Are Georgetown Cupcake’s sugarbombs your essential D.C. eat? Or are you more a chaat sort of foodie? (MARVIN JOSEPH/TWP) You’ve scarfed down late-night half-smokes at Ben’s Chili Bowl and supped at every food truck from the Fojol Bros. to D.C. Pie Truck. And when you’re in the mood for something high-end, you dive into the crispy palak chaat at Rasika and drive miles for the impossibly creamy cannoli at Pizzeria Orso. So we’re asking you: In 150 words or less, what is your most essential D.C. dish?

Tell us about the lobster roll you can’t go a month without, the cupcake that’s worth an hour-long wait, and the Salvadoran pupusa and Ethiopian tibs you think everyone should try. Whether it comes from a food cart or a four-star restaurant doesn’t matter. All it has to be is the most necessary bite — or, yes, sip — you think this town has to offer. (Save yourself the trouble and skip Ben’s half-smoke; it’s already on our radar.) We’ll feature the best in an issue dedicated to D.C.’s essential dishes.

To submit your picks, e-mail us at goingoutguide@washpost.com , tweet us at @goingoutguide or write us on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/goingoutguide.
Be sure to include your name and city so we can give you credit when these reader favorites appear in Weekend and the Going Out Guide.