valid ID).

Santa Rosa Taqueria
315 Pennsylvania Ave., SE
Students can stop by the Capitol Hill taqueria for chicken and veggie tacos with chips and salsa.

We, the Pizza
Locations in Capitol Hill, Crystal City, Ballston
School kids can stop by any location for a slice of cheese or pepperoni pizza, or chicken wings and salad.

Food Editor

Anna Spiegel covers the dining and drinking scene in her native DC. Prior to joining Washingtonian in 2010, she attended the French Culinary Institute and Columbia University’s MFA program in New York, and held various cooking and writing positions in NYC and in St. John, US Virgin Islands.