Photo credit goes to Pound's Facebook page.
by Laura
The charter school network that I’m working for this summer is located a few blocks from the New York Ave Metro stop, in the heart of what local realtors tell me is called “NoMa“. While that does accurately locate the area North of Massachusetts Avenue, community development efforts still have several years to go before the full-blown trendification that fuels such nicknames comes to fruition. However, as the Post recently argued, things are looking slightly up. Sure, the area is best-known for being just beyond the Greyhound terminal, but a Harris Teeter is in the works. There’s a Five Guys. There’s a Marriott, and an ABP with weekly live music. There’s also Pound Coffee Shop, which has pretty much made lunchtime bearable.
I love Pound, and here are my top excuses for becoming a customer, instead of doing the truly smart thing and packing homemade lunch:
- Gotta support the neighborhood small business owners - especially ones as good humored and friendly as these folks. For gosh sakes, their t-shirts say, “Pound” on the front and “I got some this morning,” on the back. What’s not to love?
- They sell Nutella lattes. Clearly, they appreciate the finer things in life.
- They have a “Rice & Spice” special that changes each day, but has recently included paella, Thai mango curry, summer rolls, spinach lasagna, and the ever-popular Falafel (and schwarma) Fridays. Basically this means I’ve been eating seasoned chicken either thrown on or wrapped up in a starch almost every day for the past two weeks, but I’m not complaining. Vegetarians can enjoy mock meat alternatives.
- Free banana if you buy a drink with lunch, and side salads with your entree. See, Pound cares about your nutrition, too. Life can’t be all Nutella and rainbows. Or satchels of gold. (Anyone else watch Real Housewives of NY and get what I’m joking about here? If you don’t, you know you want to!)
- There’s outdoor seating, which means that for once, instead of sweating my way through the DC heat (when doing something truly bold, like walking), I can peacefully relax under an umbrella and actually enjoy the sunshine. At least, until I realize that I’m still copiously sweating. But, one can always dream.
In summary: if you’re in the area, go to Pound! If not – well, you probably work in a place with more than three food options, but NoMa will get there.
Laura
Harold
