How To Mess Up a Great Business

"No-apologies" steak restaurant. That's a laugh. There aren't enough hours in the day for the new management to apologize for what they've done to this formerly not great but reliable diner. The last meal I had there (and there will never be another) was a burger with a warm gray center. Lucky I didn't get ill. Maybe the next owners will do better.

Goodbye to Annie's

Annie's has been a favorite of me and my family for 15 years. We have eaten there regularly, every other week or so, for all of that time. We know most of the staff by name, and they know us and welcome us when we stop in. Unfortunately, we don't stop in any more. We're just not going to pay the crazy prices they now have for what was never the best food around, but used to at least priced appropriately. We dine out daily, so we're not looking for gourmet food, just good food at a good price. That's all gone now, and we miss it.

They ruined a good thing

I used to love going to Annie's. Sure, I hate waiting in line, but Annie's is one place I would wait. The atmosphere was fun and the food was reliable. Before I moved to DC my friends and I from a smaller city would always go to Annie's. What a treat. After I moved here, I went regularly. Then everything changed. I thought the renovation would be a good thing, but with the new paint and furniture came an arrogant new attitude, a sad, disappointing new menu and prices that skyrocketed even though the food was not as good. Now you could not pay me enough to eat there. I miss the old Annie's, but it's gone. The new Annie's sucks.

Brain Drain

Up until about a year ago, Annies upstairs and downstairs had reasonable prices and an extensive menu. Then, some brainy manager decided to remodel and turn the upstairs into a high end eatery with a very limited menu and high prices- So, downstairs remained packed and upstairs was always empty - Guess what happened next? They took away the downstairs menu and replaced it with the upstairs one- So now, no one goes to Annie's- except for the few who dont know about the brain dead manager's brilliant decisions- How pitiful !

Such a waste

I made Annie's a regular stop day and night since moving to DC in 1994. Staff had become friends, and you always saw your friends here. The steak was never the highest quality, but the prices were right. Who didn't like the Bull in the Pan and big side salad that came with every meal! You could always stop in on any budget. Now, that's all changed - the choices are lower, the servings smaller, the prices are higher - and they still haven't raised the steak quality, so we must be paying for the remodel and new manager salary (bad expenditure!) The baby stroller crowd now rolls in on the weekend during their DC visit; the clientelle Annie's wants to pay the bills instead of those who supported them for years. Goodbye to an era.

Still a good place to eat

Although with the new renovation and higher prices, I still find it a good place to eat. I had the crab cakes yesterday and it was delicious. I admit I don't go there as often because of the higher prices. The staff was very friendly.

Annie Is Dead

The new menu is an abomination. However, the preparation has improved, the decor is updated and the staff are clearly better trained and far more accommodating than in recent years -- including arranging items from what used to be your standard fare, which you should be ashamed for removing (Late-night prime rib anyone?). Apart from that, in many ways, all genuine improvements... but when paying $100+ for a 2AM meal and the management can't rein in the street trash hooker level of off-duty staff who loudly abuse paying customers, sorry, Annie, either you or your staff are clearly in the wrong business. Your house is cleaner than it has been, but it still needs the trash taken out.

Where did our Annie's Go?

Have been going to Annie's religiously for almost 40 years until now. What gives with this new menu? I vowed in December when I saw all those around me only being able to afford a 'burger' that I would not be going back -- $24 for a burger and a glass of wine! Wrote a letter to the establishment twice and received no response. They should have noticed that the upstairs didn't last that long either. It is a shame that this 'institution' has come to what it is now. Most of my friends agree and won't go there any more.

No longer Annie's

Agree with other reviewers here that Annie's has changed and changed for the worse. Renouncing its Greek ancestry, Annie's new menu is limited, unrecognizable and overpriced. Paul (the mgr) evidently agrees as the menu is printed so small that one needs a magnifying glass just to read it! Worse yet, all the old favorites that kept Annie's in business for 60 yrs are gone. While it was once possible to get a lean steak, nice salad and boiled carrots for around $15, now you have to pay about $25 and the salad is extra! Carrots were once served in thick and juicy slices but they are now thin and dry. When Annie's served a square deal on round plates, customers were lined up to the door. Now it's immediate seating next to empty tables.

Not the same neighborhood restaurant

Went to Annie's last night for dinner (first time in about 3 years) and brought my husband (his first time ever). Love the new decor. NOT crazy about the new menu -- more costly, not as extensive, and they should really go back to broiling the crackcakes as they weren't as tasty as I remember. I was told that broiling stopped being an option in order to provide faster service. It's Annie's, for crying out loud -- who's in a hurry? The filet, however, was delicious. I'm just diappointed in the limited menu selections.

Way overpriced for the food & service level

I dined here on 1/4/2009. They have recently remodeled and substantially reduced their menu choices. In the process, the prices are astronomical. The burgers are now $13.95 and up. Their steak prices are along the lines of Sam & Harry's/Morton's with none of the service. The waiter was not very attentive, plates sat empty in front of us for several minutes. At this price point, service needs to be much better. The bread was hard as a rock. Salads no longer served with meals. After dining here for many years, I am sad to see this place go so "upscale", it used to be a fun place to go!

Change w/ Mixed Results

I've been going to Annie's since it was at 17th & Church. I still miss the jukebox terminals in the booths. Hate the new decor. Hate the new prices. Don't blame Annie's for not being as gay as it was. Walk around the neighborhood and try not to get run over by a baby carriage. And don't forget to thank the DC Council for the smoking ban. Still, it's the best bacon cheeseburger in town, terrific onion rings, and the steak & eggs, a/k/a heart attack on a plate, would be wonderful if they'd cook the potatoes. And on a warm summer day there's still enough of an interesting passing parade on the sidewalk to make it worth a visit.