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D.C. dining east of the Anacostia River

Although some think it will change soon, hungry residents in D.C. east of the Anacostia — wards 7 and 8 — have few options other than fast food or carry-out. Officials know of only six restaurants with wait service for the area’s 140,000 residents.

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Mama's Kitchen on Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE in Anacostia opened in October. The owners made a point of removing the grates over the windows and working to connect with customers. It is one of the few restaurants in the District east of the Anacostia River that provides sit-down service with a wait staff.

Jahi Chikwendiu / The Washington Post

Fatma Nayir and her husband own Mama's Kitchen in Anacostia. They're Turkish immigrants who have owned restaurants in Bethesda and New Orleans. They chose Anacostia because it was a place where they could afford to open a pizzeria. Some people think that the area is on the cusp of seeing more restaurants, especially as new office and residential projects take place.

Fatma Nayir and her husband own Mama's Kitchen in Anacostia. They're Turkish immigrants who have owned restaurants in Bethesda and New Orleans. They chose Anacostia because it was a place where they could afford to open a pizzeria. Some people think that the area is on the cusp of seeing more restaurants, especially as new office and residential projects take place.

Jahi Chikwendiu / The Washington Post

Georgena's on Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE in Anacostia has been serving lunch, dinner and cocktails for more than 20 years. It was known previously as the Players Lounge, a go-go bar featuring topless dancers. Now the owner is considering more changes to accommodate the evolving area. 'We already made one transformation,' Steve Thompson said. 'When change comes, we will change again.'

Georgena's on Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE in Anacostia has been serving lunch, dinner and cocktails for more than 20 years. It was known previously as the Players Lounge, a go-go bar featuring topless dancers. Now the owner is considering more changes to accommodate the evolving area. "We already made one transformation," Steve Thompson said. "When change comes, we will change again."

Jahi Chikwendiu / The Washington Post

Jonathan Taylor serves customers at the IHOP on Alabama Avenue SE. It's one of the few sit-down restaurants with wait service east of the Anacostia River in the District.

Jonathan Taylor serves customers at the IHOP on Alabama Avenue SE. It's one of the few sit-down restaurants with wait service east of the Anacostia River in the District.

Jahi Chikwendiu / The Washington Post

Sonji Cochran serves customers at IHOP. Wards 7 and 8 in the District have about 140,000 residents, but officials say they know of only six restaurants with sit-down areas and wait staff. Otherwise, it's full of fast-food and carry-out places.

Sonji Cochran serves customers at IHOP. Wards 7 and 8 in the District have about 140,000 residents, but officials say they know of only six restaurants with sit-down areas and wait staff. Otherwise, it's full of fast-food and carry-out places.

Jahi Chikwendiu / The Washington Post

Uniontown Bar & Grill on Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE in Anacostia has developed a loyal following since it opened last year.

Uniontown Bar & Grill on Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE in Anacostia has developed a loyal following since it opened last year.

Jahi Chikwendiu / The Washington Post

Damond Thomas, a.k.a. D.J. Dirty Redz, plays music as food is served at Uniontown Bar & Grill.

Damond Thomas, a.k.a. D.J. Dirty Redz, plays music as food is served at Uniontown Bar & Grill.

Jahi Chikwendiu / The Washington Post

Wanda Nazir serves dessert to Benjamin Bennaugh, 76, at Denny's on Benning Road NE, east of the Anacostia River. 'Tonight, I didn't feel like fixing a sandwich, and I wanted to sit down and be served,' Bennaugh said. There are few places one can do that in the area, though some believe that is changing.

Wanda Nazir serves dessert to Benjamin Bennaugh, 76, at Denny's on Benning Road NE, east of the Anacostia River. "Tonight, I didn't feel like fixing a sandwich, and I wanted to sit down and be served," Bennaugh said. There are few places one can do that in the area, though some believe that is changing.

Jahi Chikwendiu / The Washington Post

From left, Jahi Wise, Muna Hassan and Bantamlak Yimenu have lunch at Big Chair Bar & Grill on Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE in Anacostia. An entrepreneur is creating the eatery out of a failing coffee shop.

From left, Jahi Wise, Muna Hassan and Bantamlak Yimenu have lunch at Big Chair Bar & Grill on Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE in Anacostia. An entrepreneur is creating the eatery out of a failing coffee shop.

Jahi Chikwendiu / The Washington Post

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