Food, Drink Deals Offered By DMV Restaurants To Feds Affected By Shutdown

With the government shutdown creating uncertainty for thousands of federal employees across the DMV, area restaurants are stepping up to offer special deals to help alleviate some of that uncertainty.

Taco Bamba, the D.C.-based taqueria chain, is offering free tacos to federal employees who are impacted by the current government shutdown.

"Taco Bamba exists to serve the neighborhoods where we operate, and here in the D.C. area, the federal workforce is a big part of our community," said Chef Victor Albisu, Taco Bamba founder." A shutdown is stressful, and a free taco is our way of saying 'we’ve got your back.' Local businesses are part of this community too, and support has always gone both ways. This is our way of giving back."

All government workers need to do to take advantage of the deal is to show their official identification to a Taco Bamba cashier at checkout. After that, the redemption is automatic. If they have ordered two tacos, one of them will be free. Find a Taco Bamba location near you.

Thompson Restaurants is offering a 20 percent discount to federal employees who show a valid government ID at any of its more than 65 locations across the DMV.

The deal is valid across all of Thompson's 11 brands, including Matchbox, Makers Union, Wiseguy Pizza, Big Buns and more. The discount will remain available until the government reopens. More details on participating restaurants and locations can be found online.

Two Alexandria restaurants — Pork Barrel BBQ and Sweet Fire Donna’s — are offering a free pulled pork sandwich to federal employees who bring their IDs to the restaurant, ALX Now reported. The deal is limited to one sandwich per day per federal employee Monday through Friday.

RASA, the locally owned fast-casual Indian restaurant launched its $10 Shutdown Bowls to support government employees impacted by the ongoing federal government shutdown.

Government workers can order one of two curated options — the Shutdown Chicken Bowl or the Shutdown Veggie Bowl — each priced at just $10 at all RASA locations. The bowl features basmati rice, chicken tikka or roasted vegetables, tikka masala, sautéed spinach, kachumber salad, and a duo of mint cilantro and sweet tamarind chutneys.

“Our mission has always been about building community through food,” said Sahil Rahman, co-founder of RASA. “We know this shutdown is creating challenges for thousands of families, and this is our small way of showing solidarity and support.”

To redeem the offer, government workers simply need to order either the Shutdown Chicken Bowl or Shutdown Veggie Bowl and show a valid government badge at checkout. The $10 Shutdown Bowls will be available throughout the duration of the shutdown.

Farmside Kitchen is offering a "first time order discount of 50 percent off" to federal government employees who show their government ID. The discount name is "SHUTDOWN" and the promo code name: SHUTDOWN will need to be entered by the cashier.

This is a one-time use discount, so the guest will be required to provide a phone number to receive the discount. This is a check level discount of 50 percent off their entire first order. This is a check level discount of 50% off the guest's entire first order.

Northern Virginia Magazine reported these food deals:

Union Pub in DC is offering $3 beers and a $7 beer and hot dog combination during the shutdown.

All Duke’s Grocery locations will offer a complimentary shot of bourbon or a glass of wine to federal workers with the purchase of a burger or entree. Government ID required.

McClellan’s Retreat in DC is offering a $15 deal that includes a grilled cheese, chips, and an old fashioned every day during the shutdown except Sunday.

Barrel DC will host an “unhappy hour” every day the government is closed. It includes $10 select cocktails and $6 select beers.

Boqueria is offering happy hour pricing all day long for federal workers with a government ID, including discounted sangria, wine, beer, and tapas.

Compass Coffee — Free pastry with the purchase of any drink, just show your government ID, FOX DC reports.

Cork Wine Bar — Offering discounts on select food and glasses of wine, starting at 3 p.m. daily, with government ID.

The Washington Post also has a list of food and drink deals. It includes:

Hank’s Oyster Bar: The D.C. locationsin Dupont Circle and at the Wharf, offer all-day happy hour at the bar, $2.50 oysters, and 20 percent discounts on lunch or dinner with federal ID.

Her Diner: Show a government ID for all-night happy hour.

Immigrant Food: Classic margaritas are $5 (regularly $12) for everyone.

Right Proper Brewing: A “Pay it Forward” campaign at its taprooms in Shaw and Brookland lets customers pay $8 to purchase a beer for a furloughed or laid-off federal worker. Show ID at the bar to claim one of the prepaid beers.

Shaw’s Tavern: Federal employees can get $5 beers, $6 wine, $7 martinis, $10 cheeseburgers and $10 pizzas during lunch or dinner, Monday through Friday.

Plus, the Washington Spirit is hosting a fan appreciation match at Audi Field at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 5. The first 200 federal employees will get in for free. After that, there will be a limited number of $10 tickets available for federal employees.

Also See ...

• Amid Federal Government Shutdown, Alexandria Shares Resources, Operating Status
• Federal Government Shuts Down: What To Know In VA
• Federal Government Shuts Down: What To Know In MD